A Review of the Year 2018!

As some wise people say, when you go through a phase that tears you apart, it is important to get aside, weep but do not lie down forever! Stand up and take the lessons. Don't leave bitter, leave a better person.
2018 was such a beautiful and sad year for me all in one!
I have got too many stories to write on a tiny space. But it is not very small after all you know.. I think it would fit half of what is on my head at the moment, then I would have to do a part one and two of this story. If I'm not careful, I may end up typing away on this keyboard to tomorrow midday. Please take this as a polite warning alert that this is going to be a pretty long post.

Don't fret! My brain gets exhausted quite fast on matters blogging but funny enough, I love writing. Wait a minute, it is not about exhaustion, it is the fact that I do not exactly think that, I can articulate my ideas to bring out what I want to say as exactly as it in on my mind. I have come to appreciate that, we are different types of scribes.

Hey! I also said in some post back, that I realize that writing on journals is bulky because of the filled up little books I have to pile on some corner. I end up making a home for spiders and other little monsters!

On to 2018 Happenings! 

I made some decisions, as tough as it was to make them, because life!
Had to gain and loose friends in unequal measures.It is in times of adversity that you know who your friends are. I have gone through some of the realest downtime moments. I thought my huge self would crumble down and crash like a sickly bird that's trying to perch on a high tree; that fall with a thud! yes that is what I am talking about. I am grateful to God for awesome friends and a wonderful supportive family whose love and support has kept me sane all along.
I met friends, whose beautiful souls make you believe that people are still human and there are people who like you just because you are you.

I also, got to learn new skills and to the people behind this; I am forever grateful to God for you. I would not have come this far if it were not for you.

Looking at my personal journal, I did the book of proverbs reading some chapters severally, although I never got to compete the book of Psalms..and that is where pressure and stress set in.

In April 2018, I started a full-body workout challenge that has seen me shed close to 10kgs in the year. I am not sure it's a well done. But it's still a thumbs up, because this gets me closer to my weight goals!

The beautiful stories now:

I used to joke along the people who said that 'true love in Kenya is a Magazine' well not anymore. I believe that there is some serious true love for everyone. We are just either blind to the errors, we see on the first few meetings with people, or we are desperately trying to settle down with people we know we shouldn't even go for a date with. It could also be that our friends (especially among ladies)  have awed the idea of a wedding and yet you only hinted to them that you have met this new person and you are trying to seek God's will about you and the person.

In this year, I got to witness a few unions between my friends and their partners but the one that got me marveling at God's greatness is my sister's marriage. It was so flawless and perfect! Everything was right from the onset of their friendship, no lies, secrets, selfishness, and too hasty decisions. In the end, the whole celebration was beautiful.

My brother and sister's beautiful story taught me that you should not die trying to figure out someone. No honey! That is too much task to hack you know! Instead, it is accepting what you can live with and constantly wanting the best for this person, growing, feeling their pain and literary being with them in all times. Happy times and during the sad ones as well because in life, their is sugar, salt, and soy sauce! haha You know what? Those three can all go in, in one pot and make a niiiice meal, like Pilau. True story!

Another beautiful story is that although I crossed over 2018 on a sad note, 2019 was beautiful. I came back home after the meeting during Christmas, emptied my bag, packed afresh, and left for another church overnight meeting. I just needed another refill to overflow the few drops that had spilled from my cup as I start the year. I went to church on 30th and came back on 1st.

I was worried about 31st because in the previous year, i lost a family member. Yes I was in church to pray, worship and thank God for the year that's setting and trust HIM in the one that was beginning. But then again, this is the very place where the news was broken on the 1st, a day after a wonderful meetings crossing over into new year. I saw the exact place we had parked and my heart couldn't help but crack. I got teary. But i smiled, because I cannot look back, I may not question but I trust in HIS will. It is always Perfect even when it crushes our spirits.

I wondered a lot of times whether I will see the year 2019. I could not help but take me back to 2018 31st and try to imagine where my cousin was on that day. The very thought that he had a few hours to live and yet he had zero idea about it, would freak me out most! I thought I would follow. It was not obvious that I would see 2019. Then I heard celebrations outside while we were still in church partaking of the Holy Communion and i couldn't help but tear up and just pour it all out to GOD.

My heart was overjoyed, my jacket sleeves were stained with tears of joy, confusion, sadness. I had mixed emotions. I imagined how last year such a time, life was leaving his body, and here I am crossing into the new year, with nothing of my own, no deserved gift to God or reason to live. It is just by HIS mercies and favor that I am alive. The morning of 1st was even more beautiful, I have never enjoyed every moment of my breath before. I would feel the number of times per minutes I breathed in and out. I almost got the number of heartbeats precise without that medics device.

It was such  triumphant feeling, that God had crossed it with me. It was reassuring to know that Jesus hears our prayers and HE answers. It made me renew my faith in God so much that, I am still busking in that awesome glorious feeling. I owe it ALL to HIM.

In this whole setting, I learnt a few things, that children want to be involved in most duties, even those heavy adult duties, like chopping foodstuffs and washing a handful of utensils. In so doing, you not only fulfill their wish to be doers, but you also teach them about responsibility and the value of time. They learn how to divide work among themselves, and work through the tasks assigned quick, enough to have time to take some tea, or eat lunch and make it for service.

The time these young people should be resting during a break after tea or lunch, is when they carry out preparation tasks for the next meal.  I have never in my entire life seen children as young as 6 years, take knives and prepare meals for hundreds of people. They do it so effortlessly, that you are embarrassed being in their midst because the work may seem intense, but they have gotten used to it.  I observed that if you lend a hand, you either get along, or get along.

The trip would not have been better without my best friend, Lisa, Mum, and my married friends on our way back. Just talking about life's general issues.

I am so happy that I have lived to the 4th day of the year. I do not know if I will see tomorrow leave alone 2020. If I do, it shall be GOD guiding me and allowing it for the purpose that HE has put me here to accomplish. May I be a faithful servant!