Embrace

Monday 

3/28

Today has been amazing.  Surreal but amazing!  I guess I haven't posted because Ive been enjoying and embracing time with ️loved ones.  That's my encouragement for you today... Get off your phone and embrace! 

Embrace the ones you love.

Love, 

Phoenix and Sarah 

One word post

sunday 

The day I arrive home. 

One word: excited.  

Love, 

Phoenix and Sarah

H o m e

Saturday

3/26

(these are stickers I bought for my Kindy kids and origami bunnies I made for my co workers)

I am so excited to be heading home.  Home.  Sigh.  Ah.  That place of familiarity.  

Reflecting on what I've accomplished here so far its starting to feel a little cosier here...  But there is no place like home. 

May you make a home where you are.  May you find those you love and love them well.  Give them hugs and kisses-  I can't wait to do just that! 

Love, 

Phoenix and Sarah

S w e e t ness

Friday

3/2

(These are origami bears and stickers for my class for a mini Easter egg hunt.  They are called the bear class and they got bunnie on Monday- lucky bums!)

So, I checked into the doctor yesterday and he said I have a mild throat and chest infection.  We chuckled.  He is a hearty older man.  And then he gave me pills.  Naturally living and practicing in Taiwan he speaks Mandarin and tried to inform me that I have an "injection" in my throat and chest.  He also mumbled repeatedly the number four when administering the pills... Four four four.  So I was playing to take four four times a day.  I double checked at work as I had grading to hand in and turns out I must take only take one four times daily.  

I'm very grateful as a single woman that I have the Lord who prompts and directs me and others.  I also have the morning off today - which has enabled me to sleep through the dizziness.  I am so grateful and endeared to the Lords kindness and sweetness.  

I hope to offer the same sweetness to others. 

Love, 

Phoenix and Sarah

He was so we can...

Thursday

3/24

He was pierced so we can live free.  Isn't he great? 

Love, 

Phoenix and Sarah

Beautiful mess

Wednesday

3/23

I realise I haven't posted today.  I want this blog to be full of inspiration as well as a variety of hues- somewhat consistent but some what not!  Isn't that what life is? 

There are moments of greatness, feeling fully alive and moments that you just want to sink into the floor below you. There are moments where I feel strong and declare positive things and then there are days where I have this internal battle of being real with myself and declaring positive things anyway.  So this is sounding super cheesy and neither here nor there but life is like that.  There are moments where nothing stands out.  It's as if everything stands still.  There are those moments too. There are moments of questioning everything and then moments of just going on a whim.  

Today I felt so detached from this world and people around me.  It could be the medication Im taking.  I am feeling like I'm swirling and everyone around can see swirling but can't touch me nor still me.  

I guess this is all life - the dizziness, the tiredness and the hope of things to come.  

This is life and it is one beautiful mess.  

Love, 

Phoenix and Sarah

Quiet waters

Tuesday 

3/22

This morning in a rush I flipped open my bible and right there was Gods promise of leading me besides quiet waters.  No matter the crazyness of the season you're in- seasons will change! 

Love, 

Phoenix and Sarah 

... The journey

Monday

21/3

It feels like I haven't written in over a week.  I've been feeling sick and been trying to finish up some work for school.  

I've been trying to remember that life is a journey and not a destination.  I've been trying to enjoy process and the waiting.  I will be flying home in a few days.  So, if I don't write it's not because I am not writing or thinking of writing but last time I was in the Dubai airport I couldn't find wifi anywhere. I like the saying... Forewarned is forearmed.

Love, 

Phoenix and Sarah

R e f r e s hing

As rain is to the earth, tears are to the soul.  Tears have a way of refreshing the mind and giving clarity that wasn't there before.  Tears release endorphines and bring life.  

I believe pain deserves to be felt. Sometimes we need to cry.  We need to get down on our knees and pray.  We are not victims to the state of the world and these things can change if we humble ourselves and pray.

As a woman we so often just want to be heard.  We don't want solutions we just want to know that the depth of our emotions are acknowledged.  Maybe not understood but acknowledged.  We have the power everyday to acknowledge people, accept or accuse.  My prayer is that you choose the first two.  

Love, 

Phoeni and Sarah

I n c e n s e

Sunday

3/20

I've never really liked the smell of incense.  I prefer a clean and fresh smell.  Temples are everywhere and that means incense is too.  With religious artifacts being so visible it's difficult not to reflect on ones own religious views.  Whenever I see these temples I think how God calls us his temple and I think then how we are a living and burning aroma to him. 

May our lives be a sweet and pleasing  aroma to Him. 

Love, 

Phoenix and Sarah 

H a p p y

Saturday 

3/19

Everyday we wake up with a choice.  We can choose to be grateful or grumpy. Today I woke up and chose to be happy. I am deciding to make this choice everyday. I hope you do too!

Love,

Phoenix and Sarah

A c h a n g e

Sometimes a minor change can give a fresh perspective on life. I've so enjoyed walking to work in the mornings.  Firstly It ensures that I get exercise in everyday as well as it is so refreshing to do something that I have to do but in a different way.  This really applies to so many things.  We can put music on when washing dishes or showering.  Wearing those clothes you  like wearing or trying a new route to work.  As they say... Change is as good as a holiday. 

May we embrace change and all the good it does for one. 

Love, 

Phoenix and Sarah 

///t e a c h

3/18

Friday 

Disclaimer: In a previous post I shared that teachers will be judged more easily but teachers must teach, singers must sing and designers must design.  We must not take a step back or regress but press in and do what we do in all excellence.  

May we do what we do in confidence and in humility. 

Love, 

Phoenix and Sarah

Trash

3/17

Thursday 

I like to keep these blog posts fresh and authentic.  I like to post when I really have something that I want to say.  That moment didn't happen this morning but it happened today when I was setting up and making a mock up craft in class.  A very helpful and polite child was early (as always) and as I was cutting off the ends of cellophane he grabbed it and said , "I want, I want!" I explained that it's rubbish plus I didn't want it to spread around my class.  He continued repeating "I want, I want!"  It was so loud and clear that to draw the parallels to something scriptural or symbolic was so obvious for me. 

God says "I want all your junk.  Lay it at my feet.  I want it.  I want it.  Don't carry it!  Don't try sort it out.  Just give it to me."

Simple. 

May we give God our mess and leave it with him.  Not going back to it time and time again. 

Love, 

Phoenix and Sarah

Representing God

3/16

Wednesday

Field trip day with the kindy kids 

Last night I had a disturbing dream.  I dreamt I was at a famous Christian's regade.  She is re known for her love and  wisdom yet she did something weird.  Unexpected.  Unusual.  She started briefly talking bad about people and sometimes just in passing.  I left the conference and got some fresh air while everyone continued.  I was angry that she was misrepresenting God.

This mornings reading was from James 3 and it says that teachers are judged more strictly.  The dream last night has set fire ( in the best way possible ) to my tongue.

May we bite our tongue if need be.  May we speak words of life. 

Love ,

Phoenix and Sarah 

"Is anything too hard for the Lord?"

Tuesday 

3/15

"Is anything too hard for the Lord? " Genesis 18 v 14.

After years of waiting, Sarah was in her nineties and she was given the promise that this time next year she will be with a son.  She laughed.  

Wouldn't we also laugh if our grandma at ninety said she was pregnant? 

But our hearts are encouraged to be like those of a child- full of faith and courage. Children look at the world with delight and without preconceived ideas of how things work.  Shouldn't we be the same? God's Hand is not too short to reach out to you.  He is not distant and disabled.  He is ready and keen to fulfil his promises to you. 

Love, 

Phoenix and Sarah

Completion

3/14

Monday 

While reading The story of Joshua this morning I was amazed at how close this story rings true for my friend, Joshua.  He does crazy things for the lord, defends the prositute and advances the kingdom.  The bible and its promises are ours for the taking.  

Philippians 1: 6, " he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ"... Those promises are not forgotten.  God is near and He will bring them to completion.  

May we see the hand of God in our lives.

Love,

Phoenix and Sarah 

Your roles

So... 

Today, you're in luck! You get two posts from me.  I want to speak about our roles in life and how they have priority over others.  Let me start with me...  What are the roles that I have?

1.  I am a daughter 

2.  I am an encourager/inspirer

3.  I am a learner

4.  I am a creative 

5.  I am a friend 

While these are my roles they interlink and I'm also not sure of the order but I'm going with my gut.  I'm not a wife nor a mom so those two would be at the top if they were roles of mine.  This is also due to seasonal change.

Firstly,  I am a daughter of the most high God and I am also a daughter to some pretty cool parents.  Actually I'm a princess.  This makes such a difference.  This relationship with God is most important and desires an active role and participation.  Secondly but conjoined I want to be a good princess to my mom and dad. 

 

2.  I am an encourager.  I love to encourage people to learn, to grow into their character and talents.  I love seeing people flourish and develop.  I also think this is a very creative process as everyone encouraged is different.

3.  I am a learner, a prodigy of God.  I look to him for the answers to just about anything.  To be a good teacher I need to be a good learner.

4.  I am a creative.  I come alive with a paintbrush in hand.  I come alive with wood and carving tools in my hand.  I love to create and I love to surprise myself.

5.  I am a friend.  I am a friend to my close knit group and then the extended circle.  This ties into the first role of being a daughter too.  I am a friend of God.

So, the reason why I am writing in so much detail is that it'd give you time to think and process what your roles are, how they differ, how they coincide and so on.  

What are your roles?

Love, 

Phoenix and Sarah 

Commitment and hope

3/13

Sunday 

Commitment, longer than the four letter words we've been learning about.

If you saw this title and are still reading, Well done!  Maybe your tummy did a turn when hearing this word but you pushed through the anxiety.  Kudos to you!

On the 25th of December last year I promised to blog every day and that I did.  Regardless of visitors and work.  I did it and am doing it.  Pat on the back for me.  

So, I'm making new commitments while maintaining my current ones.  These include daily bible reading and prayer times, gyming (light exercising), black coffee, mid day naps, daily sketch and then early bed time.  Seems like a lot of commitment right? 

So... As Tip says in the movie, "Home" to Oh when he asked her "do you have a plan?" To which she answered, "No, I don't.  But I have hope."

May you live the life you imagine.  

There's no better time than now.

Love,

Phoenix and Sarah 

At the end of the day

At the end of the day there will be justice.  There will be peace.  There will be no striving and no war.  At the end of the day everything will be stripped away and God will remain.  

Just a thought.  

Love, 

Phoenix and Sarah

Phoenix

Saturday 

3/12

Phoenix is more symbolic and prophetic than I knew. I love the part that says that she ONLY appears in places that are prospering and peaceful.

As children of God under the new covenant peace and prosperity are ours for the taking. 

Love, 

Phoenix and Sarah 

Ask///seek///knock

Friday

3/11

This is a photo I took when I was cycling in the rain on Wednesday.  I woke up looked out the window, saw a woman walking without an umbrella and thought...'mhnnn... I'll cycle'.  I prayed it wasn't raining.  I got downstairs with my bicycle, saw the rain and thought to myself... "It's too late now to carry my bicycle up two flights of stairs".  I joked with God by saying that He probably didn't hear me the first time so I asked again for no rain.  So, i continued on my way to work.  But a coffee stop first!  

I hopped off and on my bike with tastebuds more satisfied and sallied forth. This time their was little to no rain.

God hears.  God provides.  We just need to ask for help.  He is always willing to intervene into our lives.

Ask.

Seek.

Knock.

Love, 

Phoenix and Sarah 

/// English

Thursday 

3/10

It's official I'm a kindy teacher (English kindergarten teacher).  This means that I teach the cutest four year olds in Taiwan everyday, Monday to Friday.  In a way it makes me sad to think that I wasn't able to find a job in South Africa to teach this age group but God knows. 

We sing and dance everyday.  I get to encourage them to develop and grow physically as well as into the English language.  I have the privilege of instilling a love for English.  I feel excited to read them nursery rhymes that they would not have previously known.

My day is full now but My heart is full too and one cannot put a price tag on job satisfaction.

Love, 

Phoenix and Sarah

K i n d n e s s

Wednesday 

3/9

Kindness, that thing that makes you mushy and warm inside.  It's a lot like love.  Especially to me anyway at the end of a long day.  

I think it takes a concerted effort to be kind and sometimes people won't appreciate our kindness but we keep on being kind because it's our standard.  Like for example a woman fell off her motorcycle the other day and I helped pick her and her bike up admist traffic.  She wasn't appreciative at the time.  I think she was just embarressed.  But, you know my moms words, " Treat others like you'd like to be treated" rung in my ears...

Love, 

Phoenix and Sarah

Being s i n g l e

For a fair portion of my life I've been miserable because I'm single.  I've spent many hours envying those with someone.  No, it's not good for man to be alone.  Being in commuinity reduces stress and all sorts of other things. But, we embrace the season we are in... Right? 

I like being single because 

1.  I can take a coffee break alone and just clear my head.

2.  I can pour my energy into loving the children that I see every day.

3. I can pour my energy into whichever direction I choose and it doesn't disadvantage one other person.  

These are a few reasons why I love being s i n g l e. 

May you embrace the season that you are in.  

Love, 

Phoenix and Sarah

Your n a m e

7/3

Tuesday

Your n a m e 

What does God call you? What is the name that you go by in his books?  His opinion of you is the most important.  Simple.

I go by princess. She who laughs at the days to come. How about you? 

Oh, by the way everyone uses stamps here with their name.  It is considered official and legitimate. So, I followed suit. 

Love, 

Phoenix and Sarah

New b a l a n c e

New b a l a n c e 

This was a display in one of the shop windows in Taipei.   I thought it was funny but also reminds me to think differently.  Sometimes the balance is trusting in God and not ourselves.  Looking at balance from the opposite way to our thinking but Gods way.  

May we ask God to help us live this life He has called us to and may we see Him give us a new balance.

Love, 

Phoenix and Sarah 

B a l a n c e /// no. 2

Sunday

3/6

That thing called b a l a n c e 

So yesterday I wrote about balance.  I mentioned how it's good to work hard, play hard and rest hard.  Playing is necessary.  We were not born to just work and sleep.  For me playing means doodling, bicycling, listening to music, writing or going to the gym and trying something new out.  This is also a screenshot of a game that I play and I'm very happy to say I am now on the 17th round, yay! 

Considering that it's the weeekendddd babbbbbyyyy! I trust that you are resting hard and of coarse playing hard too! 

Love, 

Phoenix and Sarah

B a l a n c e

Saturday 

3/5

Phew, my first week in the new job is over.  I must say I am glad it is over.  I like to feel like I'm offering a good service and well I feel like I didn't.  But I have the weekend to prepare and that's just what I am doing. 

I drew and wrote this up a week ago but I think it's ironic that it's all about balance and not being too harsh on oneself when we feel we lack in one area. Have a look for yourself. 

Play hard.

Rest hard and work hard.

Love, 

Phoenix and Sarah

An inspiring life

Friday

3/3

Everyday gets easier.  It also helps that today is Friday and this week was a short week.  There are a few things that I have come to know and realise since I've been here in Taiwan.  I've learnt that if one is looking for inspiration, it is already here.  It's not something to run after but to know and live the life I dream of.  

Simple.  That's all that I wanted to say today.  

Have a inspiring day and live an inspiring life. 

Love, 

Phoenix and Sarah 

Declaring the truth

3/3

Friday

Last day of the working week

I feel nothing disarms the evil one so much as when we laugh at him or start declaring the opposite of what we are feeling or experiencing.  I could say I'm exhausted but instead I say that I have everything that I need to do this job well. Instead of saying Im a bad teacher Im going to say that I am great at what I do and that I can achieve great things.  

God spoke this world into existence.  He didn't labour and toil.  He spoke it with His breath and words.  You and I have the opportunity to speak life.  God is waiting to give substance to your words. By declaring things we are putting our faith to use.  

Love,

Phoenix and Sarah 

Expecting the unexpected

Thursday 

3/3

First day of Science and art class.

Yesterday, I briefly mentioned that one should expect the unexpected.  But what I failed to mention was how unexpectedly I've been blessed with more hours.  How I've been pleasantly surprised with the starting pay and the flat that I live in.  There were people who I feel were actually next in line to take Kindy.  I failed to mention how surprising it has all been.  Kindy is my preferred age group and I feel so blessed to teach my own class.  I feel like I can start building in a sense.  I can build rapport with the kids- which is great! In the near future I will only have two classes.  It's just going to get easier and easier.  

So in more sense that one, let's expect the unexpected. With God on our side who can be against us? Romans 8:35. 

Have a blessed day! 

Love, 

Phoenix and Sarah

Expecting the unexpected

Wednesday

3/2

First day of teaching ESL

Well last night I had a great nights sleep and it helped me cope with the day today. I'd like to say I went to gym but I didn't.  I'd like to say I took a lunch but I didn't.  I'd like to say I had a coffee break but I didn't.  While this years motto is to... Breathe I haven't taken a breather today- in a physical sense anyway.  However I did have little pep talks in my mind.  

I guess rest is a physical thing as well as an emotional and spiritual recoupment.  Tonight I had an unexpected class to teach and tomorrow Im being briefly observed.

These are all patterns now.  One has to expect the unexpected or at least be willing to try if and when these things are sprung on one.  

I still don't feel like I know what I'm doing but I know the kids are responding well to whatever it is that I am doing.  

I'm going to end this off by encouraging you to rest when you can and mentally give yourselves pep talks- they can do wonders! 

Love,

Phoenix and Sarah