What is next

 It has been a very long time since I wrote an entry in this form. I have some very life changing plans for the next 6 months and I will be using this platform as opposed to Social Media to work through them with writing. 

Since the last time I wrote, a lot has changed. I have seen God open some serious windows: I was able to start and complete my BSc in Nursing degree, hired in my dream profession, added a daughter making me a mom of 2 wonderful children. Life on the outside looks perfect. My friendships have been enriched, I have accomplished many goals and I am actively chasing new ones. What is next?

What is next is a journey that will make me a woman after Gods own heart, a journey that will ravage me at times, a journey that will make me stronger. 

So, as I begin this journey, I invite you to pray with me and open your heart to newness. 

Until next time keep 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 in your heart and Spirit!

~ The Praying Diarist

Window

One of my favorite quotes from my favorite movie "The Sound of Music" says that when the doors are shut somewhere God opens a window. I'm praying for a window to be open today in my life. Its frustrating to know that there are dreams you have that you are waiting to achieve but the doors are closed. Thank God he opens windows. Today I am claiming that window because there is nothing my God cannot do!

Be blessed and encouraged!

Day by day

Every day is a new day to strive for change to form a new habit. Not the easiest thing but it is possible. Day by day as I exercise I get stronger and better. Just how I can work on physical fitness it is the same with a personal walk with Christ. Being a Christian isn't easy but working day by day puts you closer to where He wants to place you.

Challenge yourself to be better. No one else can do it for you. Start with yourself.

Until next time keep Philippians 4 in your heart and spirit.

The Diarist
For every moment is meant to be taken in and reflected on.

Stumbling

One day you sit down and realize that you have let go of the light of Faith and allowed the darkness of fear to rule your life. Instead of soaring like an eagle you are trapped in your nest afraid to fly even though where you are now isn't comfortable. How did you get from walking confidently towards your God ordained destiny and stumbling around in the dark?

Fear - False Evidence Appearing Real
Faith - the substance of things hope for, the evidence of things unseen (Hebrews 11:1)

When you live a life of fear everything that can go wrong does because it is all that you see. Faith filled living looks towards the good. When you speak good that is what you get.

I have been stumbling for what feels like years through life. My confidence in myself and my dreams had dwindled and snuffed out. The embodiment of spring that was my optimism was gone. I could no longer believe in the unseen. I believed in God but not really in His promises. I was still a Christian but a poor one at that.

It's hard living like this. It brings on a spirit of depression that only fully reaffirming your faith can heal. It took a long time after realizing what was happening to even believe truthfully in me again. I didn't realize that the God I believed in loved me enough to help me out of this mess.

2 Timothy 1:7 tells us that we are to live in love not fear. Living in love means living in faith. I am just truly coming to see how it works. It means not letting anyone or anything that is not of God to speak into your life. This can be truly hard as we live in a negative world.

Until next time keep 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 KJV

(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

The Diarist
For every moment was meant to be taken in and reflected upon...

My Story, My Dreams, My Thanks!

Everyone has a story. In each story there are protagonists, and antagonists- and in every story are the background characters who would be the friends or alliances of the main characters. Friendships can make or break you. My story is filled with friends and acquaintances who have taught me so much about myself and who I am. I know that it is all because of God. 

And friends are friends forever

If the Lord's the Lord of them

And a friend will not say never

'Cause the welcome will not end

 

My story is one of a girl who is too logical to be a dreamer but in her deepest recesses she is one and dearly wants to be released. Through her friendships she is learning and has learned that dreams are real and they can and will come true. My friends have taught me so much. I look at our lives and realize we are growing in our destinies. I realize that my deepest fears were just that. You can fall in love, get married, get 'fat', and be your worst self- yet still have a man who loves even the smallest part of you. You can go through an all out war due to some serious misunderstandings where all sides disrespect each other and end up having a close relationship with in-laws that rival and at times surpass the ones you have with your family. (Sorry Mrs. T for hurting you. I do love you and look to you like a mom!)

My friends have inspired me to work at my dreams. I have a dream of someday writing and publishing my own novel. I'm working on that dream now. One of my dreams is to learn how to sew. My dream project is the picture of the yellow dress below but for now I am working on a simple yet elegant two piece for an upcoming wedding. My friend Olivia is teaching me how to sew. I am working hard at emptying myself of my dreams so I can start new ones.

To my friends, my family and my in-laws- I thank God for you. You inspire me to be more and do more. I know I can do it all because of you! Keep Ecclesiastes 4:12 in your hearts and spirits.

"A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." [Ecclesiastes 4:12. NLT]

~The Diarist~

Every moment is meant to be taken in and reflected on.

Update (Of sorts)

Hello bloggers everywhere! Keep Praying, keep hoping keep believing!

That's all I want to say. It's been a long time and a lot has happened- will come to update you soon! Keep in your hearts and spirits Matthew 5.

~ The Diarist

Natasha

Apple

Pick up an apple and ask practically any child in the Bahamas (over the age of 3) what it is and they can identify it. It has been so deeply ingrained what an apple looks like that we all can imagine an apple whilst reading this (event without the picture).

I was just thinking today how someday I want my name (Natasha Rufin) to be just as identifiable in the literary world at large. When you hear Rufin you think of me. How can I achieve this? Not hiding my talent (as I am oft times prone to doing). Just had to pop in to remind you not to hide your talents or your individuality. Find your identity- like the apple.

Keep Luke 11:33 in your heart & Spirit.

The Diarist