Pollyanna, a girl who had impact!

One of my mum's favourite films is Pollyanna, and over the years it has become one of mine! (Like no joke any time it is on TV we have to watch it all!) But yeah so if any of you have ever watched you will know that Pollyanna is a special special little girl. A little girl who has grown up with little money to buy her new toys or new clothes and a little girl who lost both of her parents and was left orphaned. Even though she had been through all of this, Pollyanna found something to be glad about everyday. She didn't choose to sit in her strict Aunt's house and grumble about how unfortunate she was that she no longer had a mum and dad and how she had to move house and come to a place where she knew no-one. Pollyanna choose to find something to be thankful for and happy for each and everyday. And by doing this Pollyanna had an impact on the people around her and soften their hearts.

I think it is so easy for each and everyone of us to complain everyday. Whether it be that its too cold today, yet tomorrow when the sun is splitting the trees (highly unlikely I know but let's just go with it!) you'll be complaining that its too warm and you want some shade! Whether it be that you have to go to work after a hard day at school (This one is too common for me!)! It could be that you are too tired to do anything today! It could be that you have way too much revision to do and you don't have enough time to do it! I think this list could keep going but I'll save you from reading it all! And I have to say that I am one of the worst for this believe me ask any of my close friends (they're the ones that have to listen to me all the time!)! If you gave me a minute I could find about 100 things to complain about. But over the past little while I have been challenged to rethink about what I say and I have been challenged to stop complaining about the little things that annoy me!  

As I sit here writing this, I'm thinking to myself, "Jemma, if you said something good about your life as many times as you complained think how much better your days would be, how much better life!" As I sit here writing this blog I think to myself, there are so many people who are so much less fortunate than I am and yet they are so much more thankful than I am. 

Then I turn my thoughts to the Bible: there are so many examples of people in the Bible that were in such dark places yet they found so much to be thankful for. Let me take a minute to share some of them with you!!

Okay so first of all in Genesis we have Joseph! Okay so as the youngest of the family I can sort of sympathise with Joseph a little bit. Having two older brothers I have had my fair share of fights, insults and arguments thrown my way. But never in all my years of living with my brothers have I ever felt them get jealous of me or hate me so much that they wanted to kill me (well if they did, they did a good job of hiding it!)! You see Joseph's dad Jacob favoured Joseph. Joseph was the golden child, the one who could do no wrong in his father's eyes. This really annoyed his brothers (there were 12 of them by the way!)! In fact it annoyed his brothers so much that they took Joseph out to the middle of nowhere literally and were about to kill him but then thought it would be better to sell him to passing Ishmaelites!! So lets just think about Joseph's life here, he has been betrayed by his brothers who all hate him and have sold him to some randomers that were just passing by! I don;t know about you but if Andrew and Peter first of all hated me and then sold me to some passing strangers I tell you something I would be complaining the bit out!! I would choose not to see anything good about the situation!! What could be good about it Joseph's own family didn't love him and wanted rid of him! Yet, despite all of this Joseph kept serving the God he loved and kept worshipping him and praising him! How unreal is that!! You see Joseph realised that complaining about his situation would get him nowhere, and even though he couldn't see it then he had enough faith in God to know that God had a better plan for him! And God did have a much greater plan for him: Joseph became the 2nd in charge of Egypt and the tables flipped when his brothers came grovelling to him to him for food in the midst of a famine! (To check out the whole story look up Genesis 37 and onwards!)

Then there is Job. This man is such an example to all of us! God allowed Satan to destroy all of Job's livelihood, all his children, all his servants, his property and then allowed disease to fall upon Job. Satan hoped that by doing all of this he would tear Job away from God. But despite all of the hardship and pain and anguish that Job encountered never once did he turn his back on the God he loved, never once did he think about leaving the faith that he had. He knew that God loved him despite what was happening and didn't complain about his situation. Job even went onto say after all of his children had died, 

"The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord." (Job 1:21). Like think about that despite all the things he was going through he didn't complain or say why would God allow this to happen to me he said blessed be the name of the Lord. I think if we took a leaf out of Job's book and realised that no matter what we are going through , no matter how hard our life seems, God is in control and we need to praise his name.

Paul. This man endured so much torture and imprisonment and harassment because of the faith he had in God. But if we take a look at Philippians 4  we can see that Paul didn't waste his time complaining about the hardships in his life. To put these few verses into context, Paul is in prison guarded by many many Roman soldiers as he writes this letter to the church in Phillipi. He writes, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice" (Phil 4:4) and "...for I have learned to be content in all circumstances." (Phil 4:11). These verses blow my mind. While in jail Paul can still find parts of his life to rejoice in and is thankful. He is also content with the way his life is, even though he is sitting in a jail with no freedom to do anything he is content. I think if I was in Paul's shoes I would be grumbling under my breath and finding life a bore!! But not in Paul's eyes. 

I hope that by reading about these three men you will see that complaining about life actually will get you no where and 9 times out out 10 make that 10 times out of 10 it will make you feel worse about yourself and your situation. I think it is clear to see that by looking for the positives in life and finding something to be happy about or something to be thankful for will make us feel better about ourselves and will help us to be a witness to those around us. People will notice you and you may be able to soften the hearts of others like Pollyanna did!

To finish this off I thought I would list some of the things that I am thankful for:

1. My faith and the God who loves me! No matter how much I fail and fall away from Him, He will never leave me. The fact that He knows how my life is going to plan out! He is always one step ahead of me and is ready to guide me and protect me. I am very thankful for my own personal Bible that enables me to meet with God each day and learn more about Him and deepen my relationship with Him.

My Bible and Journal - These are tools which help deepen my relationship with my Heavenly Father

2. My Mum: She is an inspiration to me. She loves me and listens to me and helps me through the troubles that I face. She washes my clothes, tidies up after me and makes my lunch. She is my alarm clock in the morning (which is very important let me tell you!) Without her I would be lost. She is my best friend!

Me and my mum

3. My Dad: He is amazing (maybe I'm a little biased!) He provides for me. He looks out for me. He treats me like a princess. He loves me for who I am. He wants what is best for me. He makes me laugh. He continually puts others before him. He is amazing! (did I say that already??)

A very old photo, but the only one I can find with me and my dad

4. Andrew: This boy is cool! He is unreal at maths and can help me with mine which I am so thankful for. He is funny, very loud and very loving. He gives unreal hugs, he portrays Jesus in everything he does. He never conforms to what others want, he is himself all the time! He cares for me, is very protective of me! Oh and did I mention that he is going to be a teacher! #proudlittlesister

My oldest brother and me! 

5. Peter: This boy is hilarious! He never fails to make me laugh when he comes home at the weekend. He is unreal at sports, especially hockey. He is a true witness to others around him. He shines like a beacon for Jesus wherever he goes! He has a massive heart for those who don't know Jesus and reaches out to them. He is the stirrer in our house and knows how to push everyone's buttons, but I am thankful for that because it brings comedy relief into our house. Oh and did I mention he's going to be a physiotherapist in about a year and a half!

I think this photo perfectly sums up our relationship!

6.My family: There are awesome! I am so blessed to have a family that love me and accept me. To have cousins that I can laugh with and aunties and uncles that care about me. I am so thankful for a two nannies that look out for me and take care of me and who are two of the greatest woman that I know and for a granda that spoils me and takes care of me. And for another granda who is in heaven and I am so thankful that I will get to see him one day! 

One of my 'wee' cousins - So thankful for the time we get to spend together

7. My friends: there are so many of you that I am so thankful for. For the encouragement that you all are to me. For the laughs I can have with you all. For the memories that you all create. For the love and kindness that I am shown everyday. For the hugs I get from the people who like to give and receive hugs. For the ones who listen to me rant and rave. For the ones who know just how to make me smile. For the ones who are brutally honest to me. I am thankful for each and everyone of you.

My 3 besties - would be lost without them

8. Mullartown: this place is so special to me. I have created so many memories here over the past 12 years. I am so thankful for the life long friends that I have made here (You all know who you are!). For the counsellors that have led me and encouraged me in my walk with God. For the fun that I can have. For the time that I can take aside and solely spend with God without any distractions. For the chance that I have now to serve as a counsellor and help to point young people and families to Jesus. Yeah there are so many things that have happened here that I will never forget!

6 years ago I met these 2 girls at camp and now they are 2 of my closest friends

 9. My school/education: I love school! (yes I am a nerd!) There are some parts that I totally hate but yet as I write this I am so thankful for. I am so thankful for the bus that brings me there each morning. I am so thankful for the free breakfast club that I can go to each morning and get fuelled up for the day ahead. I am so thankful for all my friends and for the banter that we can have there. I am so thankful for the teachers that teach me and that they care about my education and want the best possible for me. I am so thankful for a Christian ethos and a Christian Principle to lead the school. I am so so so thankful for a Scripture Union and that we can have it and that we can reach out to our whole school. I am so thankful for the Christian teachers that help run that. I am so thankful that I have the opportunity to get an education and get the chance to learn new things each and every day

Just some of the people I get to spend 5 days a week with

And finally

10. Modern Technology: My phone, laptop, computer, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest. Even though my phone is terribly cracked and shattered I am so thankful that I have enough money to own a phone and run a phone and for the freedom that it gives me and the fact that it allows me to keep in contact with all my friends and family. For my laptop which allows me to write this blog and share with you and saves my hand from writing essays (2 of which I need to do after this sometime!). For all the social media sites that allow me to stay in contact with my friends across the water and allow me to listen to music and enjoy myself.

My poor little smashed phone - Although I've become attached this little smashed screen!

And that folks is just a few of the things I am thankful for. When I got to number 6 I was like I have so much more I could write but I thought I would save you eyes from reading anymore! Maybe I'll do like another blog sometime of all the little things that make me happy in my day, but we shall see!

As I finish this blog I want to encourage you to be a Pollyanna. Instead of saying and seeing how bad a situation is try and find something good in it. Be like Joseph and have enough faith in God that he has bigger and better plans for you. Be like Job and bless God's name at all times no matter what you are going through. Be like Paul and rejoice always no matter what life throws your way and remember to be content in all circumstances.

Hopefully this encourages you and challenges you as much as I have been through writing it and if you have any questions leave a comment or drop me a Facebook message! 

Wrote with love,
Jemma x

I'm not beautiful like you, I'm beautiful like me!!

"Oh my goodness, my hair's a mess, my face is covered in spots and I have nothing to wear! I cannot leave this house!" - Does this ring any bells??

If you're anything like me a statement like this will leave your mouth several times a day and dear knows how many times a week. Guys and girls alike both struggle with how they look and lack self confidence in their appearance! (Please correct me if I am wrong!) Image is such a big deal in our society! Everyone and everything around us is throwing us advice and telling us how we ought to look and what we are to wear! The media, our friends, celebrities, our parents, our siblings, our churches... the list just keeps on going. But have you ever taken a step back and thought about who's opinion really matters?? In the grand scheme of things how long will your 'perfect' image last for?? Cause let's face it, when you are ninety years old no amount of make up will hide away the wrinkles on your face and you'll probably be to frail and cold to wear the latest dress that has hit the high streets.

Image is a topic that has been on my heart for a while now and throughout the past week with all the no make-up selfies on Facebook and with different passages that have cropped up in my Bible readings I really felt like this is something that I needed to share with you all.

If any of you reading this have ever met me you know that I don't wear make-up. For those who don't know me there are several reasons why I don't wear; the main one is that I'm allergic to every single sort of make-up there is (having eczema is no fun let me tell ye!), another is that I like my sleep too much in the morning to get up and make time to put it on and then there is the thought of having to take it all off again at night!!The third reason is that I could not bring myself to spend so much money on it! (Yes I am a cheap skate!) Even though I don't wear make-up, as a 16 year old girl I still have so many insecurities about myself. Like this morning I wake up and, no joke, there must be about 20 spots on my face and I'm just like, "I cannot go out of the house like this what will people think!" But then I remember what I read in my Bible readings and different verses popped into my head. Here are juts a few:

Genesis 1:27 : "So God created human beings in His own image." - As I thought about this one I was like, do you know what God has created me in His image, that means that I am not to worry how I look because God cared so much about me and loved me so much that He created me just like Him. Isn't that class to think about: the creator of the whole entire universe would chose to make a tiny, insignificant person in his image. He could've chose to make any animal like Him but he chose us, the humans.

Psalm 139:13-14 : " For you created my inmost being;  you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;  your works are wonderful, I know that full well." - In GB (Girls' Brigade) this year these few verses were are theme verses. I think they are absolutely class. Think about this, before your mum even found out she was expecting you, God was knitting you together. He took the time to make each and everyone of us different and unique. If you are ever self concious over how you look or worried about what other people will think of how you look just remember that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. No part of you is an accident. God made you just they way he wanted you to be and you are perfect in his sight. And nothing that God made is bad or ugly. It is good and beautiful!! Whoever you are, you are good and you are beautiful!! At a girl's Bible study that I am now helping to lead, we studied image and we all got a picture of a model from a magazine. On that picture was a sticky note that sad exactly what the title of this blog says, "I'm not beautiful like you, I'm beautiful like me!" Next time you go to compare yourself to somebody else just remember that you are beautiful just the way you are, you are unique and no one else can be like you. 

Ecclesiastes 3:11 : "Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time."- I actually only found this verse this morning while I was in church and it was at the bottom of the page in my notebook. But if you actually take time to think about this God has made everything beautiful. You might not feel it but you are, believe me!

The last verse that has helped me is: 1 Peter 3:3-4 : "Don't be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewellery or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle quiet spirit, which is so precious to God." - This verse is sort of like a motto verse for life for me. I think so many times (especially girls) we can get bogged down in the way our hair is sitting, the newest fashion trends out on the high streets or whether our clothes are from Hollister, Jack Wills or Primark. I get bogged down with these things as well, but by doing this we are conforming to the world and are worried about what the world thinks of us and how we look. But lets face it some day none of these things will matter, there will come a day when we will die and we will have to stand before God and whether or not we have a dress from Hollister or a Jack Wills hoody will matter. In this world we should be trying to have a loving heart, a compassion for others around us, a friendly smile, and a gentle spirit that can come before God and pray to Him. Those are the things that really matter. Please don't get me wrong I love clothes, I love shopping and I have lots of stuff that are brands but as you have read through this blog I hope I have in some way shown you that outward beauty will not last, inner beauty is what matters!! 

Here are just a few pictures of some of the girls who I get the privilege of calling friend and who are genuinely some of the most beautiful girls I know! They have the real beauty that comes from within:

This girl is like a big sister! She has such a compassionate heart and I love her very much

These two girls are two of my very favourite!(One of them is up above for those who didn't notice!) They are so encouraging, so loving and so Godly! I admire them

We might of been together for only a week but this girl makes me laugh so much and has such a lovely heart!

My camp girlies, so faithful and full of God's love and so encouraging!

This girl puts up with so many of my silly selfies I thought she deserved a nicer picture too...

I don't know what I would do without this girl, my ginger, my best friend and the one girl who can make me laugh without fail

This girly is such an encourager and a great laugh! She understands me and looks out for me! 

After  9 years of friendship this girl deserves a medal! She has had to listen to me and deal with all my different moods but she is still here and is one of best friends!

My faithful sidekick... This girl is one in a million and never fails to put a smile on my face! 

This girl listens to everything I have to say and she still loves me and cares for me she is amazing and doesn't know it half of the time!

My YF girlies, these girls are banterful and so loving and know how to lift my spirits...

This is my no make-up selfie but as I don't where makeup I decided to dress up as Kermit

I hope in some way I have helped to enlighten you on what real beauty is and I hope in some way I have encouraged you!! If you have any questions or comments leave them below or if you know me drop me a message on Facebook I would honestly love to chat to you if you have questions!! Also if anybody wants any prayer for anything throw your requests my way!! Can I also point out I am not perfect and I fail all the time, so if you read this and think that I think that I am in some way better than you, I do not think that way I struggle as much as you do let me assure you but I just feel like image is an issue that effects everyone and I hope by readin this you have seen that the 'perfect' image and beauty comes from within!

Wrote with love, 

Jemma x

Introductions First...

Okay so I'm new at this please forgive me if I make a fool of myself or do something terribly stupid!

And now with that over lets get to the heart of this blog post... an introduction to me!
My name is Jemma, I'm 16 and I live in a village named Annalong! I go to school and am currently working towards AS Levels in Maths, Biology, Psychology and Religious Education. They are lots of fun let me tell you! ;) I play the piano, I like to sing, I love musicals, I love books especially anything written by Karen Kingsbury! Ehhhh, I like to talk as anybody who knows me will know! Oh and I work in a chemist, just in case you were wondering!

I have two older brothers (yes I am the baby and take full advantage of this privilege!), Andrew and Peter that are incredibly annoying yet I love them very very much (picture inserted below of the glorious threesome). Without these two boys I would be lost! (Excuse the cheese!)

However, the fact is for the majority of the week I am an only child as the two boyos skive away off to uni! So yeah during the week its just me, my mummy and my daddy at home and I also love them a lot as well! My mum is one of my bestest friends, the one person who I can talk to about anything and who will listen to me no matter what mood I am in and for that I am very thankful! Then there is my dad! He is a legend! A man who loves all of his family with all his heart and has a huge heart for all those around him as well!

And that my friends and whoever else is taking time to read this is an introduction to my crazy, yet loveable family!

The Gordon trio

This is the woman who I get to call mum! 

The whole family together!

There is one thing I forgot to mention above that is a huge part of my life! I am a follower of Jesus Christ! Living life with Him as my companion is one of the most exciting journeys I have ever taken!! It's not always easy, I slip up so many times a day that I lose count and I am in no way perfect... But each day I try to become more like Him in the way I live life. And primarily this is why I have created this blog, to encourage anyone who happens to read it! God has laid it on my heart to share with you all different thoughts that He has given me and I hope that as you read this you will be encouraged and enlightened on what Christianity is all about. 

So yeah thank you all for taking time to read this little post about me and hopefully I will be back soon to record some of my thoughts and what life is throwing me at the moment!

Wrote with Love, 

Jemma