Time With God Challenge// Week 2 🍂

Welcome to Week 2 of Time With God Challenge. I pray that the past week has been a blessing unto you. If you haven’t started the challenge yet, it’s not too late to partake in it. As we are entering into a new week of our challenge, I just want to encourage you to not give up. If you are struggling with not going on social media, pray about it. This challenge is to help us draw closer unto God. It’s not to overwhelm you or restrict you in anyway. As believers, we must learn to be disciplined. If we allow everything to vie for our attention, we will never get important task complete. As we approach Week 2 of our challenge, I want to encourage you to open up your Bible more. Spend time in worship. Meditate on a verse for the week. Start a devotional plan if you can on the Holy Bible App with a friend or by yourself. Take time to pray. As we go forth into the day, we can become so overwhelmed with lives demands that we don’t even take the time to pray. We don’t want that to be our portion. God has been good and His faithfulness continues in our lives. Eleven months, he has kept us by His grace. The greatest gift we can give to our Father is praise, thanksgiving, honor and adoration. He alone is worthy of all our praise.

Week Two Agenda:

November 9th: Select a chapter in the Book Of Psalms and meditate on it. Take a look at the character of David and see how you can exemplify that same characteristic in your daily life.

November 10th: Write a letter to God.

November 11th: Praise the Lord. Spend more time in worship. Magnify the Lord for He alone is worthy. There is no one else like Our God.

November 12th: Commit your week unto God. What is one thing you can do to accomplish a goal you had set for the year that you haven’t still accomplished?

November 13th: Tell God who He is to you. If it means you have to write it down, feel free to do so.

November 14: Pray for someone in your life that hasn’t accepted Jesus as their Personal Lord and Savior. Pray for those who have gone astray in their walk with God due to one thing or the other in their life.

November 15th: Take time to reflect about your week. Did you take the time to commune with God? What struggles did you have this week? Were you focused or distracted this week? What can you do to stay focused and remain faithful to God?

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog post. I pray that it was a blessing unto you. May this week be delightful in the presence of the Lord. May we spend more time in God’s presence. Stay blessed & Rooted in Christ 🙏🏿😊

PC: Ellamcho

Priority Check #1

November 7th. 2018

1. How are you doing?
2. What is one thing you learned today?
3. Were you able to accomplish the goals you had set for yourself? Did you take time to rest?
4. Did you eat and if so what did you devour? Healthy or Junk?
5. Did you shower 🚿?
6. Did you brush your teeth?
7. Did you take the time to pray/spend time with God?
8. Did you take the time to reach out to your loved ones?
9. Did your drink enough water?
10. How would you describe your day overall? Joyful, Peaceful, Mellow, Amazing, Productive… 😊🌻

It’s very important that we take the time to reflect about our day. It helps in allowing us to come to terms on what can be done and the lifestyle changes that need to be made. It sets a tone for our day and gives us a realization of what our priorities really are/should be.

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog post. Until next time, let your light shine. Take care of yourself. Always remember that Jesus loves you ❤️

Verse To Ponder:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:6-8

Time With God Challenge// Week 1 🌻

Hi loves. I hope your all doing well. Welcome into a new month of November. We thank God for gracing us with yet another month to see. Today is November 4th, 2018. In my previous blog, I shared with you all about a challenge that was laid upon my heart in July. For more information regarding the challenge, check out this link https://beautyinmylanguage.wordpress.com/2018/10/31/time-with-god-challenge-2/ .

In today’s blog post, I will just be sharing a few things you can do each day through the challenge.

Week One Agenda:

November 1st: Reflect on the goodness of the Lord.

November 2nd: Address your fears and worries.

November 3rd: Worship/Praise the Lord.

November 4th: Speak to the Lord. Don’t be silent. Thank the Lord for His faithfulness, loving kindness and all that He has done for you. Sing a new song unto the Lord. He alone is worthy of all the praise.

November 5th: Take the time to pray for one or more people that the Lord places upon your heart.

November 6th: Who do you need to forgive? Bring the matter to the Lord. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you. If no one comes to mind, take time to pray for those who struggle with understanding the concept of forgiving others. Ask God for the grace to teach them to be that living example that He was to His disciples.

November 7th: Take time to rest in the presence of the Lord. Rest in His Sovereignty. Whatever you are trusting God for, know that God is in Control. Rest in His Faithfulness. Take time to meditate on Scriptures and Bible Stories about the Faithfulness Of God.

November 8th: Take time to reflect on Week 1 of this challenge. Was it a struggle for you to open up your Bible? Did you start studying a book in the Bible yet? Did you go on social media? If so, what could you do to stay focused throughout this challenge?

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog post. If you are partaking in the challenge, I hope it’s coming along well for you. If you haven’t started, you can still start. Feel free to share what book of the Bible your studying in this challenge. I am studying the Book of Daniel and so far, I’m learning and enjoying it. Until next time, Stay Blessed and Rooted In Christ. May the Lord continue to give us strength for the journey.

Verse To Ponder:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. -James 1:2-4

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. -Romans 5:3-5

PC: Petenavey

Time With God Challenge #2

Abide: to bear patiently. To endure without yielding.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” -John 15:1-5

As October is drawing to an end and November is fast approaching, I want you to take the time to reflect on the goodness of God in your life. Its that time of the month again. It’s another sacred time you carve your time amidst your busy schedules to spend in the presence of God. In the month of August, I wrote a blog in regards to this challenge. I explained how this challenge was laid upon my heart in the month of July but I was too busy writing and sharing things on social media but in the month of August was when this challenge begun.

So what is this challenge all about? Time With God Challenge is a time when you devote your time to the Lord. This means no engagement on any social media platforms. Some of these platforms include Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube, IROKOtv, Netflix, Twitter and etc. It’s a time between you and God. In a world, where so many things vies for our attention, it can become difficult to discern the voice of the Lord with the amount of noise that goes on in our daily lives. I believe that God wants to do so much in each of us. We are His children. We are here for a purpose. There is an assignment for each of us but we have to be willing to dwell in the presence of the Lord. If the presence of the Lord is not our dwelling place, where are we running to? Where is our safe refuge? God wants to speak to us. He is daily trying to get our attention but we are so busy.

Time With God Challenge is also a time where you get real with God. It’s not a time to be putting on a mask. It’s a time of unveiling. It’s a time to seek the Lord and allow Him to pour into you. As believers, it’s so easy to get caught into attending church and listening to sermons. There are people who listen to sermons but never take the time to even open their Bibles. God wants to use you. God wants to speak to you through His word. You are not here by coincidence. There is purpose to your existence. Inasmuch as it is a blessing to listen to sermons, understand that those who bring forth the word also had to spend time with the Lord. You can’t expect people to pour into you but refuse to sit at the feet of the One who pours. His name is Jesus. Time with the Lord challenge is a time of abiding in the Lord. Spending time with the Lord should be a lifestyle for us daily but I must admit that certain days are challenging but the more we spend in the presence of the Lord, we are transformed. We become more like Christ.

Things you can do throughout the challenge.

1. Pick one or two books in the Bible you will be reading/studying.

2. Set a time and place you will like to meet the Lord.

3. You can pick a book to read (Christ-Based).

4. Only listen to praise/worship music. You can listen to podcasts (Christ Based).

5. You can have a prayer journal or any notebook to jot down things from your study or what the Lord is speaking to you about throughout the challenge.

6. Select one verse to meditate on every week. Pray about it. You can also do the Soap Method. Scripture, Observations, Application, Prayer.

7. Take time to pray everyday. You can also do a devotional time/study the Bible with a friend.

8. Stay in continuous communication with the Lord.

*On the last three days of the challenge, fasting is mandatory.

Challenge begins on November 1st and ends November 30th, 2018. This challenge is not to restrict you in any way of form. It is a beautiful yet challenging experience that is meant to teach you some things while being pruned in the presence of the Lord. Feel free to invite your friends to partake in this challenge. Two is better than one. If you have someone partaking in the challenge, your able to build and encourage each other when times get tough. The Lord is our strength. He will surely see us through this challenge. 

If you will be partaking in this challenge, please feel free to leave a comment. If you won’t be partaking, know that there will be more challenges to come. Thank you for taking the time to read this blog post. I pray that it was a blessing unto you. God bless you 🙏🏿😊

Essential Oils

Let’s talk essential oils today. First off, have you tried any essential oils before? What do you like about the oils you have tried? What is so good about peppermint, rosemary, lavender and all this talk about tea tree oil? According to Plant Therapy, essential oil is a concentrated, volatile, aromatic liquid that is obtained from the fruits, seeds, flowers, bark, stems, roots, leaves or other parts of a plant.” Essential oils have been used for many centuries for therapy. Many people use essential oils for many reasons. There are variety of essential oils. The list goes on but you can select from the variety based on your specified need. For example, I use peppermint oil for my hair. I place a few drops of peppermint with a mixture of water and tea tree oil for my scalp. Studies have shown that peppermint oil stimulates hair growth and also aids in reducing stress levels, anxiety, pain and etc. Tea tree oil on the other hand can be used as an insect repellant, antiseptic for minor cuts, acne, dandruff control and much more. You can find any of these essential oils at WholeFoods, Amazon and various stores. Below I will share a list of essential oils that I personally love and have used for many years.

1. Peppermint Oil

2. Rosemary Oil

3. Castor Oil (Haitian, Jamaican, Regular)

4. Lavender Oil

5. Eucalyptus Oil

6. Tea Tree Oil

7. Sweet Almond Oil

8. Sweet Orange

If you are interested in trying any of the oils, feel free to research before purchasing. Feel free to share what essential oils you have tried, like and love. Thank you for taking the time to read this blog post 😊. Water your roots. Bloom in your garden. Have a lovely day 🌻

October Reflections

As the month of October is drawing to an end, it is always good to take the time to reflect. Ten months have passed by so quickly. By the grace of God, we are alive. At the start of the year, we had goals and for many of us, some of these goals haven’t been accomplished either because of procrastination or fear. Below are a few questions that came to mind that you can also use to reflect about this month.

1. If you can rate your physical , mental, emotional and spiritual life from 0-10, what rating would you give yourself? Are you flourishing or decaying?

2. What were some goals that you had in mind that you wanted to accomplish? Were you able to accomplish them or are you still working on them?

3. Did you take the time to reach out to your friends and loved ones?

4. Did you eat healthy in this month of October or did you find yourself consuming junk?

5. If there’s one thing you can do to end of the month of October well, what would it be?

6. Did you drink enough water in this month?

7. Did you take care of yourself in this month or did you find yourself taking care of everyone around while neglecting yourself?

8. Did you spend a lot of time on social media compared to usual or was there a reduction in the amount of time you spent scrolling on your feed?

9. When it comes to the area of finances, did you spend a lot or much rather did you save more than you expected?

10. What are you looking forward to in the month of November?

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog post. Feel free to pick a question and share your response in the comment section 😊. Have a lovely day.

Who Are Your Bridesmaids?

brides·maid

A girl or woman who accompanies a bride on her wedding day.

Questions To Ask Before Picking Your Bridesmaids.

1. Are my bridesmaids genuinely my friends?

2. Will these individuals be there for me even after the wedding?

3. Have these individuals been there for me throughout the years or even in the short while I’ve met them? Do they check up on my well-being?

4. What kind of bridal party do I want?

5. Are my bridesmaids fun people to be around?

6. Am I including more people just to make the bridesmaids and groomsmen equal?

7. Are my bridesmaids peaceful people who will make my special day go smoothly?

8. Will they celebrate me or rather will they be envious?

Don’t pick your bridesmaids because they are pretty and you want your pictures to look posh.

Don’t pick your bridesmaids because you want them to buy you luxurious gifts.

Don’t pick your bridesmaids because you want an extravagant wedding and you want the town and it’s villagers to speak about your wedding.

Don’t pick your bridesmaids because you have known them for a long time. Knowing someone for a long time doesn’t make them a genuine friend.

Don’t pick your bridesmaids based on what your family is telling you. You don’t have to include your cousins or nieces as your bridesmaids if you don’t have a close relationship with them. Remember it’s your special day. Pray before making the choice of who your bridesmaids are going to be.

Don’t pick your bridesmaids based on their heights.

Pick your bridesmaids because you genuinely love them and these individuals have stood by you in good and bad times. Picking a bridesmaid is not a small thing, so be wise in picking the right bridesmaids/maid of honor. There are people you would want to make your bridesmaids but not everyone is going to make the cut. Be honest with yourself. Find a way to let them know. Its okay. After all, you can’t please anyone. It’s your wedding day. You want to have fun with the ones you love.

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. -Matthew 6:33

Celebrate Your Friends

Today is a special day. It is one of my friend’s birthday and I’m so excited as if it’s my own birthday. I’ve always loved the joy that birthdays bring. For many years, I didn’t always feel celebrated on my birthday. I would cry instead of celebrating. I would sit and ponder on what kind of friends I had in my life. It wasn’t until one sudden day a thought came to mind and it goes like this “When you learn to celebrate yourself, you don’t wait for others to celebrate you.” The Holy Spirit has many ways of reminding us of things. I must admit, it isn’t always easy when my birthday comes around because for years, my close friends forgot my birthday and when I expressed my thoughts to them in the nicest way possible, it seemed like every year I was repeating myself on the same matter. I just got tired. I could be petty and never wish them a happy birthday on their special day but it’s just not my character. I’m grateful for all the ones who take the time to say happy birthday. Some people may think it’s not a big deal whether someone says happy birthday or not, but to me, it matters. Someone didn’t make it to see another day. You have every reason to rejoice and celebrate. I understand that not everyone is good with remembering dates but at the same time, it’s no excuse to forget your friend’s/loved ones birthday. I do believe that if someone is important to you, you will take the time to write down their birthdays or things that matters to them. It is very annoying when people have to constantly repeat the same things over and over. It hurts when you are not remembered. It’s painful when your the one pouring into people all the time. If you can’t remember your friend’s birthday, write it down on your calendar section of your phone or jot it down in your journal. Birthdays are special. Your mother only gave birth to you once, so I believe that when it’s your birthday you are a King/Queen. You are a King/Queen everyday. Don’t let anyone take your crown away from you. When it’s your loved ones birthday, remember them. Take time to wish them a happy birthday. You may not have money to purchase them any gift and that is okay. When you do have the money and you want to purchase them something, feel free to do so. I love celebrating people. It’s an amazing feeling to see the joy on their faces. Many times, we may think it’s a female thing when it comes to being celebrated on their birthday. While in college, a male friend of mine shared how hard it is when people forget his birthday. So with this in mind, celebrate people while you can. Today, I celebrate a King. I celebrate a friend. Distance apart but close at heart. For everyone celebrating their birthdays on this special day, September 15th, 2018, God bless you. May this day be a glorious time of celebration. May God keep you and may His will concerning your life come to pass. You are loved. You are appreciated. You are a blessing.

 

Kitchen Etiquette 🍽

et·i·quette

ˈedəkət,ˈedəˌket/

noun

the customary code of polite behavior in society or among members of a particular profession or group.

1. Wash your hands before cooking any meal.

2. Take time to sweep and mop your kitchen.

3. Wash all your dishes in the sink. Don’t wait until the end of the week before washing your dishes. Stop being lazy. If you can eat when your hungry, then you can also wash the dishes. Clean the sink area. Any food in the sink, should be removed. Though this may sound like common sense, it isn’t for many. I’ve seen sinks that have leftover foods in the draining section of the sink. It’s not a pleasant sight. Replace dish soap when necessary. You can use Lysol wipes to clean your area.

4. Check to make sure your stove is turned off. Also, your stove area should be cleaned after usage. Food and other spills can cause roaches and other insects to appear in your kitchen.

5. Take out the garbage everyday. When it comes to the kitchen, the garbage can get filled up very quickly. Don’t be lazy to take out the garbage.

6. Replace any napkins for the dinner table.

7. Wash utensils properly.

8. If you have a filter, try to change it every three months. These days, there are filters that can detect the times that the filters need to be replaced.

9. Check the expiration dates for spices, food and etc. in your cabinets/fridge at all times.

10. Clean your microwave and fridge.

11. If you open something, close it.

12. If something spills, clean up after yourself.

13. When washing dishes, don’t let the water run until you finish washing. You can have one bowl with soap water and the other with clean water to conserve water usage.

14. Replace your sponges. Don’t use them for months when they are worn out.

15. Don’t leave food uncovered. Attend to your meal. Even when placed in the fridge, cover it up.

16. If you are living with people, label the items that belong to you. Don’t touch what doesn’t belong to you. Ask before using other people’s stuff.

17. Use cutting boards but wash them before placing foods on them.

18. Unplug any appliances that you don’t use on a basis. After you finish blending or making a smoothie, unplug the cord.

19. A fire extinguisher is a must in every kitchen.

20. Clean! Laziness will not get you anywhere but rather leave your kitchen a complete mess. May that not be your portion.

*Check to make sure that all windows are closed all around your home.

There is nothing like being in a clean kitchen. You will feel comfortable and even when guests come to your home, they will feel welcomed. Growing up, my mother always told me and my siblings to never wait until someone comes to your house before you clean. Whatever you learn, you will take it to your house. If you don’t learn now, you will disgrace yourself.

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog post. I hope that you were able to take something away from this post. Feel free to share anything that I didn’t mention. Thank you. Have a lovely day 😊💕

Bathroom Etiquette 🚽

et·i·quette

ˈedəkət,ˈedəˌket/

noun

The customary code of polite behavior in society or among members of a particular profession or group.

What may seem like common sense to you, may not be common for another person.

In today’s blog post, I will be sharing a few bathroom etiquette’s with you all. Growing up, my mother always told my siblings and I that we should never wait for someone to come to the house before we clean. Your bathroom should be so clean that you can even eat a snack there.

Let’s be honest, we are all busy and have many things to attend to throughout the week. We may not always have the time to do what we have scheduled for the week but it is very crucial for us to check our priorities.

When it comes to bathroom etiquette, as simple as it may seem, many people don’t flush the toilet. With that in mind, let’s get down to the list of things that can be done to make our bathrooms more presentable.

1. When you flush the toilet, make sure that everything is gone. No leftovers of anything. You can see clear water. Always check before you leave the bathroom.

2. Do not put tissue in the toilet because it can eventually cloak your toilet. Have a bin with a garbage bag, to throw any waste. Do not put diapers and wipes in the toilet. The garbage can is there for a reason.

3. Throw out the garbage every day. Do not wait an entire week to take out the garbage because it will cause unnecessary odor in your bathroom. Don’t be lazy! Take out the garbage.

4. Vacuum or sweep your bathroom every week.

5. Change the toilet roll. Don’t wait for someone to change it all the time. Replace it when necessary.

6. Wash your hands with soap after using the bathroom. As common sense as this sounds, it is not common for many. I’ve seen people walk out of a public bathroom without washing their hands. This can cause germs to spread. People blow their nose and touch the doors and don’t even bother washing their hands. It’s with these same hands that they make food and serve their guests.

7. When the toothpaste is finished, replace it. Squeeze from the bottom. Don’t squeeze from the middle.

8. After using the sink area, wipe down the water that may have spread in certain areas. Wash the sink. Don’t leave toothpaste stains everywhere.

9. After using the bathroom, if you have any refresher, use it. Don’t leave the bathroom with an odor for the next person to suffer. Refreshers are created for a purpose. This is not 1950. Please be considerate. Open the window for fresh air to enter your bathroom.

10. Wash your bath tub 🛀. When your bathtub is clean, there’s even a greater comfort while taking a shower. Make an effort to wash your bath tub every week.

11. When it comes to water, be mindful of how much your using. Some people can sit in the bathroom for an hour just watering themselves like a garden. Save money. If your living in an apartment, though your not paying for water, still be considerate.

12. Turn off the light. If you don’t need the light, don’t turn it on. Save electricity. Save money. Live better.

13. Change your towels at least every 3 days. Don’t use the same towel for an entire week. It’s not sanitary. Change your toothbrush at least every 2-3 months.

14. Do not share the same bar soap with everyone in your household. It’s not sanitary. Get your own. Dove bar soaps are really good. You can also check out Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint Liquid or Bar Soap.

15. Get yourself a white wash cloth to take a shower. You can use a bath sponge but let me tell you a white wash cloth will show you yourself very well. You can use the sponge but definitely try the white wash cloth too.

16. Always try to have enough soaps, toothpaste and essentials so that you don’t have to keep going to the store every time.

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog post. I hope you were able to take something away. Have a lovely day ❤️

Update: Time With God Challenge

At the beginning of August, I shared a blog post in regards to a challenge that was laid upon my heart. The challenge consisted of not going on any social media handles. I mean absolutely nothing. Some of the social media handles include YouTube, Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, Pinterest and etc. This challenge has been so interesting by far. So the month of August is coming to an end, so I just wanted to update you guys on how this challenge has been for me.

At the start of the challenge, I felt that it would be difficult for me since I was including YouTube in this challenge. Everything else for the most part was not as difficult as YouTube. Weeks have passed by and I’m so glad to say that this challenge has been going great. It’s been a time well spent in the presence of God. A time of refreshing looking at the clouds, listening to the birds chirp, writing, listening to worship music on Spotify since YouTube is not allowed in this challenge. This challenge is doable, I promise you. When I started this challenge, I only told one of my friends. Though this challenge is about to be over, you are still welcomed to partake in this blessing. I pray that you are blessed. This challenge may seem difficult because you are so used to being on social media, but I promise you that you can do it. There’s a time for everything. There’s nothing that is impossible with God.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” -John 15:5

My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. -Proverbs 3

Travel Checklist

Whether your traveling for the first time or the tenth time, it’s always helpful to have a checklist to guide you on what items to bring because let’s be honest, we have all forgotten something while traveling and we had to purchase it at the airport or at the country or site we are residing at which ends up being an arm and a leg at cost. So in this blog post, I will like to share some tips as well as things to bring with you while traveling.

1. Purchase a luggage. With that in mind, it is very crucial that you purchase a luggage that is lightweight. Some luggages are heavyweight that even when you don’t have much in your suitcase, it may appear as if you packed so much.
2. Get everything situated with your passport and visa. First-time Adult Passport Book: $110 + $25 for acceptance fee = $135 . With the visa fees, it all depends on where you are traveling. If you will be staying in an hotel, get things situated. Have all the necessary numbers you may have to dial.
3. Most airports, allow two luggages and a small hand luggage as well as a carry on bag life a duffle bag or a backpack.
4. When it comes to your small hand luggage bag, it is very important that you place materials such as a toothpaste, travel size mouthwash, face towel and basic things you will need when the plane lands at your destination. You want your mouth to feel fresh. You two luggages won’t go inside the plane with you but your hand luggage as well as your backpack or handbag will go inside the plane with you.
5. In your luggages, make sure there aren’t any water bottles because the airport security, will ask you to throw it away. These items are not allowed in the airplane. You can bring travel size bottles but other than that, you may be asked to throw your items away. If you don’t want to grow through this hassle, please be mindful of what you place in your luggages. You can carry snacks to eat on the plane. Feel free to purchase snack because you may not like the food that is served on the plane.
6. Bring an ID with you just in case if there are any rising issues about your identity. This happened to my mother so I don’t want that to happen to you.
7. Make sure to leave your house on time for check-in. Traffic can delay you from reaching your destination on time. If your flight is at 3pm, I will advice that you leave your house at least 2 hours before time to give you time to sought things out such overweight of luggages and other issues that can arise.
8. When it comes to packing, it is wise to pack things that you will need. That doesn’t always happen because we want to be on the safe side so we overpack but this isn’t always good. For instance, if you are traveling to another country, you might want to bring back certain things you loved from your stay but due to you overpacking, you may not have space to bring back certain things. If your luggage is overweight, charges will be made. When it comes to weighing, it is good to weigh your luggage at home to be on the safe side. It is better for your luggage to be underweight than overweight.
9. It is very important to also check the weather for the country or state you are traveling to that you can bring the proper clothing wear for your stay.
10. Wash your hands. Be alert wherever you go. Ask questions as a tourist. Have fun. Create memories. Enjoy every moment of your vacation.

 Clothing List

1. Underwear/Boxers
2. Pants or Shorts
3. Bra
4. Socks
5. Comfortable Shoes*
6. Dresses
7. T-Shirts
8. Sweatpants
9. Pajamas
10. Sweater

Basic Needs (Must Have’s)

1. Passport
2. Deodorant
3. Shampoo/Conditioner/Pomade
4. Toothbrush/Toothpaste/Mouthwash/Floss
5. Towel
6. Shaving Stick
7. Perfume
8. Phone + Charger
9. Slippers
10. Lotion
11. Nail Clipper
12. Tissue
13. Q-Tip
14. Lip Moisturizer
15. Makeup/Wipes
16. Facewash
17. Sponge/Bath Soap/Body Wash
18. Camera
19. Comb/Brush
20. Sunscreen
21. First Aid Kit
22. Jewelry
23. Toilet Tissue (3-4)
24. Mosquito Medicine (Tablets)
25. Insect Repellant
26. Imodium (Diarrhea Tablets)
27. Hand Sanitzer
28. Cleaning Wipes like Lysol/Wet Wipes For Hands 🙂
29. Book To Read
30. Ipod/Charger
31. Luggage Locks
32. Small Flashlight
33. Gum
34. Zip Lock Bags
35. Pads
36. Water Bottle (Empty)
37. Journal/Writing Utensil
38. Gloves
39. Ear Buds
40. Umbrella
41. Medication With Doctor Consent*
42. Money
43. Light Jacket
44. Keys
45. Sun Shades

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog post. I hope this post was helpful unto you. Feel free to share with your friends and their friends. Until next time, stay blessed & lovely 🙂

Picture Credits: Edho Pratama, Priscilla Du Preez, Tu Tu,

PODCASTS TO TUNE INTO ❤️

Happy Monday. Welcome to another week in August. I hope that you are all doing well. If not, I pray that things get better for you. God is with you. In today’s blog post, I have created a list of podcasts that I personally listen to throughout the week. Let’s be honest, I can’t listen to each podcast everyday but these are the ones I listen to for the most part. They have been a blessing unto me. I pray that they will be a blessing unto you. If you have an IPhone, there’s an app that comes with the phone titled podcasts. There, you can search for all these amazing podcasts. If you have an Android, you can search to see if these podcasts are available. You can listen to some of these podcasts on YouTube, Spotify, SoundCloud and etc. May you learn and take away something from these podcasts I have enlisted for you all. Feel free to share any on the comment section or leave a comment if you do take the time to listen to any of these podcasts. Thank you for stopping by my blog. Have a blessed week. Until next time, stay blessed and rooted in Christ 🙏🏿😊

My Verse of the week:  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 4:6-8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Time With God Challenge

August I see you. You have arrived quicker than quick. Seven whole months have passed by the grace of God. God has seen us through these past months. Only the living can praise God. What an Awesome God we serve. In this month of August, I want to challenge you to go off all social media handles which includes Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, Twitter and etc. Let this month be you and God. If you want to listen to music, you can download it on your phone or use Pandora or Spotify. You can watch shows but honestly if you can go without it, feel free to do so. If you do watch shows, let it be glorifying to God. Yes, we are on the third day of the month but you can still partake in this challenge.

Initially, I was suppose to partake in this challenge in July but I was too busy posting verses that were laid upon my heart and other materials on social media. It’s a blessing to pour into people but there comes a time when we have to make room for the Holy Spirit to pour into us. There are so many distractions in this world. There are so many things vying for our attention but we must learn to fix our eyes on Jesus. This challenge was laid upon my heart for the month of July but I have started this challenge this month. It’s been refreshing. It was a bit hard because I’m so used to going on YouTube to watch shows like Skinny Girls In Transit & Rumour Has It. I spend most times listening to praise and worship for the most part but I wasn’t ready for this challenge. I was ready and excited to deactivate everything else but Youtube was a tough one. For now, I don’t mind using Spotify to listen to music but many times, it takes time before the song you want to listen to even plays but it’s not been a problem since I started the challenge. I’m not worried about what worship song plays first. I am ready to praise the Living God. This is a personal challenge for myself but I shared it with a friend and she said she’ll be partaking in it too. Feel free to partake in this challenge. This will not be my last time doing this challenge. It’s actually the first of many to come. I’ve titled it “Time With God Challenge”

The challenge consists of you reading your Bible every day. You can meditate on a verse each week. You can start a devotional in the Holy Bible App by yourself or with a friend. You can only listen to praise and worship. For myself, this is not hard but for some people, it can be difficult. Pray about it and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you. Start studying a book in the Bible. Have a notebook to take down notes . Pray before you start each study. You can also purchase a journal where you can write prayers to God. You can also buy a book for the month. I am currently reading Lead Me, Holy Spirit by Stormie Omartian. I have been reading this book since May 8th. 2018. It’s a book I’ll highly recommend. It’s not a book to be rushed. There’s so much to learn from the Holy Spirit. Remember this is your time with God. Don’t let anyone or anything get in the way of you seeking God. Feel free to ask your friends to partake in this challenge. We are currently on Day 3 of our challenge and it has been a blessing. I pray that as you partake in this challenge that God will reveal Himself to you in a new and special way. I pray that you will grow deeper in your relationship with God and that you will hunger and thirst for righteousness.

Thank you for stopping by my blog. I pray that you were blessed. Continue to abide and stay rooted in Christ. Jesus loves you 😊

Places To Visit In NYC

Places To Visit In New York

1. Central Park
2. Broadway
3. Metropolitan Museum Of Art
4. American Museum of Natural History
5. Empire State Building
6. Statue Of Liberty
7. New York Transit Museum
8. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

  8. Whitney Museum of American Art

1. Museum Of Modern Art
2. The High Line
3. Brooklyn Bridge
4. Bryant Park
5. Fifth Avenue
6. Radio City Music Hall
7. Times Square
8. Rockerfeller Center
9. Apollo Theatre
10. Bronx Zoo
11. Brooklyn Botanic Garden
12. The 9/11 Memorial and Museum
13. Grand Central Terminal
14. Prospect Park
15. Brooklyn Flee Market
16. Flushing Meadows-Corona Park
17. Brooklyn Heights/Promenade
18. Macy’s Herald Square
19. Union Square
20. Flatiron Building
21. Lincoln Center
22. Queens Museum
23. Chinatown
24. Madame Tussauds
25. SoHO

Soul Food Restaurants (NYC)

1. Sylvia’s Restaurant
2. Amy Ruth’s
3. Taste Of Heaven
4. Soco
5. Jacob’s Restaurant
6. Freda’s Carribean & Soul Cuisine
7. Melba’s
8. Sweet Mama’s Soul Food Restaurant & Salad Bar
9. Soul City
10. BLVD Bistro NY
11. ButterFunk Kitchen
12. Root & Bone
13. Londel’s
14. Black Nile
15. Peaches Hot House

African Restaurants

1. La Savane
2. Buka
3. Joloff
4. Lenox Saphire Harlem
5. Le Baobab Gouygui
6. Pikine
7. Ponty Bistro Harlem
8. B & B
9. Accra
10. Papaye
11. Safari (East African)
12. Amarachi
13. Bognan
14. Ebe Ye Yie
15. Nomad Restaurant (Moroccan)
16. Honey Bee’s
17. Akwaaba

Chill Spots (Desserts):

1. Milk & Cream Cereal Bar
2. Laduree
3. Cha Cha Macha
4. Upland
5. Los Tacos
6. Milk Bar East Village
7. New Territories
8. Teriyaki NYC
9. Soft Swerve Ice Cream
10. Davey’s Ice-cream
11. Mo Gelato
12. The Sweet Shop NYC
13. City Cakes
14. Breads Bakery
15. Van Leeuwen Ice-cream (Vegan)
16. Eileen’s Special Cheesecake
17. Ice & Vice
18. Holy Cream
19. The Original Chinatown Ice-cream Factory
20. ChikaLicious Dessert Bar
21. Morgenstern’s Finest Icream
22. Ice Cream Shop
23. Billy’s Bakery (Best Cupcakes In New York
24. Mikey Likes It Ice Cream
25. Mango Mango Dessert
26. Sherry B Dessert Studio
27. Melt Bakery
28. Cupcake Market
29. Avalon New York

Pizza Shops In NYC

1. Sofia’s Pizza Shoppe
2. Jumbo’s Pizza
3. Milano Pizza Shop
4. Best Pizza
5. Joe’s Pizza
6. Previti Pizza
7. Grimaldi’s Pizza

Chill Restaurants

1. Shake Shack
2. Galli
3. Sauce (Italian)
4. Woodland
5. Peaches Shrimp & Crab

   

Things You Can Do This Week

Hi loves. I hope that the month of July is treating you very well. As we have entered into a new week, I would like to share a few things that you may be interested in doing. Many times, we find ourselves worn out and yet still having this feeling of not accomplishing anything. In everything that we do in this week, may we find joy and comfort in Christ alone. May we seek his face and make the most out of each blessed day.

/ Things You Can Do This Week \\

▸ Pray For Someone

▸ Start reading a book in the Bible

▸ Be consistent in prayer

▸ Watch A Sermon & Take Notes

▸ Write In Your Journal. If you don’t have one, feel free to purchase one in the stores I have placed above.

▸ Take a walk for 30 minutes

▸ Drink only water for a week. You can eat but when it comes down to drinking juice, cut it off this week. If you can go for a month, do it.

▸ Start a book or continue the book you are reading.

▸ Buy a gift for someone and surprise them with it.

▸ Go off social media for a week

▸ Reach out to your friends and loved ones.

▸ Pick up a new hobby

▸ Cook a new meal

▸ Bake a cookie or even a cake

I hope this list was helpful. Have a lovely week 🙂