Celine Elizabeth's Blog

How the worst Friday became Good

The agony of the cross was a heavy and burdensome one. For the body, the mind and the soul. It was also lonely. The crowds are against...

How to be Free! - A message for women on International Women's Day.

I always shy away from events for women. Church events, work events, school events. Any even geared for the community of women that was ever presented, I find it a huge task. Despite having attended an all girls high school, I think somewhere in my mind I found it bothersome despite the topic. Yet, when I attend, I always enjoy it. I gain new perspective.

Today's blog was inspired by a work session that was set up by our HR department for women on Nutrition, presented by Dr. Safeeya Mohammed. I wasn't going to attend but recently I realized, my nutrition is not the best and I wanted to be more healthy so I said to myself, "This event makes sense!" And I signed up for it.

One of the things she did at the start was present these little cards for us to read as icebreakers. The picture at the beginning of the blog is what I got. Of course, when everyone else got one sentence, the author gets a mouthful to read. I got a shorten version of the quote but I found the longer version and it relates a lot to how I feel.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.... It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” ― Marianne Williamson

We can do so much as women! We have a lot to overcome in society, a lot to do to prove ourselves even in the workplace! We do bring value to the lives of those around us, our jobs places, our churches and communities as women and sometimes we may be afraid of how far we will go if we really unleash our true potential. Will we be able to bear it all if we can't even bear the load now? The reality is we hold ourselves back.

As women, we really need to do better, for ourselves. We do have a lot of people counting on us but, we forget our bodies count on us to. We stress out ourselves, we let fear take over and in doing so we aren't operating at our best. At our happiest. At our strongest, fullest potential, where we can in turn bless others.

I only found out a recent diagnosis when it started to become worse and I really couldn't bear it anymore. It's not news that I wanted but I had to push past fear and uncertainty and in doing so, I know I was able to do God's will and bless others despite my struggles. It takes the strength of God to be resilient and I know there are women out there more resilient than I am.

As Dr. Safeeya presented on Nutrition, she spoke about how women put everyone and everything before themselves and they don't even make their own lists. We check off everything else and we neglect our health, oftentimes until its too late and we're on an ICU bed. We justify and make excuses for our symptoms and sometimes because we are too fearful to check, we allow our bodies to deteriorate. We don't eat on time (if we eat at all!), we don't stay hydrated (drying up those brain cells), we don't fuel our bodies, we don't exercise and we don't want to go for checkups, especially when we suspect it may really be something to be concerned about.

I want to urge all women to take your health seriously. If you know there's something wrong in your body, don't wait and don't give up if you aren't finding answers. Give yourself proper nutrition and prioritize it. People will always count on us and we need to be well enough to be there.

The session ended and I was awarded a special prize, I had to hold tears back for and it fit perfectly into my card.

You see, I always wanted a glass water bottle but because its expensive and I don't trust myself to keep one safe, I never bought one or asked for anyone to gift me any. This is how God cares, remembers and gives us gifts we wanted. Dr. Mohammed asked a question I only knew the answer for because of the knowledge I had obtained researching my issues. Ironically, I got the glass bottle, with the words, "I am Fearless" because of one of the most fearful seasons in my life. God has His inside jokes moments and maybe only He and I would know how much it meant to me.

God wants us to be fearless as women and when things are linked to health, we can avoid fearful health situations by putting things in place from all now.

We can't avoid stress completely but there's many things we can do to help free ourselves from the worst damages.

Most importantly, keep God in all things, He gives us all our special abilities and is able to help us through fearful situations so that we can help others who are also experiencing fears.

Happy International Women's Day!

From Celine Elizabeth.

Light in the Darkness

I look around at all the lights and displays on homes and in stores for the Christmas season. Beautiful as they catch your eyes. You can't help but be drawn to them like bugs to those warm lights at night on the front porch. Christmas dazzles mostly everyone.

Most people who think I'm very Christmassy has never met my husband. He would start preparing from November and on Christmas day he gets up excitedly and dances to the tree, makes a nice cup of tea and sits all cozy, anticipating the rest of day.

I don't consider myself to be that much of a Christmas person, where all the decor and running around is concerned. The lights are beautiful but I'm not particularly swayed by them. I hate the clutter. I thoroughly hate the crowds in the malls and roadways as you try to carry out simple errands. I find the season to be an unnecessary burden because after that one day, the world goes back to normal. The feeling of giving dwindles, the trees go down, the light on the houses and stores are taken off... And the world reverts to the usual darkness.

I'm not the Grinch or Mrs. Scrooge, I do love Christmas but for a different reason. For a different light. I love to bring joy and cheer for a different reason. A different message.

Isaiah 9:2 NKJV The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined.

In my life, I had many ups and downs. I felt like I was in an abyss of darkness. Most times, I felt like I would stay there forever, like this was my life now. This is how I'd live until I die. If not for the light in the darkest moments, I'd have no hope.

Sometimes I wonder if we're so engrossed by the lights of Christmas trees and store fronts that we don't realize that there's a light that was sent to us, brighter than any other, that pierces through the thickest darkness.

I wonder if we put up the Christmas lights because we are searching for a deeper light to fill that void. Deep down inside we know there's something that will get us out of darkness. Light that won't disappear when we fall back into the routine of darkness. One that can be our illumination in the lands of shadows and death.

This verse is the reason, I love Christmas. I don't care for the date Christ was born but I know He came. He walked the Earth. He brought with Him light, truth and life so that all who walked in darkness... Would see this light and never need another source.

You see when Christmas is over, and the novelty fades away. I can still count on the Light that Christ brought because, like Him, it never dies.

The Season is meant to remind us, that we always have hope. There will always be that light at the end of the tunnel of despair, because of Him.

The lights of Christmas time eventually disappear. They don't remain. While we think darkness is the absence of light and it's here to stay... Darkness also isn't a permanent thing. It's temporary until a light comes on. The stage is only dark until there is a spotlight. That's exactly what Christ brought to us. A light that won't dim, filled with hope to lead us out of darkness as it is dispelled.

Hope brings positivity, joy, expectations. All of these are good, healthy emotions. Why would we not want these in our life? I know what darkness brings. What terrors lurk there. Hopelessness and depression. Worry and fear.

Jesus said in John 8:12"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life"

And then He gave us the ability to have and share this light in Matthew 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house" 

So when people think I'm Christmassy, it's not that I like the hype it brings. The light comes from within. I want people to experience this light, like I have. To have hope in dark situations. To have comfort when all you want to do is hide away and die.

Because... The best thing to have in darkness is The Light, that will never lose its power!

Merry Christmas to all and a Blessed 2025 that is full of this Everlasting Light!From Celine Elizabeth

One thing after the next

"Sometimes I think God overestimates our strength or... is it that we underestimate our God?"

My year started off with the lovely blessing of my job and a fulfillment of a 10 year promise from God. It was awesome seeing the things I prayed for come to pass in a way that only God could do it. From the outside, people would see things are going good but what they didn't see was the avalanche of trials that came after. During the year I had two near death experiences, health issues, and burnout. My husband is now unemployed. I struggled a lot with the pressure and issues I faced to the point of breakdowns and discouragement. It was one thing after the next.

I held on to Jesus but not without questions, venting and doubts. I believe He could change a situation with one breath, one blink even! I grew closer in reading the Bible, praying day and night. Somedays were good but they were immediately followed by down days. Days I couldn't understand why things were still happening the way they were. Days where anxiety and nervousness got the best of me. I was tired. Fed up.

Have you ever been there? Where you feel tormented in a place that God has put you? It could be in ministry, church, school, a job, a new country, a friend circle or even in a new family. You ask God if it was really a blessing or a curse in disguise. You question if this place was where you should have been in the first place. If this "blessing' was a test or a mistake. If God overestimated your strength because this seems like more than you can handle.

I was doing all the right things, seeking for prayer from family and close friends, praying, reading the word but I wasn't totally honest. I wasn't being honest with God on how I truly felt. I wasn't handing over all of the burden, just a small part of it. I was putting on a face of strength so that people didn't think I was losing faith. I was relying on MY strength not God's strength. You see I was waiting for God to speak directly to me but He was still and quiet. I wanted dreams, I wanted prophecy. I wanted a direct word. I know that He said He wouldn't leave me but I wanted to feel Him and I couldn't. But I was doing everything I thought was right...I hope this all makes sense. And if it's confusing... Well... that's how I felt too.

Until one day I had a breakdown with my parents. That's where everything came out. I said things I didn't even know I was harboring in my heart concerning my suffering. I prayed about all those things and from that day, something changed. The suffering reduced. I realized it was a journey that God was allowing me to have. Giving me Grace after Grace everyday. I didn't have a nice prayer but for the first time it was brutally honest with God. Strangely, I felt Him smile. This brutal prayer, not disrespectful, but a total excavation of my heart before God had brought change.

I know what greatly helped me was the honesty of my parents and husband who heard my complaints day after day and it was also the prayer of my brethren who kept standing in the gap at my weakest moments and encouraging me on days when I wanted to walk away. During my breakdown with my parents, I was crying, driving to work, they were trying to remind me of God's promises and His blessings. Trying to tell me to hold the faith and stop being double-minded. I was getting frustrated by hearing the truth.

You see my parents and husband has been hearing the same thing from me for quite a while and understandably, they were trying their best to encourage and pray for me but they got tired. I was tired of it too (it makes me even more grateful that God doesn't grow weary of us and our prayers in that state).

I had been selfish in my suffering. Somewhere in the 'one thing after the next', I had lost my view of what I was really meant to be doing. Glorifying God in all things. Christ once said, "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and ALL these things will be added unto you." You don't seek the Kindgom of God and His righteousness for your own interests/gain (the healing, prosperity etc.), you seek it to learn of God, His righteousness, His interests for you and His Kingdom. Then! All will be added to you. What I was seeking, was to escape. I should have been seeking to Glorify God and His Kingdom, even in my suffering.

This blog didn't go as I intended but I hope it encourages you that there is a light at the end of the tunnel of despair and pain. There is a Holy Voice that is louder than the enemy's lies and traps of fear. While it may be most difficult, we must remember, we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us (Romans 5: 3-5).

May God give you Grace and strength in your trials. May His word be your sword to overcome spiritual wickedness and witchcraft. May he increase your faith which will shield you against the fiery darts of the enemy's lies and scare tactics. God will not leave you or forsake you. Even when He is quiet, He is working for your good. Be encouraged in the Lord.

Amen.

Blessings in the Lord,

Celine.

Just... Deliver Your Message

In uncertainty, in doubt and when you're in a mess.

I was recently appointed as the Youth Director in my church. Since then, I've been really concerned. I know that its a big responsibility. Its a monumental task to lead young people, not only to Christ, but to teach them how to be respectable, honest, kind, loving young people who will be able to take care of themselves especially in difficult times. Its teaching them life lessons, how to survive, how to cook, how to manage finances, how to look for jobs, and any other adulting lesson you can think of.

I have my ideas, and the messages I know the Lord wants to give, but recently I've been worried on how I'd deliver those messages. Some youths are shy, some youths are really busy... I wonder if I'll be too far in age... Too talkative... Too boring... I wonder if parents will support... Will reinforce... Needless to say, I've been wondering a lot.

Then I remembered something that my friend told me when she gifted me the book that I spoke about in my last blog. She said, "I want you to get back to where you were before you started this job." When she said that, I realized that it was the Lord speaking to me through her because I immediately knew what it meant. Prior to my job, I mentored young people. I went out of my way for them. Supported them in all their ventures, their talents, the start of their businesses and the things that bothered them. When I started to work and started my MBA, I couldn't do that again, at least in the way I wanted to.

I should have caught it then.... I should have caught it when I was getting random ideas for youth programs afterwards... and still I thought to myself that I really don't think I should be the one to lead them. There's no way the Lord would put me in that position! Then when my Pastor spoke to me, I realized that the Lord really wanted me to do this. My friend's voice replayed in my head. I couldn't turn it down but... I couldn't stop being terrified.

So I though it would be nice to read the next story in the book, that my had friend gifted me. There it was. The right story, when I needed it the most. "When life feels like a mess, there's something we can do." by Rachel Macy Stafford. In summary, she had just come out of a surgery and wanted to write something to her family and friends about the ordeal. She was feeling so messed up on meds, on the aftershock of the procedure itself and she was concerned about messing up what she wanted to say. Mixing up her words, misspelling and just messing up her message. But she did it anyway and posted it. Her message was about seeking help when you feel like something is wrong in your body and emphasizing to never give up. Afterward, two neighbors reached out to her and explained that they did just that and how vital it was that they needed to see that message.

"Though I felt like a mess, I provided a vital message" - Rachel Macy Stafford

Then to top it off the story end in a prayer which was exactly what I needed. "Give me the words, and the opportunity to deliver the message I have to share, even especially - when I feel like a mess."

Just a month before I left my job, I had gotten a message from someone in a country far from mines about a blog he came across. That blog was one I had written years ago and had long forgotten on Game development and God. An unusual topic but he found it because he was studying it. He wrote to me a long and genuine message on how it impacted him and motivated him and he told me, "Don't stop writing. People need to hear the message. It will impact people." I told him I got busy and I stopped blogging which was true...but I was also discouraged. I really didn't think it would reach anyone. My website insights reflected just that. But it reached him. It impacted him and now I have a friend in Africa! It wasn't when or how I thought it would reach anyone but the message did do what it had to do and that blessed my heart! After nearly 5 years it encouraged someone in the Lord and blessed him as much as it did!

So I'm writing this blog to say this. I've be concerned with how I should speak, what I should do, thinking about what others might think or say or oppose... God gave me a message and I will deliver it. I'll deliver it to 100 people, 10 people, 5 people or 1 young person. I'll deliver it. I'll plant it and it'll grow, when God sees fit for it. When that young person needs it the most. They will remember, like I've remembered the lessons that I needed to remember, when I needed it the most. Maybe that same day, that week, that month or years down the road when they themselves have kids, they'll remember.

We are meant to deliver our message, especially God's message, even if we feel like a mess.

Maybe you needed to know this too. Maybe you need to know that your voice does matter. Your encouragement matters. You may not think you can speak well, connect well, write well, spell well, be in good health, or be smart enough, but that doesn't matter. Do your part, deliver the message and God will do the rest.

Blessings always in Jesus,

Celine Elizabeth

Hanging on while letting go

Embracing New and Uncertain Beginnings

I was gifted this book as a parting gift from a special colleague I hold dear to my heart. Our conversation was one of mutual understanding. Sometimes we get caught up in work and we forget to step back and look at the deeper meaning of life.

I had the great privilege of spending 3 years with a lovely company that taught me a lot about business, relationships and perseverance. It was during this time I fell in love with Supply chain and Logistics and decided to pursue my education further. Honestly speaking, before I started working there I knew nothing about the field and was trained completely from scratch by the company who helped me start my career. The job was one I knew was God given because I had gotten it 3 months before I was due to get married, during COVID, and right after a dry spell of more than a year applying for jobs with no luck.

Listen when you hear the term God qualifies the unqualified, it's 100% true. I am that person.

When my friend gave me the book, she reminded me that our job is one aspect of our lives and we are much more than that. Honestly, I was going so much that I realized I was losing parts of myself to fatigue. I felt God calling me to a new chapter of this strange book I call my life. While I understood and agreed with her words of embracing an exciting path, I was also struggling with letting it go.

You see, my time there, my experience, my life had intertwined and revolved around this job and the people there. It's not always easy to leave a place that was instrumental to one's growth, accomplishments and development. Yet, moving on is necessary to learn, experience and bloom. Learning to cope with letting go is now essential. Holding fast to the decision to obey even when the next step is somewhat unclear. Taking a leap of faith without regret and being confident that God has a bestselling chapter He's ready to reveal for you.

Needless to say, I knew the book was going to speak to me but I didn't expect it to be in the very first story by Nichole Nordeman (A Time to Tear; A Time to Mend). The message was clear in learning to let go of the "then" in order to embrace the "now".

My reflections have led me to this:

1. We are created with Purpose to make an impact in the lives of those around us. And in our giving (to those around us, to our jobs, to our homes, education etc), we must also take time to replenish ourselves and remind ourselves that we must not lose the reason and passion that makes us who we are. When we do this, only then can we continue to give 100%. Your career is only a couple drops in your ocean. Maybe 5% of the 60% of water we are made up of.

There's more to us than our 8-5. We must nurture it and make our short time on this earth mean something.

2. It may take a leap of faith but if you leave your life in God's hands, His Will will take you all the way. God requires us to do difficult things. Leaving a comfortable place to go into the vast unknown is a difficult thing. I've done it on many occasions and it's scary every time. But! I'll do it again and again because when God speaks, He sees you through.

3. Your relationships with those around you are essential. Never forget how people imparted into your life and never forget to impart goodness into others (even when some people didn't impart happy experiences to you). In every exchange, a lesson can be learnt and however you choose to take that lesson will make the difference in how you view and progress in life. Cherish everyone you meet and every piece of wisdom you've gained in your meeting.

4. Lastly, be grateful always for every experience on your journey. For every person you met, every challenge you faced and every accomplishment you've made.... Even the mistakes that taught you. Being grateful gives you a different drive to face any circumstance without overly stressing. I'm grateful to God for my experience. I'll never forget it and I'll never forget the people I worked with who were very much like family to me.

Change is inevitable. Embrace it. Water it. Hang in there even though letting go is hard. You don't need to let go of your memories or relationships you've built. Let go of the weight that prevents you from moving forward. Let God do the rest.

Cheers to new beginnings, growth and rejuvenation to us all in the coming year!

#change #new #newyear #beginnings #newjob #careerchange #career #lettinggo #let #go #purpose

What to do on a 3 day vacation to the Island of Tobago.

At the age of 23, I traveled for the first time! It was the first time I left the shores of Trinidad. Being 23, I was ashamed of admitting that I've never traveled before and most ashamed of admitting that I've never traveled even to our beautiful sister isle of Tobago. So to all those who said I still haven't really traveled since the twin islands are a Republic, say it a bit louder in the back because I still haven't heard it yet. QUICK SUMMARY ON WHAT TO EXPECT So naturally, for my 3 day holiday, I went full tourist mode in Tobago. It was my first time travelling EVER, so obviously, I took the window seat. You should definitely expect: 1. Clear blue seas Trinidad's waters are a bit different to Tobago's. Tobago's beaches are clear with a soothing green tint. It was so beautiful! It's more of an experience than a visual. The smell of the sea, the breath of the water's gentle spray on your face, the sounds of the waves crashing against stacks of rocks and the colors that blend and shimmer as the waters roll in under the sun, is something that you have to be there to witness yourself. 2. Hospitality Be sure Tobagonians will be helpful and kind to you. The culture is very relaxed. It is not fast paced. There's always smiles, always people willing to give advice. People will just start conversations (although I think that's a Caribbean trait). They're super friendly! 3. Delicious Food The food is so delicious!!!!! Their style of cooking is different from Trinidad. I loved the fact that they had more local dishes and bigger portions. Their food is well seasoned and prepared and you can smell it from a mile away! Everyday is like a grand Sunday lunch. Seafood is easily available! Rabbit meat is a thing, guys and it's really good! 4. Pristine Surroundings and clear roads The surroundings are ridiculously clean and well maintained. There is a lower population in Tobago than there is in Trinidad, however, as a Trinidadian I can say that we have a struggle with keeping our environment clean. Tobago was a breath of fresh air, literally. I was so proud! It's so clean!!!! The infrastructure and buildings are well maintained and comfortable as well. I stayed with a friend so she showed me around! I'm sorry I can't recommend any hotels or inns to stay at as I never experienced that but I can recommend the places I went to and activities I did. So if you have 3 days in Tobago, here's what you can do: EAT ALL THE FOOD!
I didn't get pics of all the things I ate but everything was amazing! Top 3 Places.
I highly recommend Jemma's Seaview Kitchen in Speyside. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...
Eating garlic shrimp with breadfruit pies, fried plantains, a festive local rice and sauteed veggies with a phenomenal view was an experience, I'll never forget. Next time I go back I'm ordering that lobster!
For Salads there was Oasis Salad Bar and Grill. I seriously need these people in Trinidad. Salads aren't boring guys especially when you get one from Oasis! https://www.facebook.com/Oasisgtsalad...
Sylvia's Restaurant in Bon Accord had all the local cuisine in gracious portions. I couldn't eat anymore but I did because it was soooo good!!!!! Their conch (Lambie) and crab was exceptional. Their cou cou was nicely done and fulling. The flavors were rich but not overwhelming.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Syl...
Bonus Nugget: The street vendors in Crown Point have the best local delicacies. Various chows, bene ball, toolum, sugar cake, fudge and much more! GO FORTH TO ALL THE FORTS AND BAYS There are forts littered all over the
Tobago with a wealth of History
behind them! There are also many
hidden treasure bays that are
beautiful! People don't visit them
much so they are usually quiet
places. As you drive around the small
island you can find them especially
along Mt.Irvine, Buccoo and the
countryside. A whole island tour can
take a whole day. My stay was mostly tours. Do the Countryside Tour all the way to Charlotteville It's ridiculously beautiful and very adventurous. Go on the glass bottom boats.
Unfortunately I couldn't go due to the weather but I still recommend https://frankietours.com. They have a lot of experience and are generally the best to get you informed! Go to Pigeon Point Heritage Park
Like most places in Tobago, the beach is beautiful, the surroundings are clean, there's quality food and lots of activities for you to do! Beware of falling coconuts though! http://www.pigeonpoint.tt Enjoy the beauty and rest the island gives
The island has much to offer from bird viewing, to water sports, to hiking trails and entertainment (inclusive of goat and crab races, storytelling, and the Great Race if you come in at August). Most of all Tobago is so peaceful. When you enter, it's like a switch was flipped! I had an amazing time in Tobago. I urge you to visit as well. As a Trinidadian, I didn't know what to expect on my trip but at the end of it, I was so proud to be a part of this little twin Republic. I learnt so much about our history, our culture, our food and our land. We may take these things for granted but this is a part of us as a people. Neglect that, you neglect yourself. You forget what to stand for as a nation. I've spent a lot of time with God. It's easy to spend time with Him when you're out of the hustle and bustle. I've marveled at His works as I traveled through the island! He really has created such magnificent things and all Glory belongs to Him. I'll never forget this experience and if you haven't been to Tobago, you're missing out! Much love and blessings,
Celine Elizabeth

Deep calls to deep (S.E.A Results)

Yesterday the long wait was over for kids who wrote S.E.A exams and eagerly awaited their results to see which high school they've been placed into. Some would have gotten into the school of their dreams (1st Choice!), others would have been satisfied with their placements (2nd - 4th choice) and others would have been saddened by their new school before they even started. It Starts Here... I'm not talking about New Beginnings per say, I'm speaking about your mindset (both students and parents). Parents, no matter what child your school has been placed in (If is was one of his/hers choices or not), mindset makes a successful child. This is the reality. When I wrote S.E.A, I remember sitting in my classroom awaiting results. My teacher brought in the slips and started to hand them out to the kids. I heard my class erupt into various cheers and before I could even read my slip I was rejoicing with all my friends who passed for their first choices. As a child I thought, 'I used to be on their grade level, surely I passed for my first choice to!' When I opened my slip I saw that I had passed for my 4th choice. I had no idea where this school was. In fact, I had never heard of the school before. This was most likely because the school was only in existence for five years at that time. Needless to say, I was devastated. It was serious! I rel cry! Only a couple of us passed for that place so that was even worse for a tiny Celine like me! My teachers reassured me it was a really nice school in the East. "It's really advanced!" they said and that did make me feel better. The support from my teachers, my parents, family and fellow peers really helped me. My mom and dad however, saw through my attempts to hide the fact that I was really disappointed in myself. "We can apply for a transfer. What do you think?" they asked. I had just spent 2 years of my childhood studying hard for SEA and my first thought was that I really didn't want to write any other exam to try and get in to another school. My second thought however, growing up in a Christian home, was that maybe God wanted me here, in this school. Long story short, I registered, went to orientation and spent 7 years of my life as a student in the institution that played a HUGE part in molding the woman I became to today. Bishop Anstey and Trinity College East is now one of the most successful schools in the East, producing amazing students who go on to do amazing things all over the world! I had challenges. It wasn't easy at times. I wanted to give up despite how awesome that place was. But my mindset was key. I wanted to excel so I did my best. I pushed myself. I wanted to learn other skills. I led numerous clubs. I volunteered. I wanted to prove I could get 8 passes without attending lessons and I did achieve that! I believed in myself but.... I also believed in God. Kept Him close to me throughout my life. If I didn't attend Bishop Anstey High School East, I'm not sure what I would have been today. The people I met and the bonds I've created, my experiences and the things I've learnt (academics, life lessons , people skills).......I would have never gotten any of that if I ran away or settled to just be an average student. Maybe the experiences in your new school is what will shape you into God wants you to be. Mindset is the difference. Application is what makes a successful individual. Am I saying you should settle for where you've been placed? Not at all! If you want to query, if you want a transfer, then you have a right to do so. If you want to repeat that's also fine! In fact I have a friend who repeated and passed for Trinity and he's currently pursuing law! I have friends who attended "Non-prestige" schools and became doctors, lawyers, engineers and CEO's of their own business. After all the running around has come to an end, you will be attending a school in September and wherever you go, you need to remember, your school doesn't make a name for you, you make a name for yourself and represent that school. Parents, your children need your support as well. The school educates but they can't be of much help to your child if you aren't lending them your support at home as well as in school. Your presence in your child's learning is invaluable. No school is without fault. There may be conflict, there may be sad times, there may even be bullying. It doesn't get easier from here. That's why God is essential in maintaining your sanity (students and parents alike). This is all part of a learning process. Don't be sad for too long. Keep going. Realize your potential and grow! Don't settle for mediocrity! Help and respect others! Be yourself and respect yourself enough to want better for yourself (and for others as well- don't pull others down)! So Congratulations! I applaud ALL those who wrote SEA. It is NOT a small task! You're life is just beginning and you've been planted here to blossom into wonderful things! So all the best to you all! I believe in you! Quoting one of my teachers, "Never let anyone discourage you, not even yourself!" I also would like to dedicate this blog to my not so little cousin, Darius, who passed for his first choice. Love you much and you're going to do great things! Looking forward to see you unleash your potential and master the world! Much Prayer and Love, Celine Elizabeth #SEA #NewBeginnings #CXC #Examinations #school #motivation #inspiration #Jesus #God #preteen #teen #form1

Embracing Change: Letter to those moving on.

I've held off on writing this blog for a long time. Change is inevitable. It feels like all you want is for time to freeze while you prepare yourself for the unknown future. My year started off like that. At first, I was not prepared to move on. To leave my job, to have to drop the routine I had grown accustomed to and to say goodbye to the amazing people I had come to know. It took me three months to embrace it. So I decided to share it with you all. It's hard at first. I can hardly find the words to describe the pain I felt knowing I didn't get the job. I absolutely loved my job. I worked at the front desk of a school. I loved meeting and helping new people. My coworkers made work even better. I love them so much! There was never a shortage of laughter. Never a shortage of interesting stories and life experiences and definitely never a shortage of encouragement. They took real good care of me and it was basically a family. I got attached. At the age of 23, it was my first real job. I learned a lot, experienced a lot and everyday I woke up, I was super thrilled to go to work. "God laid this out so perfectly for me." I would whisper to myself everyday. Then, I got the news I didn't get through with the job. I don't think it registered to me that I was grieving. I only found that out recently while I was conversing with one of my coworkers. I had gotten an extension for three months so I was grateful for that but everyday felt like a heartbreak when I thought about how I was leaving this behind. You don't know how hard it is to have to hold up a smile when inside feels like you're falling apart. This wasn't just a job to me it was more like a ministry. I wanted to make a positive impact with the students, the staff, the parents, with everyone. I felt like maybe I was making some sort of an impact but in the next three months, that would be gone. My ministry would be gone.
So the Sunday after I found out, I didn't go to church and I locked myself in my room and had it out with God. "You want me come reason with you, God? Here I am! What are you doing?" I asked the God of the whole Universe. "You laid out everything so well. Why are you closing the door? Why are you taking my ministry?" cried the girl who had just published and launched her first book, Things That They Don't Tell New Christians, only a few months before. I apologized, of course, and started to list out His promises before Him. Promises that didn't even pertain to my situation. I listed it all. "You are the God of miracles, You can change it." I said.
After I desperately tried to convince the God of Heaven and Earth to turn things around. I had tired myself out. Somewhere in the noise and tears, it dawned on me how ridiculous I was. God gave me this job when I needed it the most and had no other option. God allowed me to stay there much longer that I should have been. I had no doubt in my heart the He could turn everything around. I had all that faith in Him but didn't consider He had a better plan. I had to channel the faith I had into moving on. Moving on to the plan He had ordained for me to walk in. By the end of the prayer, I understood what it meant to pray for God's will to be done.
I had to condition myself to act on my faith. The first month was painstakingly difficult. In the quiet times in the office, after interacting happily with people, my smile would slip into a frown. I got weary. I was still carrying out my job but it felt heavy. I lost my appetite a bit. I had to keep reminding myself, God knows what He's doing. God Knows. He knows. Thank God for my coworkers. They didn't let me live in that place of despair. " You got better things ahead." They'd say giving me a hug. "God has a plan for your life." another would add. It's easy to fall into despair. To be discouraged. Christ got me through the rest of my time there. By the second month I was back to being me. I had challenges but I reassured myself in Christ. "He knows." I repeated to myself. Sadness is an emotion not a lifestyle. It's okay to be sad but it's not okay to live there. On my last day, I was at peace. I worked hard despite my challenges and most importantly I didn't let it change me. When I asked my boss how he had coped with years of being in charge and the stress it can bring he told me, "You don't allow your environment to change you. You change the environment." I needed to remember that and you do to. Things happen but you need to take control of how you react to it. “HOW LUCKY I AM TO HAVE SOMETHING THAT MAKES SAYING GOODBYE SO HARD.” - Winnie The Pooh It's hard. It was a pain I have never known but life goes on. Without God this blog would have been totally different but He kept me through. I would have never met the people I have. Never would have made the friendships I have made. Never would have learned the things I have. I'm blessed. Truly blessed. "You know you need to visit us, right?" said a coworker. "I can visit?" I asked excitedly. "Of course! You need to!" she replied. Guys, I really was thinking I was leaving forever. I was living my life like I'd never see them again and that had only added to my despair in the first month. That was pretty illogical on my part. But look at me now! The girl who thought life was falling apart, is actually really excited to start this new life. This new adventure.

Embrace it. Embrace the change. God has a plan.
I'm not sure of it but I can be sure it's going to be fun. ~Celine Elizabeth~

#movingon #embracingchange #change #work #coworkers #sadness #Jesus #God #adventure

Game Development and God

Somehow there has been a lot of discussions over Christians and the video game industry.
I've heard the question, "Should Christians be playing video games?" and I am aware of the discussions on both ends of the debate. I'm just going to confess that, I, Celine Elizabeth, absolutely love to play games at least some of them. I'm not good at all of them but it's fun either way. In addition to that, I also learned to develop games using Unity and RPG Maker.

The gamer part of me loves the going through the trills and emotions of the accomplishing missions in the game. The writer in me loves intriguing characters and story lines (especially twisty plots). The developer in me gets excited when I see interesting game mechanics and techniques. So here's the thing: I got a PS4 for Christmas and had some really nice games to play. It's very nostalgic for me since I had grown up playing games on the SNES, SEGA and Super Nintendo. Then, as I grew older I got a PlayStation 1 and a Nintendo DS. Gaming for me was always a stress free thing that an only child could play to pass time. It wasn't long before I started to wonder how games were made. I was intrigued at watching Mario fly with a feather and kill enemies with the little plucky fire flower thing and I began to wonder. How do they get these characters to move? When I died, running out of time, how do they know these timers are accurate? How do they even put timers on doors or puzzles?

Being able to develop small scale games made me realize exactly how much time and effort goes into making a simple game. Creating a whole world and everything in it. Having to know how it begins and how it ends. As a developer, I get excited when I finish a game and when I add personalities to characters just as much as I do when I complete a story. It makes me think about how much time God took to create our universe and us. I'm not saying life is all a game God created but He took His time putting everything in its place and leaving a piece of Himself in everything He has crafted, including us. It makes me appreciate and love God even more. It sounds a bit weird but yeah. When I create a character I think about how God created each person differently but unique. When I have to set time constraints in my game I think about how God created time but time never affects Him. When I create a world or a setting, I think about how God created a whole universe with everything in place. Game Development of all my hobbies, is something that I really love finding God in. I love creating games as much as I enjoy playing them. Yes there are a lot of games Christians and even people in general shouldn't entertain but you choose what you play and for me, I choose what I create.

This blog may be uncommon but I felt like sharing this passion of mines with you all. Maybe it'll encourage you to find God in your passions as well. Find, Communicate and glorify God in your hobbies as well. In music, in singing, in dancing, in writing, in sports, in gaming, in whatever. Most importantly be set apart in your hobbies. Be unique and work hard at whatever you set out to do. "Life Is more beautiful when you can find God in everything and even more beautiful when you see it through His eyes." Have a blessed day!
~Celine Elizabeth~ #gaming #gamedevelopment #CelineElizabeth #ThingsThatTheyDontTellNewChristians