Thank you to everyone who leaves their comments on the blog. GBNI really values the opinion of all the girls and we want to hear what you think of GB (whether it be positive or negative). Unfortunately though we are unable to publicly post any comments that do not have a valid email address so please when you are leaving a comment make sure you are entering the correct details of your address. Many thanks!!
Apologies for taking so long to update the blog but I have been off on leave and as a consequence catching up on my work!
So this is display/parent’s night season, a very busy time in the Girls’ Brigade calendar. You may already have had your display and if so I hope you had lots of fun putting together your items and performing in front of your friends and family. If you are preparing for your display at the minute I hope that your practices are going well and that you and all the GB girlies in your Company are enjoying putting together the final touches.
We would love to hear what you have been doing for your display…leave us a comment or drop me an email to let me know so that other girls can get ideas for next year (even though that is AGES away….)
Keep checking back on the blog to hear what is happening in GB and for more little thoughts for the day.
*As you are all on a break from GB over the summer I may not be updating the blog every week but will try and post on a regular basis. Do let us know if there is anything else you would like to see on the blog!
One of the things I really hate is how (and it pains me to say it!) my parents are nearly always right. Looking back on my teenage years when I was growing up, my parents used to say things to me and I used to think that what they were telling me was rubbish.. However as I have grown up I have realised that actually a lot of what they told me was right and that they were really looking out for me and had my best interests at heart. Sometimes I wish that I had listened to them before making some of the mistakes that I made.
An issue that was always up for discussion when I was growing up was the company I kept. Dont get me wrong none of my friends were ex-conficts or anything like that but I specifically remember my dad telling me how to choose my friends wisely as they were a part of shaping who you are and the personality you have. AND BOY WAS HE RIGHT!!! I have had some pretty rubbish friends growing up, people who I thought were looking out for me and it has been pretty painful learning that I could not have been more wrong.
Similarly, I have been blessed beyond my wildest dreams by being surrounded by the most wonderful friends from I was a child who love me unconditionally. People who always look out for my best interests, who are honest with me (sometimes even when I don’t want to hear what they are telling me, like yes that dress I am trying on does not do anything for me), who I can laugh with until I am rolling around on the ground, and most importantly who surround me with prayer when I don’t have the energy or words to know what to pray.
The friends we keep are so so important. It is said that when you start to spend so much time with someone you start to become like them. So when looking for friends now I always look for people who have qualitites that are attractive…people with gifts of kindness, patience, generosity… people who are givers instead of takers.
Of course people are only human and we will always make mistakes, just like our friends will always make mistakes. But the main thing to hold on to is that Jesus can be our best friend and there is one thing for certain, He will never let us down and will always be there for us whenever we need Him.
The Executive of GBNI appreciate the opinions of the young members within the Organisation and have come up with a few questions that they would like your thoughts on……
What are your opinons? You can leave me a comment and let me know your thoughts on any or all of the above questions (remember to leave you name and age, we particularly want to know what the Seniors up to those of you who are 25 years of age think).
P.S. All the very best to those of you who are taking part in the Northern Ireland PE finals this weekend in Killinchy!!
Has someone ever made you a promise and then broken their promise? Have you ever made a promise to someone or given them your word, and then perhaps for no malicious reason at all, have forgotten and you have broken that promise?
As a consequence sometimes I find it difficult to completely grasp the concept that God NEVER breaks His promises. He is incapable of doing so. I find this incredible. So when He says He has plans to prosper you and not to harm you (Jeremiah 29 v 11), HE HAS. when He says that He is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine (Ephesians 3 v 20), HE WILL. When He says He will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13 v 5), HE WONT.
The bible is bursting with these glorious promises from our Heavenly Father and they are ours for the taking should we choose to except His Son as our Saviour, and how Him dying for us on the cross gave us a life that is eternal!!
A wonderful friend of mine Dorothy, has knowledge of the Scriptures that is extraordinary (due to years of devouring God’s word and all He has for her). I love the way she shares verses with me that I have never read before and then they stick with me and inspire me. One of these verses is from the Old Testament, in the book of Numbers (Chpt 23 v 19)
“God is not a man that He should lie, nor a son of man that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulful?”
I love this verse as it sums up one of the fascinating characteristics of God, that He can be relied on 110%.
The Girls’ Brigade European Fellowship is inviting you (if you are aged 16 or older and a GB member!) to join a team to go to Virfurile, Romania with an organisation called Children for Christ. You would be working in one of their Summer Camps amongst underprivileged childrena and young people. Teams will get involved in a variety of activities-working with thte young people, cleaning, decorating, cooking and building.
There are a variety of dates available so you have a selection to choose from.
Serving God no matter where you are is always a blessing and a challenge and short term mission trips are no exception. These opportunities are an amazing way to learn more of God, to make new friends, to learn new skills and to have loads of fun in the process! Any trip that I have ever gone on has always exceeded my expectations and God has blown me away with the things that He has taught me through circumstances and the wonderful people you meet…
Like to know more?
There is going to be an information morning here at GB HQ in Antrim on Saturday 1st March at 11am. This will be a chance for you to come along and hear more and to ask any questions you may have.
If you are interested but cannot make it on 1st March then contact me, Lesley here at HQ via telephone or email (see GBNI’s main website for contact details) and I will give you more information.
Make sure and let us know if you are hoping to come on the 1st March and feel free to spread the word.
Tell me a little about yourself.
Lynsey Addis, 20 years old, studying at Stranmillis University to become an RE and PE Secondary School teacher… I love it! (well being in school, not so much the work in University). I am from Woodlands Presbyterian Church and I love GB!
How long have you been in GB and what do you love about it?
I have been in GB since I was just out of a nappy!! So since I was just 3! I just love coming together with all girls to do things that we enjoy best…and absolutely love seeing young girls give their live to God!
What is your favourite bible verse and why?
Oh I have lots… But my all time favourite is Romans 8 v 38 & 39…”For I am convinced that neither death nor live, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord”. To know that no matter what I do good or bad, or what things I am faced with in life now or in the future, can ever separate me from the love of God is amazing!!! Keep clinging to it!!!
If you could meet anyone and have dinner with them (alive or dead) who would it be and why?
mmmmmm I absolutely love the Beckhams and Leona Lewis so probably them! (sad I know). Or else Noah, to ask him what it was like trusting God to save him and his family!!!
What shop do you like to shop in most? Is there any particular reason why?
Primark because it’s cheap…. I’m a student.
What is your role as the Youth Representative on GBNI’s executive?
If you a girl in Girls’ Brigade reading this then I feel my role as Youth representative is to make sure that I put forward ideas and help make decisions that you will enjoy and will be the best for you… and most importantly to make sure what we do in GB is relevant to you so that one day girls all over the country will have trusted God and have a passion for Him!!!!
Tell me a little about yourself?
Hi everyone! My name is Claire and I am 24 years old. I live in beautiful Whitehead with my family and my very crazy dog, Benny Buster. I belong to North Street Presbyterian Church in Carrickfergus where I am an Officer in the GB compnay. I am also a Christian and I try and shine my light for Jesus everyday. When I am not doing GB stuff, I am a funded PhD history student at Queen’s University Belfast (which basically means I am writing an 80,000 word essay-argh!). I am also a cinema addict!
How long have you been in GB and what do you love about it?
I have been in GB since I was teenie tiny and I have been an Officer for three years. I LOVE GB for so many reasons. First, Girls’ Brigade has had a very important impact on my life and my journey with Jesus. God has touched my life through GB especially during the International Conference of GB (ICGB) in 2006. It is amazing to realise that we are all part of a sisterhood across the globe. Second, I love spending time with my GB girlies in Carrickfergus on Friday nights and during the TRANSFORM Bible class on Sunday mornings. It is a privilege to chat, share our faith, make a difference and have lots of craic together. For me, GB is fun, exciting and exhilarating. I hope that it is for you as well.
What is your favourite bible verse and why?
What a hard question!?! One of my favourite verses is Roman 12:9 which is a passage about becoming a living sacrifice to God, “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.” It is an inspiring and challenging Bible verse. I also love Philippians 2:15 (I have it as a fridge magnet) - “Children of God…Shine like stars” That’s what Jesus wants us to do and it would be amazing to see all the GB girls in NI shining like stars.
If you could meet anyone and have dinner with them (alive or dead) who would it be and why?
William Wilberforce. He was an inspirational Christian man who campaigned tirelessly for the end of slavery in the 1800s. He dedicated himself for twenty years and suffered ill health and depression until he was eventually successful. The movie Amazing Grace shows his epic struggle and everyone should try and watch it. The story of William Wilberforce reminds me that it is not easy to make a differecne but it is definitely worth the effort.
What is your role as the Youth Representative on GBNI’s Executive?
I have been one of the youth representatives on the GBNI Executive since October 2006 and I think that it is a privilege to be the voice of 22,000 girls and young women. Lynsey and I feed back to the Executive the views of the National Youth Council (NYC) which is a group of girls who passionately care about GB and want to influence decision making. Any girl (aged 16-24) can be a member and I would love to see you at our next meeting this Wed 30th January at GBHQ for fun, fellowship and discussion. Even if you can’t come. please leave a comment on our blog. The NYC will be on the move in 2008 so we may see you at competitions and visit you during your Company night. GB needs to hear your voice!
NYC (National Youth Council) is an informal discussion group where you can get to know other girls from GB. It is also a place for you to let the Executive members in GB know what you think about our organisation!
NEXT MEETING: Wednesday 30th January @ 7pm
VENUE: GB HQ in Antrim
WHO CAN COME: NYC is open to any GB member between 16-25 years.
OTHER DETAILS: Pizza will be provided…. NO UNIFORM REQUIRED
At the meeting we will be discussin the following questions which have been asked by GBNI’s Executive:
What do you love about GB?
What is your earliest memory in GB?
Would the Brigaders and Seniors like a praise event on a similar structure to the Junior Praise event?
There will also be a time to chat and share in some informal worship and prayer.
If you haven’t been along to any of our meeting before we would love to see you. So please have a think about these questions and come along to the meeting with your thoughts.
ANY QUESTIONS? Contact Lesley (T: 94548054 or leave me a comment). Please let me know if you are coming so I know how much food to buy!
See you there…..
Well, first of all I hope you had a wonderful, restful Christmas and that 2008 is going well so far!
Perhaps you have already heard through your church of the exciting one off event coming to Belfast in April. Billy Graham’s son, Franklin along with some great bands is coming to the Odyssey to bring the message of hope to Belfast during this large festival. To hear more about what will be happening then click on the link below… this explains it better than I can. If you can’t access You Tube then the website below is the main website and gives more information.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vaUOZ-no30
http://www.celebrationofhope.co.uk/
This is such an exciting event and it would be great if you could make it along. Let me know if you have heard of it or need more information. There is also a taster event happening this Sunday night in the Waterfront called Ignite the Flame where you can go along and hear more of what will be happening in April. You can go along with your friends and hang out and have fun! There will be some worship and you can hear some great bands. If you want to go to the big Ignite the Flame event this Sunday then you need to book your ticket online through the Celebration of Hope website (it’s free and from what I hear the tickets are moving fast).
