He's 30 Today!

I’ve always wondered what makes turning 30 so significant? Perhaps the 30^th birthday is the final stamp of adulthood; you’ve left your awkward teenage and immature twenties behind and now can be taken seriously when you refer to yourself as an adult. My brother’s 30^th birthday is significant to me because it has made me think about his journey.

My oldest brother Douglas

The part of London where my family currently live was not considered the best of areas while Douglas was growing up. The schools weren’t particularly any good and the streets of E16 were filled with crime, violence, vandalism, racism etc. (It probably wasn’t as bad as I’ve made it sound but for those who grew up in the Canning Town/East London area would know what I mean) It was hard times being a boy during those times and a lot of boys his age cracked under peer pressure and “fell off the path” as it were.

So today is significant to me not because “My brother has turned the big three zerooo whoop whoop!!!!!” but rather he has reached a milestone where we can look back at his life and thank God for what He has allowed him to become despite “the odds”. Circumstances were not always favourable during these 30 years but Douglas has managed to successful swim against the tide into adulthood.

Doug, I thank God for your life and I am very proud of you.

Happy Birthday Bro

The golden days: My brother and I

With Overflowing Love

♥ Miss Daisy ♥

A Poem for Kimberley

The words of this poem and song are so meaningful and remind me of a very special and dear friend. We both love these words so I thought I would share them on her birthday as a thanksgiving for her life and friendship.

More than you’ll ever know

Something brought you to my mind today,

I thought about the funny ways you make me laugh,

Yet I feel like it’s OK to cry with you.

I thought about how you have been more than a sister,

And more than a friend.

As you follow after Jesus

On the highest mountain and in the lowest valley,

You’ve been more than a friend to me,

You have shone the truth into my life.

You’ve been closer than a sister

And you’ll never know what it means to me,

Just to know you’ve been on your knees for me!

You have blessed my life,

More than you’ll ever know!

You had faith when I had none,

You prayed God would bring me a brand new song,

When I didn’t think I could find the strength to sing.

And all the while, I’m hoping that I’ll be the kind of sister to you that you’ve been to me.

As we follow after Jesus.

 

On the highest mountain and in the lowest valley,

You’ve been more than a friend to me,

You have shone the truth into my life.

You’ve been closer than a sister

And you’ll never know what it means to me,

Just to know you’ve been on your knees for me!

You have blessed my life,

More than you’ll ever know!

More than you’ll ever know!

A friend loveth at all times, and a sister is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17

With Overflowing Love

 

♥ Miss Daisy ♥

Love comes, when you least expect it: Mr and Mrs Fanis

The 25^th of August saw the much anticipated event of the summer; Monica’s wedding. Weddings are always a joyous occasion but what I particularly enjoy about the wedding season is the build-up to the big day. The night before the wedding Monica booked herself and her bridesmaids into a cute little hotel, I wasn’t a bridesmaid but happened to be in the right place at the right time and was asked to come along (yay!!!). Spending the night with a bride before her wedding day seemed very interesting to me. I’ve always wondered what brides are like the morning of their wedding day; is she first thing on the phone making last minute checks?  Did she even sleep?  Is she wrecked by nervousness and anxiety? Is she overwhelmed with excitement and tears? Well this bride woke up very….calm?

On the morning of Monica’s wedding we had a 7am wakeup call from Benita for prayer and devotion. We opened up our devotion with this reading from the book Adventist home ‘The presence of Christ alone can make men and women happy. All the common waters of life Christ can turn into the wine of heaven. The home then becomes as an Eden of bliss; the family, a beautiful symbol of the family in heaven’ Pg 28. We prayed and encouraged Monica to draw her strength from the fountain of living water as she establishes her new home with Ernest. Happiness in their new home will only be found with the presence of Christ as exhibited in the love they show to each other and through their mutual self-denial and sacrifice. Even the “common waters of life” the cooking, cleaning, paying bill, organising etc can be sweetened by Christ and through Him she will find her greatest joy in serving her husband.

Another exciting event that happened in the lead up to Monica’s wedding was her bridal shower. This event brought all the “girls” together as we enjoyed an evening of food, fun and lots of gifts. The more serious moment of that evening came when Monica and Ernest courtship and engagement story was shared. I had the privilege of reading it out and it was such a blessing and encouragement to us all. At the beginning of their story Monica described how she reached a stage in her single life where her relationship with Christ was so solid that no tempest or storm could overthrow it. She waited patiently on God and walked closely with him and when the time was right and when she least expected it she met Ernest Fanis. It was very interesting to listen to the story and hear how Ernest took the time to get to know Monica, how he wooed her (very romantic) and finally how he proposed to her. Their story definitely left us very confident that God had chosen Ernest to be the one to lead Monica as her husband.

So, the wedding…

The beautiful bride and I

On the day of the wedding we were hit with another heat wave making the day even more glorious. Monica and Ernest actually got married in the same church they first visited together as an item. The wedding had a plain and simple feel yet was still touched with a great deal of elegance.  In addition to the lovely mix of African and Caribbean dishes at the reception, both sides of the family gave very meaningful speeches, songs and word of encouragement and advice to the newly wedded couple.

The wedding day is usually the happiest day of a woman’s life, however on this day the biggest smile came from Ernest. He looked so happy and proud to be a husband to Monica and I’m guessing that the words of Solomon were ringing in his mind ‘Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord’ Proverbs 18:22.

 

My first photo with the newly weds (there was a queue hehe)

Monica and Ernest, I am so thankful for your friendship and pray that God’s favour may be upon you as you seek to make Christ the centre of your new home.

With overflowing love

♥ Miss Daisy ♥