I opted not to buy myself souvenirs during this journey. God still made sure I had something to take, keep, and remember from each month I've spent with Him. I researched the symbolic (spiritual & psychological) meanings of my gifts (Each item itself, colors, materials etc.) I also had guidance from above in finding the purpose for each items placement in my life at the time it was placed.
BRACELET – Read "A BIBLE FOR RACHEL" … Rachel gave made me one too (pic above) – Deep passion and fire.
VALENTINE'S GIFTS (Kristen)
MUG– represents love, nurturance and the womb. Also signifies rejuvenation and healing. Alternately, it indicates a transcendence into a realm of higher consciousness. Suggests that you are trying to keep a certain feeling or hope alive. You want to keep an idea "hot" or a project on track. Negatively, this means that you may be trying to hold onto something too long and it may be time to let go. WHITE – presents purity, perfection, peace, innocence, dignity, cleanliness, awareness, and new beginnings. You may be experiencing a reawakening or have a fresh outlook on life. Alternately, white refers to a clean, blank slate. Or it may refer to a cover-up. PINK – represents love, joy, sweetness, happiness, affection and kindness. Being in love or healing through love is also implied with this color. Alternatively, the color implies immaturity or weakness, especially when it comes to love. RED (below)
CROSS- signifies suffering, martyrdom, death, and/or sacrifice. It is a symbol of your religious faith. Perhaps you have a cross to bear or that you are acting "crossed" and annoyed. You will have to question, suffer, or sort through great difficulties. GREEN – signifies a positive change, good health, growth, fertility, healing, hope, vigor, vitality, peace, and serenity. Also a way of telling you to "GO AHEAD". Alternatively, a metaphor for a lack of experience in some task.
SOCKS – signifies warmth and comfort. Alternatively, you tend to yield to other's wishes. You are flexible and understanding in your thinking. You will be hit with some surprising information or news. RED – danger, protection from fear and anxiety, passion and lust, action and confidence to go after your dreams, energy and vitality.
COFFEE– you need to gain some insight and knowledge before making a decision or tackling some project/relationship. You may be acting too hasty and need to slow down. Alternatively, it may imply a need for you to change your routine. BROWN – denotes worldliness, practicality, domestic bliss, physical comfort, conservatism, and a materialistic character. Also represents the ground and earth. You need to get back to your roots.
CHOCOLATE – signifies love, celebration and self-reward. It also suggests that you may be indulging in too many excesses and need to practice some restraint.You are embracing your own sensuality. BROWN
BOOKMARK (made by gypsy children) – represents memories and aspects of your past. It serves as a reminder of where you've been and where you are headed. A metaphor that you should not forget your place. Perhaps you are overstepping certain boundaries. YELLOW – The color has both positive and negative connotations. symbolic of intellect, energy, agility, happiness, harmony, and wisdom. On the other hand, it also represents deceit, disgrace, betrayal, cowardice and sickness. You have a fear or an inability to make a decision or to take action. Your desire to please others is at the risk of sacrificing your own needs and happiness. As a result, you are experiencing many setbacks.
SCRIPTURE
Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. (Matthew 10:38)
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matthew 22: 37-40 …on the bookmark in Romanian)
PERSONAL MEANING
BRACELET – always show up in my hardest months. This was an extremely hard month. I was faced with the pressure to raise the rest of my support or go home. My boyfriend ended our relationship. My grandfather passed away. Bracelets remind me that I need to focus on God (only) he is the reason for everything and the reason I am on this race … Trusting him in everything… no matter what. My passion and fire is Him and comes from Him!
Over 30 bracelets came into my hands this month 😛 I really needed the message this month … 10 times more than my first month (Philippines) 15 times more than third month (South Africa!)
MUG – rejuvenation, healing, transcendence in to a realm of higher consciousness … realizing that I needed God more than ever. trying to keep a certain feeling or hope alive,You want to keep an idea "hot" or a project on track. Negatively, this means that you may be trying to hold onto something too long and it may be time to let go. … I wanted things to go the way "I" planned.. I was discouraged, hurt, fearful.
WHITE – all the meaning of white lead to one thing GOD, HOPE … A FRESH START! PINK – my heart was broken but He would heal me. RED – In danger … He is my protection… He is my strength.
CROSS – You will have to question, suffer, or sort through great difficulties. I did .. Death & Heartbreak! GREEN – positive change … keep going!
SOCKS – You will be hit with surprise information or news. Yes I was … this whole month was full of surprises good and bad. RED – "
COFFEE- gain insight, slow down, change your routine – all things i needed to do and did this month. I had to refocus my thoughts and energy toward my devotions, support raising, ministry and not letting disapointments cloud my purpose. God was calling me to finish the race and fully enjoy it with no distractions… To fully invest in what He had planned for my time (the race) with Him! BROWN – BACK TO GOD!!
CHOCOLATE- There is no way around this. I was very invested in my family, friends, and my boyfriend at home. This was the first month I had unlimited and fast wifi. The internet was a huge distraction. It was Valentine's and I was distracted by the wrong Valentine. The love triangle was not working. I was missing the full experience of God and my race. BROWN – BACK TO GOD! (You think I would get it by now?!?!?)
BOOKMARK- a reminder of where you've been and where you are headed. – memories and aspects of your past. – GOD CALLED ME OUT! This was not my first rodeo! God was here for me AGAIN! It was now time to press in for a different outcome! You should not forget your place… you are overstepping certain boundaries. I had to apologize, ask forgiveness, and then ask for help! I wanted another chance to make Him proud of me! YELLOW – Two paths .. Happiness, Harmony & Wisdom ( and all the other positive words above for yellow) or Disgrace, Cowardice & Sickness ( and all the other negative words above for yellow) … Fear, risk, sacrafice were at hand … I dealt with what "felt like" setbacks.
I ALSO SEEM TO GET A LOT OF GIFTS DURING MY TOUGH MONTHS 😛 … OUT OF THE ASHES! 🙂
