Monthly Archives: August 2015

Hidden treasures… I can’t believe it!!

Posted in Blessings, Purpose Driven life by
One of The amazing Thrift Queens, Pippa of Too Cheap Blondes!!!

One of The Queens of Thrift, “Too cheap Blondes” Pippa

Anyone who really knows me, knows how much I pride myself on thrift store shopping! I enjoy the thrill of finding hidden treasures. We all have our personal opinions and outlooks on thrift stores. I personally think it is a blessing from God. Clothes, shoes, purses etc. that I know that I could not afford at the original prices are basically thrown in my lap for next to nothing basically. The keys to finding these hidden treasures are… PATIENCE, HAVE AN OPEN MIND & BRING EXCITEMENT! Those are my personal tips that I use and they have not failed me yet.

Last week I was blessed with the opportunity to win a contest that afforded me a $40 shopping spree at one of my favorite thrift stores. The reason I love Family thrift is because they have THE best prices and nice quality clothing for the whole family.

Ok so here’s how it all happened. About a month ago I was talking to one of my best friends Ramona about revamping and maturing my look. I stated that I need to start dressing like an almost 30 year old Academic Director. She told me that I have a unique style and that I should still embrace it but enhance it with matured pieces. So I said you’re right and I pray that I could get help from someone to find those pieces to complete my matured look. On my phone when you go to google search it will post random post from sites that you have visited before. So last Monday I saw a post from Too cheap Blondes about a contest that they were having and to submit a small paragraph stating why you should win. I stated that I need help maturing my look and how much I respect and love what they do etc.. I wrote it down on my Tuesday to-do list and sent it off with a prayer Tuesday morning. A couple of hours later, I received a text from Pippa asking if I could meet her to shop with her. So after I stopped screaming with excitement I texted her back saying yes ma’am! I thought it was a joke at first LOL! So on Wednesday morning, still clueless that I won the contest, I woke up energized and excited to receive help shopping. God always supplies your needs and desires that He sees fit to bless you with when you are doing your part. He will bless you in abundance!

I am beyond grateful and thankful to Pippa, Michelle and Jennifer that gave their time to help me out and for others as well. You ladies really touched my heart ♡! It wasn’t until the very end that I realized that I won the contest, I thought that she was just going to give me some shopping pointers and help select outfits for me to purchase. Pippa selected dresses and other items that I would of never took the time to look at because it wasn’t my “normal” style. I thought about how God does the same thing with us when He designed and created us for our purpose. Many times we “look past” things that we think don’t fit our feelings and way of life and end up missing out on those hidden treasures that God created just for us. Pippa found a nice pair of Coach shoes that were my size and I would of never found them if it hadn’t been for her. The funny part about those shoes was I passed right by them and they were right in front of my face the whole time.

If you feel like you are passed by and over looked by many people, understand that you will be found and sought-after by those persons that need you and will appreciate you. They will see your true value and not where you ended up!

TIL NEXT TIME MY LOVES! ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

Get rid of those weeds!

Posted in Devotionals, Fruitful living, God's word, Guidance, Purpose Driven life by

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Jesus is speaking in John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit- fruit that will last-and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.

In order to be fruitful like God call us to be, we must get rid of those strongholds of sin so that God can use us. God and sin will never dwell in the same place. The only way for those strongholds to loosen its grip from you is to draw closer to GOD. Apply His word and stay in prayer. Switch your focus from self to God and I guarantee that you will start to experience God on a whole new level. Getting rid of those weeds means getting rid of those sins that are choking you and preventing you from producing healthy produce.

Watch GOD happen throughout this day!!! TIL NEXT TIME MY LOVES…

PART II God uses plain ordinary people to do extraordinary things!

Posted in Faith Walk, God's word, Purpose Driven life by

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*SNAPS FINGERS* AHHH HAAA ☝:idea:light bulb moment… suddenly everything that you have been going through in your prep phase greets you head on. Still not understanding why you ended up in the present state that you are currently in. Still puzzled by the events that took place that prepared you for your purpose. Still scratching your head about how your paths crossed with the special God sent people. Then it suddenly  all comes together and you look up and smile 🙂 and say ” WOOOW, I KNOW THAT WAS NOBODY BUT YOU”. All of the long nights, tears, prayers, bible studies, doubts, uncertainties  and disappointments that I endured blended together to create such a beautiful canvas that allowed God to show His best work of art.

Looking back on all of the events that have taken place in my life within the past year, has really changed the way that I view God. My trust level in Him has changed tremendously. It has not been easy at all but I know that He is with me even when I stumble. I’m sure you’re wondering what the Pathway to hope family camp is all about. Here’s how I got involved with this AMAZING program.

Back on Tuesday June 23rd I attended a ladies bible study group. I typically go on Fridays or Saturdays, but the spirit was leading me to go on Tuesday instead. So I got up completed my daily devotional and quiet time with God and ended it by writing in my prayer journal. That morning I prayed for something to do with my time since I have my summers off (somewhat). I didn’t know what He would need me to do but I trusted in Him to make it happen. After the teacher finished her lesson we broke into smaller groups to discuss the lesson in details. Not knowing anyone in my group made it a little hard to open up and share my story and thoughts. I depended on God to give me the right words to say and he sure did! I remember listening to one of the ladies in the group and thought wow her ministry is amazing and I love how God can use anyone! At the end of the bible study, I still can hear Debbie Simmons say “Hey Candyce, what part of town do you live on?” And from that question led me to walking in my purpose by helping families that have adopted children that come from troubled backgrounds, other cultures and countries and special behavioral or emotional needs. All of the test in my prep phase led me to this very moment. The most important part of my journey this far has been to rely on God to provide everything that you need. He uses ordinary people all the time which turn into extraordinary work for the Kingdom.

Pathway to Hope family camp was by far one of the most challenging experiences that I have faced in a while. But I felt God’s hand every step of the way. He provided the perfect amount of training and used my years of teaching background as well. When I wanted to give up and become frustrated because things were happening that I couldn’t control, it seemed as if God began to hug me tighter and tighter. Meeting all of the families that came to the camp opened my heart up even more to how God has adopted us all as His children. We come from dark, broken backgrounds but He still loves us all. He is very patient, corrects us in love and gentle with us and that’s the whole approach of the camp. The camp also showed me how I look when I’m walking and communing with Christ. I am not a naturally gentle and patient person whatsoever. Those traits shine through when I’m in fellowship with God. I cannot describe the healing that I received last week along with the families at the camp. I thank God for using me as a vessel to show Him to this world. I gained some new special people that I will always cherish and L♡VE!!!

Please read more information about Pathway to hope-Anchor Point Church.

Ephesians 1:5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.

TIL NEXT TIME MY LOVES!!!

♡Posted by Sweet Inspirations by Candyce♡

God uses plain ordinary people to do extraordinary things!!!

Posted in Devotionals, Spiritual growth by

wpid-1438642937078.jpgQuick question… Do you feel like you aren’t worthy or important enough to be used by God? Whatever your answer is please know that God can and will use anyone. He handpicked us all before the world was created to carry out His plan. Please be advised that God does not work on our time, He will make sure that you are fully equipped with whatever you need to be able to walk in your purpose. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. I know personally that when I am going through my prep phase, I am a complete hott mess. By a hott mess I mean… I don’t look like “Candyce”, I am soft-spoken, calm, slow to speak, patient and full of worry. Those are what I call my self-destruction traits because I look perfectly relaxed and prepared on the outside but inside my heart I am ready to explode.

One of my prep phases was one of my lowest points in my life. Disappointment after disappointment seemed as if it should have been my middle name because of how often it was happening and how I held onto that as my new identity. Later realizing that those disappointments were a setup for my purpose and His plan for my life, allowed me to experience actually walking in God’s purpose for my life. If you are doubting God, let me be the one to tell you DON’T GIVE UP ON HIM!!! He will never give up on you.

I will say that walking in your purpose, things will start happening and you will not understand why or how they occurred. Just know that God has paved the way for you and will open doors that no man can shut. He will make sure that you are fully prepared for your purpose and He will make sure that you are doing your part by getting prepared as well. If you need some preparation tips here are some:
•Pray daily
•Study and read the Bible
•Apply all of the scriptures that you are reading
•Read devotionals
•Attend church & Bible Study groups regularly
•Take your mask off (true self)
•Open your full ♡ to God
•Get an accountability partner that can help you stay on track
•Enjoy God’s creations
•No worrying

Throughout my transition period aka prep phase, God was working on me to prepare me for this point of my life. He allowed me to be able to work with twice as many kids as I was before which now makes sense to why I left one position to work in another position. It will sound and look completely crazy to others because God did not give them the eyes (brain power)to fathom your purpose so beware of criticism, laughter, lack of support and ridicule. It will come especially when you are doing work for God’s kingdom! Keep your head up my loves, God has your back! TO BE CONTINUED….TIL NEXT TIME MY LOVES!!!

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♡Posted by Sweet Inspirations by Candyce♡