UCO Beirut Newsletter
November 2021 - Stepping Out
Reflection
“Back to a new normal, even more, back to a better normal”
-Elmy Salloum
2020 was so tailored to my family model, so much that it was mind-blowing!
In what way?
Well, I am a mom of triplets + 1: a 5-year-old girl and COVID triplets of 1 year. We have spent around two full years at home and this was the best thing we could ask for!
Both my husband and I were working from home while taking care of kids and managing household needs. Our eldest Jamy was being homeschooled online, so no viruses or sicknesses were being brought back home, and we were all stuck home on Friday and Saturday nights… just like everybody else :D
It was not all sunshine and rainbows; it was overwhelming with its challenges, frustrations, and fears. But now when I look back at it, I choose to see the blessings God has poured on us that fit us perfectly!
A few weeks ago, everything seemed to change: Jamy started school, my husband and I had to go back to office for few days a week, Insta road trips and nightlife stories are all over my account, and prayer meetings are now live! Surprisingly, this was overwhelming for me - it just hit me. I got so used to the COVID life and am not yet ready to face the new normal, I am just not ready to step out of my comfort zone.
I then dragged myself and sat with God, took a long coffee time with Him and shared every single thought on my mind; I knew He would understand me and understand my madness; and this is when I truly had a deep conviction that the God of 2020 is the same God of 2021, and will be the same God of 2022 and 2032!
He is the one who calls for tailored purposes along with tailored graces! He is the one who provides, and He is the one who accompanies me in every step of the way!
The same way He’s given me eyes to see the beauty, joy and grace of an abnormal year, He will also give me the courage to live a new normal year, even better than normal!
Amen
Personal Sharings
Patrick Safar
Comfort zones are often spoken of in a negative way. You often hear the expression “get out of your comfort zone”, which is something you are encouraged to do in several areas of your life. But one might ask, “what is wrong with staying in a place of comfort and familiarity?” Nothing is wrong with that, but to be like God, we need to step out.
Souad Nammour
It always scares me to jump into new projects, adventures and decisions. Mainly because I am letting go of a part of me, I am taking a risk while not knowing what would be the outcome.
Star of the Month
St Isaac Jogues
By Serge Haddad
One of the first martyrs of North America, Isaac Jogues was a young French Jesuit missionary who gave up everything to be among the Huron Indians in Quebec to evangelize them and bring them into a relationship with God and eventually baptize them
Talents
Raphaella Matta
The deeper the roots the richer the fruits; Community.
2019
Mixed Media on A1 carton.
Myriam Abi Rached
Game
Connect the dots
Connect each color to the other, without having the lines intersect,
Announcements
We encourage you to keep track of our upcoming events.
November 12: UCO meeting: worship time followed by a talk
November 26: UCO meeting: worship time followed by a life testimony
Also, December’s newsletter is going to be all about Christmas!
So if you have something personal you would like to share, or if you would like to showcase a talent, send them in to:
ucobeirutnewsletter@gmail.com
Meet the Team
Rhea Fahd / Editor-in-Chief
Rackel Dahdouh / Resident Writer
Alex Abdelnour / Graphic Designer
Previous Newsletters
You can check our previous newsletters on this link!
Contact
To participate in our upcoming newsletters, you can reach out to us on our email: ucobeirutnewsletter@gmail.com
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