Where's Arlinda?

See what had happened was.. Sometime during the month of April, I was at Tuesday Night Bible Study and my mind went straight into planning mode, while listening to Pastor Mike preach.  I thought about teaching Esther and incorporating a playlist and an impromptu fashion show. It was all in my in head though. I wasn't sure what the plan was for Final Fridays, nor was I going to ask because I'm low key but that night I went home and wrote it all out. I couldn't sleep until it was completed.

What is Final Fridays?

Final Fridays was created for women at Light of the World Church to come together to study God's Word and to fellowship. It's open to all women and it's a really cool moment for women to fellowship and to connect with each other.

So about a week ago, it was actually the last Tuesday in April. It's the end of Bible Study and Pastor Mike is wrapping up. I'm sitting with Enjoli and behind Shavonne, which was a hilarious moment within itself. All of a sudden my pastor starts giving the run down for the rest of the week and he says, "Where's Arlinda?" Then he goes on to say that the women will be meeting on Friday. I sat there with this blank stare as my friend laughed at me. 

Where's Arlinda? She's sitting here trying to go unnoticed. That's where she is. Well, that's where she was because I knew that at some point I had to operate in what God has created me for. I guess it's time out for sitting on the sideline. It's one thing to say it or post it on social media. It's a whole nother thing to actually walk in it. 

I had actually created the layout for this Final Friday on April 9. I simply went to my document and brought it to life in like four days. Can I tell you something? It. Felt. So. Good. It felt good to get the creative juices flowing and it felt good doing what pleases God. 

Everything from the initial plan, to the flyer, the handout, the PowerPoint, and the gifts just came to me after I prayed over it. I kept hearing God say, "Operate in excellence. I know you're afraid but do it anyway." 

So on April 27, 2019 I stepped out of my comfort zone and stepped into my purpose. Years ago I was listening to Pastor Michael Beckwith discuss unfolding. Many statements stood out to me but one I feel like I'm truly living out, "Pain pushes until the vision pulls". Could it be that all of the pain that I endured over the past 5 months was for God to get me where He wanted me? Wouldn't that be a part of all things working together. God's vision for me is way bigger than the one that I have for myself. 

So, where's Arlinda now? Healing, taking care of herself and her family, reading good books, waiting on those things that God has for me and planning for the next Final Friday.

For who knows, maybe I was created for such a time as this. 

I learned how to use Keynote and that I need a new adapter. lol

These crowns were perfect to display as we studied about Esther.