Reflections on the Coronavirus and #FaithOverFear: Days 32-37: Little To Write, Losing Track, and Renewed Hope

Hi, everyone!

I hope all is well and you haven’t had the moments of boredom, stagnation, and isolation that I have felt, understanding, of course, if you have! I am coping, to all who are concerned, but also admit to weak moments, being human. I’m also incredibly grateful that God has allowed a new week to bring new blessings! Then again, after all, I feel like Paul more often than not lately as well. That is, “²¹ For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21, NIV, emphases mine) No wonder Paul was torn, since he wanted both that the Philippians would know Christ our Lord and that he would be with our Lord himself!

That’s what I’ve been hoping to accomplish by this blog as well, thus the title (you may recall that I have said this in previous posts if you’re a regular follower.)! In short, my friend Sam, the pastor of a new church in Hagerstown (Hagerstown Church of Jesus Christ, to be specific!), captured what I believe perfectly and what I’ve been thinking more than ever since my late maternal grandmother passed away on Christmas Eve 2018: “The way we live, will guarantee the way we are remembered.” Sam is exactly right. I want to be remembered just the way my grandmother is, as Jesus called us to do: “³⁴ So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. ³⁵ Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (John 13:34-35, NLT, emphases mine) I admit even writing this blog is helping to me to cope since it gives me something to do and brings me back to living life with purpose and focus!

Speaking of anxiety, boredom, etc., of course I am going to plug my church again! We’re going through a series entitled “Anxiety Issues” right now and it helped a lot! Take a look: Anxiety Issues: Part I: The Answer To Your Anxiety. Jesus, loved ones, music (think, for example, of Christian music, classical music, country music, the Piano Guys, Peter and Evynne Hollens, Paul Greene, etc., for anyone who knows me well!) , and writing have helped much, truth be told, and there will be more writing coming from all of this. Thank you, if you have read to the end of this post, as well. I apologize for failing in my commitment to write daily and promise to be more careful to do so! I ask your pardon, too, as well. May the Lord Bless you and I look forward to seeing more from y’all as well!

God Bless,

Michelle

It’s Been A While

Hi everyone,

 

It’s been a while and I am sorry I have not been blogging at all recently. Work has been really busy, among other things, but getting all of said tasks within and without the context of work for now helps! I resolve, thus, to blog more regularly and hope everyone is having a Merry Christmas! So long as we don’t forget the Reason for the Season, all should be well. Truthfully, the month or so that I ended up taking off from blogging and such has changed much, but I am back now and a more mature person for it, I think.

That said, how were your Christmas Days and how will you celebrate the remaining eleven days of the season? Let me know! Thanks!

God Bless, like always, everyone,

Michelle

After A Busy Week: Part 2/Après Une Semaine Occupée: Part 2

Source”: http://www.stjudes.org BTW, for those who did not know, I am fairly certain the founder of St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Danny Thomas, was Catholic.

Hi everyone,

Indeed this past week was busy, as I’d mentioned earlier!

Namely, I participated in the following activities this past week:

a) Classes,

b) Work,

c) A Special Event: Helping lead a worship night hosted by my university’s chapter of the United Christian Council,

d) Another Special Event: Attending a surprise party for a longtime friend to thank him for his many kindnesses to our friend group over the years,

and much more!!! Mom and I photographing one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen anywhere capped off my Friday and relieved me of much stress! (See the previous post for the photographs.)

That said, I promise to post more regularly from now on. Hopefully y’all have been well, too!

God Bless, as always,

Michelle

Bonsoir tout le monde,

Comme j’ai mentionné, la semaine dernière était très occupée! En bref, j’étais occupée avec ces activités:

a) Mes cours universitaires

b) Mon travail

c) Un Événement Spécial: J’étais un leader d’une nuit de la prière et de l’adoration ‘a Dieu par le club United Christian Council ‘a mon université,

d) Un Autre Événement Spécial: Je suis allée ‘a une boum pour un ami de plusieurs d’ans,
et plus- beaucoup de plus! Que Maman et moi avons pris des photos du crépuscule- un des plus beaux crépuscules que j’avais vu pendant ma vie, en fait- a conclu ma semaine bien!!

Cela dit, je promettrai ‘a créer des articles de blog plus régulièrement. J’espère que vos journées ont passé bien aussi! Merci!

Dieu vous bénisse, comme toujours,

Michelle

After A Busy Week…./Après Une Semaine Occupée

They’re all just from one day after a busy week, about which I will write more later. 🙂 Mom took better photos than I did, I think, as she took about half (3 or 4) of these. How is everyone’s weekend so far. as well?

God Bless, as always,

Michelle

Sometimes….

Hi everyone,

Sometimes I’m pleasantly astonished by the views I get, especialy since I haven’t been posting as much as I would like lately. University work is very important to me right now and and I thank y’all for understanding that. That said, I promise to have something up by the weekend once again. Additionally, I will try to have completed the original/English version of Anomaly and have a French version up by Sunday evening as well.  Thank you all so much!!

God Bless, as always,

Michelle

Bonjour tout le monde,

Quelquefois, je suis étonnée dans une maniéré plaisante par le nombre des vues que je reçois, spécialement comme je n’avais pas créé autant des articles de blog comme j’avais aimé ‘a créer au moment. Mes études universitaires sont très importantes au moment et je vous remercier que vous comprenez ma situation. Cela dit, je promis ‘a créer un article de blog créatif pendant le weekend encore. En plus, j’essaierai ‘a compléter les versions anglaise (la version originale) et la version française d’Anomalie sur le soir du dimanche. Merci!

Dieu vous bénisse, comme toujours,

Michelle

Spoken Word Poetry: Anomaly: Part 3/ Un Poème Parlé: Anomalie: La Troisième Partie

Hi everyone,

Having been busy for a bit and reviewing the poem while debating whether to post it to Facebook- or, rather, the poem as it is so far, I found myself writing a bit more, so here’s the continuation of said poem. Thanks and God Bless!

As always,

Michelle

Bonjour, tout le monde,

Comme j’étais occupée pour cette semaine et j’avais lu le poème pendant j’avais décidé si je le distribuerai au Facebook- ou, au présent, le poème comme il existe au moment- j’ai écrit plus du poème. Alors, la continuation du poème est en bas.  Merci et Dieu vous bénisse!

Comme toujours,

Michelle

Anomaly

They confirmed that I was the anomaly of our diverse group

When we discussed social constructs and I told the truth./

“I’m the white, Christian, female, heterosexual, cisgender one,

So I’m probably the anomaly here”- sure enough, I was./

Then we went right back to our friendly discussion and banter

Though I found myself disengaged as I pondered the matter/

Indeed, I stood out from the rest, for I live quite a bit differently,

But at least I’m glad we get along, and more so to be the anomaly.

So it’s no wonder sometimes I feel lost in this broken, selfish world,

Living in a fallen world is difficult for this serious, old soul of a Christian girl

Whose entire existence hinges on day-by-day living

Serving her God and King while awaiting His second coming.

I also admit I get lost sometimes

Chasing things of the world that aren’t meant to be mine/

Like the rest of us, as I am just like all humans:

Sinful and looking for something, some peace or happiness./

Thankfully, I’ve found both in Jesus, though He never had to give them;/

What a wonderful God He is, Who loves me knowing I am imperfect!

Thus, I want to make my life a life lived in His service/

So that the world would see in me and my life the King who made them!

(To Be Continued/ ‘A suivre)

Spoken Word Poetry: Anomaly: Part 1/ Un Poème Parlé: La Première Partie

Note: The entry is also in French, after a brief hiatus from writing in French!

Note: L’article de blog est en français aussi, après une pause des écritures en français!
Hi everyone,

As I promised, I am going to be writing more in the coming days and should have a poem complete- or rather, the draft, as I am almost always editing my writing- by this evening! It’s entitled “Anomaly” and came from a rather amusing conversation twith a group of acquaintances and friends with whom I frequently have lunch at one of the popular hangout spots at my university. The point of the poem is a mix of self-expression, social commentary, and encouragement for those who question and reflect on themselves and their roles in the world every day- especially conservative/traditional, born-again, Christians like me. I’ll explain more later, but expect to see a posting soon! God Bless.

As always,

Michelle

Bonjour tout le monde,

Comme j’avais promis, j’écrirai plus des poèmes, des paroles pour les chansons, et cetera, more dans le futur et j’anticipe la complétion d’un poème- ou, plutôt, le brouillon, comme je révise souvent mes écritures- ce soir! C’est intitulée “Anomalie” de l’inspiration d’une conversation parmi des amis et moi pendant nous mangeons nos déjeuners ‘a une place très populaire pour les rendez-vous parmi les étudiants de mon université . Le poème est un mélange de l’expression individuelle, de la critique sociale, et de l’encouragement pour ceux qui questionnent et réfléchissent sur eux-mêmes et leurs rôles dans la vie quotidienne du monde chaque jour- spécialement les chrétiennes qui sont régénérés  et traditionalistes comme moi. J’expliquerai plus en détail plus tard, mais vous pouvez anticiper ‘a voir un article de blog dans un avenir très proche! Dieu vous bénisse!

Comme toujours,

Michelle

Change of Plans!/ Un Changement des Plans!

Hi everyone,

I hope you are well and will please pardon a brief change in plans! I will still blog as often as possible (hopefully daily). Thanks!

As always,

Michelle

Bonjour tout le monde,

J’espere que vous allez bien et que vous pardonnerez un changement bref dans mes plans! Je creerai encore les articles de blog (chaque jour, j’espère)! Merci!

Comme toujours,

Michelle

The New Year and Some Changes/ Le Nouvel An et Des Changes

Credit to FotoSearch.com (http://sr.photos3.fotosearch.com/bthumb/CSP/CSP651/k19485765.jpg) Happy New Year!

*Note: I will post a French version of this entry shortly, as it is already very long in English!

*Note: Je créerai une version de cet article de blog en français bientôt, parce que c’est très long en anglais!

Hi everyone,

This is Michelle again! As you know, last year was busy as anything and this year is shaping up to be somewhat more relaxed. That said, some changes are coming, which I wanted to highlight by first sharing my New Year’s Resolutions and then mentioning some other changes, a few of which I have mentioned before. That said, here are the New Year’s Resolutions as I posted them on Facebook:

1. I resolve to spend more time with God in prayer, quiet times, service, and any other form of worship which He calls me to practice. After all, I claim He is my top priority in my life and claim to follow His command of doing so. Therefore, I must make it so, right? That I will, by His grace alone.

2. I resolve to spend more quality time with my family and friends as well, being intentional in every encounter I have with loved ones. (Yes, this includes Reilly and my future fur-daughter, Dixie Mirabelle.)

3. I resolve to get healthier in all respects by taking care of myself in terms of eating, exercise, et cetera. For example, I will be eating more fruits and vegetables, more complex carbohydrates and proteins, more unsaturated fats and less simple carbs, junk food, et cetera. I will also exercise daily and resolve to sleep 8-9 hours per night on a consistent schedule insofar as I am able.

4. I resolve to be less critical and judgmental of myself and others in my life. After all, I have discovered that I can be a perfectionist in many areas of my life and that I need to “let go and let God” work out my life. He created me, made me His child, and knows what is best for me for many other reasons besides those listed (cf. Psalm 46:10, Isaiah 55:8-9, et cetera)

5. Finally, I resolve to live more intentionally in everything else I do: applying myself more to my studies, saving more money, giving more of my time and talent to loving others as God has called me to do, working towards a bright future more seriously, and having fun in life, too!
Indeed, I am looking forward to what 2015 will bring, thanks be to God, and prepared to enjoy the bulk of it, as I know there will be setbacks along the way. Oh well, that’s life!

Finally, I intend to work more on videos, songwriting, and other creative projects such as spoken-word poetry and jewelry-making. Look for them in the near future (today on!).

So, what are your New Year’s Resolutions and what did you like best and least about last year? If you could do anything the same and anything differently, given the chance to relive last year, how would you do that? Let me know and I look forward to reading your comments!

God Bless, as always,

Michelle

A Promised Christmas Carol Cover Version: “O Christmas Tree”

Hi everyone,

After some slight delays in the recording and editing process concerning my promised video, here it is!

Please pardon my mix-up regarding the version I covered, as I do apologize and promise to be more conscientious in the future, enjoy the cover, and feel free to provide feedback and request other ideas! Thanks!

God Bless, As Always,

Michelle