Monday, November 30, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
love love love
So can I just say Im so in love with God right now -its crazy! Let me explain,
So since I arrived here, some of you might know that Ive had a bit of a rough time...to say the least. In fact, I can safely say that the last 7 weeks have been the toughest of my life on a personal level. BUT - thanks to the amazing God we serve and love, I now have an amazing testimony to tell of his faithfullness and how looking back even over the last little while I can see his hand directing my steps, his eyes on everything we touched and his love for me is so clear.
Let me give some examples.
1) My Job - I arrived in Dubai and despite the economic doom and gloom surrounding us was offered a job on my fourth day. I accepted it and although it was far from pleasant and I really struggled - I believe that God knew I needed to be kept busy, and instead of me staying at home pining for NZ , he gave me a place to work that I was able to have lots of free time in to email friends and family and earn some good money for a month. Then, the day before I left that job he orchestrated the job I had wanted first to come back to me and offer me a one month contract which is what Im doing now!
2) Our house - Why God decided to put us in Hor Al Anz I thought I had no idea, but on looking at it now I can see that we have HUGE benfits to living here like its cheap! Our number one reason for wanting to move her and we are super close to the city and 5 min from the beach. I was always comparing myself with the other apartments in different areas and I can honestly say that Im so grateful God put us in this little suburb. We have x2 malls open till midnight eveyr night on our doorstep - what more can a girl ask for.
3) Our car - although its not something I would naturally choose or ever want to look at, I now know after living here for 7 weeks that a small red car is a blessing in disguise. Red is such a stand out colour (especially our red) and the car is easy to spot and after living here for more than 5minutes I can see how that is hugely beneficial. Traffic here and changing lanes is slightly more than a challenge and I am so glad our cute red car stands out. The horn is powerful and the air con works! Also - its super cheap to fill up, being so small.
4) The Natives - :) aka the people that live here in Dubai. To be honest before I moved here, the Pakistani, Syrian, Iranian, Middle Eastern Arabs were the people I was most scared of in this world. Now, Im learning Arabic!!! Its nuts. The media does so much to distort our view of these people that are just. like. us. They all have families, they all experience tiredness, lonliness and hurt. We all bleed the same. We are all brothers and sisters on this gigantic planet of ours. And although there are some extreme cases I am blown away by how my opinion has totally changed of the Middle East. I feel so safe here, taxi drivers are more than happy to share their life story as we sit in traffic together and I am so grateful that God is breaking down that wall of fear over this area in my life.
5) Last but not least, I want to mention something so cool that happened the other week. im being as honest and upfront as possible becuase I hope that you can be encouraged as you read it that God is alive and well and the church of Jesus Christ is stronger than ever! I had a bit of an emotional meltdown, probably my lowest point here in Dubai. Actually, yes it was for sure. Anyways, so the mini background to it was that I had been feeling like there was a black sheet/ a black veil over me. Every now and then their would be a pin prick of light break through and I would see the light, meaning I felt hope for the future ahead. Each day I would wake up feeling sick to my stomach, nervous, ill with fear, nerves and anxiousness. And I could NOT stop it, I had tried almost everything possible. Anyways, that morning someone spoke a 'word' at church about how God wanted to 'lift the darkness' and I knew that this was something I so wanted! Yet that night I had this huge meltdown, I had worked myself into quite a state and we had a knock on the door. I know, nothing unusal right, but it was our friend inviting us to a party and It was like this immediate crash back to reality knowing that he was in the next room and I could not continue my meltdown with him next door. So i did what any self respecting girl would do, got dressed, put on makeup and came out to him and Tim chatting, dressed to the nines like nothing had happened and went to the party. Much to Tims disbelief I might add. Anyways, while he was in the room, I felt God give me a song - a song I love - its called At the Cross and the chorus says " you tore the veil, you made a way, when you said that it is done". The verse says "Oh Lord You've searched me You know my way Even when I fail You I know You love me. Your holy presence Surrounding me In every season I know You love me I know You love me.
Of course in a different context for me..it just cut straight to my heart and I can honestly say that from that moment it was like the veil was torn over me and I came out of the room a different girl. PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!
All of my life, in every season I have a reason to sing. I have a reason to worship.
xo helen
So since I arrived here, some of you might know that Ive had a bit of a rough time...to say the least. In fact, I can safely say that the last 7 weeks have been the toughest of my life on a personal level. BUT - thanks to the amazing God we serve and love, I now have an amazing testimony to tell of his faithfullness and how looking back even over the last little while I can see his hand directing my steps, his eyes on everything we touched and his love for me is so clear.
Let me give some examples.
1) My Job - I arrived in Dubai and despite the economic doom and gloom surrounding us was offered a job on my fourth day. I accepted it and although it was far from pleasant and I really struggled - I believe that God knew I needed to be kept busy, and instead of me staying at home pining for NZ , he gave me a place to work that I was able to have lots of free time in to email friends and family and earn some good money for a month. Then, the day before I left that job he orchestrated the job I had wanted first to come back to me and offer me a one month contract which is what Im doing now!
2) Our house - Why God decided to put us in Hor Al Anz I thought I had no idea, but on looking at it now I can see that we have HUGE benfits to living here like its cheap! Our number one reason for wanting to move her and we are super close to the city and 5 min from the beach. I was always comparing myself with the other apartments in different areas and I can honestly say that Im so grateful God put us in this little suburb. We have x2 malls open till midnight eveyr night on our doorstep - what more can a girl ask for.
3) Our car - although its not something I would naturally choose or ever want to look at, I now know after living here for 7 weeks that a small red car is a blessing in disguise. Red is such a stand out colour (especially our red) and the car is easy to spot and after living here for more than 5minutes I can see how that is hugely beneficial. Traffic here and changing lanes is slightly more than a challenge and I am so glad our cute red car stands out. The horn is powerful and the air con works! Also - its super cheap to fill up, being so small.
4) The Natives - :) aka the people that live here in Dubai. To be honest before I moved here, the Pakistani, Syrian, Iranian, Middle Eastern Arabs were the people I was most scared of in this world. Now, Im learning Arabic!!! Its nuts. The media does so much to distort our view of these people that are just. like. us. They all have families, they all experience tiredness, lonliness and hurt. We all bleed the same. We are all brothers and sisters on this gigantic planet of ours. And although there are some extreme cases I am blown away by how my opinion has totally changed of the Middle East. I feel so safe here, taxi drivers are more than happy to share their life story as we sit in traffic together and I am so grateful that God is breaking down that wall of fear over this area in my life.
5) Last but not least, I want to mention something so cool that happened the other week. im being as honest and upfront as possible becuase I hope that you can be encouraged as you read it that God is alive and well and the church of Jesus Christ is stronger than ever! I had a bit of an emotional meltdown, probably my lowest point here in Dubai. Actually, yes it was for sure. Anyways, so the mini background to it was that I had been feeling like there was a black sheet/ a black veil over me. Every now and then their would be a pin prick of light break through and I would see the light, meaning I felt hope for the future ahead. Each day I would wake up feeling sick to my stomach, nervous, ill with fear, nerves and anxiousness. And I could NOT stop it, I had tried almost everything possible. Anyways, that morning someone spoke a 'word' at church about how God wanted to 'lift the darkness' and I knew that this was something I so wanted! Yet that night I had this huge meltdown, I had worked myself into quite a state and we had a knock on the door. I know, nothing unusal right, but it was our friend inviting us to a party and It was like this immediate crash back to reality knowing that he was in the next room and I could not continue my meltdown with him next door. So i did what any self respecting girl would do, got dressed, put on makeup and came out to him and Tim chatting, dressed to the nines like nothing had happened and went to the party. Much to Tims disbelief I might add. Anyways, while he was in the room, I felt God give me a song - a song I love - its called At the Cross and the chorus says " you tore the veil, you made a way, when you said that it is done". The verse says "Oh Lord You've searched me You know my way Even when I fail You I know You love me. Your holy presence Surrounding me In every season I know You love me I know You love me.
Of course in a different context for me..it just cut straight to my heart and I can honestly say that from that moment it was like the veil was torn over me and I came out of the room a different girl. PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!
All of my life, in every season I have a reason to sing. I have a reason to worship.
xo helen
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Secret Squirrel
This is my secret blog post for you miss jojo...:) thinking of you today at Pauanui and thinking this is similar to the area on the grass where we sat sunbathing last summer under the trees..easily do-able and very simple...
Friday, October 2, 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7deClndzQw
i love this video clip. dont really know how to explain it but something about it is incredibly beautiful and Im fascinated by it.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Dubai as I know it...
Well, in honour of it being two days short of our one month here in Dubai I have decided I am now totally qualified to speak on the subject of Dubai. :)
We arrived here from New Zealand on August 13th after a 24 hour flight that was exhausting and emotional. My first memory of what Dubai would be like is when we boarded our connecting flight from Singapore to Dubai and I was one of three white females on the plane. We were surrounded by men from Saudi Arabia and women in full burkas and upon landing the heat felt like I had stepped into an oven. We were met by a man who did not speak English and taken 10minutes down the road to our new 'home' for the moment - in a suburb called Hor Al Anz...no guesses as to the type of suburb we might live in. Where most Western married couples would stay in ...lets say Mirdif (a upper class suburb with all the familiar sights and sounds)..God deemed it right for Tim and I to live in the middle of Dubai along with the locals on a busy street filled with prayer calls, falafels for $1.20NZ, dairys galore, taxis,construction sites, cranes, dust and all the burkas a girl like me could see to make her feel more than a little out of her comfort zone. Suddenly my little Cotton On dress from Botany felt a tad inappropriate!
Its funny you know, living in a city like Dubai, there are so many things that make me laugh every day...Whether its trying to find sour cream and being given shower cream or looking for photo frames and taken to the pompadons isle - this place is bound to make you laugh. I have now been driven by a taxi driver 150km along Sheik Zayhed Road, been forced to listen to preaching from a Muslim in a taxi, lost my phone in a taxi and had a miracle happen where he brought it back to me 5 hours later and gotten into a fight with a taxi driver. Honestly they are hilarious! Every one chats away if you get them talking, and some even put English music on for me and turn up the bass because they think I like that....embarassing I know!
I think the thing I find most fascinating about Dubai is the contrast.The shiny,clean and so impressive malls with every modern convienience and toy for thousands of dollars versus the street stalls selling sharwmas for $6NZ that even Tim cant finish. The stark contrast between the working class labourers and taxi drivers working 7 days a week, 12 hours a day versus the wealth and opulence of the Palm Jumierah and the worlds only 7 star hotel. Dubai prides itself in being the biggest and best and I love how Colin Powell describes Dubai as this city that just grew up out of the desert and before we knew it Dubai had exploded into the worlds conscieousness. From the golf course in the sky, to the worlds tallest building, once you have been here you willl understand the absolute human feat it is to build on what is really one gigantic sandpit.
I am looking forward with great expecatations as to what God has in store for us here. We have met some good friends and are starting to feel more comfortable as each day goes by. I have personally found moving here a huge challenge - whether its Ramadan and the fact that we have prayer calls broadcast over a huge speaker outside our house that keeps us awake from 12-2am and 4.30-5 or whether its just the fact that I am different to most people here, I dont know... But all I do know for certain is that there is an amazing, loving, caring God in heaven who has placed me here for this season and knows I can handle it. Im growing closer to Tim, Im learning about a whole other culture I have previously been frightened of and Im having to rely on God in a bigger way than ever before. This season has really thrown me a curveball. Its so different to anything I have ever known.We are in the middle east!! Each day Im emailing my closest friends and family and they are such a blessing. They are Gods hands and feet on this earth and for me right now, their hands writing emails is what gives me something to smile about each day. My prayer is that God would dispel my fears, nerves and anxious spirit and replace it with his peace, assurance and insight.
Next blog subject...adoption. xo
love, helen
We arrived here from New Zealand on August 13th after a 24 hour flight that was exhausting and emotional. My first memory of what Dubai would be like is when we boarded our connecting flight from Singapore to Dubai and I was one of three white females on the plane. We were surrounded by men from Saudi Arabia and women in full burkas and upon landing the heat felt like I had stepped into an oven. We were met by a man who did not speak English and taken 10minutes down the road to our new 'home' for the moment - in a suburb called Hor Al Anz...no guesses as to the type of suburb we might live in. Where most Western married couples would stay in ...lets say Mirdif (a upper class suburb with all the familiar sights and sounds)..God deemed it right for Tim and I to live in the middle of Dubai along with the locals on a busy street filled with prayer calls, falafels for $1.20NZ, dairys galore, taxis,construction sites, cranes, dust and all the burkas a girl like me could see to make her feel more than a little out of her comfort zone. Suddenly my little Cotton On dress from Botany felt a tad inappropriate!
Its funny you know, living in a city like Dubai, there are so many things that make me laugh every day...Whether its trying to find sour cream and being given shower cream or looking for photo frames and taken to the pompadons isle - this place is bound to make you laugh. I have now been driven by a taxi driver 150km along Sheik Zayhed Road, been forced to listen to preaching from a Muslim in a taxi, lost my phone in a taxi and had a miracle happen where he brought it back to me 5 hours later and gotten into a fight with a taxi driver. Honestly they are hilarious! Every one chats away if you get them talking, and some even put English music on for me and turn up the bass because they think I like that....embarassing I know!
I think the thing I find most fascinating about Dubai is the contrast.The shiny,clean and so impressive malls with every modern convienience and toy for thousands of dollars versus the street stalls selling sharwmas for $6NZ that even Tim cant finish. The stark contrast between the working class labourers and taxi drivers working 7 days a week, 12 hours a day versus the wealth and opulence of the Palm Jumierah and the worlds only 7 star hotel. Dubai prides itself in being the biggest and best and I love how Colin Powell describes Dubai as this city that just grew up out of the desert and before we knew it Dubai had exploded into the worlds conscieousness. From the golf course in the sky, to the worlds tallest building, once you have been here you willl understand the absolute human feat it is to build on what is really one gigantic sandpit.
I am looking forward with great expecatations as to what God has in store for us here. We have met some good friends and are starting to feel more comfortable as each day goes by. I have personally found moving here a huge challenge - whether its Ramadan and the fact that we have prayer calls broadcast over a huge speaker outside our house that keeps us awake from 12-2am and 4.30-5 or whether its just the fact that I am different to most people here, I dont know... But all I do know for certain is that there is an amazing, loving, caring God in heaven who has placed me here for this season and knows I can handle it. Im growing closer to Tim, Im learning about a whole other culture I have previously been frightened of and Im having to rely on God in a bigger way than ever before. This season has really thrown me a curveball. Its so different to anything I have ever known.We are in the middle east!! Each day Im emailing my closest friends and family and they are such a blessing. They are Gods hands and feet on this earth and for me right now, their hands writing emails is what gives me something to smile about each day. My prayer is that God would dispel my fears, nerves and anxious spirit and replace it with his peace, assurance and insight.
Next blog subject...adoption. xo
love, helen
Thursday, August 27, 2009
beautiful
So there is this one blog that I look at like EVERYDAY and it inspires me so much.
This is from that...
my new favourite songs
These are my top 3 Favourite Songs at the moment...
You dance over me while I am unaware.You sing all around but I never hear the sound(chorus)Lord I'm amazed by YouLord I'm amazed by YouLord I'm amazed by YouAnd how You love me(verse 2)You paint the morning sky with miracles in mindMy hope will always standFor You hold me in Your hand(bridge)How deep how wideHow great is Your love for me .
Check it out : Lincoln Brewster - lord Im amazed by you
AND Hillsong - Faith Hope Love Album - you are the first and the last
You are the First and the Last Beginning and the End The promise of wonders to come The future is in Your hands Caught in the light with all the earth we will sing Verse 2: You are the Author of love Our freedom is in Your name Embracing the crossment for us And bought us to life again Caught in the love with all we are let us sing Chorus: God our hope and our salvation Worthy of all the praise Be our light everlasting Great is Your name Jesus the First and the Last Verse 3: Show us the way of Your love Lead us towards the truth Stir up the fire in us To live out this life for you Caught in Your name Jesus forever we’ll sing Bridge: Every heart every nation will hear the sound As your light breaks through the darkness And Your name rings out Every distant horizon will meet as one Singing holy is Your name We sing holy is Your name. Ending: You are the First and the Last You are, You’re the Alpha and Omega The Beginning and the End Our salvation You bring freedom God Your grace it knows no end You’re the name above all names The Lamb that was Slain You are Yeah, the First and the Last You are the First and the Last
AND Colby Callait - Think Im falling for you. (reminds me of how I felt when Tim and I first got together...
I don’t know but I think I maybe Fallin’ for you Dropping so quickly Maybe I should Keep this to myselfWaiting ’til IKnow you better I am tryingNot to tell youBut I want toI’m scared of what you’ll saySo I’m hiding what I’m feelingBut I’m tired ofHolding this inside my head
I’ve been spending all my timeJust thinking about yaI don’t know what to doI think I’m fallin’ for youI’ve been waiting all my lifeand now I found yaI don’t know what to doI think I’m fallin’ for youI’m fallin’ for you As I’m standing hereAnd you hold my handPull me towards youAnd we start to danceAll around usI see nobodyHere in silenceIt’s just you and me
I’ve been spending all my timeJust thinking about yaI don’t know what to doI think I’m fallin’ for youI’ve been waiting all my lifeand now I found yaI don’t know what to doI think I’m fallin’ for youI’m fallin’ for you As I’m standing hereAnd you hold my handPull me towards youAnd we start to danceAll around usI see nobodyHere in silenceIt’s just you and me
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Numero Uno
I've always wanted to start a blog. Well, actually the desire only started to spring up about a month ago, when we moved. To Dubai. in The Middle East...
So we've been living here bang on two weeks today and I really wanted to have my own little place on this massive world wide web where I could have an electronic copy of life as I know it.
So let me tell you a bit about me, my name is Helen Manson and I am a 23 (almost 24 in a weeks time) year old young lady with a beautiful husband called Tim (photos to come) and a fabulous family with three younger brothers, a mum, dad and the best friends a girl could wish for.
I was born in 1985 in Auckland New Zealand and moved to California when I was 7 years old. We left there as a family when I was 13 but I still consider most of my childhood to be cemented in the beautiful Californian sun and the hospitable American Culture. We then moved to Sydney and I lived there until I was 15 years old. I loved living in Sydney, the people, the accent, the shopping, and I think I love it most of all because thats where I met my best friend Sarah. We then left Sydney and moved back home to NZ.
Why did we move around so much? Well, that brings me to my next defining characteristic. God.
I grew up in a loving Christian home with pastors for parents. We are from the AOG (Assemblies Of God) side of the fence and my parents current church is called Newhope Community Church, based in Botany, Auckland, NZ and a Saddleback Church Plant. I have loved being planted in the house of God my whole life long - its so cool to look back on your life and see a pattern of being cared for, comforted and protected by the God of this universe. But more on that later.
After finishing up High School, I attended University and recieved a Bachelor of Communication Studies, I majored in PR and Advertising Creativity. My other interests include photography, interior design, decorating, shopping, fashion and womens conferences...little bit random..but hey!
My husband Tim and I met when we were introduced by the always Beautiful and constant figure in my life JO! Ill upload our engagment story a bit later, but lets just say that Tim is the most amazing, loving, peaceful, caring and gorgeous man on this planet. I know, I know.... its like im smitten, but I honestly am. He is the one person on this planet that I love more than anything and I am eternally grateful to God for giving him to me.
Anyways, Im off - all this writing has got my eyes going slightly cross-eyed.
Looking forward to a long, fruitful relationship between you (this blog) and me (the writer) :)
xOXo helen
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