Vaxxed Redemption Summer Fun List

Photo by Travis Rupert on Pexels.com

This time last year, summer was spent inside. Yes, some still ventured like there was not a global pandemic outside. But, me, myself, and I stayed safe and erred on the side of caution for my health and my family’s health.

But ya girl is vaxxed and READY FOR SUMMER. To specify, a warm, Christian grown lady summer. I’m not going crazy but I really want to do stuff. So, here is my list for Summer 2021.

• Paint Night
• Outdoor Activity (i.e. a hike, go to the park, etc.)
• Do something daring *Bonus*
• A spa day
• Brunch with a friend(s)
• A fun redemption birthday celebration (June 28th baby!!)
• Attend in-person church
• Have a pool day
• Go to a museum
• A day of nothing/chill day

So what is on your summer fun list for 2021?

Blissfully,

Bianca

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A Gentle Reminder

“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’-Matthew 25:45

You don’t serve another person without God being in the mix.

God created our entire existence and then some.

The Bible is filled with scripture about serving others. Jesus did not come to be served but to serve. He shows us how to love and serve our neighbor as ourselves.

God is in every person whether they believe He is or not. There have been times where God has put me in position to serve a stranger. Only God could make that happen. But it was for a reason. It is for a greater purpose.

Whatever that looks like for you is between you and God. But you serving is not in vain. You helped one of God’s people and that is enough. The Father is pleased and happy.

So serve without expecting anything in return. If there is a return, be thankful.

Take some time in your busy life to serve.

Blissfully,

Bianca

My Lenses on the Immigrant

This is not about policy, nationalism, or border control. This is not about deportation or ICE. This is not about what administrations have done. This is not about who deserves to be here and who does not. This is not about criminals, amnesty, overpopulation, merit-based vs. open immigration. 

This is about human decency. This is about loving your neighbor as yourself. 

This issue is very close to my heart because I am the daughter of Haitian immigrants. I am a first generation American. Even though my citizenship is never questioned, I don’t think for one minute that this issue does not apply to me.

I am not the person I am without the sacrifice of my parents. Like many immigrants, they worked hard even in the face of discrimination and doubt. They provided for their families. They mastered a language that is not their own. They came to America for a better life for their descendants. And I am a result of them. 

If you did not know, the Bible is filled with immigration that stemmed from a great migration, displacement, wars, etc.  Even Jesus Christ was an immigrant, born in a foreign land and fleeing death in his first years of life.

We are all strangers that were once lost but found with Christ. 

No race is better than another.

We must treat strangers as we would like to be treated. Yes, even the bad ones (love your enemies..it’s in the Bible).

If you think this is hearsay, the Bible explicitly says how to treat a stranger/immigrant in your land:

“When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.”-Leviticus 19:33-34

“‘Cursed be anyone who perverts the justice due to the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’- Deutoromony 27:19

He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing.-Deutoronomy 10:18

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.-Hebrews 13:2

Separating families, discriminating against them, telling them to “go back to your country,” the physical and emotional abuses during detainment. demeaning, racists behavior towards them is NOT of God. Anyone who condones that behavior is on the side of evil.

Remember did God treat you in a discriminatory way when you first came to Him? You aren’t all that to be honest…you are actually dirty, filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6) before Christ came. Just saying…

God calls us to love immigrants where they are. To clothe, feed, shelter, and care for widowers and children. God shows us how to be His hands and feet to these communities. It varies on how that looks in your personal journey. I’m not saying you need to give immigrants everything you have but have humility. How would you want to be treated in a foreign land?

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.-Galatians 3:28

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,-Philippians 3:20

In the grand scheme of the Gospel, your citizenship to heaven does not depend on your national origin or ancestry. God loves diversity. Every tribe and every tongue will be with Jesus someday….even the immigrants will be there. It depends on your heart and how you treat God’s people. That’s all.

Blissfully,

Bianca

A Gentle Reminder

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.-Proverb 3:5-6

BIG SHOCKER: Everything has not prevailed in the way I want, in the time I want, and how I want. God has managed to make my steady blueprint into a rollercoaster of life. 

With every major milestone, there is my “blueprint” that God has thrown away. He changes the course. Frustrates me. Sends people my way to tell me God has a plan and that the change is better. I have a come-to-Jesus meeting. Surrender little by little to His plan. Realize that God knows better and He is the captain and I am the passenger following by faith. 

I’m telling you..this is the process I go through. 

Even in my frustration, I am reminded of this scripture: To not lean on the expectations of my blueprint but surrender all that I want and trust in God’s perfect blueprint of life.

For a type A personality who likes her way, this is hard to come by. With age, I am learning to let go more. I don’t need to have everything figured out. God gives me enough to live and function. 

For example as a high school graduate, my “perfect life” blueprint that God was to adhere to consisted to be married with children and a career by 30.  Well at 28, I am close to my career (awaiting bar results), no husband, and no children. But you know what? God knew what He was doing because I like to handle one life thing at a time. God knew I wanted to be a lawyer. He has led me down that path and the future…I have learned to let God lead.

Now that does not mean that I have taken a complete “hakuna matata” to my life. But I try to be an active participant in what God places in front of me.

A straight path is not a perfect path, but God’s purpose which is perfect and better.

To be honest, I am in an uncertain phase of life post-grad life, unemployed, and living with my parents. Yeah…really trusting the Lord for the next steps.

I want to be in Florida but don’t know where. I want to practice immigration law but don’t know how and if I will. I want a dog but don’t know if that is possible. I want to make an income but don’t know the job that will do that. A lot of wants but no blueprint. Just ideas…

The path seems very dark with little light shown but I take a deep breath and trust that God will work it out.

For now, I am looking forward to family time. Applying for work. Waiting for results. And trust and not lean on my own understanding.

Blissfully,

Bianca

See You Later

When God has the plan, you must do your part. 

You must work for your success.

Sacrifice in the short term for success in the long haul.

As of today, Blissfully Bianca will be on hiatus for me to focus on my Bar studies. This is not goodbye forever. I will be back at the end of July. God really convicted me on this and has used people to call me out on my distractions. If I want victory and success, then I have to fight with everything I have.

The Bar is a tough, scary monster but I know all things are possible through Jesus. I know He has a plan and a purpose for me. But I need to be obedient, make tough decisions, and make tough sacrifices.

You have all been such a great, fun community of friends. I will miss your presence and all of your stories. Keep reading my posts. They are still there to encourage and uplift you. You have been a beautiful distraction to me. Love you all.

You are worthy in God’s eyes.

God has a plan and purpose for you.

Keep encouraging yourself and each other.

Live and be thankful each day.

Be unapologetically and blissfully you.

 

Blissfully,

Bianca

 

 

 

Blissful TV Lineup

My shows have come BACK. The holiday

1. Tuesdays: America’s Next Top Model (VH1)- I grew up with ANTM as a teen. I have watched almost all the seasons. I am happy that Tyra is back with her next level fierce. They are pushing for skin, age, and body diversity (which I admire..it’s about time). I love the other judges: Ashley Graham (LOVE, LOVE, LOVE), Drew from Paper Magazine is tinier version Mr. Jay (from the earlier years of Top Model) with critical criticism, and La Roach is awesome and good clapbacks.
2.  Tuesdays: This Is Us(NBC)– A wonderful drama that will make you cry. The characters are so relatable. I sometimes forget that this is not a real family. It is just real and authentic. I have never watched something this wonderful in years.
3. Thursdays: Project Runway Allstars (Lifetime)– I am a big PR/PR Allstars fan. I have watched every season since Michael Kors was a judge, The Allstars version is doing Rookies (first-time Allstar) to Veterans (Allstars who have competed multiple times as Allstars). I have some favorites and some I don’t care for. We will see.
4. Thursdays: Making A Model (Lifetime)– So Bella and Gigi Hadid’s mom is training young models and their moms to be supermodels. The prize is being signed to a big modeling agency. No elimination. Just challenges and mentoring to get these young girls to the TOP.
5. Fridays: Hell’s Kitchen (FOX)- Yes there is a language issue but it is a good competitive show about cooking to the prize on running one of Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants.
6. Saturdays: Say Yes to the Dress (TLC)- A girl can dream about her wedding dress. I love it.

I love my TV escape. What shows are you watching?

Blissfully,

Bianca

New Uncharted Territory

Have you ever had someone in your life whose life is like a hamster on its wheel going 80 mph? Their trouble is the same. You try to free them, tell, implore to stop the drama and madness and yet run back to the things and people who destroys their being. 

Instead of getting frustrated, I try to see life from their perspective. For them, it is hard to stop spinning in madness. A clean slate can be scary. A new start means leaving the past. It means healing from the inside out. It means starting over. It is just uncharted territory.

Blissfully,

Bianca

Relate Rather than Rage

A quick thought: In this political climate, I have seen more chaos and rage between friends, family, and acquaintances played out on television, social media, radio, and any communication outlet you can think of. It is easy to say “I’m RIGHT, You’re WRONG.” But remember friends, it takes so much energy and time to rage. You do not need to fight every battle with every person on the Earth.

Instead, take a step back, breathe, listen and hear them out. You do not need to agree with them. Respect them. Find common ground. Relate. Maybe not the conflicted issue but something else. Find things that unite rather than divide us.

Relate

Blissfully,

Bianca

Living Life

Have you ever had moments where you are just mentally and physically worn out? Like you are just tired and numb to everything? You go through the motions but you are still numb?

And suddenly there is a HONK! A loud sound to shake your entire being.

You wake up! Your body surges with life and action. You are motivated!

A honk can be the wake-up call you need to keep going and keep fighting.

So friends, keep going and keep fighting.

Honk

Blissfully,

Bianca

Affirm and Believe

It is easy to say what is going wrong and get worried.  It is easy to to say “I wish this and that.” It is easy to see and envy another’s “wonderful life.” I say this because my mind swirls just like this. So I have to tell myself, STOP. You are only destroying your progress and growth. Don’t grow faint and lost in what you don’t have. You  know what you and I need to do? You and I need to be thankful for the good. There is potential in and around us.

Affirm what you believe is true.

Yes, affirm how far you have come. Affirm the good in your life. Affirm your progress. Affirm that fact that you are alive and breathing on your own. The key term is AFFIRM.

Faint

Blissfully,

Bianca