tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57274234418068961192024-03-05T14:53:34.855-08:00Earthly journey HeavenwardsMiss Mbewehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08888140690364314580noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727423441806896119.post-76520165871427223132019-03-13T12:02:00.002-07:002019-03-14T09:19:26.825-07:00Who Is Your Go-To?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So...I have a confession. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Running to God first when I need counsel or quick solutions is not always my first instinct. Let me shed more light on what Mwape in an urgent crisis looks like.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">So let's imagine a random day and there is this decision that I have to make. I am aware I should talk to God about it, because I know he loves me and knows best. So I immediately decide that I will talk to God about it at night, before I go to bed, and soon after I call whoever I think will understand best and get a quick fix. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Off the top of my head, the reasons I do this include, because I am impatient, its urgent, I just feel like I need an actual voice to tell me what to do, its also more fun to actually have a verbal exchange and who doesn’t like fun, but also in that moment I lack sense and so I think that God needs at least a few minutes to give me his answer and I just don’t have that time. Cause remember, I am in a hurry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">If I’m being honest, this doesn’t only apply to crisis’, sometimes I do this in situations that are super chilled as well as those that don't require immediate solutions. Speaking to people is on the top of my list and talking to God is somewhere close to the bottom right above the option of giving up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I found myself worked up over a situation some days ago. My mother knew and overheard me speaking to someone over the phone about it. When I was done she said,“Mwape, you should learn to talk to God”. My quick defensive response was, “I do! I’ll speak to him once I get to bed”. She quickly corrected me and said, “He should be the first one you go to, not the last”. I knew she was right.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Fast forward to today, I am currently reading the book Secure in the Everlasting Arms by Elizabeth George. I was reading the subchapter called “A Holy Aloneness”. In this part she asks her readers if they are tempted to pick up the phone when in need of advice forgetting to seek first the living word of God or talk to him whose ear is always open to our cries? She goes on to encourage us to be patient and she asks, is God not fast enough? Is it his answers we run away from because we know that they can be tough sometimes. You know? Someone wronged you and you know the Lord’s prayer in the Bible says to forgive those who trespass against us just as he forgives us. That clearly includes the trespasses we have never received apologies for. So you’d rather call a friend who will instead tickle your ears. Or, this is the common one. You know how <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+18%3A15-17&version=ESV" target="_blank">Matthew 18:15-17</a> talks about conflict resolution, how if your brother sins against you you must sit with him and show him his error. My default is to call someone and tell them about it and rarely follow it up with the person who has wronged me because the former is easier, however, if I took a moment to pray and reflect on his word, wouldn’t that scripture come to mind and the next step look different and be in line with God’s word? I know, the struggle is real. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">At times we actually succumb to seeing a counsellor when we feel we aren’t getting the answers or support we need. I remember going through heartbreak and convincing myself that I needed to see a student counsellor. It felt like a lonely season, I felt like I needed to hear something more profound. It didn’t click that my father in heaven is the wonderful counsellor (Isaiah 9:6) and my loneliness should be transformed into holy aloneness. I need to learn to sit still before the Lord. One hour in prayer may change our perception more than any earthly advice we can get. Do we have the patience to be still in prayer and sit before the Lord? </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">Psalm 57:1 says “Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, <b><i>for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until disaster has passed</i></b>”. Psalm 46: 1 says "</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>God is our refuge and strength</i></b>, a <i><b>very present help</b></i> in trouble". The two verses are a reminder of why he is the best go-to you could ever have.</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Regardless of what your day to day troubles look like, I want to encourage you to make God your go-to. “In times of trouble, go not out of yourself to seek for aid; for the whole benefit of trial consists in silence, patience, rest and resignation. In this condition divine strength is found”- Miguel de Molinos.</span></div>
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Miss Mbewehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08888140690364314580noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727423441806896119.post-714487544025998052019-02-26T14:09:00.000-08:002019-02-26T14:13:52.521-08:00Dear Season Graduates<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dear season graduates,<o:p></o:p></div>
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So, I graduated! If you follow my blogposts, I wrote a post about leaving to pursue my postgraduate studies in the UK. Well, that season of my life is over, God was so good and saw it fit for me to graduate. And with a distinction, it is such a huge achievement that I just had to slide that detail in somewhere. I can see you starting to yawn already, the great news is that this post isn’t about me graduating, it is about graduating from life’s different seasons. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Basically, our lives can be broken into seasons. It is extremely important that you embrace the season you’re in; this looks like being content in it or more so enjoying it. I make this differentiation between the two because some seasons are challenging to enjoy. Some would argue that these seasons are actually impossible to enjoy. Examples include, seasons of depression, loss, sickness, failure, disappointment, or waiting. <o:p></o:p></div>
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God is still good and he is faithful. Despite us being sinners only deserving of death (<a href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Romans/6/23" target="_blank">Romans 6:23</a>), sometimes, in his wisdom, God sees it fit that we graduate from these challenging seasons with our desired outcome. Days finally start to seem brighter after weeks, months or years of grieving and mourning your loved one. Medical results start to look up after a period of illness. You finally pass after being discouraged by single or multiple attempts at a particular module. Sometime after the end of a relationship that left you heartbroken, you aren’t hurting anymore, and your heart is finally starting to smile again. Or, after months or years of desiring a relationship, marriage, finances, a job, a child, God comes through and answers your prayer. There are so many challenging seasons we experience, yours might look different. However, if you have experienced a trying time and God graciously saw you through then this post is for you.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I have been reading a book titled ‘When the bottom drops out: Finding Grace in the Depths of disappointment’ and it has really been ministering to my heart. I highly recommend this book. You know those books that have you wanting to highlight everything? Yep! It’s one of those. There’s a chapter where the author, Robert Bugh, shares his story about the death of his best friend and a year later his wife, that led him to writing the book. Challenging seasons change you and he echoed this when mentions that his perspective changed particularly with regard to him becoming compassionate for people. He says;<o:p></o:p></div>
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“…. Now, however, I am aware and care in ways I never imagined before. Your disappointments will transform you in different ways from the way I have been changed. But you will be changed.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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That part alone, spoke to me. 4 things particularly stood out for me and I’d like to share them with you:<o:p></o:p></div>
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When we graduate from seasons, we do not always get the desired outcome. These are the seasons you find hard to enjoy, however the secret is contentment as you go through them, more so after you graduate with the less desired outcome. However, contentment is found in Christ. God's grace that he lovingly gives to his children, who have called upon him in true repentance and faith, is what gets us through our moments of weakness (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+12%3A7-10&version=ESV" target="_blank">2 Corinthians 12:7-10</a>). God also grants believers an understanding that ultimately we are created for God's glory, whatever he sees right to put us through is because he gets the most glory out of that situation. It is not easy, but we still rest in the fact that he loves us and means well. I just want to urge you if you are not saved to call on Jesus Christ to become your Lord and Saviour, it is only he who gives grace to joyfully endure life's seasons with their different outcomes. <o:p></o:p>I recently overheard my brother say you can't enjoy pain, however, you can find joy in pain. It is only through Christ that this can happen.</div>
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Seasons transform us in different ways, regardless, there is a transformation that takes place. I have heard people excuse their behaviour by blaming their challenging seasons. I myself am probably no exception. You know the stories you hear about how someone has a reckless love life, wrecking and breaking hearts because someone disappointed them in a previous failed relationship. How a student cheats in tests and exams out of fear of failure because of the time they had to repeat a module. A troubled childhood being an excuse for living a reckless life. Discontentment and failure to view singleness as a gift from God leading us to pursuing a relationship with someone we have no business being with. There are so many examples of times our challenging seasons could transform us for the worst. It is important to pray for eyes that see that God is working things out for your good in order that the transformation that WILL take place results in you becoming a better you than you were yesterday.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Awareness<o:p></o:p></div>
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Something else that happens as a result of us going through seasons of life is an awareness. Experiencing something makes it come alive, it becomes a reality. Before, circumstances seemed like a far-fetched experience, but all of a sudden you realise that it is real and others have experienced, are experiencing and will experience it. Don't waste experiences. It doesn't end with you. Not too long ago, I experienced disappointment. When I was younger, what I experienced was what I saw in movies, overheard from grown up conversations I had no business listening to and just chatted about with friends when we felt extra dramatic. Here I was experiencing it, I am now aware that this actually does happen in real life. What are you doing with your realisation that others are experiencing or will experience what you went through during your challenging season?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Compassion<o:p></o:p></div>
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Robert Bugh talks about caring in ways he never imagined before. These seasons of hardship should not be an excuse for closing ourselves in. Your mind has been transformed. In Contagious Christian Living, Joel Beeke says, “if God sanctifies us, we will be most influential to others when we are most afflicted. People will watch us most closely then to see if and how faith sustains us”. You are now aware that there are others going through the same hard times you did. Your heart should break for them. What does compassion look like? Prayer and letting them know you are praying for them, checking up on them, spending time with them, finding ways in which you can be of help, encouraging them from the scriptures. It is also helpful to think of things that helped you get through your season and ways in which you wish others were there for you.</div>
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1 Corinthians 1:3b-4 reminds us that, “….. He(God) comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.” (The Message)</div>
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<o:p> </o:p>In Robert Bugh’s book, he mentions that one advantage of adversity in our lives is that it enables us to encourage others in theirs. We help other struggling people realise that they are not alone, that trouble is part of God’s plan for all of us. May this be true of us. May our struggles and troubles not cause us to put ourselves at the centre of our little universe but move us to see others and offer encouragement. </div>
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</style>Miss Mbewehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08888140690364314580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727423441806896119.post-2330365383487529332018-09-07T04:03:00.002-07:002018-09-07T04:49:28.311-07:00Life Lessons from Candy Crush<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">You may have clicked the link thinking, "Come on Mwape! Why do you always have to be so deep? Candy Crush is JUST a GAME. Why do you have to mess it up for us by coming up with life lessons from a game?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">The simple answer is, I couldn’t help it. For those who know me, I’m such a deep thinker. I’m so reflective. When I see an apple, I’m not just seeing an apple. Everything makes me think deeper. It is often a good thing, because I take so much from the simplest of things. SO, let’s cut down to the chase: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">Daily Treats are a Much-Needed Boost</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7WpdtwVeMjvEXhNtqvpubNk9QSQ5v502TxR6elNhZGciT1_QF1_aZY5k-Y7AJX2vJP1Wo01lsSse9rgRh2LtHSIGwym0L7r8M_84U_RA7vxWc10o4QwVD78ui3pQ_-irU0C631iRxGG4/s1600/fullsizeoutput_2574.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7WpdtwVeMjvEXhNtqvpubNk9QSQ5v502TxR6elNhZGciT1_QF1_aZY5k-Y7AJX2vJP1Wo01lsSse9rgRh2LtHSIGwym0L7r8M_84U_RA7vxWc10o4QwVD78ui3pQ_-irU0C631iRxGG4/s320/fullsizeoutput_2574.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">The daily treats were a much-needed innovation. They really change lives (pun intended). The lollipop and the hand are my favourite. Interesting enough, God has given us a daily treat to help us through every single day we wake up; His word. Don’t forget to read through his word daily, it is all the boost you need to get you through whatever the day will unfold.<o:p></o:p></span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"> 2. <o:p></o:p>Winning Streaks May Lead to Pride<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">I don’t know about you but every time I have a winning streak, I get so excited that I play the 6<sup>th </sup>level in a row without looking at the corner that shows what is required of me. It is normally after playing about 10 moves that I realise I haven’t won yet and I’m like wait! Hold up! What am I supposed to be doing again? Oh, it's fruit I'm supposed to be collecting!<o:p></o:p></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">The first time this happened, it instantly reminded me of my attitude during my “winning” seasons in life. I get so much confidence in my own abilities that I forget that I need to always remember to check what is required of me. I’m on such a hype that I forget that I need to remember what I am supposed to be doing, remember to read my word in order to know how to live and remember that I need God because it is actually not my abilities that saw me through all the victories whether great or small, it was his grace. <o:p></o:p></span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"> 3. Bad games remind you to Plan and Strategise<o:p></o:p></span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">On the other hand, when I lose, I’m instantly taken back to playing with a plan and strategy. What does it look like? Looking at the number of moves you have, how much time you have, how many fruits you need to collect, how you can collect the boosters to help you in your crisis etc. Sometimes it even means pausing for a moment and just staring at your screen for a few minutes in order to see the bigger picture. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_c4q1nZeZGqE7_GwhIY9N6ASeSM3_itK3XCZurfuCcjoCC_0OnRDuKDSTed-skNPfgIlJbPY7JC6pkpngYDHJ2bxr4ThZioNWAzTgyeG7rw9tWBsoHjEzj7YDNuXRvMibeFFEaxGTMxY/s1600/giphy-6.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="245" data-original-width="570" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_c4q1nZeZGqE7_GwhIY9N6ASeSM3_itK3XCZurfuCcjoCC_0OnRDuKDSTed-skNPfgIlJbPY7JC6pkpngYDHJ2bxr4ThZioNWAzTgyeG7rw9tWBsoHjEzj7YDNuXRvMibeFFEaxGTMxY/s320/giphy-6.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">I find life to be like that too. The bad grades in school push us to pray harder, get help from the ones who thrive in class, see our lecturers and be intentional about our studies. The days we hear of the passing away of others remind us to number our days right that we may gain a heart of wisdom. The bad relationship days push us to get back to the drawing board and look to God's word as well as the counsel of others. <o:p></o:p></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">When you really think about it, perhaps bad days are not all so bad if they bring us closer to God.<o:p></o:p></span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"> 4. Friends are a blessing<o:p></o:p></span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Y’all! Those times when you are in the zone and you feel the win coming with each time you try and then BAM! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMtWqMHh4IVQHpIDKov7pyfP0ghlDppekQI8av2ewnZ8ha-J0-0y5OAAi2hfehBx6FAlv3pRV5KnlmvJkAn8QYjv9aNsNXjgHOJ7fjyMGMIDy9BjOwpiHpS-Ypuv86wrWp-j4uj5klIs/s1600/fullsizeoutput_2573.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMtWqMHh4IVQHpIDKov7pyfP0ghlDppekQI8av2ewnZ8ha-J0-0y5OAAi2hfehBx6FAlv3pRV5KnlmvJkAn8QYjv9aNsNXjgHOJ7fjyMGMIDy9BjOwpiHpS-Ypuv86wrWp-j4uj5klIs/s320/fullsizeoutput_2573.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">It boils down to three options. You stop playing; we all know that that is out of the question, I mean come on, you can feel the win coming and you’re not a quitter. Buying lives? You love candy crush, but not that much. OR asking your friends to send you lives. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Before you know it, the loyal ones have come through.<o:p></o:p></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Life, is like that too, when we are in a crisis, there are those friends who we know we can count on, they hold us down, have our backs and they just always come through. Such a blessing. </span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;"> 5. Consult those who have “graduated”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Let me not even talk about those levels that just don’t make sense! Those levels where you have 6 moves to work a miracle. You know you are not Moses and your stick will not part this sea- you lose. You have tried and tried to make it work but it is just not adding up.<o:p></o:p></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">You finally do what you knew you should have done all along: YouTube!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">And then you realise you wasted your time because it is actually nothing fancy but luck</span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">The point is, when you feel stuck and do not know what to do, remember that there are people who have gone through the same and call them, message them and have a chat about how they made it through. Share your struggles. And for the people who have graduated from these seasons, let’s not forget to be real, honest and helpful. As my dad says “store these experiences up, God will use them to help others who are coming after you”<o:p></o:p></span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"> 6. When Something gets hard you don’t quit, you take a break<o:p></o:p></span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Some levels are so hard. You’ve tried and tried, and it just won’t budge. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">You take a break, but you don’t quit. Sometimes we need time away from the situation to come back refreshed and able to conquer. There are many things we encounter in life that we try multiple times to work through and get so tired that we just want to throw in the towel. Pray, go read your word, do something else for a minute, drink that cold or hot drink, watch an episode of friends, call that friend and cry and laugh and get back to it. You can do it!<o:p></o:p></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">In other news; I'm currently on level 2717! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">If you play it too, share how far you've gone in the comment section below.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Miss Mbewehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08888140690364314580noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727423441806896119.post-1363292087497313082018-07-04T13:26:00.000-07:002018-07-04T14:07:43.992-07:00What You May Not Know About Grief (Part I)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">This beautiful article has been written by someone who chooses to remain anonymous. It gives a fresh perspective on grief that comes with the loss of a loved one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Here’s the thing about grief, it’s different, each and every time. We try our best to comfort our understanding of it with things like “the five stages of grief” but at the end of the day, no matter how much theory you may have behind it, there’s no blueprint to how you deal with it, there just isn’t, and not many people tell you that. I’ve had the misfortune of losing different people, including both my parents at different stages of my life. The biggest problem I faced initially was that I hadn’t realized that I was grieving the wrong way, that a storm was silently brewing within me, a storm filled with unhealthy emotions and releases, ready to explode as soon as I had reached my saturation point. It inevitably lead me down a dark path but that path allowed me to search the issue of grief and how best to deal with it. It allowed me to look at what helps and what doesn’t and with all my initial thoughts on it and all the clichés that people had often said to me over the years, I came to understand that, in my experience, there’s a lot that no one tells you about it. There’s a lot that some people assume, a lot that others sometimes wrongly regard as common practice or effect, a lot that others really don’t know and, in one way or another, can’t know and most importantly, there’s so much that YOU the griever may not know too. So here’s a few things that perhaps no one will tell you or has ever told you(as someone grieving or working with someone that is grieving). </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Disclaimer</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">! You may know them already or not find them valid/helpful. Grief is not a one size fits all, experiences are different.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">At some point, more often than not, you’re not haunted by the memory of your loved one but by the guilt of feeling as though you are actually forgetting them. Their voice, their laugh, their actual prominent thought in your mind. A couple of memorial days down the line you start to forget the date or miss their birthday and all of a sudden you feel terrible because you feel as though you’re losing them all over again, only in your mind this time. You are caught between either being too emotionally invested in their death or feeling too guilty that you’re not thinking about them enough.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">It is not encouraging to hear that the people you’ve lost are proud of you. Not because of any other reasons but that there’s absolutely no way of knowing that, nor is there a biblical inclination towards such things being possible or true. Caught in the mix of those two issues is the prison you build yourself as you constantly try to make them proud without actually knowing what that looks like and so you attribute it to things like success and status. Which is wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">No one else understands what you specifically are going through, that’s okay. But the problem lies in telling yourself that, because you build walls around yourself telling yourself that no one will ever understand you and throw yourself all kinds of pity parties. Just because no one can fully understand it all does not mean that they cannot help you or that they cannot even partially empathize or sympathize. Fact is that is enough if you let it be and sometimes you miss the great encouragement you could possibly get from others simply because we rule them out on the basis of them not knowing or experiencing exactly what you do/have.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Without knowing it you will probably align your grief with release. That release will often present itself as a vice but the tricky part is recognizing that vice. Particularly because we only think of vices in relation to drink and drugs and sex, yet we miss simple things like emotionally damaging relationships, “over-venting”, anger, entitlement, superiority and inferiority complexes, sadness and the feeding of it, extreme activities, success, status and an entire inexhaustible list.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Probably the most important one that people either don’t say or do say but just say without actually thinking about, <b>there’s peace and there’s healing</b>. The reasons I say that most people don’t actually and properly think about them are; they don’t know what that peace looks like or where it’s found, and sometimes when they do, they don’t know what that means exactly in regard to healing or how it can be attained or even when! I’m not sure what your grieving process has looked like for you, as I said before it looks different for everyone. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">However, this peace comes from one place and I’ll tell you more about it in part 2! </span></li>
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Miss Mbewehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08888140690364314580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727423441806896119.post-11083417485509449262018-06-18T14:03:00.001-07:002018-06-18T14:29:26.736-07:0024 Things About 24 Year Old Me<br />
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Enough about the serious and deep stuff already!<o:p></o:p></div>
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I am switching this up a little bit, this is a simple and chilled blogpost about me. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Who is Mwape, you may ask. She is the girl in the picture below. As for the rest guess you have to read on and find out. </div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->My full names are Mwape Mbewe. I know, no middle name. Ive been getting on to my parents about that. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->I was named after my fathers older sister. She is Dr Mwape Kabole. She has to be one of the sweetest and most generous people on this earth.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->My favourite thing about myself is my childlike heart. I see the world innocently. I like it that way.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->I was born in my parents bedroom. I think that’s why I’m a home girl.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->One of my gifts is that I see an entrepreneurial opportunity in almost everything I lay my eyes on.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->I gave my life to Christ in 2009. Has not been the smoothest journey but absolutely worth it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->I am a sucker for love. Love is so deep and beautiful. Shame on people who take its beauty away from it. </div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->I love DIY projects. I believe if someone can do it, so can I. Lord knows how many things I choose to do for myself, it keeps life exciting though.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The worst grade I ever got in a test is 6%. In university! Haha! Funny story, my friend and I were both sure we had failed the test after we wrote it but we both did not believe the other was being honest about how bad it was. We agreed that the one who got the highest grade would buy the other a drink. Results came out and I got 6%, she got 4%. When my roommate heard us arguing about buying the drink she couldn’t believe we made an argument over such poor grades. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->I wish I could sing. Why didn’t God give me that talent? Because he knew if I could sing I would not have a blog but a YouTube channel and would unnecessarily sing everything I say.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">11.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->I spent most of my 17<sup>th</sup>birthday crying and sad because I woke up to no birthday messages and throughout my day I generally felt so unloved. I am that extra. You'd be proud to know that since then I made some changes.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">12.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->My mummy has left the most impact on my life. Thinking about my mother makes me want to cry. Although like normal human beings we sometimes drive each other crazy, I love her so much. She has always been there for me. She is such a strong woman, even when I don’t think its necessary Lol. She is amazing and I love her.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">13.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->I can’t ride a bike and neither can I swim. The science of a human being floating and balancing on two wheels just doesn’t add up for me and stands in the way of me being able to do both activities. Let’s not even talk about how I’m not okay with my hair getting wet.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">14.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->I have only been to 5 Countries; Zambia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, the United Kingdom and Italy. Just chill, I am working on it, guys.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">15.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->When I was a lot younger I wanted to be a primary school teacher. I loved teaching my teddy bears and dolls using my little chalk board when I got home from school.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">16.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->My first job was as a merchandiser. Another funny story. One time in high school the phone bill came out and my father discovered I had been using the home landline to make calls to my boyfriend. As a way of teaching me a lesson he organized for me to work during my school holidays in order to make some money to pay for the bill Haha! Well, by the time I got paid I forgot why I was working and I think he forgot too cause I ended up using it to spoil myself <span style="font-family: "wingdings";">J</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">17.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->One of my weaknesses is that I care so much what people think about me. It is such a stressful life to live and I am working on being better in that area. Baby steps.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">18.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->I love dogs! Most people who know me know this. I will do whatever is in my power to make sure my dogs are well, comfortable and happy. Grateful God made them. They make the world a brighter place.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">19.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->I am such a procrastinator. It’s so sad.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">20.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->I am all about living a fulfilled life. I really struggle with doing things I don’t love or believe in. I would “settle” for a job other people would look down on that makes my life full, than be miserable doing one that looks good. Life is too short to not do what you love.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">21.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->If I get my hands on something I will do it to the best of my ability. It’s got to be the best, unless I’m just done, then I will be too tired to care.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">22.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Unlike most females, I am not a chocolate person. I just don’t get the fuss.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">23.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Some of my pet peeves include; when people can’t whisper, when people are unruly or inconsiderate, when skid marks are left in the toilet bowl, know-it-alls, two people walking on the sidewalk and expecting you to fly over them (like person 2, can you just walk behind person 1 for a second? Please and thanks). I'll end here.<o:p></o:p></div>
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24. I love to write. Wish I was disciplined enough to do it more often.</div>
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Who would have thought coming up with 24 facts about myself would be quite the exercise. </div>
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Such an achievement.<o:p></o:p></div>
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*Whispering* 25. I love Gifs.</div>
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Miss Mbewehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08888140690364314580noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727423441806896119.post-6797033508184460712018-06-17T14:44:00.003-07:002018-07-04T15:40:08.545-07:00Choosing Gratitude<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQeaP4tTR63w7HwGito-7Nlr3aksEE-ymZOgFe6BMknJnRU6INp-V5chjJYIFzGx0fQ1Jn_gH2MY2JZynEuAz98nyPTpspObRnr3gLcw_A-aTyl9qI5-Ok_z6z0RcjQoBdzAK6xsvjthw/s1600/Gratitude-and-happiness-The-link-based-on-neuroscience-720x380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="720" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQeaP4tTR63w7HwGito-7Nlr3aksEE-ymZOgFe6BMknJnRU6INp-V5chjJYIFzGx0fQ1Jn_gH2MY2JZynEuAz98nyPTpspObRnr3gLcw_A-aTyl9qI5-Ok_z6z0RcjQoBdzAK6xsvjthw/s400/Gratitude-and-happiness-The-link-based-on-neuroscience-720x380.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">You know what has been on my mind the last couple of days? Gratitude. </span></div>
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I am not sure how many of you remember the first couple of times you heard the Bible story of the ten lepers in <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+17%3A11-19&version=NIV" target="_blank">Luke 17:11-19</a>. For me, the times I remember hearing it when I was a lot younger, I really looked down on the nine who did not come back to Jesus to say thank you. I am not sure if you can relate. I’ll be nice enough to give you a second; just think about it. See!<o:p></o:p></div>
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One thing that I often do is try to put myself in the shoes of someone and think of whether I would do what they did or make the same decision they did. Just to go off track a little, this started some time back when someone asked me to imagine if I was born during the years Jesus walked on this earth and think about whether I would have actually been among those who believed in him or wanted him crucified. And when I thought of that it opened my mind and soon became a thing that I adopted; learning to walk in others shoes.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Okay, back to the track. When I heard about the ten lepers and the one who came back saying thank you, I definitely felt confident that if I was one of the lepers I would definitely not be among the ungrateful nine. But let me tell you something, it has been a number of years and I cannot count how many times I have done as the nine did.<o:p></o:p></div>
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You know how life on earth gets, there’s almost always something I believe I am lacking and desperately need God to come through and intervene. Some needs are so important, a matter of life and death, so much is at stake. Much like the ten lepers. Their lives were on the line. I am not sure how much y’all know about leprosy but from my research it is really bad. Fingers falling, skin looking cray and you are deprived of living a normal life. Imagine being healed from such a dreadful disease. Amazing. <o:p></o:p></div>
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How many times do we face situations where we desperately need a miracle? When the miracle comes through do we actually return to the God who we so desperately pleaded with. Or do we sometimes get carried away with the gift that we immediately forget the giver. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Remember that terrible final semester that you didn’t think you would pull through and thought you would not graduate? Or is it that season of heartbreak during which you thought your heart would never smile again? Was it the time when you lacked the finances for something important? Maybe it was even your health or that of a loved one. It could even be the small things like asking him to protect you during a short trip and not saying thank you for the safe arrival, praying that a test goes well or asking for a good day ahead. Sometimes it is the things or relationships we pray for and God mercifully blesses us, and we quickly kick him off the throne and place that idol above him- loving the gift more than the giver.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I don’t know about you, but I am terribly guilty of many of these examples. Judging the ungrateful nine lepers when I am a 21<sup>st</sup>century version of them. I have been convicted of the fact that I mirror the very same behaviour more often than not. <o:p></o:p></div>
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However, as always, despite my flaws, God’s grace and unmerited favour and mercy is new each and every morning. I am glad he has opened my mind to this realisation that I MUST remember to go back to him, my father, with praise and gratitude for his continued undeserved goodness in my life. I hope this encourages you to do the same. </div>
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Here’s to being the grateful one!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image: versiondaily.com</span></div>
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Miss Mbewehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08888140690364314580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727423441806896119.post-6239675004057103582018-02-23T11:11:00.001-08:002018-06-19T03:25:16.113-07:00Day 4- Types of Reactions to Break-Up News<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLxXmUigASf6f5SpEP0lZTsb07quBxe2EGfPocjeoAIjLaQsaXLJ0TTkvwoQVPZ0ba2wmFQ-CabjvE7BA3aN3CWguYNdFV1XxqOoXS7VSROc4cI0vzHIy4c6skudq7q-v3f9n2WMunDw/s1600/fbrea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="328" data-original-width="600" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLxXmUigASf6f5SpEP0lZTsb07quBxe2EGfPocjeoAIjLaQsaXLJ0TTkvwoQVPZ0ba2wmFQ-CabjvE7BA3aN3CWguYNdFV1XxqOoXS7VSROc4cI0vzHIy4c6skudq7q-v3f9n2WMunDw/s320/fbrea.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Statistics show that 3 out of 3 people have experienced a break
up atleast once in their life. My other name is ‘statistics’. Truth be told I
was too lazy to find out how many people experience it but I am convinced that
everyone has, atleast once in their lifetime. If you haven’t, bless your heart.
I pray you never do. If you have experienced it before, you know how unbearable
the pain is. My sister and I often laugh about how you don’t know what to do
with the pain and you are short of taking yourself to the hospital and
requesting that they admit you. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When other people learn of the news, either through gossip
or you telling them, there are interesting reactions that one gets. I decided
to put some together in this blog post. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here goes.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1.The Rejoicers</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://media.giphy.com/media/l1J9ApYaF7dM0b16w/giphy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="500" height="179" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/l1J9ApYaF7dM0b16w/giphy.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These tend to be the people dear to your
heart. They are the ones who you felt comfortable enough to share your
relationship journey with. Because they knew some dynamics of your
relationship, they may have felt that it was not the best fit for you. When you
let them know of your breakup they either let you know straight up that they are
happy to hear that. This is where you hear them say things like</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“This time never go back”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Thank goodness you have finally woken up”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“If you ever take him/her back I will never
talk to you”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But you also have those who are subtle who
pass comments like</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“It’s a shame you can never go back”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. The self-absorbed</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://media.giphy.com/media/Iad4lCRZsYyFa/giphy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="267" data-original-width="492" height="173" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/Iad4lCRZsYyFa/giphy.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are also those people who are under
the impression that they had the right to know first. You know, when you are
going through the disappointment of heartbreak, the last thing on your mind is
a list of those who you should tell. You are not yourself. You are in pain.
Your heart hurts. All you want to do is get through the day for the first
couple of days, weeks or months. In the confusion of it all you do not want to
speak about it. Then you receive the messages saying “Oh! So you broke up and
did not tell me? I thought we were friends?” </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Uhmmm, I’m sorry that I just experienced this
huge disappointment and forgot to put informing you above my pain. “</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. The Probbers</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://media.giphy.com/media/qdf7ASA9z1VgQ/giphy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="345" data-original-width="500" height="220" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/qdf7ASA9z1VgQ/giphy.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then you have the people who have heard via
gossip who message or call you to get you to tell them. They have already heard
from somewhere else. I know you are wondering why they contact you so that you
can repeat the same news to them, unfortunately, I have no idea either. They
have never showed concern for your relationship before and today all of a
sudden you recieve that strange message saying;</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Hey! How are you doing? How is your
boyfriend?”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I see what you’re trying to do there but if
you are not my friend enough to show genuine concern then I’m sorry you need to
go back where you from and do better. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>4. Those who do not care </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://media.giphy.com/media/D5c5Pi7BasGis/giphy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="261" data-original-width="500" height="167" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/D5c5Pi7BasGis/giphy.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These really hurt right in the feels. These
are the ones who are dear to you who you did tell about what you are going
through, but never bothered to check on you passed the time you last spoke
about the break up. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let me get this right. Someone is going
through a rough time and you do not care enough to check on them despite being
fully aware of it? They trusted you enough to open up to you and you can’t be
bothered to send a message or call them and just find out how they are doing?
Understandably some will get busy with other things going on in their lives but
take a second to just let the person know you are thinking of them. That makes
a whole lot of a difference.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5. The Ready</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://media.giphy.com/media/l378jZTJ9NenqAYLe/giphy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="480" height="131" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/l378jZTJ9NenqAYLe/giphy.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A day after you let them know you are going
through a breakup they have a fully compiled list of new options for you. It
almost feels like they had the list ready before the break up happened.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jamie from the church conference last year</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Chipo from the youth group</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Temwani from that sister church</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Chikondi who has been your friend for a
long time </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hilary from your class</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Excuse me? Its barely been a minute since I
lost the person I had plans to spend the rest of my life with. If you could
just chill that would be nice.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>6. The Angels on Earth</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://media.giphy.com/media/3og0ICLsQ0sASnu70A/giphy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="500" height="160" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/3og0ICLsQ0sASnu70A/giphy.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These people are such a breath of fresh
air. They contact you to basically talk about anything and nothing because they
know that you are probably getting lonely. When you open up about how you are
feeling they listen and thoughtfully guide you through your thought process. They
message you to just let you know they are praying for you. They call you to
just check on you and laugh with you. They may not hear about the break up from
you but once they do they are quick to not make it about themselves and see
that there is someone in need so how can I help and make the pain less
unbearable.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Which of these are you? Break ups are not
easy seasons, heart break is so painful. Be mindful to not make light other
peoples heartbreak. I cannot emphasize enough how trying break ups are. Be the
person who shows genuine concern. Let’s search our hearts and ask God to help
us to be the angels on earth.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
<br /></div>
Miss Mbewehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08888140690364314580noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727423441806896119.post-50899017769322582812018-02-21T16:55:00.001-08:002018-02-21T17:01:25.937-08:00Day 3- Confessions of a Pastor's Daughter<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://shedrowconfessions.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/confessions.jpg?w=500" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://shedrowconfessions.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/confessions.jpg?w=500" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A question that follows me around quite a lot is, “How does
it feel being a pastor's daughter?” I often answer by saying, “I don’t know. It’s
all I know, so I have nothing much to compare it to.” In as much as there is so
much truth in that, I believe I do have an idea of what my life as a ‘non-pastors’
daughter would look like.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As a young lady I have since come to understand that my
father is a man who sacrifices a lot, but it is not often that one gets to know
that because he does it without complaint. He is such a cheerful man to the
extent that when something is bothering him, when he is tired, or unwell it is
easy to tell. He is so friendly, has a great sense of humour, he is a handsome
man (kudos to my mother, great taste!), he is ever so generous, wise, the best
person to cook a meal for (I have cooked him uncountable meals and there has
never been a day that he has not finished his serving) and he is one of my bestest
friends. My father is a great man. The most gifted Preacher I know. He is a
great example of a godly man. Bless his heart.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I was born, my father was already serving as Pastor. He
is dedicated to his calling as an ambassador of the gospel of our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ. But what did this mean for me? How did this affect my growing up?</span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Being a pastors daughter meant that I had to share my father
with uncountable people. My father has the biggest, most welcoming heart. To
the point where he just needs to chill. It’s a good thing till you wake up and
realize that we are a little too many in the inner circle. If you are a fellow
girl, you probably understand that every now and then it kind of makes you feel
like you have no special place in his life and are just a mere person in the
crowd with everyone else. </span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My father has a pretty serious itinerant ministry. If you
follow <a href="https://en-gb.facebook.com/mbewe.conrad/" target="_blank">him on Facebook</a>, you will see that he is almost always on his way
somewhere. Growing up, I never liked having him away. I’m pretty much an adult
now and I still don’t. My mother is a much bigger woman than I am, she handles
his absence like a champ and I am so inspired. His ministry travels and many
other callings have sometimes meant missed graduations, many nights without him
home, missed birthdays and so much more.. but hey who is counting? </span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://media.giphy.com/media/3o7aD3uigX3YnHLZOo/giphy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="264" data-original-width="478" height="176" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/3o7aD3uigX3YnHLZOo/giphy.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For the first 19years of my life my family and I lived in
the manse. This meant not as much privacy as there was a school running and
church staff 5 days a week. I particularly remember the time my oldest brother
and I decided to be adventurous. He knew how to drive but he hadn’t got his
drivers license yet. I had to go somewhere and he decided that he would take me
using mum's car. She wasn’t around. So we drove off and we were so hyped
and excited. Before we knew it we were getting a call from dad’s office
assistant summoning us to take the car back. So basically, the gardener ran to
her to tell her we had left with mum’s car, she called mum and mum told her we didn’t
have permission and she called us back home. As they say, the rest was history.
Oh! The joys of living on church premises! </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To make it seem like it was such a nightmare would be unfair
of me. Through my father’s ministry, both home and pulpit, I have grown spiritually.
I have been blessed to be raised in a home with the Bible as my life guide. I
have met amazing people of whom some have since become dear to me. There is
always a theologian on call. I get free counseling from the wisest man on
earth. Also, goodies when he travels!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The truth of the matter is, on this earth everything comes
secondary to putting God first. The reasons why having a father for a pastor
has been challenging to me is that it has taken certain comforts in this life
away from me. Is sacrificing these comforts for the sake of my Savior the Lord
Jesus Christ worth it? Yes. Do I wish my father was around more? Yes. Do I wish
his life wasn’t so crowded? Yes. Do I wish I grew up in a fenced yard with more
privacy? Yes. Often times I focus so much on what I am missing or missed out on
but each time I look at the bigger picture, I am left glad to be the daughter
of a Pastor who is dedicated to spreading Gods word, even if it sometimes calls
for my uncomfortability.</span></div>
Miss Mbewehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08888140690364314580noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727423441806896119.post-17495794457041301982018-02-19T17:36:00.000-08:002018-02-19T17:45:12.903-08:00Day 2- Tips to Prepare for Study Abroad<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://justbewitty.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/conclusion.pngMce_.c6yDVBNGgP.png.pagespeed.ce_.c6yDVBNGgP.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="213" data-original-width="800" height="106" src="https://justbewitty.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/conclusion.pngMce_.c6yDVBNGgP.png.pagespeed.ce_.c6yDVBNGgP.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you are reading this blog post because you are about to
leave your home country to do your studies, congratulations! If you are just
here to see what I am about to ramble about, you are welcome, too and I promise
to not ramble….too much.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As you may know from <a href="https://mwapembewe.blogspot.co.uk/2018/02/day-1-journey-worth-writing-about.html" target="_blank">yesterday’s blog post</a>, in October 2017,
I left my home country; Zambia, to study a Masters in Management in the United
Kingdom. Through everything leading up to my departure and my experience upon
arrival, I have some tips that you may find helpful.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "freestyle script";"><span style="font-size: large;">PRIOR TO DEPARTURE</span></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://i2.wp.com/www.minetyrfc.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/countcalendar20.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="150" src="https://i2.wp.com/www.minetyrfc.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/countcalendar20.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do your research. It is so much helpful to dedicate time to
researching on the country, town, university you are going to. That was really
helpful for me because I was quite emotional about leaving my family behind. Knowing
what was there to look forward to helped me to stay excited about the adventure
ahead. I also found it helpful to
research on societies suitable for International students at your university. There should be a
lot of information on that on the university website or social media accounts. Join your course group or chat on social media, you will get some helpful information from there too, the bonus is you get to interact with them too. YouTube
is also a useful source of information. If you have friends or family in that town/country or
even better, university, do not be afraid to ask questions.<br /></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Make sure you plan your time in order to avoid leaving
things to the last minute. Unfortunately, I didn’t do that and my last days
were a hot mess. Given that it was only confirmed that I was leaving two days
before I actually left, it is still no excuse as I should have strategized- uncertainty
is not an excuse! Make a list of everything you need to do and plan it out
making sure you avoid leaving items to the last couple of days, or even hours,
before your departure. Don’t burn
bridges before you leave. Say goodbye to
your family and friends. Sorry to burst your bubble, but there is no new set of
family or bunch of friends waiting for you at the airport in your destination
country. </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do not over pack or under pack. When I was leaving, I think
I had a relapse of judgment. I left most of my clothes as if there were bags of
clothes awaiting me in the arrival lounge. The other extreme is packing more
than you will need. Making a list of everything you plan to pack helps you
avoid that. I made the mistake of assuming that I didn’t need to carry some
Zambian dry foods and cultural items. I am still here regretting that, you will
definitely miss the food from back home and need to show some items that represent
your culture, so don’t forget.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "freestyle script";">DAY OF DEPARTURE</span></u></b></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://img2.cgtrader.com/items/98930/66992969fc/large/hourglass-3d-model-stl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="667" height="239" src="https://img2.cgtrader.com/items/98930/66992969fc/large/hourglass-3d-model-stl.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Try by all means to leave this day pressure free. You don’t want
to spend it running around, trust me. Leave this day for the final, simple to-do
items that you were not able to do before. If all is done, spend your extra
time chilling and ensuring you have not forgotten anything. Make sure you have
cash on you, in a convenient currency as you do not want surprises with bank
card drama. Make sure you have printed all documents you are required to show
at immigration. </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I hope this was helpful to you, if you need some advice on anything to do with preparing to go abroad for studies, I am more than glad to help. I am not a guru in this area but after experiencing it, I would consider it a pleasure to help anyone navigate through it. </span></span></div>
Miss Mbewehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08888140690364314580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727423441806896119.post-86000781421949977322018-02-18T16:57:00.000-08:002018-02-19T17:54:13.134-08:00Day 1- A journey Worth Writing About<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.concur.co.uk/newsroom/public/uploads/article_image/wide-980x390/1493020681011-edf-energy-s-travel-and-expense-journey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="800" height="127" src="https://www.concur.co.uk/newsroom/public/uploads/article_image/wide-980x390/1493020681011-edf-energy-s-travel-and-expense-journey.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Do you
remember how I was worrying about what God’s plans were for my life? Well, he
came through in ways I could have never imagined. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Let’s back
up a little bit. As you may recall from one of <a href="http://mwapembewe.blogspot.co.uk/2016/" target="_blank">my previous blogposts</a>, I left my job
at Ecobank and was left feeling like I had made one of the biggest mistakes of
my life. The days following that decision were hard. Oh my, this adulting
business. Can you ever really be ready? I think not.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Fortunately,
I was able to continue working for the Baucham’s. I am glad I got that
opportunity because they were of great support during the “did I make the right
decision” phase. I still never gave up on looking for opportunities to get
funding to pursue my postgraduate studies. Seeing as I had been unsuccessful
for almost two years, I often felt like giving up as it was very frustrating.
All the form filling, essay writing, if I had a penny for every application I
wrote I wouldn’t have needed a scholarship.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Enough about
that. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">In April
2017, I got a job with MTN Zambia; a network providing company. I thoroughly
enjoyed my job there. It wasn’t perfect, but it was so fulfilling. I was in the
service centre working as sales support. It involved interacting with customers
and I learnt so much. I worked hard, went above and beyond. In my 6 months
there, I was employee of the month 4 months in a row and I got another award
for being one of the top 2 E-learners in the whole of MTN Zambia for the month
of September. Some days were stressful, some days were busy, not all days were
Sundays but it was definitely an amazing learning curve. I remember how my job
at the bank left me insecure- feeling like there was something wrong with me. I
can’t emphasise how much it was a breath of fresh air to see myself thrive in
another job.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">One day in
the month of May, I got a letter from Nottingham Trent University (NTU); one of
the universities I had applied to, stating that my application for a 50%
tuition waiver was successful. I could hardly believe my eyes. The value of the
scholarship was huge, but....that meant...the amount I needed to still pay was
huge too. I was excited and grateful but at the same time wondering why God
gave me such an opportunity that seemed nearly impossible. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">When I got
home that evening, I told my mum about it and she surprisingly seemed open to
helping me with the balance that had to be paid. She told me to research
further on the costs involved, and I did. I looked at accommodation costs,
trying to assess how feasible it was. It was so expensive. I started looking
for ways in which I can get an accommodation discount and came across a
volunteer position called a Residence Assistant (RA). At NTU, if you volunteer
for that role, they take 50% off your accommodation. After looking at the job
description it seemed pretty perfect! I immediately applied and within the week
I had secured a place in the RA team.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Y’all, the
journey ahead was something else. It meant learning to trust in God. I wouldn’t
say I was the best at that. Most days it felt like things were falling in
place. Eventually, it became official I was going to the UK to do my
postgraduate studies. Now for the visa. My application was rejected. </span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://yeupsac.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/denied-stamp.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout;"><br /></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">I entered
what felt like intense sadness. The disappointment was unexplainable. It all
felt right, things were falling into place, how come it didn’t come through? I
had all these questions. It was such a painful experience. I cried for about 2
days straight. While crying, being the Mwape I am, I began to prepare my new
application letter, trying to stay optimistic because I had a little extra time
to work on the requirements needed and then reapply. Most times it’s hard to
accept Gods will for our lives when we feel we are wiser or feel we deserve
better. We forget that if God ever gave us what we actually deserve we would
all be dead.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">After
getting everything they required in order, I reapplied a few weeks later.
Finally, God smiled on me. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" x-apple-data-detectors-result="0" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors="true">On the 2nd of October</a>, I
got my visa and had to leave 2 days after because I was already late for class
by a week. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">I never
imagined all those years of tirelessly applying would finally pay off. I
would have never thought that I would end up in the UK a year later. Despite
the multiple applications I never actually believed it would work out. It
often felt like I was knocking on something that wasn’t even a door. This post
barely describes the extent to which it was all a stressful process. But behind
a frowning providence he does hide a smiling face.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">When I left
Ecobank, I thought God would punish me for leaving, especially because I was
advised against it. But through it all, I was reminded that I should never
put God in a box. I should never “take away” God’s attributes from him based on
my present circumstances or emotions. He is merciful, he is forgiving, he is
sovereign, he is faithful. God is God and he will always be. My main regret is
that I didn’t seek God's face more and trust in him more through the journey
that led up to me finally leaving for school. Otherwise, it was definitely a
journey worth taking.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Always
remember:</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">“Trust in
the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all
your ways acknowledge him and he will make your path straight” -Proverbs 3:5-7</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"></span><br />
</div>
Miss Mbewehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08888140690364314580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727423441806896119.post-84910994025149524582018-02-17T12:36:00.002-08:002018-02-19T16:56:58.331-08:00My 30 Day Challenge!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s been such a while! Feels good to be back! I decided to start my very own 30 day blogging challenge. So, of late I have found myself convicted about my lack of self-discipline.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It all started when I was in a lecture a few days ago, which is a story for another day, we were all introducing ourselves and we were told to each share at least one hobby. I found myself googling “list of hobbies” because I had no idea if I had any and needed Google’s assistance figuring out if maybe some of the stuff I do count as hobbies. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are so many things that I enjoy doing, or have started doing hoping to get better at it but haven’t seen through. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What haven’t I done?</span></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Crocheting</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Learning Spanish</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Reading</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Blogging</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Gyming</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Baking </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Name it</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Unfortunately, for the last 23 years I have made myself think it’s okay to walk out on certain things when you don’t feel like doing it anymore. The end result is you sitting in a class at age 23 with no idea what your hobbies are. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Talk about not having my life together.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So in the spirit of taking a day at a time and figured I should get back to blogging because it is something I really enjoy and I have so much to share with my readers. The next 30 days will comprise of updates on what’s been happening with me, what happened that day, and they will all end with some kind of reflection. You may be surprised how much you may be able to relate to things others go through. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">According to science, it takes 21 days to form a habit, so here’s to blogging! Let’s do this!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Please stick around, for the next 30 days, I promise you won’t regret it🙂</span></div>
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Miss Mbewehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08888140690364314580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727423441806896119.post-53292017713039388932017-05-09T11:53:00.001-07:002017-05-09T11:59:11.313-07:00"God, Whats the plan?"<br />
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<br />
As some of you may remember from my previous blogpost, the plan was to go to school. I had began working on a scholarship that I was so confident would come through. I woke up Wednesday morning, picked up my phone and noticed an email from the sponsoring agency. It was an email of rejection. I had not been awarded the scholarship. This means that the school dream is officially at a stand still. <br />
<br />
Since the day i completed my undergraduate studies, the plan has been to pursue my postgraduate studies. Its almost been 2 years. I am still not doing my postgrad. After much determination to pursue my masters, I think its time to accept that perhaps it isnt Gods plan for my life right now. But then, If it isnt, what is? What's the plan? <br />
<br />
From way before I can even remember, I've been obsessed with knowing where I am trying to go in the next few months or atleast seeing some kind of light at the end of the tunnel. But for the 100th time, I am lost. <br />
<br />
Today, I found myself thinking, "God, whats the plan?"- (If youre Zambian like me, its, "God, whats the plan ai?"). Like, what are you upto? I am certain he is working out something, but what is it? What do i do in the time being?<br />
<br />
He blessed me with a job at MTN and I am thoroughly enjoying myself. It has crazy hours and some days are stressful but thank God I am enjoying it so far. On the crazy days what keeps me going is understanding that I wont be in this position for long. My thinking was previously- anyway if I dont find another job, I should be in school by latest February next year so you can hang on Mwaps. But now that I will not be in school if not for a miracle from heaven, I dont have any plan in sight motivating me to hang on just another day.<br />
<br />
I look at people around me and all I see is people heading somewhere, blessed with opportunities left, right and centre. Ofcourse, that is contrary to the truth, there are people who are in worse positions than I am. I just subconciously choose not to see that and only see people who seemingly have it better than I do. As a result, I find myself asking God why he doesnt come through for me the way he does for others. Clearly thinking more highly of myself than I ought and implying that God owes me. <br />
<br />
I recently heard a sermon by Voddie Baucham on prayer and it reminded me that God answers prayer in accordance with his will (1 John 5:14). I assume God ought to hear my prayer and always answer in the affirmative. But God doesnt owe me any particular answer to my prayer, neither does he exist to give me what I want. He orders things according to his will and redemptive purpose. Many things I pray for are just not in line with his will. <br />
<br />
Tonight as I lay in my bed, i choose to understand and rest in the fact that Gods plan is for me to be here, with no knowledge what so ever of what he has in store for my future. All I can do is be faithful in my current season and choose to grow in grace through this experience and be grateful because I could have it worse and God will get the most glory out of this situation.<br />
<br />
You may be in a similar position, I just want to encourage you to look to God through the frustrating seasons of life; the seasons of waiting. Choose gratitude as he uses this time to shape you more into his likeness because really, as a believer, thats what Gods plan is for your life.<br />
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Miss Mbewehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08888140690364314580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727423441806896119.post-56843269298790311352016-11-25T00:55:00.000-08:002017-05-09T12:03:45.096-07:00Reflections of a 22 year old<br />
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<br />
For those of you who didn't hear it; I left my internship at the bank. When I think about it, this has been a hard year for me with regard to career direction. Especially because when I graduated from school, I had all these plans and expectations. But lets just say, God was probably having a good laugh at my smooth sailing plan.<br />
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<br />
<br />
The internship was not a good fit for me. The constant crying, not growing, being frustrated, not learning. Every morning I got up, I prayed it would get better, because that's what they all said. But it became worse. One of the words of encouragement that i got over and over again was "Most of us are unhappy at our places of work, but we stick it out because its what we have to do". I guess I must be weaker than most because I just couldnt wake up every day in order to die for 8 hours and resurrect at 5pm. That was weighing me down. At the end of my first phase of the internship I decided to not stay on. <br />
<br />
For me the struggle has been that I have different aspirations and goals. From the motivational speeches I would get while at the bank people would say "This is how CEOs started, work was hard for them too but they started small". I'd be thinking to myself that that's true, but what if I don't want to be a CEO? What if I want to be an entrepreneur who part time lecturers and stays home with her kids? Perhaps I'd have been more driven to put up with what was coming my way if I saw it as a means to an end. But I didn't. But then again what if I'm just lost and I really don't know what I want to do with my life. What if it's not in the Lords plan that I get married and have kids? What if I'm just a lost 22year old who doesn't know what she wants with her life? I am sure that is what most think.<br />
<br />
I have spent most of this year taking care of the Baucham kids, that has been a great learning experience for me. It's been a highlight to my challenging year. Some days were hard, especially in the beginning because I went from having zero experience with kids to having 7 little ones. I saw it as a means to an end, I was determined and I've learnt so much in the months I've spent in the Bauchams home. I've been saving during the year because I would like to do my graduate studies next year. Saving money, buying different products and reselling them to make profit and get some entrepreneurial skills going. <br />
<br />
Here I am today, writing this after crying on the bathroom floor cause y'all who know me know tears are never out of reach. It's almost the end of 2016. I feel lost. Over a year after graduation. Im not working towards becoming a CEO, I had the opportunity but I didn't want it. It's been hard knowing that the people who expect me to do 'more with my life' are clearly disappointed in me, it's evident in the way they disapprovingly look at me and in their speech. Most think little of my life decisions and I don't blame them. That's been hard. <br />
<br />
It looks like school will not be happening next year. That is something I looked forward to all year. My decisions throughout the year were made with doing graduate school in 2017. I feel undone. I am the kind of person who always needs something to work towards. I am now panicking, wondering what next. <br />
<br />
If like me, you feel lost too; maybe because you have different aspirations from your cultural norm and adults or loved ones expectations, unfortunately, I have no mountain moving advice. I wrote this to let you know that you're not alone. Just trust in God. Be grateful and faithful in the season you are in. Take a day at a time and see where it goes while you're on this earthly journey heavenwards. Miss Mbewehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08888140690364314580noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727423441806896119.post-85389997938619380122016-07-13T15:12:00.000-07:002016-07-13T15:28:36.883-07:00You Got Your First Job...Now What?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzo1Sf3kWgeMN4aH6jjbfZisPdv01DqAoYIT1s-xEif05ubPUqSI6W43f23gW7If3xO1UjHS5NHqkEwpVVEieGxM9-pdxRYgmkleeVi7wafFqBIc4a4tJx7VXHQfji4ZBcgkwas4hGPUw/s1600/hired.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzo1Sf3kWgeMN4aH6jjbfZisPdv01DqAoYIT1s-xEif05ubPUqSI6W43f23gW7If3xO1UjHS5NHqkEwpVVEieGxM9-pdxRYgmkleeVi7wafFqBIc4a4tJx7VXHQfji4ZBcgkwas4hGPUw/s320/hired.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "candara" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After 4 months of debating whether or not to write this
blog post, here I am. I finally decided to write something about my first office job. A few days ag<span style="font-family: "candara" , "sans-serif";">o<span style="font-family: "candara" , "sans-serif";">, </span></span>I
was having a catch up session with my friend, Katongo. During our chat I asked
her how school is going and she responded by saying, ‘It is so frustrating. I
want to work like you”. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "candara" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lets backup a little bit. I was in school not too long
ago and I remember looking at people who work while thinking to myself; Ah! Now
that’s the life! I was so envious of them because all I imagined was a perfect life
as long as I get any job. I never imagined frustrations commuting every day,
not having friends, a difficult boss, not finding fulfillment in your job
description, being discontent with your pay or the lack thereof etc. In my mind all I pictured was;
no assignments and tests, fancy work clothes, loads of friends to hang out
with, loving what you do at work, having enough money to even send some extra cash
to feed hungry children in Somalia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "candara" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Well, I finally got an office job. The gap between
expectation and reality when it comes to a first job is unbelievable. That was
something I struggled with coming to terms with. I understand that some have
had wonderful experiences, nothing but amazing stories about work, bless your
heart. I found myself thinking maybe it is just me and everyone is having a
grand time because you know, the Facebook posts, tweets and Instagram selfies with
their captions say so. After chatting with a few of my friends who are working
too, I realized I am not the only one and sharing my experience would not be
such a bad idea. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "candara" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Firstly, day 1 might not go as you expect. I expected
to get back home knackered after my first day of work because of how much work I
imagined I would have to do. Well, I spent all of it sitting and trying not to
doze off. But do not let that demoralize you because you might do nothing or
petty work for the first couple of days. Be faithful with the small tasks, go
the extra mile. I sought a lot of advice before I reported for work from people
with experience, I was advised to be proactive i.e not sitting around, instead
asking if there is anything I can do. I did that and this brings me to my next
point.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "candara" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Not everyone will be as nice as you expect. So, I went
to my boss and asked if there was anything I could help with and he was just so
mean. There will be those people who will never greet you, never smile at you,
ignore you or look at you like you’ve just drunk their last drop of water
during a drought. Your colleagues might give you a hard time and you might have
a supervisor who does not make work any easy for you. Be sure to not be a pagan
and have the ‘an eye for an eye” mentality. Do your part; be nice and kind to
your coworkers and supervisors. Pray for grace, trust me you’ll need it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "candara" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Your job might not go as you expect. I expected
everything to be laid out for me. A little like an organized structure of my
duties, guidance on how to execute my tasks and performance indicators. I
lacked that orientation. I did not know what mattered and what did not. No
prize for guessing, my ignorance cost me when it was time for my appraisal. Let
me be the one to give you a heads up on a few things that might be important; meeting
deadlines and achieving tasks, ability to work under pressure and minimum
supervision, adaptability, positive attitude, energy, self-confidence, creativity/
innovation, how you relate to colleagues, ethics, dressing etc. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "candara" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Fourthly, do not live your life waiting for Friday. We
are so obsessed with thanking God its Friday, especially when we dislike what
we have to do between Monday and Thursday. When I struggled with enjoying work I
lived for Fridays. Every morning I would wake up, I would stick my fingers out
and count how many days I had left till the end of the week. I was basically
wishing my life away. You have to be the kind of person who can make the best
out of a Tuesday. ‘Zombie-ing’ through the week might seem fine today but you
will wake up one morning and realize you wasted so many days that could have been meaningful. Make the most
of your time, enjoy each and every day the good Lord blesses you with, no
matter how crazy what you do may seem.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "candara" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Last but not least, <span style="font-family: "candara" , "sans-serif";">work life has <span style="font-family: "candara" , "sans-serif";">lots of good days. Treasure th<span style="font-family: "candara" , "sans-serif";">em. Thank God for the<span style="font-family: "candara" , "sans-serif";"> days you spend bou<span style="font-family: "candara" , "sans-serif";">ncing off wal<span style="font-family: "candara" , "sans-serif";">ls and if it is in your power to have more of them, make sure you do. <span style="font-family: "candara" , "sans-serif";">Do not b<span style="font-family: "candara" , "sans-serif";">e too hard on yourself when you make mistakes, you are only human<span style="font-family: "candara" , "sans-serif";">. <span style="font-family: "candara" , "sans-serif";">If <span style="font-family: "candara" , "sans-serif";">you<span style="font-family: "candara" , "sans-serif";"> are experiencing a bad day, </span>n</span>ever forget that</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style="font-family: "candara" , "sans-serif";">a bad day only lasts 24 hours<span style="font-family: "candara" , "sans-serif";">. </span></span></span></span></span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "candara" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After my experience during my first few months at work,
I would like to urge you to enjoy your current season in life. There is a
saying; “The reason people find it so hard to be happy is that they always see
the past better than it was, the present worse than it is and the future less
resolved than it will be.” Looking back I realize that I constantly rob myself
of happiness. I should have enjoyed university when I was in university and not
spent most of my time day dreaming about how perfect life will be once I am
graduated and working. Embrace your current season of life and maximize your
time in it. Pray for grace to live with a spirit of contentment. If you are
still doing your studies, embrace that phase and make the most of it. If you
are done with school and seeking employment do not spend that time of your life
envying those who are working because it seems like the answer to your misery. Look
to Jesus for that. The lack of a job does not make you less blessed, it is not
the end of the world. You have been blessed with free time, in between the job
hunting there is so much that can be achieved and so much to invest in, be a
good steward of your time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "candara" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If like me, you feel like you have spent so much time
messing up in your current phase of life, every day is a new page. It is never
too late to enjoy your current season in life. Rest, wake up, commit the new
day into the Lords hands and go and be the best you can be!</span></div>
Miss Mbewehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08888140690364314580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727423441806896119.post-41138876994569358852016-02-05T23:49:00.000-08:002018-06-19T03:01:59.560-07:00Sincerely yours, A University Graduate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After my 4 year experience in University I decided to share some tips that I thought would be helpful to those starting university or college soon as well as those who are already in it.<br />
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There are some things 6th February, 2016 Mwape wishes 21st August, 2011 Mwape knew that would have definitely been helpful to me back then when i was starting my university journey.<br />
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Firstly, the only constant in University is God. This might seem cliché, I know most people always start with the first point about God but in all honesty from my experience, Paul, in Hebrews 13:8, did know what he meant when he said that the Lord is the same yesterday, today and forevermore. He is the only constant in not only university but life. I have changed in so many ways from the time I came, friends have changed. If only I knew then that I must invest more time and love in the one being that does not change. I wish I knew then that I should hold on to the unchangeable constant; God in such a constantly changing environment. So put him first; read your Bible and pray EVERY DAY.<br />
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Secondly, it is okay to not have your life plan set out straight to the smallest detail but it is certainly important to have general direction. I began university when I was only 17 years old. I had no idea what my future plans were and all I knew is I was going to Mulungushi to study Economics. I had hardly researched on what it was about. I just knew saying I wanted to be an Economist sounded nice. After my feel of Micro-economics during my first semester I just didn’t have a connection with it. Thank goodness I found my real love, marketing. I was blessed to have found a career I have a passion for despite not knowing it from the start. Sometimes as you go on you realize things begin to unfold just the way they ought to be despite them not being how you planned it to be.<br />
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Thirdly, no, Solomon was not kidding when he said bad habits corrupt good morals. There are rarely, if any exceptions at all. Before I came to university it was just one of those Bible verses and I know so many people did mention it to me, it has only hit home now. I wish I knew that no one is ever really immune to getting influenced to leave the straight path and take what may seem like a joy ride, right into a thorn bush. Sometimes we tend to comfort ourselves by having a very relaxed definition of bad company. A friend was sharing with me what a certain Pastor said about bad company. She said the Bible encourages us to run towards holiness and perseverance, so based on that bad company is the kind of company that does not encourage you to run towards holiness. How I wish I knew that!<br />
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Fourthly, Failure is not the end of the world. What matters most is your attitude towards it. Be it academic failure, spiritual failure, failing your parents or even friends. Sometimes a certain experience is the wakeup call one needs. I remember failing one course in 2nd year and it felt like it was going to be the beginning of a failing spree. To my utter surprise it was all the push I needed. I realized I had to work extra harder if that wasn’t gonna happen again. I realized I am human and sometimes I'll fail but I can't just lay there. I need to get up and push harder.<br />
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Fifthly, Aim high. Just that; do your best and never ever aim for the lower standard. I am sorry to disappoint you readers but when I got to university I hardly cared about my grades. All I wanted to do was clear. It only hit me in 3rd year when there was some really great offer made by an organization whereby they pay for your fees till the end of your programme and then offer you a job with them in South Africa when you graduate. No prize for guessing what the criteria were for one to be eligible? Good grades! Such an amazing offer but I couldn’t attempt because my transcript was painted with C+’s! If only I knew then what I know now, good grades are important and I did not have to wait for 3rd year when I had to make points for me to realize that. Hard work always pays.<br />
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The sixth thing is that it is okay to not be in love when it feels the rest of the world is. When I was younger I always wanted to marry my high school sweetheart, high school came to an end and there I was still alone. And I was like yes! Maybe university? And there I was, going into 4th year not in love. There are times in life when it feels like cupid was feeling generous and he shot his arrows at everyone but you. When you step out of your room on campus you find couples strolling, when you log onto facebook, twitter, whatsapp it is flooded with couple love. Kind of leaves you wondering if something is wrong with you or cupid has something against you or maybe, just maybe, God has something different planned for you. The truth is, we rarely take the latter. God blesses at different times and with different blessing packages. Being alone is not a curse, it is okay to not be in love when everyone else is. As my daddy once told me, “Gods plans for our lives are different for each person. He does not make us like products of a Chinese factory.” I should have known that I needed to remember that he has a plan for me and I had to learn to be content with it.<br />
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Guard your heart! If only and if only I knew that not every guy who takes personal interest in you and your wellbeing actually means well for your being. This world is not a playground. The pain that comes with heart break sucks, it’s the kind of pain you don’t know what to do with! Mwape then should have known not to do or say things that will make her expectant and emotionally connected to guys, if I knew this concept it would have saved me a lot of nights that I spent listening to Adele and Taylor Swift. I should have known to save myself for someone who would love me enough to commit. <br />
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Save and live within your means. During a lecture, I remember one of my favourite lecturers said “for as long as you have to borrow to buy, youre living out of your means”. Don’t spend money you don’t have on anything that you do not need. I only realized I should really start saving in my final year, but I certainly wish I did way before.<br />
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Have fun! Make sure you do have fun. You don't get to be in University all your life. You will have to graduate. So enjoy your experience. I am not the best person who can give you tips for fun but just remember that... you will have to give an account of your life to God.<br />
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Lastly, I wish I knew that Its okay to fail at doing all these things. Every day gives you a new slate; a clean slate. I remember a number of days my friends and I would sulk cause we were behind in school work. Or I sulked because of the days I lived without putting God first. You will certainly fail at some, if not most, if not all of them but dust yourself up, talk to God about it and start a new day refreshed and feeling motivated to try again.<br />
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<br />Miss Mbewehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08888140690364314580noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727423441806896119.post-80734303347552326172015-01-27T04:40:00.002-08:002015-01-28T11:51:25.879-08:00Where do you want to be buried come next year?I bet youre wondering whats with the question right? Well, you might not but im still going to have to tell you:-)<br />
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The other day, the 22nd of January, I was at Leopards Hill Cemetry for the 3rd time since the year began. Its been quite the start to a year. The first time was a memorial for a dear uncle who has been gone for just over a year. It was a beautiful event. You would have said the same if you were there. It was just nice to see his family evidently still celebrating his life and testifying how faithful God has been to them over this one year. The other two were for the burial of a cousin and a friends Aunt.<br />
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In the space of 27 days, 4 people that I know have died. 2 died in their sleep, 1 died after she underwent an operation and the last was unwell for sometime then eventually passed on at home.<br />
Why am I saying all this? When the news of funerals kept coming pretty much every week, I was really going through a period of much thinking. I felt God was trying to speak to me. In my conversation with a friend after the three sudden deaths, I said:<br />
" I feel shaken, they were all unexpected. Hmmm whats God trying to say. Its all too close to home. Im just scared for what else will unfold this year"<br />
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I have this thing that I do. Whenever something happens, I like to stop and think of what God is trying to say to me. Its actually very helpful. Here's some free advice: When you don't understand what's happening and why it's happening, take some to stop and think of why God allowed it and what he could be trying to say to you through the situation before you. You'll be amazed how circumstances will shape you for the better.<br />
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So, yes, I was thinking about what God was trying to say to me. Then it became more clear on the 22nd and I thought I'd share it with you and shake the dust off my blog.<br />
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While I was at the burial of my friends aunt, I went to the place where my own aunt, Aunt Mukalo, who passed on almost 4 years ago was buried. A tombstone was recently put there, so I wanted to see it and just have a moment. While there I took a picture and I sent it to the family for them to see. When I got home I was talking about it with Mwindula, my oldest brother.<br />
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Mwindula: So come next year where do you want to be buried?<br />
Me: Errrrmmm *quite shocked and moved by his question but trying to pretend its cool*<br />
Mwindula: Ha ha ha ha! You should have seen the look on your face! Priceless! Thats the problem, you love this life too much!<br />
Me thinking: Well atleast one of us found this funny<br />
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Anyway, the thing is, It left me wondering if he was right. And he was. I have held on so tight to this world because i feel like I'll be here forever more than I'd like to admit. The deaths shook me, they hit me like a train, the scales fell off my eyes and I realized that I am NOT superhuman and I could die any day. This doesnt mean that I should live constantly thinking about death and living in constant fear of losing those dear to me. Mwindula was basically trying to me tell that I love the world. A new friend of mine and I made an agreement to memorize two verses a week together, and weird enough the memory verse at that time was:<br />
1 John 2:15-17<br />
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world then the love of the father is not in him...... for the world and its desires pass away but the man who does the will of God lives forever.<br />
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I went into a moment of reflection. The truth is that the world and all its desires WILL pass away. Whether I like it or not, whether I am comfortable with it or not and whether i accept it or not. The main reason why I tend to find this world so nice is because of the desires I look forward to fulfilling in this life, and I must say that they are so exciting and pretty awesome. But truth is it isnt promised that I will live to fulfill these desires because the world as well as the very desires will pass away. So... what matters? The only thing that ultimately matters is doing the will of God. In that, eternal life is found as we are told in this passage; the man who does the will of God will live forever.<br />
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Back to my message to my friend. I see two problems with my message now that I've had time to digest it. No, its not the fact that I was shaken. Its okay to be shaken every once in a while. I'd like to think it is pretty healthy actually because it reminds us that this world is not our home. We are really just passing through.<br />
1. I was scared.<br />
The Bible says in John 14:27<br />
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.<br />
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As a child of God in such moments one needs to remember that God left his peace with us. Because of this amazing gift of peace, in the face lifes circumstances, our hearts must neither be troubled nor afraid.<br />
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2. I feared for the future.<br />
The Bible says in Psalm 62: 8<br />
Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.<br />
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Psalm 18: 30 <br />
This God–his way is perfect;the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.<br />
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So what ought we to do when we think of the future? TRUST. Who? GOD. When? at ALL times. No, no exceptions, no matter how crazy and insane the situation looks, no matter how the future seems uncertain, still no exceptions. Why? His way is perfect. You may be wondering, what if you still have fears? Pour out your heart before him. What can he do anyway? He will be your refuge.<br />
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The two passages both bring out God's ability to be a refuge.<br />
A refuge is a place of safety, relief or escape.<br />
I now see that God can be all that to me if I trust him. My place of safety, my place of relief and my place of escape. And the awesome news is he can be all that and more to you too.<br />
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"There is a place of full relief, near to the heart of God.<br />
A place where all is joy and peace, near to the heart of God"<br />
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So in the face of uncertainity and even as i learn to love God and let go of my grip on this world that is like vapor (hope you too see the silliness in trying to hold on tightly to vapor), I am made to remember that God is all I need to hold on to. He is all I need to love. He is all I need to obey. He is my shield. He is my refuge. God is all I need in this life.<br />
I hope you now realize it too, he should be all in all to you whether or not you have to be buried come next year.Miss Mbewehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08888140690364314580noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727423441806896119.post-6687467790818257392014-06-19T14:05:00.000-07:002014-06-23T03:05:12.581-07:00I, Mwape Mbewe, am starting a university!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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'I am starting a university', have been the words of at least one church leader every Sunday. At some point it began to sound like a statement i could get used to which had no deep meaning for me. It wasn't till my dad called me in the afternoon on Tuesday, 10th June asking if I was willing to volunteer at <a href="http://www.acu-zambia.com/" target="_blank">African Christian University.(ACU)</a>Let me tell you the story. I promise to keep it short.<br />
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My dad knows of my ability to sleep till I can sleep no more as well as my ability to not get tired of sitting around and doing nothing. I guess he feared that i would be putting my abilities to great use during my 3month vacation and so he figured he had better get my teeth into something real quick. So being the lovely child i am ;) i was totally up for it and so psyched about it. After speaking to Uncle Ken Turnbull, the Vice Chancellor of the university, i was informed that my help was needed like 'yesterday'. During dinner my excited dad kept cracking jokes as his face was glowing with excitement about his daughters first day of work. My sister; Mwila and I had a good laugh about it. You have got to love his spirit:) A week later and i am still wondering whether it was excitement about me finally using my time for ACU, where he is chancellor, or excitement about getting me out of his house for a few hours, Id like to believe it is the former.<br />
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So the next day came, after like 17 minutes of convincing myself to get out of the comfort of my bed I finally got up and prepared for my day one at ACU. Dad dropped me off and I was well received by Uncle Ken who explained to me the work I would be doing for the next 3months. It then slowly started to dawn on me that ACU is real and I am really part of the large body of believers who are starting a University. That is how it all changed, <strike>They</strike> I am starting a UNIVERSITY!! I have been spending quite sometime here at ACU helping with the prayer updates that go out once every month. So if you notice any good changes in the prayer letters for the next 3 months know that there is a 96% chance I am the brains behind the amazing adjustments:) <br />
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Okay, story over. I have been volunteering for just over a week. I have many thoughts about ACU of which I would like to share a few. The work God is doing here is beyond amazing. It has been such a blessing being surrounded by people who have dedicated their entire lives to Gods service. If the Bible used to put pictures of people whose lives apply to verses, their pictures would be right by Matthew 16:24-25 '<span class="reftext"></span><span class="highl">Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.</span> <span class="reftext"></span>For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.…'. Come to the ACU offices on any day and you will see the fulfilment these ladies and gentlemen have found in sacrificing their lives for this cause, with reference to the just mentioned verse, denying themselves. They have denied themselves the comforts of their homes and being so close to their families who they are probably so attached to. They literally uprooted their lives, some from USA and Canada. I am doing my degree, Bachelor of Commerce, in Kabwe which is a 2 hours drive from Lusaka, my home town. I am constantly coming back home to visit. I am home at least once every month because i miss my family, especially my 5month old niece <span id="goog_1822275708"></span>Katongo<span id="goog_1822275709"></span>, who I am madly in love with. Okay, my point is that I am in the same country as my family, I can easily pick up my phone and call them any second and feel a little better, but of course not better enough to keep me away for over a month. These lovely people who have come all the way from other continents have left their children, parents, siblings, nieces, nephews, and grand kids to start a life here. They cant randomly pick up their phones and call their families due to challenges like cost as well as time difference. Neither can they randomly head to the airport and fly back home for a weeks visit. In addition to that they are here having to adjust to new cultures. They fall ill here and there due to change in environment in addition to other possible reasons. I don't mean to rub it in their faces as to how much they have sacrificed. Or to brag about how my family is more accessible or how i do not suffer any culture shock from being in Kabwe(although there is a chance that i do lol). Well, my point is that its a 180degrees change. But they choose to stay, for the love of God and ministering through this University.<br />
In addition to the sacrifice they are making, believe it or not this isn't a financial profit making venture for them, it is a soul winning venture as well as discipleship venture. They are not here to expand their bank accounts but to extend Gods kingdom. They are not getting paid for doing what they are doing here at ACU. I, personally, stand amazed after reflecting upon these facts about these people who have left the comforts of their homes.<br />
When i sit and really think about this i am left asking myself what I am doing as a youth for Christ whom I claim to love. Especially as a youth who is starting a university. How am I contributing to ACU? I am absolutely grateful for this opportunity to interact with these people and see how much loving God can lead one to sacrifice for his Christ's sake. So much is happening here at ACU, seeing how joyful these ladies and gentlemen are as they labour is simply amazing. I can only pray that God answers our prayers as we pray for different aspects pertaining to this University and that his will may be done at the end of the day.<br />
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If you would like to know more about this University, do <a href="http://www.acu-zambia.com/" target="_blank">subscribe</a> to receive our monthly updates and please visit our <a href="http://www.acu-zambia.com/" target="_blank">site</a> for an even better understanding of what is happening. It is only with deeper understanding of what is happening as well as how much God's people all over the world are putting into this that your eyes will be opened, just as mine were not too long ago. Pray pray pray, as we know prayer may just be the most powerful tool mankind has.<br />
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*The grammar is as raw and unpolished as I am. But i do hope I drove my points straight home:) Miss Mbewehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08888140690364314580noreply@blogger.com3Zambia-13.133897 27.849332000000004-28.780402 7.1950350000000043 2.512608 48.503629000000004