The Day Before the End...

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The day before the end... I can't believe that another year is almost over. This year has been a walk of faith for me but God has proven Himself to me over and over again. I am excited to see what this New Year is going to bring.

When I was a little girl it was a tradition to go to service on New Year’s Eve and “bring in the New Year, in church.” As an adult the tradition is still ingrained in me. To me there is something wonderful about ending the old year as I began it and starting the New Year as I want to end it… in the house of God, in the presence of the Lord.

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Girl Talk Dec '08/Feb '09

Click on a topic below to read some of the contents of GT.

ARTICLES

Anna’s Frustration Conclusion (story)

Choosing to Win

Publisher's Note

A Conversation with
Ms. Jeritzan Edwards Outten

What are you Grateful for?
(Christmas Traditions... A Mother's Perspective

Why I Don't Have a Boyfriend
(A Teen's Point of View)

Wise Men Still Seek Him (song)

What are you grateful for?

Christmas Traditions... A Mother's Perspective
By Cleora Williams

What are you grateful for? This is a question I have asked my family, each Christmas morning, for the past eleven years before any gifts are opened. Initially I was met with resistance as each child was only interested in opening whatever presents bore their names under the tree. This however, is now a part of our family tradition. When we rise on Christmas morning instead of rushing to the Christmas tree and tearing into thepresents, we read the Christmas story, say what we are grateful for, pray and finally, exchange gifts.

My reason for doing the above ritual was and still is to instill in my children a sense of gratitude and thankfulness. Firstly, to God {who sent his son Jesus into the world}, secondly to family and friends and finally to include all others who have touched their lives positively.

We should be grateful each day, but this time of year more emphasis seems to be placed on being thankful, hence celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas and the advent of a new year. Further because this time of year is so commercialized we need to remember that Jesus is the reason for the season and give thanks.

And so to all girltalk readers I ask you to reflect during this season as I ask you the question, “What are you grateful for?” There is a song that goes “count your blessings, name them one by one and it will surprise you what God has done”.

In my conclusion, I extend to each of you my girltalk readers warmest wishes for a blessed, safe and happy Christmas as we look for a beautiful year 2009.

Ladies always give thanks with a grateful heart. Remember your creator who has made you priceless and in his own image. You are wonderfully made: mind, body and spirit.

The Shepherds' Story

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10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11...

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A Reason to Hope

The month of December brings for many a sense of anticipation, the anticipation of knowing that Christmas is only a few weeks away. Coupled with that anticipation is expectation because we know what usually comes with Christmas right…? Uh hmm, gifts, lots of gifts… and we all love to receive them. However, what about when Christmas doesn’t meet your expectations?

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Psalm
42:5

For many, Christmas brings a sense of depression and hopelessness, especially when there is a lack of money to do the things we sometimes feel that Christmas is all about.

Some of your parents may have been affected by the recent job losses or reduced work week that we have seen in our country. Hence you may have already begun to experience a different type of Christmas season this year than you did last year. But my dear young lady whatever it may be that you are facing this Christmas season I want to give you a reason to hope.

Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm
42:5-6

Do you still have the gifts you received last Christmas? You may not even remember what you received. This tells you that even though it feels good to receive gifts they don’t last forever. They are only temporary but, I offer you a gift that last forever… Jesus Christ.

10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great
joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has
been born to you; he is Christ[ the Lord. Luke 2:10:11

Your parents may be worrying about making this Christmas a good one for you with little money to work with. Why don’t you take this opportunity to let them know that it’s okay if they can’t afford to get you the gifts you really want this Christmas and see the worry disappear from their eyes?

That would be the best gift some of you can give to your parents. The gift of knowing that you won’t be disappointed or angry if there isn’t a whole lot of gifts with your name on it this year. After all, isn’t Christmas really about God’s gift to us? When life, family, friends, circumstances isn’t what you want it to be Jesus Christ will always be everything you need him to be.

Choosing to win

Pop! goes the starting gun and off they go. It’s the 200m at the Olympics and Debbie, one of the Bahamas’ golden girls is ahead. The crowd is going wild! A group of Bahamians has a section of the bleachers for themselves chanting in unison, “Debbie! Debbie! Debbie!” Followed by, “Bahamas! Bahamas! Bahamas!” There’s no doubt in anyone’s mind, Debbie’s is going to win it! The Bahamas is gonna medal!

But no! Wait a minute, this cannot be happening! Debbie stopped running and as quick as that; one, two, three runners passed by for gold, silver and bronze. What happened Debbie, you were winning, why did you stop? Why did you choose to lose?

Sounds silly huh? What athlete would choose to lose the biggest event of her athletic career?

However think about your life and the choices you make young lady, how many times do you choose to lose?

Think about it, when you lie to your parents about where you’re going and what you’re doing you choose to lose your parents trust.

When you decide not to study for your exams but cheat instead, you choose to lose the respect of your teachers and your peers.

When you choose not to live your life God’s way, but rather go your own you often lose focus on your dreams and sidetrack your plans for the future.

Choosing to lose… it doesn’t make much sense does it? So why not choose to win?

You choose to win when you make good choices based on the godly, positive values your parents and other trusted adults have instilled in you.

You choose to win when you decide not to do what’s popular but do what’s right.

You choose to win when you don’t allow yourself to be defined by a mistake but get back up and prayerfully ask God to direct your path to where he would have you go.

The choice is yours, what is it going to be?
I’ll give you a hint… Choose to win!!! We’re cheering you on! We don’t want you to fail… we want you to succeed so please… choose to win…

A Conversation with Ms. Jeritzan Edwards-Outten

“Wow!” I thought, as I read the many accomplishments of the impressive lady featured in this issue of Girl Talk. How did she do it? Then I read further down and saw a piece of advice she received as a teenager… I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Consequently, with Christ as the head of her life Ms. Outten has certainly accomplished many things.

Ms. Jeritzan Edwards-Outten life and accomplishments are definitely too grand and numerous to fit between the pages of Girl Talk. However, I’m sure you’ll agree after reading the fraction that I manage to squeeze in that she is a woman who inspires.

Ms. Outten is an accomplished business woman and dedicated Christian and family oriented person. She is a native of Grand Bahama and the second of ten children. She enjoys spending quality time with her family, reading watching good movies, listening to good music and keeping physically fit.

Ms. Outten possesses a Bachelor’s Degree in Education & Public Relations and a Masters Degree in Human Resources and Management. She has a diversified employment history that spans several islands of the Bahamas. It includes being a secondary school teacher in both New Providence and Grand Bahama and serving as assistant Regional Director in the Grand Bahama Branch of the National Trust.

She has been employed with the Ministry of Tourism since 1981 and has worked in and managed most departments in the organization.

During her tenure at the Ministry of Tourism she has been responsible for opening and managing the first family island Tourism office in Andros and has worked in the Abaco Tourist office as director of Tourism for the Abacos. She currently is the Senior Director for the Grand Bahama and Northern Bahamas, Ministry of Tourism. You’ve probably seen her before on ZNS talking about the Grand Bahama tourism product, something she’s passionate about.

Although her job demands a lot of time and attention Ms. Outten finds time to do other things one of which is regularly teaching an adult Sunday school class where she seeks to encourage her students to dig deeper into God’s word and apply it to their lives.

What are you most passionate about? My relationship with God; my family and my career.

To who or what do you attribute your success? Great parenting, personal ambition and sound relationship with Almighty God.

How long have you been employed with the Ministry of Tourism? Since 1981

What are some of your duties? My general duties involve developing the local tourism product, public relation and promotional activities; ensuring that visitors to the destinations have an authentic and hospitable experience which leaves them with a desire to return and to recommend the destination. All areas are considered the product including: the Bahamian people and the level of service that they display along with information they are able to share and the attitude that is prevalent.

What do you love most about your job? I love most...positioning the island to be the best destination for visitors to travel to, which ensures a strong economy as 60 % of funds comes directly from Tourism. Also, empowering persons who work with me to excel.

What do you find most challenging? Finding the way to move people from old habits and motivating them to a new way of thinking and maintaining behaviour, positively.

What are some traits you think young ladies who are interested in working in the hospitality industry should possess? They should be enthusiastic, inquisitive, proactive and helpful, enjoy learning, and have a positive and pleasant demeanor. Enjoying being around people is important.

How have you overcome challenges that you encountered in getting to where you are now? Planning and setting goals were important and to be consistent in trying to attain even in the face of disappointment. Stop to reflect and learn from mistakes then keep on moving forward.)

Is the life you have now what you imagined as a teenager? Pretty much… I am very content and happy with what I have achieved…yet, I’m looking forward to future endeavors. Life has been very good and I am blessed!

What advice do you have for young ladies as they try to successfully navigate the teenage years? Put God first and plan their lives wisely

How would you describe yourself in one word? Why? (Optimistic) I believe that life is what we make it and we ought always to ‘work as if every thing depends on us and pray with the knowledge that everything depends on God’)