Monthly Archives: January 2018

3:2 Finale

Posted in 32, Christians, Faith, Faith Walk, friendships, Journey to New York, New York, The call, Uncategorized by

Well well well… We have come to the finale of this 3:2 series.

As I have reflected back from the start of this year up until today, I think that it’s safe to say that my life has changed dramatically. It all started with a simple but complex “YES GOD”. All the excuses had to be thrown out the window. If you would’ve asked me a year ago if I would drop my life in Houston to move to a state where I didn’t really know anyone, my answer would’ve been “Umm absolutely not”. The way that God has shown me that trusting Him no matter what honestly leaves me speechless. All of the people that He has placed in my life and the mind blowing events that have taken place right before my eyes, ignites a bigger flame within me. Transparency moment: I have become afraid at times and not wanting to keep pushing for the things that I know that I need in order for me to utilize my fullest potential. My prayers have even changed. This new season requires a different version of myself and it also magnifies my areas of weakness. Let’s just say I’m uncomfortable right now but I refuse to give up. Yes it is hard, but I look back at all that I’ve gone through and have accomplished and I WILL NOT GIVE UP.

My 32nd birthday was on Monday and it was not only a regular birthday, it signified so much more. Here is a picture I took in Times Square.

I had lots of emotions and thoughts swarming around in my brain.

My top 3:

  1. Wow!! This is my new way of life that I’ve been praying about and now I’m actually experiencing it.
  2. I definitely stand out and don’t feel like I fit in with the people here.
  3. It’s going to take me a while to get use to Public transportation because we’ve gotten off at the wrong stop 2 times. I’m afraid of the Subways LoL!!!

This entire week and a half that I’ve been living here has tightened my relationship with God even more and has opened up so many conversations about God and pursuing obedience with so many people. Their responses are just mind blowing and how just my walking on water experience has opened their hearts to obedience. I must say, I’ve already experienced disappointments and don’t like them BUT there’s a reason for it all.

Now that I am officially 32 years old… I don’t have any fancy smancy things to say other than… THIS WILL BE THE YEAR OF EXPERIENCES LIKE NO OTHER!!

Enjoy the pictures from “My Birthday in the City” edition with my Desi that came out here Friday to help me celebrate my birthday. She left Wednesday afternoon. I love her so much and I’m so thankful for our sisterhood!!!

3:2 Discussion question: Comment about what God has spoken to you through this series. Also if you have any topic ideas that you would like for me to post about, let me know!!!

I pray that each of you were blessed by my blog and ‘Til next time maximize your time here on Earth by doing things out of your comfort zone.

❤️🗽❤️🗽❤️🗽❤️🗽❤️🗽❤️🗽❤️🗽❤️🗽❤️🗽❤️

Advertisement

3:2 I did it

Posted in 32, Christians, Disciples of Christ, Faith Walk, Guidance, Jesus Christ, Journey to New York, New York, Uncategorized by

After last night’s post, I decided to jump in and see what that would look like living in New York. I decided to WALK to the grocery store. I have NEVER ever done that before let alone in a neighborhood that I’ve never been to in a completely different culture. The urge to speak and to smile at people is rooted SO deep in me that I honestly feel like I’m in shackles when I’m out. I wanted to smile at so many people while on my walk but was quickly reminded that people don’t do that here. That is so mysterious to me.

I got my groceries and headed back home. My walk was not even 5 minutes and when I got home, I paused to reflect on what I just experienced. I have entered into a new type of life and I don’t know how I fit in. God is definitely going to have to show me how He wants me to be. But then He reminded me that I’m not supposed to fit in. Honestly I still don’t understand what that is going to look like for me in this season. I am a very friendly person because I have the joy of Lord within me. I’m just going to leave that alone right now.

So after I ate my breakfast, I got a sudden boost of energy to organize my room and closets. I am settling in more each day. When you feel comfortable in your own home, you begin to be comfortable with your surroundings. I’m already secure in who I am in Christ so I must transfer that into every area of my life. Tonight’s post is very short I know.

I’m going to combine tomorrow and Sunday together as a post on the eve of my 32nd birthday. So I’ll check back in with y’all Sunday!!!!

3:2 Discussion question… What have you accomplished that you’ve been putting off?

‘Til next time my loves remember that when you do one thing that you were apprehensive about and when you actually do that, more than one thing will come from it. That is just the door to open up other things that needed to be done as well.

❤️🗽❤️🗽❤️🗽❤️🗽❤️🗽❤️🗽❤️🗽❤️🗽❤️🗽❤️

3:2 The newness

Posted in 32, Blessings, Christians, Faith, Faith Walk, God's word, Journey to New York, New York, Purpose Driven life, The call, Uncategorized by

Raise your hand if you have ever become overtaken by the newness of something. Whether it be a new job, car, pet, home, promotion, relationship, career, gadget and the list goes on and on. Have you found yourself stuck in that initial moment when you experienced the newness of whatever you had? What did that do you in the first moment of interacting with it? Did you have a sense of wholeness? Or feel that you have arrived honey? Whatever you felt in that very first moment, we can all agree that the initial emotions and feelings went away.

At what point do we get past the initial feelings and into the reality of the power that our newness can and will have over us?

I’m asking these types of questions to get your mind and actions from being stuck in the initial moment that align with putting actions behind the newness.

So as you know by now I have moved to New York just a few days ago. My lifestyle since I graduated college has been that of GO,GO,GO. “Go after it”, “make it happen”, “do whatcha gotta do” etc. As I’ve had these few days to reflect and just sit quietly before God, I have realized that I don’t know how to be ok with not doing anything. I think I’m afraid that I may become too comfortable with not doing anything that I literally do nothing. I’ve had to push myself out of the mood of just laying down into make plans and write them out. I’m not saying don’t do anything, the way that my life has been set up and the current season that I’m in, I can’t afford to settle into the newness for too long. That will completely go against the purpose of why I’m even in New York.

I am being very transparent tonight! I absolutely love it here already and I know that I can get distracted easily. Please check in on me to make sure that I am still walking in my purpose. I have so much to do for the Kingdom but the difference this time is, I have God’s power to make things happen to help build His Kingdom. I know that it’s not my doing but it’s the Holy Spirit that is within me. I had things backwards before, it was me doing things in my own will, not God’s. I know better now!!

3:2 Discussion question: What newness have you settled deep into lately?

‘Til next time my loves remember to push past the newness smell and into the natural scent of where you are called to be.

❤️🗽❤️🗽❤️🗽❤️🗽❤️🗽❤️🗽❤️🗽❤️🗽❤️🗽❤️

3:2 Jump in

Posted in 32, Faith, Faith Walk, Fruitful living, Journey to New York, Listening to Jesus' voice, New York, Purpose Driven life, Spiritual growth, Spreading the Gospel, The call, Uncategorized by

Hey y’all!!! I’m going to miss hearing y’all LoL!! Today was pretty chill for me. I rested more and allowed myself to be ok with doing that. I didn’t realize how much my lifestyle was based on service. So now that I’m in a completely different region and season of life, I am going to have to learn how I fit in.

Ok so I couldn’t sit still that long. Ordered me an Uber and off I went to church. My roommate told me about Uberpool so I decided to try it out tonight, the lady that joined my uber didn’t talk at all. She only said hello when she got in the car and thank you when she left. No eye contact or pleasant smile. That drove me crazy not to talk to people. So when I got “there” my driver dropped me off across the street from it, mind you this is an extremely busy intersection. I asked him if he could get closer and he said no, so I got out and held my bible and my purse close as I said a prayer. I had to look like I knew where I was going and like a New Yorker while inside I was praying that I wouldn’t get hit by a car or robbed. So let’s just thank God I didn’t get hit but a car seemed like it was very close to me but I wasn’t going to look at them. As I walked inside the church now late, Bible study had already started and I absolutely loved it. We actually studied different stories in a different way and had discussions. I will forever be a life long learner. I love learning! Afterwards I was introduced to THE sweetest people that welcomed me in with open arms. A family even dropped me back home so that I didn’t have to uber again. God has a way of doing things perfectly and timely.

Jump in…. As you learn how to swim, in order for you to even begin the process of learning, you actually have to jump in and get wet. A lot of times we don’t even want to jump in, we just want to hang out around the pool. Do you find yourself waiting for someone to TELL you to jump in, waiting on someone to PUSH you in or you are TERRIFIED to jump in? Either one that you are identifying with, they each require a certain type of person to carry it out.

For example I could’ve told myself that you should get all settled in before going to visit churches, or do more research on the area of town of these churches, rest more or even it’s absolutely too cold to be out tonight. But I decided to jump in because I’ve decided that my walk with God should not depend on how I feel or others. If you’re struggling with jumping in… ask yourself the discussion questions that I will post at the bottom.

This was my outfit for tonight! I had on gloves and eventually put on my hood while I was standing outside waiting for the sweet wife of the husband that dropped me off at home. We actually got snow today and it was such a sight for me to see in person.

3:2 Discussion questions…

  1. What are you holding back from jumping into? Whether it be a goal, your purpose or something that you are fearful of doing. Identify that and pray directly towards that to break that chain on fear.
  2. Do you think that you are only affected by the fear of you jumping in?

‘Til next time my loves remember to jump in and learn the process of what God is trying to teach you so that you can teach others.

❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤

3:2 Take it all in

Posted in 32, Are you listening, Christians, Faith Walk, Journey to New York, Listening to Jesus' voice, New York, Uncategorized by

For my first day of being a New Yorker can you guess what I did today??? I did absolutely nothing today. My body was getting exhausted so I decided to rest. Boy did that feel good. I woke up super early like I always do and couldn’t go back to sleep. So I prayed and tried to take this all in more. It really hasn’t hit me yet honestly.

I wanted to talk about taking in every situation that you are involved in. A lot of times we get so busy and worrying about the next thing that we forget to take in the current moment. One area that God worked on my heart was being present. I have the tendacy to over plan and over analyze situations in my head and be completely zoned out from the person who is right in front of me. That was such an exhausting time in my life. When you’re present, you are able to engage that person(s) conversation and respond appropriately. We all can tell true genuine people when we are in conversations with them. Those are the types of people that we want to stay connected to. Learning how I used to be has help mold me into the genuine person that I am today. I absolutely LOVE listening and engaging with people that I am around.

Take it all in. Take in who you are talking to. Take in the scenery. Take it the memories that you are making with whomever you are with. Take in the blessings that God has so graciously given to you. Take in all that you went through in order to have that current moment. Take in the emotions. Take in all of the people that are close to you. Take it in that there is ALWAYS a reason for every moment of your life. Take it all in.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

I’m choosing to take in the fact that I love the way of life up here with food and delivery methods. I don’t have to leave the house to get food. Here’s a pic of the delivery guy from tonight.

How cool is that?!? I’ll be taking in more tomorrow and every day after that.

3:2 Discussion question: What have you not taken the time to take in lately?

‘Til next time my loves remember to always be present!!!

❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤

3:2 The coast is all clear

Posted in 32, Blessings, Christians, Faith, Faith Walk, Fruitful living, God's word, Journey to New York, New York, The call, Uncategorized by

It’s official ladies and gentlemen I am a New Yorker!! I still feel like I’m just here visiting so like any other normal person that feels like this… what do they do? They unpack and move furniture around LoL!! That’s exactly what I am doing right now. I absolutely LOVE to decorate so I can’t wait to make it my own.

I am going to have to get use to this time difference. It was already dark by 6 o’clock and only one thing comes to my mind with darkness and New York… can you guess what it is?………………THE ATTACK OF THE HUGE GIGANTIC SIZED RATS. Well quick story about that… I originally ordered some pizza from a Pizzeria not too far from my place and it was getting closer to the deliver time and I hadn’t heard anything from them. I go look on the app for any updates and it says CANCELLED. My little heart dropped and was like wait, why? All I wanted was some pizza. But I guess they close at 9 and I placed my order and it didn’t tell me that they were about to close. So I was all in my feelings thinking “I am a brand new New Yorker how dare you treat your fellow people like this LoL”. After those thoughts one fact still remained… I was STARVING! I looked for another restaurant and I settled on Wing Stop can’t go wrong with them right?!? *Blank stare* 😒 first off let’s talk about how I ordered the wrong meal, secondly my fries were cold, thirdly my drink was just tossed in my bag spilled all in the bag. Here’s some pics of this disaster.

As I’m closing the door what do I see running it’s little big happy tail across the walkway down the stairs… Stuart Little 🐀 it wasn’t close to me but I saw it and jumped. As long as they stay outside we are good.

I think that it’s safe to say that I have already experienced the New York life. I rode in a taxi with a CRAZY driver, thought I was about to die in his vehicle, saw a rat, heard some loud old school RnB Dru Hill music from someone’s house LoL oh and stood in a super LONG line and waiting at the airport for a taxi. Thanks for the welcome New York.

Now I can get to the meaning of the title. I’m not sure how God communicates with you but with me especially today was a still small voice but very affirming and direct. As I was gazing out the window looking out into the open sky at these types of views

I thought to myself why aren’t there any clouds like I’m use to seeing when I fly. I kept thinking that and I even dozed off and took a nap and woke back up to the same type of view. So I really asked God saying basically what’s up with this view? Oh boy why did I ask that? Because right after, God just began to drop in my spirit the significance of that clear view that had been around for hundreds and maybe thousands of miles.

He started off by saying The coast is all clear for you Candyce. You have and are doing what I’ve been fighting so hard for you to walk into. Because of your faith and obedience… Your coast is clear. I thought that was the most affirming and sweetest thing to feel and to know that God sees me and He cares all about what I’m doing. He has fought for me and will continue to make my path clear.

I’m not going to share all of them tonight but here’s one more:

Your path is only smooth and clear with me (God). He is the only one that sits high and looks low at all that is going on in our lives. We can’t make our paths clear and smooth on our own. Step aside and Let God make your coast clear.

Last pictures of the night. I know that a part of my purpose is to help others get out of their comfort zones and live the dream that God has for them. I bought this shirt that has several “Dream” prints along the sleeves and around the bicep and tricep muscles area. An early birthday present from a very special new sister friend/little sister was the charm called World Traveler and look what it has on one side of the suitcase… LA, PARIS AND NYC. That charm is so special to me because it is representing this new season.

3:2 Discussion questions: What has God shown you about clearing the coast for you? Do you believe Him even if you don’t see any evidence of the coast being clear?

I am very curious to read your comments to these questions.

‘Til next time my loves remember to always wait on God to go ahead of you to make sure that the coast is clear. I will go deeper on that tomorrow!!!

❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤

3:2 No rest zone

Posted in 32, Blessings, Christians, Disciples of Christ, Faith Walk, friendships, Journey to New York, Loving yourself, New York, Purpose Driven life, Uncategorized by

I have been non-stop since 6:30 a.m. Today has been such special day. My church family is simply amazing! I was THE biggest cry baby today and hate saying goodbyes. Being able to share some last laughs with my friends surely made my heart smile.

O

n the eve of my big move, I sit here still in disbelief that the day has finally come. I’m going to post pictures from today. Tomorrow I am going to go into more details. I’m keeping it very light tonight because I still have to finish packing. Please keep me in your prayers.

‘Til next time my loves, I will be blogging from NY tomorrow!!!

❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤

3:2 Showering me with love

Posted in 32, Blessings, Faith Walk, friendships, Journey to New York, New York, Purpose Driven life, Uncategorized by

Today was such a day full of love and surprises.

I am overwhelmed by the love that has been shown today.

Tonight’s post is super short and all I want to say is THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL OF YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT!!

Tomorrow is going to be the hardest day yet! Please pray for me

Here’s a pic from my family time at my granny’s house today.

I love my family so much! I’m going to leave it at that because I’ve cried so much today.

‘Til next time my loves remember to always cherish each moment that you have with your family and friends.

❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤

3:2 Is this really happening? 

Posted in 32, Blessings, Christians, Faith Walk, Journey to New York, New York, Purpose Driven life, The call, Uncategorized by

My morning totally started off in a freak out mode. I won’t go into details but long story short I was looking for a very important document and couldn’t find it. So I had a cry out to God moment and said “God you are looking right at it so I need you to show me where it is” and right after that, He led me straight to it. I literally tore up my room trying to find it. I praised Him for helping me find that.

My praise this week has come from a new place in my heart. I can’t sing certain songs without crying because they touch my soul in a special way like never before. I know that my new season that I am walking into requires a new and deeper level in God.

As I think about all that I have to do still, I don’t think that it’ll all get done. But I know that when I shift my focus off of what I’m lacking and onto I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, I am able to tackle each task with confidence. My prayer is for guidance and a clear mind to get everything sorted out and ready to go Monday morning!!

Saying more of my see you later to some precious people that are so dear to my heart.

Honestly the hardest thing about moving is missing everyone. I can’t even imagine how Jesus felt when He told His disciples the He had to leave them. The way I’ve been crying cutting up and feeling like there’s a HUGE hole in my heart doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of Jesus’ heart. It’s so hard to look past that and accept what’s ahead of me. That’s why the title is “Is this really happening?” My heart is still in a state of disbelief but my spirit is in a state of the best is yet to come so get ready. My flesh has been defeating me on most days so far. I will choose to be lead fully by my spirit and switch my focus. I am super excited and ready for this new chapter but I had no idea that all of these emotions and new levels of who God is continuously molding me to be would be involved so deeply.

This is the season that God showed me how He views me and I think that’s the toughest part to accept. I am humbled and excited to see what He has next for me. I know that He is already making things happen on my behalf and will continue to open the doors that I’m supposed to walk through.

3:2 Discussion question: When change is involved, what are some things that can cloud your view of your circumstances and your future?

‘Til next time my loves remember to walk in the Spirit!!!!

❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽

 

3:2 No goodbyes

Posted in 32, Are you listening, Christians, Faith, Faith Walk, friendships, Journey to New York, Legacy, Mentoring, New York, Purpose Driven life, Spiritual growth, Spreading the Gospel, The call, Uncategorized by

Today has completely filled me up. Even though I cried this morning again, my day has been full of such AMAZING conversations and fellowship. 

As I chatted with one of the young ladies from my church whom I absolutely love, we talked about when it’s time to depart from others and how difficult it can be. This is her senior year and she’s feeling the same way I am. But we are both hopeful that we will see each other again. We ended our conversation with laughter, hugs and a see you later!!

My dear sweet friend took me to lunch today and the conversation was so timely and full of confirmations and “GIRL I haven’t verbalized that to anyone before only God knows that I thought about that” types of moments where God was speaking through her. My mouth dropped several times and the blessings that I received just warmed my heart. So much came from our time together and I thank God for our special friendship. 

My last see you later moment was with my women’s small group family. It’s just something about when people lay their hands on you and pray over you. I absolutely LOVE these ladies SO MUCH!! They are truly my inspirations, prayer warriors, protectors and so much more. God knew that I needed each of them for such a time as this. Oh yeah and I DEFINITELY cried like a baby tonight. 

I got to say see you later to so many people this week and it just makes my heart so full knowing that I am leaving my legacy and brought some change/spice to my church family. 

God is showing me more glimpses of who He is and reminding me that He sees me. God sees what you need and all that you are doing for the Kingdom. He knows that it’s not easy but His rewards are unbelievable. Stay in His will for your life by being obedient and saying YES when He tells you to do something. I’m living proof. Watch God happen. 

Stay tuned for more……
‘Til next time my loves remember to say see you later and not goodbye. Goodbye is permanent and see you later is temporary. 
❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤🗽❤