God is up to something-nothing just happens.

My desire to blog was null and void, last year. I haven't really sat down to think about why, but as I type it's all kind of coming to me.......

Last year, my mind was all over the place and far from blogging. I felt defeated, confused, betrayed, emotionally drained and most of all heartbroken. Talk about being mentally worn thin and spiritually challenged. I didn't feel this way the entire year, but for the majority of it. Usually, I try not to cave in, but sometimes people and issues get the best of us. I hate to give sob stories, so I won't elaborate too much, but boy, WHAT-A-YEAR! 

The funny or maybe good thing about me is that I am genuinely a happy person and it takes a lot to break me. Even in my darkest hour- I still find reasons to smile and thank GOD. Yes, last year was tough, extremely tough, but I'm okay. I survived. I realize that GOD never gives us more than we can handle. HE also gives HIS greatest test and challenges to HIS strongest children- I'd like to believe I am one of them.

I don't know what 2013 holds and the obstacles I will face, but I say BRING IT! I'm ready. I've made a promise to myself to do things this year I will thank myself for later. I have my goals in place and I am 150% positive I will reach EVERY-SINGLE-ONE.

It's day 25 into the New Year and things are already changing. I did two of the hardest things I didn't want to do this year and might I add, both brought sleepless nights and tears to my eyes, but sometimes in order to grow-we've got to let go.

I've never felt this certain in my life that this will be an excellent year.

I remember  when I started this blog in 2008, three months after I moved to Japan. Man, life-in-Japan. I remember those days. It took a lot for my best friend to convince me to start blogging, but I'm glad I did. It's been fun and a great way to keep up with memories, thoughts, and dreams. However, with the start of new things to come this year, I have decided to say goodbye to Ladyelly.blogspot.com. I have created a new blog that will remain private for now. I promise in due time though, I will share the name with you all, in one last post. I hope you understand.

I will end here and say I wish you ALL the best this year. I look forward to YOU joining me soon, as I embark on the next chapters of my life.

Love, 
LadyElly xx

***check back later for new blog link***

A Page From My Journal.......

Not sure who or where I got this quote from, but I found it in one of my old journals and thought it worthy to share with you.

Travel Fantasies

A few years ago, while watching the Today Show (favorite morning news), during Matt Lauer's yearly segment "Where in the World is Matt Lauer?" he visited Cape Town in South Africa. I new instantly after watching the show this would be a place that I have to visit one day.
Breathtaking.

 I know you're probably thinking what-in-the-world?. The truth is, I am fascinated with the wonders of the world.

When I was in living in Japan, I was invited to travel to Thailand. However, it was during the same time I was going to Hiroshima for the weekend. It is now on my bucket list of places to go visit.

Ohhhh Saint Lucia!! I've heard a lot about you and you've peeked my interest.

Dubai!! Do I really need explain my fascination with this city. They have the tallest structures in the world, man-made islands and some of the largest malls- who wouldn't want to take a trip here. 

Paris, France-the city of fashion and romance. I'm there!

I'd give anything to go see the Pyramids at Giza. Throw me on a camel and lets ride out. Okay, maybe after everything has calmed down out there.

I Need This in My Life

“What” and “if”— two words as nonthreatening as words come. But put them together side-by-side, and they have the power to haunt you for the rest of your life: “What if…”

NYC Ballet

Thankful!

Stop looking at how far you have to go, and take a look at how far you've already come.

One Day.......NOT NOW!

Modern Mommy Diaper Bag.....

This is so me.  I'd never carry one of those ugly traditional baby bags.

Smokey Eye

I feel like playing in eye makeup tonight....

Thank God for Post-Its

My life memory saver...........

"Everything you want is on the other side of fear."

"True forgiveness is thanking that person for that experience. Every experience has a gift in it"

Extremely Long Sigh......

Although things happen for a reason, sometimes it would be nice to understand what the reason is.

What are you expecting in life?

God usually meets us at our level of expectancy. That's why, in many ways, your expectations will set the boundaries for your life. Jesus said, "According to your faith...be it done to you." One translation puts it simply, "Become what you believe".

Are you anticipating good things or bad things, significance or mediocrity? Don't allow your circumstances or feelings to dull your enthusiasm for life and imprison you in a negative frame of mind. Start today, expect things to change in your favor. Expect to experience the goodness of God!

~Joel Osteen

Growth

In life we are constantly being challenged by God. There is always a lesson to be learned in every GOOD or BAD situation. I think God puts us through test to prepare us for our next chapter in life. I know a few people, myself included, that have been stuck on the same chapter for what feels like an eternity. I have come to conclude that maybe, just maybe, it is because we have not finished taking all the chapter test OR we keep failing the test we are given over and over again. If the latter is true, we clearly have not learned our lesson.

In school, if you perform poorly on exams you have not proven to the teacher you understand the lessons being taught. The same applies to the test God gives us. If we keep failing, he will continue to test us, until the lesson is learned.

“Learning without reflection is a waste, reflection without learning is dangerous.”
                                                                                                            Confucius

Aristotle said:

 “Whatever we learn to do, we learn by actually doing it; men come to be builders, for instance, by building, and harp players by playing the harp. In the same way, by doing just acts we come to be just; by doing self-controlled acts, we come to be self-controlled; and by doing brave acts, we become brave.”

I Am Officially on Another Journey

A debt diet....

On Sunday, I cut up every single credit card that I own. Yep. Finished. Done. No more. Fah-nee-toe. I refuse to spend my entire life paying down credit cards and bills upon bills. If I can't buy it with my debit card, then clearly I CAN'T AFFORD IT!!

Cheers to a debt free lifestyle!!

Did you miss me?

LET'S GET STARTED BECAUSE......

Breathtaking

Having a Bad Case of the Mondays!!

Good Sunday Morning!!

Went to bed early last night and now I'm wide awake ready to start my day.


Time to make some tea.....

If Only....