My little Gummibärchen is 6 years old!

The 4th of August saw this little baby turn 6!

Malaika at 14 days old

Time has truly flown, I remember holding her as a new born and now she is a little madam.

Malaika (which means angels) is such a delighful and friendly little girl and I am excited to see the young lady she grows up to be.

Providence had it that my sister and I happened to be in London at the same time. I hadn’t seen them in 2 years as they live in Germany and  I live in Wales, so I took the opportunity of spending a day with Malaika while hiding her away from the surprise birthday party that her mum was organising. Distance really does change things as I was shocked to learn that Malaika didn‘t remember me very much however, like old times, she was still very friendly and talkative around me. I found it hilarious when she stopped in the middle of Westfields shopping mall and said “I remember you, you used to come to our house in very long skirts!“ isn’t she adorable!

Malaika and I travelling on the train

I’ll share another adorable story with you, on Malaika’s 5th birthday she went to see dolphins. During the showcase  the lady showed them a young dolphin called Daisy who was 5 years old, Malaika then shouted out  “That is my auntie and she is not five!“  Thinking about this story  makes me praise God for Malaika’s life and the loving personality He has given her.

Malaika, I am so happy that you are such a loveable and obedienct child. I look forward to being around you more often and enjoying more days out with you. I pray that I can be the auntie that helps you through life, enouging you, listening to you, protecting you and most importantly setting a good example for you.

Happy 6th Birthday Gummibärchen

Malaika cutting her birthday cake

With overflowing love, love, LOVE!

♥ Miss Daisy ♥

p.s One more adorable story.

I bought Malaika these shoes for her birthday, she loved them so much that she wore them all the time, after a week they looked like this. Her mum had to hide them from her because she still wanted to wear them!

On this day last year...

...I was sitting on a National Express coach looking at the fields and preparing for my new life in Wales. I didn’t have a job or much money but that didn’t faze me, I knew there was a reason why I was making this journey and knew that God would provide. I didn’t experience any nervousness or fear of the unknown; I was just treading  the road bravely.  People always ask me, “how did you do it, how did you just move to Wales on your own?” Honestly, it was God. When God makes a personal call to our hearts about something and impresses us to move forward, though we don’t fully understand what is going on or what is going to happen, God calms our fears and uncertainties and gives us strength to press on with confidence.  I know it is not actually the same but my move to Wales reminded me of Hebrews 11: 8 “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went”

A year on, I am happy to say that I love it here! I have managed to integrate into the Welsh way of life and truly feel at home. I have learnt some wonderful and powerful lessons this year (some have been shared already, but there’s more to come!) and have grown so much as a person. Many practical and spiritual lessons have been learnt while spending time in the valleys and fields, on the hills and at the beach, where I have beheld much beauty. I don’t know how long God wants me here for, but I am ready to see what the next year will bring.

Here are a few pictures showing some of the highlights of my first year in Wales. Enjoy!

My first Welsh home,Betws Ammanford 

Trip to Dryslwyn 

Making Bread

Growing Bell Peppers

 

 



Sophie's visit 

Girl's night in Ammanford

Sabbath at Pontargothi and Julina's visit

My second Welsh home, Llangammarch Wells

Girls night in Carmarthen

Snow day in Llangammarch Wells

Learning to grow

Horse riding at the Brecon Beacon

Sabbaths with Seth

SEC Campmeeting and Benita and Grace's visit.

Llansteffan beach and Samba's visit

It's been a good year! I'm more than thankful....

Love, your girl forever, 

♥ Miss Daisy ♥

The Time of Singing is Come: Mr and Mrs Smith

On the 1^st of August, I had the pleasure of witnessing my close friend Natasha Williams give her hand in marriage to Mikhail Smith.

Natasha’s wedding was, in the truest sense, a joyous occasion. The Lord blessed us with beautiful sunny weather as her wedding fell on the hottest day of the summer. Both the ceremony and reception were simplistic and tasteful in nature and it was so nice to see the two families come together.

It was quiet providential how Natasha and I become friends. We went to the same college and even though we had mutual friends we never really spoke to each other  Towards the end of our first year in college my church was holding a 4 week evangelistic campaign, and Natasha was invited to come by a mutual college friend who also attended my church. Natasha decided to attend however when she got to the train station that was nearest to the church our friend who invited her called to say she wouldn’t be able to attend that night because of an emergency.   It was very hard for Natasha to go ahead as she didn’t know anyone at the church nor did she know exactly how to get there. I praise God when I think about this story as Natasha could have just gone home but she decided to find another way.

She called our other friend Samba (you’ll hear more about this wonderful lady in a future post) and asked for my number hoping  that I could meet her instead. Well, we met up and went together and she enjoyed the sermon so much that we began meeting up every day to attend the campaign. Our friendship began to grow from there and over a year later she was baptised into the Seventh-Day Adventist Church.

Ok, back to the wedding!

The pastor’s sermonette was focused on marriage being of a divine origin as it was created and instituted by God during the creation week, and also preserved after the fall of man. Pastor pointed us to the growing divorce rate in the UK and appealed to both the single and the married to keep Christ in the centre of all our relationships, especially the marriage relationship as it is a symbol of Christ’s relationship with the church. “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” Ephesians 5:25-27, 31-32 The pastor closed by saying our greatest joy and happiness in marriage is truly found in Christ as he provides love, sustenance and growth to those involved in this specially created union.

This day was particularly special to me as it reminded me of the experience the Lord brought Natasha through to get to this point. Natasha and I have ridden the storms together in the area of relationships and it’s such a blessing to see your friend come out the “other side”. When I think of Natasha’s experience the words of Solomon come to mind “For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing is come…” Song of Solomon 2:11-12

The time for singing has truly come Natasha Smith!

Congratulations Miki and Natasha Smith, I pray that you will both find your greatest happiness and joy in loving Christ and each other.

With overflowing love,

 ♥ Miss Daisy  ♥

August

It’s been a while hasn't it?

I think August 2013 will remain written in the history books of my mind for years to come as a very significant moment in time…So much happened in August. This month consisted of joy, love and happiness as well as loss, grief and pain. However I am happy to say now, that God‘s name has been glorified as it always is when His perfect will has been accomplished. I have learnt so much in August and with learning coming sharing. Over the next couple of weeks I will be posting backdated posts from July and August as well as posts documenting current things.

Speak soon!

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

Romans 8:28

Love, your girl forever,

 ♥ Miss Daisy  ♥

Half Way

Is it just me or is 2013 flying by? It’s July already which means we've passed this year’s half way mark. Where is the time going? Better yet, what have I actually done so far this year?  Like most, I started this year very optimistic, I felt like the world was my oyster; so many opportunities and goals set before me and I was so ready to explore and learn. As the year progressed and I was going forward with all my exciting plans, one by one these opportunities and goals fell apart right before my eyes. It felt like God was physically closing doors, and there was nothing I could do to keep them open. So here we are in July and I can’t help but feel that this year so far has been a complete disappointment.

One thing I have always wondered is how do we determine the will of God? How do we know for sure what he wants us to do? I know that God’s word reveals His ultimate will for us as his followers but I am thinking about the more detailed, specific and personal details of our lives. I have always struggled with this thought as I have seen instances where people that I know have made plans or followed a course that is pleasing to God (based on biblical counsel and God’s providential leading) and things just haven’t worked out. Let me give you a personal example of something that hasn't worked out for me this year. Not many people know this but I was only supposed to be in Wales for 6 months as I was given the opportunity to move to the Caribbean islands and work with a long term Medical Missionary and his family. This was an amazing opportunity as I have always wanted practical “hands on” experience as a Medical Missionary. However this wide open door began to shut and a number of things lead me to finally accept that this opportunity wasn't going to happen.

I was very disappointed that things didn't work out, as I have wanted to minister and serve as a Medical Missionary since 2009 but at that time I was still in university and had ties and responsibilities in London. However this year I was finally in a position to go forward with this and believed that this was the appointed time as I had waited so patiently for this opportunity. So when things didn't work out I was very confused, I was thinking to myself “Why did God lead me here and open doors in such a way for me to go forward?” “Why did God show me all these signs and provide the perfect circumstances to go?”  “Why did God lead me in this direction and now this door has slammed shut on me?” Through much prayer, conversation with friends and reading I came to the realisation that I had preconceived ideas regarding God’s will and his timing.  

I had planned out this year based on what I believed God’s will was for me. It felt like this was the thing to do as everything seemed right to me, but then when in his providence he closed that door and some others (which also could mean that at the same time He is opening new doors) I didn't recognise this as His will because I had so many preconceived ideas. I looked at this situation and thought “I know that God wants me to do this, it has to be it”, but now I know that God was using this situation to show me that as I am seeking to know God’s will for my life I need to let go of my preconceived ideas.

Having preconceived ideas may seem like a small matter but can have detrimental consequences. The Israelites in Jesus’s day as a whole expected the Messiah to come as a king, a conqueror, a leader who would rule with an iron rod and defeat the Romans who were oppressing them and set up this great empire. However we know that Christ came as the complete opposite, he came as ‘a lamb to the slaughter’ (Isaiah 53:7) with meekness and humility (Christ’s sermon on the mount, Matthew chapters 5- 7, is just one example of where Christ’s true character and mission is demonstrated) and because the people had preconceived ideas of how Christ would come they were unable to accept him as the Messiah which ultimately lead to the people rejecting and crucifying Jesus.

So, this is my prayer, that God neutralises all our preconceived ideas and gives us a heart that is open to His leading. God sees the whole pattern of our lives and where we need to be and where we need to go, we just need to be willing to follow him.

“Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.”

Psalms 37:5

Love, your girl forever,

 ♥ Miss Daisy  ♥

The Lord is My Shepherd

At the house in Llangammarch Wells, it’s not uncommon to wake up and find sheep outside the house. Sheep are quiet interesting animals to study especially during the season when all their lambs are born. One March morning, Natasha’s morning devotion was interrupted by the sight of a sheep and her lambs by her window. She began to ponder on how much the sheep loves her lambs and doesn’t go anywhere without them. However from her observations from the past week she found that at the slighted hint of danger the sheep would flee and abandon her lambs. She found this strange and wondered “what defensive mechanism does the sheep have?” She was impressed to do some research on the characteristics of a sheep to gain a better understanding of how God designed and engineered this special animal. She conducted a search on Google and was lead to the website wiki.answers.com, this isn’t a religious website but after reading the answers it became very obvious to her how similar we humans are to sheep in the eyes of God.


The Lord is my shepherd*

1: Sheep must have a leader and must be told what to do and where to go otherwise they will wonder off and get lost.

“Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd.” Numbers 27:16-17

“For thou art my rock and my fortress, therefore for thy names sake lead me and guide me.” Psalms 31:3

2: Sheep have little or no means of self-defence.

“In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me. For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me. Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.” Psalms 31:1-4

3: Sheep constantly need fresh water and fresh pasture, but have very little discernment in choosing food or water.

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leaded me beside the still waters.” Psalms 23:1-2

“They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor the sun smite them: for he that have mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.” Isaiah 49:10

4: Sheep will insist on going their own way and even eat poisonous plants or drink dirty water.

”All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way…” Isaiah 53:6

5: When sheep fall over on their back they are unable to right themselves back onto their feet (many sheep die in this position); if not turned over by the shepherd.

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed for I am thy God I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10

6: Sheep need the most care out of all livestock. They are totally dependent on the shepherd for every need and need rod and staff guidance

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Psalms 23:1-4

I was truly blessed by this devotion when it was shared with me that Sabbath evening as it reminded me of how much we need Christ; we are his sheep and he is the good shepherd.

“Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” Psalms 100:3

“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” John 10:11

What’s even more interesting is that not only is Christ the good shepherd, he is also the lamb.

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29

“He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.” Isaiah 53:7

He is both master and servant.

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:” Philippians 2:5-9

Obedience is the first and most important characteristics of a leader. Before one is to be a leader (shepherd) they must first learn/know how to follow, obey and serve (sheep). God really brought this point to my heart, simply by bringing Nataha's attension to a sheep and her lambs standing by her window one morning.

There’s much more to be learnt at Llangammarch Wells and lots more to be shared, this is only the beginning….stay tuned.

Love, your girl forever,

 ♥ Miss Daisy  ♥

*A devotional study by Natasha Walker

My B, Be, Benita!

I love the month of May, for me it marks the beginning of spring/summer in the UK, it’s the month of my birthday and also the birthday of one of my dearest (probably my most favourite person in the world right now)  friend Benita. God has taught me so much about love through my friendship with Benita. We can have disagreements or arguments and it’s almost instantly resolved, sometimes she can do things that can be perceived as very annoying but for some strange reason it doesn't irritate me at all. I believe these things don’t get to me because of the love I have for her which is also an encouragement that I can (and should) have this experience with others.

I was reading Proverbs 18:24 a while ago and Benita came to mind; “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” Our friendship has grown from strength to strength over the years. I remember in the early days we were singing partners and we did a few duets together, she helped me build my confidence in singing and taught me how to sing alto. She was also there for me when I was beginning a new chapter in my life, giving me womanly advice and being there to listen.  She has helped me face many storms and has been so happy when I have come out on the other side; I am so excited because I know she will play a huge role in my life in the distant future. I am so thankful to God because it’s a wonderful thing to know that you have a friend who genuinely wants to see you happy and that takes pleasure in your Joy. It is also a blessing to have a friend who you connect with on a spiritual level, Benita and I always support each other’s bible study sessions and often encourage each other’s spiritual growth and character development.

So today my heart is filled with joy because God has given her another year and has blessed her abundantly with many precious gifts especially the knowledge of his Son; God has blessed us with a daughter, a wife, a sister and a true friend. 

Happy Birthday Benita xxx

Thank you so much Lord for blessing me with such a beautiful (inside and out) and caring friend, I pray that you will continue to nurture and strengthen this friendship. Let it blossom Lord.

With overflowing love love LOVE!

♥ Miss Daisy ♥