Becoming

 Me: Hey God.

God: Hello, my love. 

Me: I'm falling apart. 

Can you put me back together?

God: I would rather not. 

Me: Why?

God: Because you aren't a puzzle.  

Me: What about all of the pieces of my life that are falling down onto the ground?  

God: Let them stay there for a while.  They fell off for a reason. 

Take some time and decide if you need any of those pieces back.  

Me: You don't understand!  I'm breaking down!  

God: No - you don't understand. 

You are breaking through.  

What you are feeling are just growing pains. 

You are shedding the things and the people in your life that are holding you back.  

You aren't falling apart.  

You are falling into place.  

Relax.  

Take some deep breaths and allow those things you don't need anymore to fall off of you.  

Quit holding onto the pieces that don't fit you anymore.  

Let them fall off.  

Let them go. 

Me: Once I start doing that, what will be left of me?  

God: Only the very best pieces of you.  

Me: I'm scared of changing.

God: I keep telling you - YOU AREN'T CHANGING!! YOU ARE BECOMING!

Me: Becoming who?

God: Becoming who I created you to be!  

A person of light and love and charity and hope and courage and joy and mercy and grace and compassion.  

I made you for more than the shallow pieces you have decided adorn yourself with that you cling to with such greed and fear.  

Let those things fall off of you.  

I love you! Don't change! Become!  Become! Become!  

Become who I made you to be.  

I'm going to keep telling you this until you remember it. 

Me: There goes another piece.  

God: Yep. Let it be.

Me: So...I'm not broken? 

God: No - but you are breaking like the dawn.  It's a new day.  Become!! Become!!

Author ~ John Roedel

This reminds me of how a Caterpillar transforms into a butterfly. 

Reflections on the last 18months 2020/2021

 Reflecting on what I have been involved with over the last 18months - speaking on racism, at rallies, in the classroom etc. exploring the place and space for women of colour in the UK and in Scottish Education, sharing my story, empowering and being empowered, fundraising , teaching, litter picking in the community, mourning the loss of family to Covid , supporting and being supported through difficulties compounded by COVID-19. Success and failures along the way. Finding myself once again at a crossroads wondering what is it that is going to feed my soul and what should should I be pouring energy and soul into. Earlier in the year I was writing a press release about my journey in the Africa UK Pageants & Empowerment Programmes and included a reference to Ester in the Bible which I ended taking out .....now I wonder what happened to Ester afterwards the story does not say. I think of another story of about what happened on Mount Carmel and afterwards the person in story after achieving miracles was lost and even sacred - maybe in our language depressed, his story does go on and after rest, food and encounter with God he receives another "mission" another challenge. This is where I am finding myself at this moment in time. I am beginning to open up and ask where to next , what opportunity do i need to either create or step into. There is no need to rush , now is my time to hold my tongue , observe, contemplate and prepare myself.

"There's a time to hold your tongue

Time to keep your head down

There's a time but it's not now

Sometimes you gotta go uninvited

Sometimes you gotta speak

When you don't have the floor

Sometimes you gotta move

When everybody else says you should stay

No way, no, not today

You gotta ask if you want an answer

Sometimes you gotta stand apart from the crowd

Long before your heart could run the risk

You were born for this, hey

You were born for this"

Mandisa

#iampurposeful #MrsCharityUK2021 #missmrsafricauk2021 #gotyourbacknaomi #reflection

Why Vote for Me?

 

Community project:

Journey so far:

Meldrum Academy teacher reaches Miss Africa UK finals | Ellon Times

'Important we tell our stories': North-east teacher to compete in beauty pageant with a difference (pressandjournal.co.uk)

Choral support for Larne teen’s life-changing surgery | Belfast News Letter

To vote for me for the People's choice category of Miss/Mrs Africa UK 2021,  please do the following:

1) 𝘾𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙠 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙬

 2) 𝙇𝙄𝙆𝙀 𝙢𝙮 𝙥𝙝𝙤𝙩𝙤 

https://www.facebook.com/AfricaUKPageant/photos/a.109921683815319/341527803988038?type=3&scmts=scwspsdd

3) 𝙇𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙖𝙜𝙚

https://www.facebook.com/AfricaUKPageant/

Taste of Durban in the UK

 Fundraising challenge for #gotyourbacknaomi

Donate:https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/gotyourbacknaomi

When it is all over

 Poem by Mary Oliver :

When it's over, I want to say: 

all my life I was a bride married to amazement. 

I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms.

When it is over, I don't want to wonder if I have made of my life something particular, and real.

I don't want to find myself sighing and frightened,or full of argument.

I don't want to end up simply having visited this world.

People's Choice

 WOW - what a year it has been after 2 postponements due COVID it's finally happening.

And you can be part of my journey and help me amplify my voice to do more community building work and sharing important stories.

To vote for me for the People's choice category of Miss/Mrs Africa UK 2021, closing date 30 July 2021. Please do the following:

1) 𝘾𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙠 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙬

2) 𝙇𝙄𝙆𝙀 𝙢𝙮 𝙥𝙝𝙤𝙩𝙤

https://www.facebook.com/AfricaUKPageant/photos/a.109921683815319/341527803988038/?type=3&scmts=scwspsdd

3) 𝙇𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙖𝙜𝙚

https://www.facebook.com/AfricaUKPageant/

📷📷 Marié O'Connor Photography
Make up : My daughter Jeandre'
Hair: a few days after blowdry from Rose Cabin

#iampurposeful #africaukpageant #missmrsafricauk2021 #gotyourbacknaomi
#southafrican #british  #beautypageant

Cookbook #gybnaomi

 

COOKBOOK

#gotyourbacknaomi digital cookbook is a collation of Naomi's past favourites she had hanging out with "Aunty" Brigitte and Simone.

Now you can try them out: 6 recipes, plus 2 video demonstrations.

Donate £2 via https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/simonecoetser1.
Please choose family and friends.
All proceeds will go to #gybnaomi towards the £45 000 needed for surgery needed to treat her #scoliosis.

Thank you to @rosejeandray  and @jbigburd for their help in developing this fundraising cookbook.

#scoliosisawareness
#missmrsfricauk2021
#africaukpagent2021
#iampurposeful
#healthfundraiser
#scolioswarrior
#vegetarian
#fundraising

 FATHER's DAY RAFFLE: 

Only available in NI (know someone in NI we deliver to them)

Online tickets : £2 per entry

Pay via:

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/simonecoetser1 or cash directly to Lorraine.

Clearly state it is for raffle, how many tickets and please choose family and friend payment (so full donation comes through). 

Winner will be announce on Wednesday , 16 June at 6pm via Facebook video. plenty of before Father's Day

We will contact winner to arrange pickup or delivery.

"I Wish" And "I Will

 "I Wish" And "I Will"

Poet: Nixon Waterman

"I Wish" and "I Will," so my grandmother says,
Were two little boys in the long, long ago,
And "I Wish" used to sigh while "I Will" used to try
For the things he desired, at least that's what my
Grandma tells me, and she ought to know.

"I Wish" was so weak, so my grandmother says,
That he longed to have someone to help him about,
And while he'd stand still and look up at the hill
And sigh to be there to go coasting, "I Will"
Would glide past him with many a shout.

They grew to be men, so my grandmother says,
And all that "I Wish" ever did was to dream--
To dream, and to sigh that life's hill was so high,
While "I Will" went to work and soon learned, if we try,
Hills are never so steep as they seem.

"I Wish" lived in want, so my grandmother says,
But "I Will" had enough and a portion to spare:
Whatever he thought was worth winning he sought
With an earnest and patient endeavor that brought
Of blessings a bountiful share.

And whenever my grandma hears any one "wish,"
A method she seeks, in his mind to instill,
For increasing his joys, and she straightway employs
The lesson she learned from the two little boys
Whose names were "I Wish" and "I Will."

How to donate on JustGiving? #GYBNAOMI

Anxiety & Control

 Khalil Gibran wrote:

"Our anxiety does not come from thinking about the future, but wanting to control it. " 

What does that mean in reality? Think about it. What will things look like in a month or a years time? Is that really today's concern?

Goals are only a guide. Is does allow you to control the future. Goals are direct by your vision which inspires you, but really your focus remains on what you can do immediately. You can only ever stay and act in the present moment.

WALKATHON MAY 2021

Walkathon Video 

Details

What is it:

 a run/walk/jog you can do anywhere and at any time to suit yourself – it’s as easy as taking the dog for a walk, doing an indoor walking video or getting out for a breath of fresh air! There is no age limit!

How far is it: 

You choose! 5km or 10km which can be done by running, jogging, walking, skipping, crawling, rowing, shuffling, indoor walking any which way you choose as long as you cover the distance!!

When is it: 

Entries MUST be in by 5 May  however you can complete the distance ANYTIME that suits you

Do I need to do it all in one go: 

NO!! You can do as many short distances as you like, as long as they add up to the distance you entered – 5km/10/20km

What do I get: Digital badge, digital sticker and e-book via fb messenger or e-mail

How much is it to enter: £10 per family

How do I enter: Simply send your £10 entry fee via PayPal to paypal.me/simonecoetser1 via friends and family. 

NB. In the PayPal notes, please add name of entrants, distance 

Do I need to submit evidence: 

Once you enter, we will take it in good faith that you will complete the distance.  It is not required, however evidence such as Fitbit, garmin, strava, map my run etc. can be posted in the group. 

Any other questions, just ask.

Thank you for your support and we can’t wait to see pictures of you all out completing your WALKATHON #gybnaomi in our FB group/page

#iampurposeful #gotyourbacknaomi #mrsafricauk2021 #africaukpagent2021 

#healthymindhealthybody #justgiving

"I wish you knew"

 

Here it is a beautiful choral rendition in support of #gotyourbacknaomi. Donations can be made #justgiving https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/gotyourbacknaomi

Cairde Community Choir #gotyourbacknaomi

TEASER trailer by Siobhan Brown Manukahunney leader and director of the Cairde Community Choir in support of Got your back Naomi fundraising .

News flash!! The choirs new video in support of #gotyourbacknaomi will premiere on Friday 9th April at 7pm!! We are so excited to share it with you.

The choir is asking you to please donate to the crowdfunding project to help 13-year-old Naomi who has scoliosis and is need of spinal surgery.

Donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/gotyourbacknaomi...

Siobhan says: “I’m proud that our choir can support Lorraine and Naomi in raising much needed funds. We put together a video and I really hope that you will enjoy it, be inspired by it and that you will be inspired to help us help Naomi.”

Naomi says, “I would really like to get the operation to help with the pain and so I can run and skip around. The back pain makes it hard to do some interests like going out and taking photos to get inspiration for stories”

You can also show support by liking and sharing this video as many as many as possible.

Videographer - @Chris heath - 3FortyFive Films

Audio Production - Siobhan Brown - Manukahunney/ Cairde Community Choir

A special thanks to Chris Heath for all the wonderful creativity in putting together the videos in support of this project.

Why Can't you see me?

Why cant you see me? 

To everyone else eyes, I am a disappointment, 

They look at me and they wonder why my mother didn’t do anything, 

They go up to her, thinking they have the right to blame my mother for not raising me right,

The see my experience as a queer human, as her fault 

They see my experience as a mix raced child, as her fault 

They see my fight for human rights and animal rights as plague she set upon me 

But what about me? 

I am my mother’s child and so much more, 

She has taught and shared with me her beliefs and experiences and 

I have taken them and grown with my own 

To everyone else I am a disappointment, 

but to my mother I am her child and she loves me, 

She loved me through my struggle of discovering my identity as queer person in a Christian community, 

She loved me as I came to terms with the mental obstacles the world has for my friends and I, Struggling to find a place and mechanism that allow us to thrive, 

She listened to me as I discovered the inequalities of the world from a different point view, 

 And we discuss this over and over learning something new and agreeing to disagree in solidarity, Because we were both raised with this responsibility to serve our community, offering our voices to speak out for humanity, talking about our own experiences and listening to the experiences of the cultures around us. 

So when I scream Black lives matter, queer lives matter, mental health matters,

climate change calls for human change, eat the rich, systemic racism, sexism, classism exists 

They are not a plague that my mother bore me, 

in fact they are not even all words my mother would say, 

The only plague placed upon me and you is the structure of our society, 

 Because I am queer, 

I recognise a history of when people like me were seen as criminals, predators, 

shamed into hating themselves, 

shamed into hiding underground to be themselves as well as protect themselves and though laws have change, 

the stigma stays the same. 

Because I am mixed raced, 

I grew up with this knowledge that part of my family will always be treated unfairly because of white privilege, 

privilege that I have because I ‘pass’ as white, that there were people who opposed my parents’ marriage just because they were of a different race, 

that my mom’s dignity and life is always in danger because of ignorance and prejudice.

These are only two parts of my identity which are integral to me, 

 I didn’t choose to be different, but I am proud to be me and you know 

I am not alone and that my experiences are shared but also not definitive for everyone else in these communities so stop blaming my mother for the disappointment you associate with me my mother loves me …and so do I

 By Jeandre Coetser

2021 Fundraising Valentines Raffle