~Amazing Girl Ministry ~

One thought occurred to me this past week, something I thought would be of encouragement to you. You know, God loves you very much. I don’t know how well you know or experience that, but please know He does.

I was looking at my life, and the reasons behind some of my actions. You know, everyone has some fears, you do too, and so do I, and I do not deny it. So some of the reasons for doing what I do are to comfort myself that I am acceptable, you know, that I’m okay. (Yes, this is the same girl who writes about becoming an amazing girl!)

So anyways, the encouragement I felt in my heart went as follows. You are not just acceptable, you are more than that, you are desirable!! So quit checking your worth against one person, kneeling at their feet and continuing to collect dust and crumple your apparel.

Stand up, dust and straighten your apparel, in your own free space, freedom, and uniqueness of your character, and in the presence of your most important audience – God- who appreciates you and intends the best for you as your heavenly father.

Then dance away, free as a lark, expressing yourself, living your life to the fullest, just like in your dreams.

In the limits of His boundless love, you can do all things, because He empowers you!!

He will guide you, you will hear that guiding voice behind your ear, saying this is the way, walk ye in it.

You don’t have to worry, you will be well held and directed, and you won’t burst, you will grow and glow…and have much better relationships, so you won’t be lonely.

The idol in your life limits you and your potential to serving it and its wishes alone, whereas God frees you to glorify Him through your fulfilled potential!!! Your idol is hard to please, while God already takes pleasure in you and boasts about you!!

God already desires you; you don’t have to ‘suck-up’ to anyone!! So what do you want? A life of one idol and fake security….or the comfort, freedom and confidence of allowing God to love you, knowing you are not just acceptable…but desirable enough to die for???

Fearless: Imagine your life without fear

Title: Fearless: Imagine your life without fear

Author: Max Lucado, © 2009, Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee

Great book! Right from exposing what fear is, and the many forms through which it presents itself to us and through us, Max Lucado humorously makes clear points on how to deal with fear.

Through a variety of examples, some from his own life and others from movies, he brings out perceptive lessons on fear, and how we can use the lessons learnt to improve our lives.

The bible study at the end of the book helps one to take a serious, analytical and purposeful look at one’s life, enabling one to take measurable steps in the journey towards conquering fear.

I especially liked the encouragement that God meets daily needs daily, and that He will always give what “you need when it is needed.” God truly never fails us, and we can be like the kid who walks calmly in the midst of bullies because of the faith he has in his big brother. Fear does not have to rule our lives.

This is a must re ad for all who want to overcome fear and live a comforted, free and confident life.

This book was provided for review by Thomas Nelson Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html>: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

This past Sunday we had a wonderful time at our Drop Scones Party…which somehow changed its name to Food Party.

This time round, it was done at Teacher Monica’s home and what a treat she gave us!

In addition to teaching us how to make ‘Drops,’ she threw a surprise party for her daughter who’s birthday was only 4 days away.

We learnt about responsibility, breaking the name down to Response Ability. This was in two ways

a)      Responding with obedience and respect to what our authorities tell us; and

b)      Anticipating future needs and preparing to meet them before they come e.g. preparing for exams, picking out clothes for Sunday earlier in the week, etc.

This was followed by our usual question and answer time, some related to the topic of the day and some not, but all girl issues! J We love to bond!

We had two new girls, Brenda and Tracy; and also some other guests. Becky Bixler and her two sons Titus and Isaac joined us later together with Bishop and Betty Mwangi of Uganda.

The girls played outside skipping rope, and playing some football before leaving for home.

We thank God for this and for the future proposed plans:

a)      August: Poem-the girls will be presenting a poem for CCIT’s 30 years anniversary celebrations, so this month will be dedicated to rehearsing and preparing for that big day. Responsibiillity,huh?

b)      September: Baby Party – This will be when they go to Anngladys’s home to see her expected new born baby…

c)       October: Milk Shake Party – Rachel will be teaching us how to make milkshake, and a girl lesson will be incorporated in this as well.

d)      November: Prayer Party – when we shall encourage and pray for the candidates among us, as they prepare for and sit their final exams, and others, regular exams.

e)      December: Samosa Party!!! – this will be together with a Christmas and end-year party, to thank God for 2010 and to plan for 2011.

Please pray with us for God’s continued presence, provision and above all, a great relationship with Him, helping the girls know their identity,  worth and purpose in Him.

SOME PICS

This Sunday we have … what we would call a ‘Drop Scones Party’…..where we learn how to make drop-scones….as well as learn some valuable responsibility lessons!

This time ‘Teacher Monica’ hosts the party…… and then this will be followed by a Milk-Shake Party next month…..

Hey, let’s party!!!!! Amazing Girl Parties…….Welcome!!!

For info, call +254 723 285 236.

Dear Friends,

Praise the Lord!

I hope that you have been well, and so have I. I write you in light of Amazing Girl, as well as a few personal updates on myself as my mentors/leaders/friends.

Amazing Girl Book

Author: Anngladys Gichuhi, Foreword by Bishop Dr. Henry Mulandi, ACMI Founder and International Director

The book has continued to sell around the country in colleges, universities and high schools. The girls who read the book call me or sent me letters, and some want us to meet and talk, which we do. A girl came from Meru to meet with me, and we had a great time. I most recently received a letter from a girl traumatized by FGM (Female Genital Mutilation), and this has made me want to research more on the same and help how I can. Seeing the same on Tyra this past weekend as she aired the “Pay it forward” episode showed me again how serious FGM is.

Amazing Girl Parties

This year we have had 3 parties, the Vals Party on Valentine’s Day, the Art Party in May, and the Fashion Party in June. In February we talked about boy-girl relationships, in May we talked about enjoying and living out our uniqueness; and in June we talked about modesty and character. Every party is fancily titled to make it interesting and easy to talk about the real serious issues hidden behind the topics.

The parties are held in my house, on my account, and recently Carol has been helping out with the budget, something Rhodah and Winnie also did during our Amazing Girl Talent Party.

Here are some of our Amazing Girls

1.       Carol Mputhia

2.       Rhodah Mwangi

3.       Winnie Matuiy

4.       Rachel Wanja

5.       Evelyn Nyambura

6.       Faith Waweru

7.       Ivy Gathoni

8.       Gloria Nyambura

9.       Ruth Mundu

10.    Mary Wangu

11.    Monica Waweru

12.    Susan Mbugua

13.    Sylvia Mundia

14.    Monica Waweru

15.    Mary Mwangi

In The Pipeline

I hope to organize an event where we all come together and share our different experiences, and celebrate God’s amazing work in our lives, even as we learn together.

Soon, I will be sending you some photos from the Book Launch on 2^nd August 2009 last year, before our second marriage anniversary. Pastor Loice Byler was in attendance.

In the Talent Party that followed later in the year, Susan Mbugua (my mentor) was the speaker.

On A Personal Note

I thank God for His continued salvation and sustenance. As I continue to grow older (I’m 25!)I seek God for my life purpose and I feel strongly that besides being a family woman, I should follow the verses in Titus 2:3-5, to train younger women, in what my pastors have been calling a ministry, Amazing Girl.

And yes, two great pieces of news, I finally graduated from Kenyatta University earlier this month, and I also look forward to receiving my first born baby some time in August! J

Thank you for reading this far.

May God bless you and keep you well.

Love,

Anngladys.

Title: Embracing your second calling: Find passion ad purpose for the rest of your life – A woman’s guide

Author: Dale Hanson Bourke, © 2009, Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee

This is a wonderful, clearly written book which speaks out with the authority and authenticity of experience, the true test of any advice given, according to me. Dale’s experiences with God, herself, her family and the world outside herself resonate very well with my own.

In this book, Dale talks about coming to terms with who you are, what you like/ matters to your heart and what you have to offer and love to offer, and for what worthy goal. She helps women to be at home with themselves in the later stages of their lives, enabling them to live for themselves after living for everyone else but them for half their (life) lives.

It makes me glad to know that another woman has gone before me and made it through the challenges I face, and those I am yet to face.

I recently turned 25 and began asking myself what the real purpose of my life is. I have ran/done many sprints, and I did not want to be ‘jerky’ any more, I wanted to run a worthy marathon; begin building a good life legacy and watch it grow beyond my existence/sphere of influence.

I had been having many thoughts, I’d already written out my desired epitaph years ago during one of my similar searches, and by and by, as I read the book and checked the websites Dale recommended, I grew more at home with myself, and with what I envisioned to be my purpose.

I look forward to being a great wife and mother ( my first born baby is about to come), and to help young girls, because I perceive that to be my greatest need, and therefore the world’s greatest need according to me; and I believe that I do have the answers/what it takes to help these girls. My greatest need I can meet with my greatest gift, the gift of communication.

Thanks Dale for writing such an inspirational book; now I look forward to living a sane, meaningful life in what would have otherwise been a harried series of sprints. I am glad to know that it’s okay to be myself and offer what I have, I don’t have to be like everybody else because I am a unique individual myself, and I have something special and worthy to offer. I am glad to receive the inner assurance that I can do the same at my age (25), and be proud of it, knowing that my priorities are set and growing for a worthy cause in light of the bigger picture of my life, instead of as a reaction to daily needs.

Thanks, Dale!

This book was provided for review by Thomas Nelson Publishing.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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