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The Stone

Devotion – Resurrection Sunday – April 5, 2015

Mark 16:3-4 says: “On the way they were asking each other, ‘Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?’ But as they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled aside.”

My encouragement to you as I do my devotion this Resurrection Sunday is not to live a life wondering who is going to help you move the large stones in your life. See things are going to seem impossible, the weight of the stone–the struggle–will be too much for you.

Jesus has gone ahead and rolled those stones aside. We may not see it today, or tomorrow, next week, or the week after, but He has. He has gone ahead and made the way for you, all you need to do is turn to Him. History shows Jesus doing the impossible and He is ready to do it again for you! Go out in faith believing for Him to move the stones to favor you, to bless you!

Happy Resurrection Sunday! Be blessed!

ATM Cave Belize

Actun Tunichil Muknal, Belize (ATM Cave Belize)
#1 by National Geographic

Are you planning a trip to Central America? Then the ATM Cave Belize is your next stop! The ATM Cave Belize is a beautiful part of Belizean History that will be one of your most adventurous experiences!

Actun Tunichil Muknal (Cave of the Crystal Sepulchre) is a cave in Belize, near San Ignacio, Cayo District. I is notable as a Maya archaeological site that includes skeletons, ceramics, and stoneware. There are several areas of skeletal remains in the main chamber. The best known is “The Crystal Maiden.” This is the skeleton of a teenage girl, possibly a sacrifice victim, whose bones have been calcified to a sparkling, crystallized appearance.

Many of the Maya artifacts and remains are completely calcified to the cave floor. One artifact, named the “Monkey Pot”, is one of just four of its type found in Central America. The cave is extensively decorated with cave formations in the upper passages.

Animal life in the cave includes a large population of bats, large freshwater crabs, crayfish, catfish and other tropical fish. Agouti and otters may also use the cave. These and many other species are quite common in river caves of this size in Belize.

National Geographic names the ATM Cave Belize the #1 Sacred Cave in the world and says “After visiting the ATM Cave Belize you may feel that you have been through your own epic test. A tour to this site involves hiking, wading, and underwater swimming, but nearly a mile (1.6 kilometers) underground you will reach the resting place of the “crystal maiden,” a complete female skeleton that sparkles from eons of crystal calcification.”

Add the ATM Cave Belize to your Bucket List! It is an experience you will never forget!

Source: Wikipedia / “Actun Tunichil Muknal“. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

Belize Food: Garnaches!

Garnaches is a Quick & Tasty Belizean Recipe – Make it in 3 Easy Steps!

Belize-Food-Garnaches-Corn

I made some Garnaches this morning for breakfast and they were delicious! If you’re looking for an easy Belizean Recipe, plus something easy, this is a good option.

You’ll need:
– 1lb Fried Corn tortillas (Pre-fried bags or soft corn tortillas and fry at home – cooking oil needed)
– 3oz Cabbage (shredded)
– 2oz Onions (diced – place in hot water for 1 min)
– 1 Cup Cooked Red Kidney or Black Beans (mashed/blended/Re-fried canned beans)
– 1 Cup Grated Hard Cheese
– 1/2 Cup Vinegar
– Salt, Black Pepper + other favorite seasoning to taste

Belize-Food-Garnaches 1. Mash/Blend cooked beans, season and fry.
2. Remove the onion from hot water and place in bowl with cabbage and vinegar.
3. Put beans on fried tortillas, then cabbage, onions, and cheese.

There you go – Belizean Garnaches in 3 easy steps! Enjoy!

PS – I like to add a little Cilantro to Step 3 simply because I love the taste of it!

Give Joyfully!

Last week a story on my Facebook feed caught my attention and I’m so glad I took the time to read it. A friend from my church posted a testimony of how God is working in her life and I asked her to share as an encouragement to followers on my blog. She writes…

Give-Joyfully-deidradeandra “So, I have to brag on GOD…
About 8 months ago I found a piece of property out by family/church. I started praying over it every time I drove by and claiming it as mine. Well, a couple months ago, God SUPERNATURALLY provided the money for a down payment (awesome!) and I began the buying process. We agreed on a price and after it was surveyed 3 acres became 4 1/2 at no additional cost to me (super awesome!). I had my closing cost money saved up and ready to go then God told me to give that exact amount to a specific person. I did so joyfully and without hesitation. Today I went to sign paperwork and the seller leans over to the lawyer and says “Ya know what, just waive the closing cost on this one.” !!!!!
I mean, is God not awesome!!! HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN FAITHFUL TO ME AND ALWAYS PROVIDED!
Now, I’m just waiting on a buyer for my house and I know His timing is always perfect.‬”

So my friends, I encourage you to be joyful in those times when He tells you to make a sacrifice, give your last, do without… He is always working in the background, your blessing might be right around the corner; so don’t miss out on the blessings God wants to pour out in your life!

Do Something You Don’t Enjoy

I DON’T LIKE AMUSEMENT PARKS

I don’t like roller coasters. I don’t like spinning rides. I don’t like falling rides. This weekend I went to Magic Springs. I don’t like amusement parks.

One of the girls in our youth group invited me and another youth leader to go with her and a group of her friends this weekend to celebrate her 16th birthday. I don’t like amusement parks. Out of my mouth popped an excited “Yes!” but I don’t like amusement parks.

IT WAS SUCH A GREAT TIME! I watched them go on a few and joined in on some of the activities. I don’t like amusement parks, but I sure do love young people. We stood in one line for 2+ hours and it was the greatest time! magic-springs It wasn’t deep Bible talks, but it was real life moments. By the end of the day we were having little one-on-one moments with a few of them and really got the chance to advise them on different situations. Josh Barnett said once as we prepared for a High Point Summer Camp, “If they’re not laughing with you at the beginning of the week, they won’t be crying with you at the end of it.” I watched this play out in just one day. We laughed all day but in them having fun with us, they opened up to us more.

Don’t be waiting around to be a leader at a youth conference, or to catch a young person after a powerful youth group service. Do what they do; be where they’re at! Ezekiel 3:15 says, “I sat where they sat.” I don’t like amusement parks.

What happens when I’m up at 2AM!

Don’t you just love those moments when you’re up in the wee hours of the morning and can’t sleep? Yeah?? NO!!! Usually when I’m up at that time, it’s because A BILLION AND ONE thoughts are running through my brain (ladies do you get where I’m comin’ from!). Well I had one of those nights a while back and A BILLION AND ONE ideas came to me, some awesome, some okay and some well.. just no! #dumb

Well one of the results of that night sits below… literally! Yup, it’s me sitting in my logo. You may think it’s awesome, you may think it’s ok or you may say well… no. LOL! Whatever it is, this is just to give you a peek at what goes on in my head sometimes… not all the time! I promise. 😉

P.S. – I find that it helps if you quickly jot down the ideas you had or things on your to do list so you’re not worried if you’ll forget them in the morning. That way, you might actually get some sleep.

Have a great day and an awesome night’s rest! 😉

9 Year Old Gives Up Presents for Her Birthday

hope-for-el-salvador5 This weekend I got to design a birthday banner and few other items for a 9 year old’s birthday sleepover. Catherine-Grace’s energy level was at a max and she used just about every word that meant “exciting!”

She loved the decor! I’m assuming though that it was because of all the pink. There was pink EVERYWHERE; quite a norm for little girls. However, what was so different about her party was this little girl decided to forego presents for herself and instead, asked all her friends to bring gifts for kids in El Salvador. A special part of her birthday sleepover was dedicated to sharing the importance of giving and then packing boxes for Hope for El Salvador’s Christmas Shoebox Drive.

hope-for-el-salvador1 hope-for-el-salvador4 hope-for-el-salvador3

It was so great to be a part of it as I watched the joy in all the girls as they did it. They were so happy to know that some girl in El Salvador would be getting a present and note from them. There is so much I could say to give you an encouraging “what are you doing with your life” message because of what Catherine-Grace did, but I’ll let it speak to you in its own way.

Check out Hope for El Salvador’s Christmas Shoebox Drive video on Facebook to see how you can give.

Let us change the way we do Christmas… and Birthdays!

Queen of The Bay Belmopan

Queen of The Bay 1987 Desiree Smith

Twenty seven years ago this gorgeous woman won the title of Queen of The Bay! She’s my momma! She was absolutely stunning in this picture and she is still a gem today! Looking at this picture got me thinking though. There are times when you don’t feel your best or look your best. This was a happy moment for my mom. She felt her best and looked her best; she probably felt like she was on top of the world. But life was not always like that for her and surely is not always like that for any of us.

She didn’t let those “not her best” moments affect her though. She would say to me not to not to let my outer appearance reveal what’s going on inside. For me, that translated to “Be Selfless.” Sometimes (especially females, let’s be real) can get so caught up in petty things. She said it to me many times when I had a simple flu and was mad at the world. Then, I was reminded by someone in a situation 10 times worse that my flu was not a big deal. You never know what others are going through; we always hear it and it’s always true. So as my friend Lexy would say, “suck it up buttercup” (and I say that nicely), because there’s a whole world of people for you to love on.

Miss World Belize 2012 Chantae Guy

Queen of the Bay 1987 Runner Up Patricia Zelaya

Queen of The Bay 2014 Jasmine Rhamdas

Cool Fact: Apparently, there’s something about Bermuda Street in Belmopan, Belize. Four beautiful ladies, including my mom, have won Queen Titles. Miss World Belize 2012 was from Bermuda Street, so was the Runner Up for Queen of the Bay 1987, and today Jasmine Rhamdas, also of Bermuda Street was crowned our new Queen of the Bay! All these Queens have resided or currently reside on Bermuda Street. Will the legacy continue? Any takers? Happy TENTH Belize!

Word Over Work

WORK WORK WORK

I woke up early this morning, prayed, rolled over 1 or 2 times, then took a shower. I got dressed and plopped behind my little makeshift desk in my room, ready to get to work. Then my notifications went off reminding me of my various morning devotions. So I let go of the mouse and started to read. I felt immediate guilt.

SNIPPET // Jesus Calling, Sarah Young, August 29:
DEMONSTRATE your trust in Me by sitting quietly in My Presence. PUT ASIDE all that is waiting to be done, and refuse to worry about anything. This sacred TIME TOGETHER strengthens you and prepares you to face whatever the day will bring. The world is so complex and overstimulating that you can easily lose your sense of direction. When you spend time with Me, I restore your sense of direction. As you look to Me for guidance, I enable you to do less but accomplish more.

WAIT

Waiting Before Working – An Act of Faith
I’ve been doing and doing, “working after working” (you know what I mean?) to build Deidra Deandra. That little reminder in my devotion this morning was right on time. It’s not anything I don’t know; I just got caught up in my own strength. I’ve been slacking in my time with Him and had to give myself a check this morning. All the wisdom I need for not only my business, but my life, to write blogs that are real (and not just “another blog”) come from Him and to keep it that way I need to spend more time in His word. Waiting before working and putting Him first in your day is a crucial step to a successful day.

I wrote a piece on plans yesterday filled with Proverbs and today I end with another one, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed (Proverbs 16:3).” My message to you: Stop relying on your own wisdom and strength to get things done. FIRST, Commit WHATEVER you do to Him.

We Can Make Our Plans BUT..

We can make our plans..
BUT The Lord gives the RIGHT answer. (Proverbs 16:1)
BUT The Lord determines our STEPS. (Proverbs 16:9)
BUT The Lord’s purpose WILL prevail. (Proverbs 19:20)

I don’t know what He’s doing but I’m about doing what He’s doing. Over the past year I’ve realized that there’s really only so much planning we need to be doing. The first time that reality hit me (Ms. Planner) was like seeing a pig fly before my eyes; it was a LOT to take in. Today however, I have found that He’s really good at it. Go figure! 😉

I don’t need to know every detail (melancholy). I don’t need to make all the plans. “The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way? (Proverbs 20:24)” I thank Him for bringing me to a place where I find calmness in that scripture when years ago, it would have caused worry not being able to understand what’s next. It’s not easy hearing God say quit your job and GO. Say what? But I did and… I have to save that for another blog. 😀

Tonight as He pushes my plans aside, once again, I recite one of my favorite scriptures: “The Lord says, ‘I WILL GUIDE YOU along the BEST PATHWAY for your life. I will advise you and watch over you (Psalms 32:8).'”

Whatever God is doing in your life today, let Him do it! He wants GREAT for you, so want it bad enough to entrust your life, plans, agenda.. your everything to Him! Leaving my “dream job” was one of the best things He had me do. You never know what He has in store for you. Don’t be the WHAT IF person; give Him the reigns!

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Devotion – Resurrection Sunday – April 5, 2015

Actun Tunichil Muknal, Belize (ATM Cave Belize) #1 by National Geographic

Actun Tunichil Muknal, Belize (ATM Cave Belize)
#1 by National Geographic