Update Paris!!!

After much prayer and consideration, I've decided to defer my acceptance to Schiller University in Paris until the Summer Session (May). I have no big revelation or emotional story to tell just realizing God wants me here a little longer and even though He has opened the door and presented me with this amazing opportunity I still have to surrender my plans to Him.
Thank You for all your prayers and please continue to pray for me in the coming months as I still finalize everything and head down to Paris in Dec (no need to waste a ticket eh!) and see the school and my future home. I am very excited and know that God has a bigger plan than I can ever understand but I choose to ride with Him instead of getting in the way.
Thanks!

Be Blessed

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. - Jeremiah 29:11

Biting my nails in the waiting room

Hey guys I haven’t written in like forever. I just wanted to update you on a couple of things that’s been going on and ask you for some much needed prayer. First off in this period in my life, I am learning to trust in God more than ever before. I am naturally a planner and can tell you want I want to do from point A to Z, but right now I’m just seeing God unfold his plan little by little and some(many)times not seeing His will at all just trusting that He will show me in His time. I have a couple of sweet treats for you so let’s start with the best one. So I had my visa interview on September 12th and I took the day off of work, made sure I had all the proper documents and dressed to the nines. Well as I am on the train a couple of stops away from where I need to get off, I suddenly remember I FORGOT MY PASSPORT!!!!!! Well to my utter dismay and disappointment the Lord didn’t give me super powers to blink and teleport my way back home in a flash so I had to hail a cab from Manhattan to Brooklyn, being early I did have enough time to get to my house, grab my passport and head back… but alas (cue music) TRAFFIC.. so after kicking myself 20 times, paying a hefty cab bill and finally reaching home, I put my pajamas back on laid in bed and said alright Lord I give it to you. So yes I am a dork, and yes the Lord is sooo in control and yes I rescheduled for Oct 2nd. The second sweet tart is I got a PT job, I work at a clothing store and loving it, time goes by quick and I am hoping this helps with some of my financials. The next slice is that I was able to get a laptop and sell my computer. Ok and to top it all of with a nice cherry is that I still have to complete 2 courses for my undergrad diploma (no diploma, no Masters meaning no Paris) well after being told how much it was going to cost me to take these classes I pretty much tried not to weep at my desk. But after many transfers to one dept to the next and me breathing in and out I found out that I can test out of the courses and graduate…now I am in study mode to pass these test because I pretty much get one shot at it. I am also in the process of submitting all my financial aid documentations because I am eligible for aid that seems to cover my tuition.

I have peace all day until I lay down to sleep then the torment begins. I’m like you have to be kidding me. My situation seems so possible all day and when I’m about to go to sleep exhausted from working I hear/feel that none of these things will happen. I start to give in. I know it is the devil with all his many lies. I then have to proclaim that if this God’s will and he had opened the doors, then He is going to continue to do so. It’s a mental fight like no other.

Well thanks again for stopping by I will try and update as more arises.

Shout out to Leila(future roomie) for providing so much info and has blessed me greatly along with her mother or mum as she would say.

Prayer Request
Visa (Part Duex)
CLEP tests
Finances

Praise Reports
Got a laptop
Eligible for Financial aid

Pslam 25:4 Show me the right path, O Lord;point out the road for me to follow.

Watching the layers peel away

Hi guys,

Thanks again for checking out my blog. I am going to try and update it every other day with something new, or just whats going on. Well I have been just busy preparing for school. I still have to finish a couple of classes for my B.A. (classes start September 8th) and I've been looking for a part time job so I can save as much as I can. Its really amazing how I'm not even trying hard and all the pieces are fitting together perfectly. There is a peace that is settled in my heart that no one can pluck out. I really just want the Lord to put on my heart what I should do over there besides school of course. It is going to be tough having to find a church, a ministry even youth and young adults that are living hard for the Lord. But (sigh) God is going to show me what to do. I really don't want to feel lose, this is not a time to play games and I don't want to. I desire for God to keep me in His will and that I may grow in this experience in every way.I still need to purchase a laptop and pay my tuition bills ( yes I said bills) and figure out what I'm going to sell and what I'm going to take with me. Its all just so surreal that it is actually happening. I'm beyond words some times. Continue to pray for me in this time of transition.

Prayer Request

Visa appointment
Finish B.A.
Tuition
Get a pt job

Praise Reports
Sold my computer!!

God of wonders, beyond out galaxy You are holy, holy Precious Lord, reveal Your heart to me Father holy, holy The universe declares Your majesty You are holy, holy, holy, holy- Chris Tomlin

Its going to just get better

So I've made my appointment with the French Embassy for September 12th to apply for my long stay visa. That is probably the only time in this whole process that I felt PANIC PANIC, lol but I know that this far in the game I just have to trust that God has everything under control. Many of you are still asking what I am going to be doing there. I am going for a year or so for my masters in International Relations and Diplomacy. I'm hoping to one day work for the United Nations or for an Embassy. I decided to study in France because duh why not lol, well that and because you have to know French to work for the UN. So after researching schools and not really wanting to just move to another state, I decided to give abroad a chance.

Ma Maison

Well God is amazing and does things even our mind can't comprehend. I was reading Pastor David's daily devotional today and there was something that really stuck out to me that the Pastor said."But Jesus can’t be confined. He is constantly breaking out of our little, confining circles, and always reaching out to the uttermost." That is so true I put Jesus in this box, planning for weeks about where I was going to live in Paris(and none of the options worked mind you) Well he broke out of that. One the way back from the choir picnic my mom gives me a call and in the middle of our chit chat she tells me if I want to hear good news, I'm like (sigh) sure, cause to my mom good news can be so random, but anyway she then tells me that Kadia a woman from the ministry she is involved with offered me an apartment that she had in Paris when she found out that I was applying to school there. She told my mom that all I had to do was get accepted then pack my bags, screaming followed and I just really couldn't believe it, and mind you this is before I even found out that I was accepted. I really couldn't believe that, to top it off I will be rooming with her daughter Leila which many of you know, can we say PRAISE GOD!!!!! she is def a sweetheart and to have someone there that is a Christain and speaks FRENCH phewww (wipe brow) not a game. So details to come on where the apt is and such and such.

L'école

So I get my tuition bill today in the mail, and let me just say even though it is cheaper than other grad schools I looked at in the States and I have always found a way to pay for school but for some reason seeing the figures on paper gave me a mini heart attack. So after 5 seconds of depression I took a couple of deep breathes and reminded myself that now its the time I had to walk my talk. This by far is one of the most challenging things I've ever done. But I know it is for a purpose that is bigger than my plans.

Prayer Request
Visa application process to run smoothly
Finanacial aid to come through
Smooth transition when I move
Laptop
Graduate undergrad (Dec 2008)

P.S. Petite fille de dieu means God's little girl not little peice of beef *cough cough* Gayle. lol lol

Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight and the rough places plain: And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
Isaiah 40:4-5

Money makes the world go round?? mmm No Faith does

Jehovah Jireh:The Lord will See (that this child is taken care of) or The Lord will Provide (all my needs) or The Lord shall be Seen (through this test of faith his glory will be shown and He gets the praise)

So I'm putting together my budget for the next 4 months, what I need to get, what I need to sell(Dell desktop computer with flat screen anyone?) and making sure all my bills are in order and I am just amazed my the faith that God is building in me. Now you know me, I'm not one to neglect my responsibilities and hard times by just saying God's got it and sitting on my derrière, but He does. Even though I'm not sure what tomorrow will bring, where money will come from and how I will be able to make sure all my school bills are paid on time, I'm really just trusting Him for it all. He didn't bring me this far for nothing.

I can already see myself in Paris, sipping on a espresso(if I can afford it) catching a show at the theater (if I can afford it) and exploring all the museums and monuments Paris has to offer (if I can afford it!!!) Regardless what the monetary situation is right now I know that it isn't impossible for Him its just another way for Him to show Himself faithful.

Mark 10:27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

A New Beginning

Hi All!

Well this is the beginning of a new phase in my life. Excitement with a mix of apprehension seems to be the best way to describe it all.

I got my acceptance to Schiller International University in Paris to get my Masters of Arts in International Relations and Diplomacy. I begin January 2, 2009.

God is opening up so many doors and He is showing himself faithful in every situation. Since I got my acceptance on Friday August 15th all its been is work and planning. I had to buy my plane ticket (Dec 29th), fill out financial aid papers, search for grants, buy a laptop, sell a computer and etc...etc...etc... but its not overwhelming (yet) so I'm just trying to stay on top of it, because before I know it, its time for me to go.

I will try and update this blog every week with something of interest. Thank You all for your love and support.

Prayer Request

Visa
Graduation from undergrad(Dec)
Job placement from school in Paris
Awarded grants/Scholarships
Transition to be smooth.