You've got mail: an update

Dear Reader,

Thank you for your patience with me.

I have been m.i.a for waaaaaay too long.
7 months to be precious.
SEVEN MONTHS!!
Gosh, its unbelievable.

I AM SO SORRY.

Although it is inexcusable not only because it was my new year's resolution to write a post monthly but also because it showed my lack of commitment to something I LOVE doing.
However, please do accept my excuses.

I was super busy with work, long distance engagement, wedding planning, church activities and activities with friends. My week days AND weekends were always packed. Yes, I like being busy...it's an addiction...seriously.

But I have good news for you and I!

Yes, great news , in fact the best news!

I have decided to prioritize myself.

That means, taking time to do not only the things that are required or give the biggest return but also those that are rewarding, things I enjoy..and blogging is one of them! Some others are reading and sleeping. Hehehehe

So I have set apart a specific time for blogging...drum roll...WEEKLY!
Yaass, you read right. WEEKLY, meaning that I'll post at least on a monthly or biweekly basis.

 *pops bottle*

So stay tuned. I have some awesome posts about work, our wedding, and my faith journey coming up.

Blessings,

Twisile x

Climb the Mountain

There are many songs that I like that speak about pursuing an individual and intimate relationship with God; but right now the song that comes to mind is Chasing After You by Tye Tribett. It captures the essence: we as individuals can directly cultivate a relationship with God. Jesus Christ has made that possible for us (Romans 5:6-11). We can approach God, anytime and anywhere.

But many of us don't.

We are content to hear God's message from others rather than from God Himself. I've been there, I have relied heavily on a Moses before, but it was for a season. I understand that we need each other to grow; after all we are all connected as the Body of Christ (1Cor 12). However, there is a difference between growing together and "growing" through someone. If you hang out with God mainly or only when other believers are around (aka church) or if you only talk to Him during prayer meeting then Houston, we have a problem.

I think sometimes we just overthink being in a relationship with God, making it unnecessarily overly spiritual. The Bible mentions numerous kind of relationships that we have with God: He is our friend, brother, father, even, lover. I think a good point to start is seeing God as a friend (John 15:15) or brother (Romans 8:9, Hebrews 2:11). This doesn't mean we can approach Him anyhow but at least it can help us understand that He is someone who understands us and who we can relate to. I'm still growing in this also (journaling is helping me a lot), it doesn't happen at once; it takes time and being intentional.

Just think about one of your best friendships, how did it develop? Maybe it started with a small hello that eventually over the years turned into something very intimate, the person became someone whom you could be very honest and open with about EVERYTHING. I have those friendships and I treasure them because they are just so precious. You know God want's that with us individually, He created us to enjoy a relationship with Him. Sin kept us from enjoying an intimate relationship with God, but Jesus Christ paid the price and now we can enjoy that it.

So what are you waiting for?

Climb the mountain.

Meet with God. He invites you into His presence.

Wins, Walls, Wisdoms: 2017

2017 went by soooo fast! I can't believe we are already 2 weeks into 2018!

I don't know about you but the time between Christmas and New Year's Eve isn't enough for me to properly reflect on what happened during the year.  Although, I made a video with a selection of pictures from the year, it was very restrictive and done impromptu. In addition, I think I reflect better when I write...so here goes a better reflection of my 2017!

I will review my year by classifying the highlights in three categories: wins, walls, wisdoms.

Wins: blessings

1. I graduated from university! 
This was such a big blessing! I didn't see it coming when I started, the fact that God saw me through 5 years of university in Dutch! Gosh, even now I can't believe it. I still feel like a student (especially since I look like one, petite girl blessings lol). 

2. My sister got married!
Ahhh! Another hug blessing for our family! My eldest sister found her prince charming. The wedding was soo amazing!!!! We were blessed in many ways: the weather was so great that day, the guests were joyful for the couple and we danced till the lights went out (hehehehe). 

3. My fiancé and I went to Zambia to celebrate our engagement. And I got to see my bestie after 9 years of long distance friendship! NINE YEARS!

4. I started working! 
The way I got my job just blew my mind. God is so intentional (will blog on this later,  so you better come back). 

5. I finally started learning German. And the learning continues.  

6. I went to a Hillsong Young and Free concert! My second Christian concert.

7.  I saw God provide for my church in so many amazing ways.

And much much more 😂😁. Like I said, just the highlights.

"Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me" - Psalm 103:2


Walls: challenges

1. I was worried about money. 
I decided to stop my weekend student job so that I could concentrate on my dissertation but this meant that I had to be more careful with my money. But I became a bit too careful, this almost ruined one of my friendships but thank God for forgiveness!

2. I realized that I have commitment issues.
I felt the urge to quite a lot of things for numerous reasons, for example: if something required more effort than I wanted to put in, if it was too much out of  my comfort-zone, if I felt it was boring or below me and at times if I was convinced that I could easily replace it with a better option.

3. I struggled with comparison, approval...the whole gang.
The struggle is still real. I got robbed of my joy on numerous occasions because of discontentment and the inability to see who I am in Christ. Uniquely loved (will be writing a post on this later also.)

4. I wasn't very committed to God and His Word.
You read it right. I was selfish. 
This literally sums up all the walls I experienced above. 
I didn't intentionally pursue my relationship with God. It's a hard pill to swallow, but the truth is the truth; and only the truth can set me free. Pretending that it was all cherries and roses won't get me anyway. 

 "Then Jesus turned to the Jews who had claimed to believe in him. “If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you." - John 8:32

Wisdoms: lessons

Based on my wins and walls, I learned a lot about God, myself and others. These are the wisdoms, and the verses they are based on, that I am taking with me into 2018; wisdoms that I want to develop even more. 

1. God first.
 I need God more and more, every single day. I choose to walk in truth (God's Word).
It is good for me to draw near to God, and He shall draw near to me. I will be intentional with our relationship.  I am not going to rush ahead or stay behind Him, instead I'll walk beside Him. So far, Heather Lindsey's journal challenge which I am doing with some sisters is sooo helpful, I advice you to start it if you can, link here.) 

Come near to God and he will come near to you - James 4:8
  
Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearer - 1Tim 4:16

As my relationship with God becomes richer, the following wisdoms will also flourish.

2.  My identity is in Christ.
I am a prototype.
This is a big growing point for me. I am not to compare myself  or others with anyone.  

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!  - Galatians 2: 20-21

3. God is intentional. 
Nothing in my life is by chance. I choose to trust God in the hills and valleys.

You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your book! - Psalm 139:16

You are good and do only good - Psalm 119: 68 

4. Attitude & perspective is so crucial!
I won't let emotions etc get the best of me. No sir. Healthy mind, healthy life. I'll guard my heart and mind.

The mind is it's own place and in itself, can make a hell of heave and a heaven of hell -  John Milton.

I am excited for 2018! So many powerful Scriptural prophesies have been spoken about it! It will be my best year yet!

Thank you so much for reading! I encourage you to take some time to reflect over 2017 and get super duper excited for 2018!


"Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don’t drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it." - 2 Cor 13:5-6

Blessings,

Twisile xoxo



 

Summer in Zambia: Homeland

In July, we went to Zambia to celebrate our engagement with my family there.

It was my fiancé's first trip to Africa so we were both excited for the adventure that lay ahead of us. After flying and transiting for almost a day, we finally landed at Lusaka International Airport; where we were picked up by my parents.

Since our engagement party was within 5 days of our arrival, we went into the city center the next day to buy some African print material for our outfits; it took as a long while to find something good. Mainly because the vendors at the market kept increasing the price when they saw that we were together (smh). So sometimes, I asked him to walk behind me with my cousin; while I went ahead to check the materials and ask about the price. We eventually found a lovely print that suited us both; and our outfits were made by one of my childhood friend's. She did such an amazing job in such a short time.

We spent day two to three in Livingstone. We traveled to visit the famous Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya’ – ‘The Smoke that Thunders) and to link up with my bestie, who I hadn't seen for 9 whole years! I repeat, NINE WHOLE YEARS! Gosh, God is so faithful. I had tried previous years to link up with her in South Africa but it wasn't possible and we were both so grateful that we could finally meet! Especially that she'd be there for the engagement party! We went to Victoria Falls together, we had so much fun...we got pretty drenched from the Falls showers, admired the rainbows which were popping up everywhere and crossed the extremely slippery bridge scared for our lives but super happy still. Livingstone was amazing expect for the mosquitoes, my fiancé was literally scared for his life but we survived. No one got Malaria.

After Livingstone, we headed back to Lusaka and left for Kitwe. Kitwe is my hometown and that was where we celebrated the engagement party. A day before the party, my fiancé and I, were separately taught about my tribe's marital traditional practices and he asked my hand-in marriage the traditional way.  Before the engagement party, my girls and I had worship and prayer session; then we got ready. Although, our engagement party started late (African timing), we had such a great time. Our guests enjoyed ourselves and it was a joyous occasion. I got to see family members and family friends that I hadn't seen in a LONG while! And I was proposed to a 2nd time lol 😁

We traveled back to Lusaka the next day. Two days later, my fiancé went back to Germany (work duties). I stayed in Zambia for another week or so. I got to hang out with my sisters from Pinky Promise Zambia. I was blessed by the preaching about the Recovery Process. This is something that I really miss in Belgium; seeing young women on fire for Christ. We also had a picnic at the university campus, we were shared our thoughts and opinions and ate some good food! I was recharged and refilled spiritually.

Overall, we had such a great trip. My fiancé experienced Zambia for himself. He now knows where I come from, he got to meet my extended family. He also knows my friends personally. We were truly blessed.



If you want someone to sew you some amazing clothes, here is the link to my friend's Facebook page: Tangible Fashions.

Made A Way

This is my testimony.

On 07 July 2017, I graduated with a great distinction from my Master's in Biomedical Sciences. A Dutch 5 year degree program.

I was not born clever.
God made this possible. He made a way for me.

This is my story.

My early primary years were a struggle, I often came 2nd or 3rd from last in a class of about 30 pupils. I even had to repeat one year. However, my breakthrough came 2 years after we had moved to Zimbabwe, when I was promoted to the faster stream in grade 7. And in high school, I became one of the top students in my class. And when I finished high school in Suriname on 25 May 2011, I was the best in my class.

A month later, I went to Belgium to study at university. Well I actually like to say that I was sent by my parents lol. Belgium was the best option for me to study except for one thing, I couldn't  speak , Dutch,the language I would be studying in. I knew how to greet people but beyond that I didn't understand a thing. Having studied in English all my life this was quite a disappointment and at the same time a horrifying thing. However, my parents were confident that a one year advanced Dutch-as -a-second-language course would remove the language barrier.

So on 11 June 2011, I landed in Belgium and started my new student life with my sister. During the summer, in preparation for a placement test, I did some Dutch self study with a language book I got from a friend. I was motivated to learn Dutch since my higher education depended on it. I came back from the placement test with a headache...convinced that I would probably start in level A1 but God being so good I started in level B1 (the 3rd level) in September. I didn't expect it at all. About 6 months later, I had obtained the necessary certificate to prove that I was proficient enough to study in Dutch at university.

I started studying Biomedical Sciences in September 2012. My first year was nothing but hectic. I didn't know anyone for the first few weeks and spent most lectures seated at the very back of the auditorium. I would get back home after classes very dejected...I didn't understand my courses so well...I doubted I would make it beyond 1st semester. But God being good and gracious, I had my sister who encouraged me and He gave me friends that helped me through my 1st year in so many ways. Some gave me notes or summaries,  others were willing to sit down with me until I understood the topic and even others studied with me in the library till it closed. God also gave me professors that were understanding...who didn't mark me based on my language but on my knowledge. I made it through first year, I had average grades and only had to resit one course.

In 2nd year, I became friend's with someone without whom the rest of  my uni years would have been very difficult and  very different. We became each others go to person when we needed further explanations or needed to discuss certain topics. We made a good team academically and socially.

When I finished my Bacherlor's degree in August 2015, my grades had improved over the years from my initial 52% overal grade to 62%. I had had 2 resits in total.
In September 2015, I started my Master's degree. Before I started, I asked God for one thing...that I would have no resists, I didn't want to spend my last summer vacations studying for exams and He answered my prayers and more! I had no resists and I graduated with a great distinction (73%).

Though my beginning was small, God made my ending big.

"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." - Ephesians 3:20

God did it for me, He will surely do it for you!