Stars and Stripes

Okay I have some questions!

I’m pondering at the moment if I could actually live in America and what it would be like and I’m wondering if anyone out there in cyber-space can help me with that? Tell me the best and worst things about your country and stuff about the culture that all my years of E Channel, watching American sitcoms and reading American books and magazines hasn’t taught me.  I’m sure there are still surprises!

What are American churches really like? Will people think I’m cool with my ‘English’ accent (I’m not English) or will they just not be able to understand a word I say? What do I need to know?

Also, has anyone ever moved for love? What are the pitfalls? What are the best things?

Any stories, advice, warnings etc gratefully received!

God’s plan for our lives

‘”For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”‘

Now, I’m no theologian but I have been pondering how it works with the plans God has for our lives. If we stuff up, do we get another chance or do we end up on a completely different path? Or did God know we’d stuff up and that was part of His plan anyway? It makes my head hurt a little just thinking about it!

Talking to my friend L yesterday, who separated from her husband three years ago, I got thinking about life and predestination and such things. Since her marriage breakup she has drawn closer to God and really gotten back on completely the right path for her I feel as she was married to a non-Christian before and there were the obvious battles. L was telling me about a report she had just found that she wrote when she was a student over 10 years ago about solo parents and how she illustrated it with a childish crayon picture on the front of a purple house with a mum with short hair holding a little boy baby and standing with a little girl toddler. All these years later she ended up buying a purple house (what are the odds of that?) and has a boy and a girl, just like in the picture!

She was also saying that she always pictured her wedding when she was younger as a small affair and I remember her saying she didn’t really like the big wedding she actually did have when she got married. It seems if she marries again, she’ll get that small wedding. And she’s just started chatting online with a guy (it’s early days yet) who seems to be quite similar to her and has a call to missions in Asia, which is something that she is also probably called to. I don’t know, but it just got me thinking that perhaps God knows what he’s doing! Of course, I’m not saying that divorce is right, but a big part of the reason why they broke up was due to the faith issue (and his chronic cheating, but that’s another story).

We become stronger people through adversity and develop character. Maybe that’s why we’re allowed to go off the rails for a bit to get us to develop our faith and trust in God. Then are we more use in the Kingdom anyway?

 

Trust

Does anyone else have trust issues? I have been thinking about this a lot lately. In my single life it has been mostly about trusting God – and I can handle that most of the time. He’s taught me to do this pretty well I think. Sometimes I just forget to check in with God and see whether I’m on the right track though. But what about trusting people? The great thing about being single I’ve discovered is that you have a nice, protective layer around you that cushions the blows of life somewhat. Does anyone else find this too? Opening up to someone and making yourself vulnerable is hard.

I used to be a trusting person, I know this is true because I got very hurt in my early twenties by people (boys). I also know what has made me less trusting, less open. Did I need to wisen up? Probably. So I can’t completely hate that person in particular. But I’m realising there is a teeny bit of baggage I carry. You know, I’m okay while I’ve got one foot on the floor with regards to falling in love. But what happens when I take that foot off? When I’m married, living in another country potentially and perhaps having children? Gosh, that is scary!

I decided leaving the gym this morning that I need to trust God with this one too. I was beating myself up and thinking, how can you ever trust another human – it just seems out of your control. But I prayed and asked God to reveal anything that I’m not wise enough to see by myself. I guess that is all I can do. Keep going to God and not whir around in circles over-thinking things! Does anyone else have such issues with trust, or is it just me?

Faith for things unseen

I have had a huge lesson in trust this weekend. Things are going fantastically with my man and I’m amazed at how God is speaking to him and answering my prayers. He’s been off checking out a church for us to go to as a couple if I move out and really wanting to get closer to God. You know what though? I wouldn’t have even given him a chance if I hadn’t sat down and prayed with my godmother about the situation when I first met him.  On the surface it seemed impossible. But God knows people’s hearts and the plans he has for us.

I know so many single girls that are looking for the perfect package to be wrapped up and walk in the door of their church. That doesn’t happen that often as you get older – do we need to be less fussy and let God work?

Also our message at church yesterday was about having faith and expecting more. I think we miss so much because we don’t have the faith to see what is possible. My challenge for the week is to tap into more of God and see what He sees.

Wisdom from your Mum (Momma)

I just found a new website and this quote made me laugh until I had tears.  So wise, but so funny and gross!

things just change

I am sure it will happen again. The trick is not to kid yourself. Everyone is all in love in the beginning but as time wears on every relationship, even the ones you try hard to keep fresh and alive, get a bit stale. At first you wouldn’t even dare fart in front of him, 10 years later you’re talking to him while you’re sitting on the toilet. Things just change.

 http://postcardsfromyomomma.com/page/3

Now I’m trying to think if I still have some gems from my own mum. I’m sure her early forays into email when I lived in London contain some wonderful stories.

 

Suitcase AWOL

I want to know if there is a magical mystery place that missing luggage disappears to when you’re travelling? Is it next to missing sock land? I’ve been back for 9 days now and my suitcase has still not returned. Why do they bother scanning barcodes and giving you stubs for your baggage if they actually are not capable of tracking it down?  It just seems weird that no one knows where it is.  The worst thing is that I had so much brand new stuff that had never been worn! That I can’t replace here. And apparently the airline won’t cover for the loss of my jewellery either – word of warning on that one. Apparently we agree not to transport jewellery in our baggage when we fly – that’s some fine print I never read before now!

Feeling a bit sad and having a week of bad hair days with no hairdryer…..

Apparently I’m very attractive

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4468189a19716.html

According to this article size 12 – 14  women’s curves are the most attractive to men. Woo hoo! Though I’m still going to try to lose some weight (my clothes are feeling just a bit too tight) but it’s definitely very comforting. Why then, do women’s magazines and the fashion industry insist on using size 6 models? I don’t get it really. Women truly are their own worst enemy.

Very Excited!

I just realised that Marian Keye’s latest book is on sale – I’m off to buy it straight after work. I really do love her, she’s tiny and cute and Irish looking, has a fantastic accent and makes me laugh out loud. I met her about four years ago and I’m sure I was a blathering idiot, but she was so lovely.  And I have to credit her with some of my best phrases that come from her books which make everyone think I’m the one who’s so creative when I, for example, compare giving birth to pushing out a watermelon. When really it is just blatant plagiarism! ‘This Charming Man’ and I are about to spend a wonderful Friday night together.

Oh and I will get around to writing about another charming man that I spent 10 blissful days with last week. I’m still a bit jet-lagged, but I did have a wonderful time. See I’m not a sad old spinster that the highlight of her week is staying at home to read a novel. Hell, even if I was it’s Marian Keyes and I don’t care! It’s been over two years since her last novel and I am excited. Yep, I’m still that book geek teenage girl on the inside aren’t I?