That's So Handy

The other day I read an article "Dear Church, Here's Why People Are Really Leaving You". I love church but I didn't read it in order to attack the article line by line. I read it because I wanted to understand her and so many others' concerns. She listed reasons including that the church has a problem with showing real love/building relationships; it has overrated, flashy Sunday productions that offer nothing to help when you're struggling mid-week; and the people's conversations are full of jargon that is unreal and judgmental. After reading the author's very real reasons for leaving the church, I decided to write my opinion as well. Now, you may feel like you don't want to read anymore because I'm probably just going to try to persuade you to go to church, or tell you that the way you're feeling is wrong. ABSOLUTELY NOT . It would be biased of me to tell you all the great things about church since I am a church person and you may not ...

It was August 28, 2016. My husband and I were sitting on the couch relaxing. I had an awesome time at church earlier. Who knew that God would speak some more to me through something that happened later that evening?  I was scrolling through the guide trying to find something to watch on tv. I paused when I saw the Video Music Awards....then I kept scrolling. I saw that it aired on several channels but I didn't turn it on. No worries, because of course I was able to catch highlights on facebook the next morning. Well apparently there was a swift spark of interest in many to go to the gym and get there bodies right. This spark was caused by Ms. Teyana Taylor. I guess I'm out of touch, but after googling her and searching through a bunch of information that still gave me no clue to who she was, I finally came across something familiar... That annoying voice from Tyler Perry's movie  Madea's Big Happy Family . T.T. is an actress, singer, an...

..."Then here comes your word; healing, affirming word. Write it on my heart, write it on my mind so I'll never forget it."  These lyrics from a song recorded by gospel artist Casey J. ring in my mind as I think about where I am at this very moment compared to where I've been for the past few years. When you've developed a routine that works and you feel settled with life, any disruption or change to that can mess with your identity. You sometimes second-guess your worth and wonder who you really are if your not "that" anymore.   Here's my story and how I deal... ... For many, the month of August means one thing: BACK-TO-SCHOOL Well here I sit, August 2016. and for the first time in 4 years, I will NOT be setting up a classroom. Some of you may not know but the truth is, I left my job way back in February and officially resigned in April. Yup, my life as a 6th grade math teacher was put to a halt/pause.  The story of how this B...

(let me start by saying, I hate the word "bae". I never use it, but it just fit with the alliteration...) The older you get, the more you realize birthdays are less about gifts and more about being around the ones you love! My husband's birthday was a little over a month after our wedding. I have so many memories of our first time celebrating his birthday together last year. The surprise party, the gifts I bought him, the food and the friends, games, drinks, so much laughter - we had a blast! Now that we are husband and wife, I wanted to really do it big so I wondered how I would top what I did last year when we were just boyfriend and girlfriend... Well, so much has changed since then, including the fact that I since resigned from my job. I wouldn't be able to do as much. So I figured out how I would still make it a memorable, yet affordable birthday for my baby. 1. EAT AT HOME Anyone who knows me knows that I DETEST cooking. I get overwhelmed and feel s...

S P R I N G   T I M E !   Part 2 The Journey begins....AGAIN! Spring time is the perfect time for exercising outdoors. It's also a great time to really kick up your preparation for getting that summer beach body. My fiance and I are making life changes when it comes to our health. We're really trying to intentionally plan to eat better. He's been doing an awesome job of meal-prepping and we've just been inspiring each other to keep at it. This morning, I went running with two of my ANΩ brothers. Before I left, I made what I'd like to call my "pre-workout smoothie". Ingredients: I knew we didn't have anymore milk, so I thought the banana would make everything blend but my blender said NO. Therefore, I nervously decided to use water as a base and it actually tasted just like a regular milk smoothie. After the run, I came home and completed an Express Cycle on the Free Giam Tv on demand fitness channel. Then I made panc...

Wow, my last blog was in 2013. So much has changed... S P R I N G T I M E ! Part 1 So the first bit of news is that I cut my hair. Completely! My very first time cutting my hair was in December 2008. One day my hair was long and permed, and the next day it had been snipped down to the new growth and coiled to begin my loc journey. I grew my locs for 5 years before I decided I was bored with them and wanted something new. I was not ready to part with my length so I went through the long, tedious process of combing them out. IT took about 3 weeks straight. Every second of free time was dedicated to the task. The very last weekend, I knew I looked horrible and had to finish the job so I could actually go out and look decent. I had 2 friends to help me finish.  YAY! So my new start lasted for all of about 3 months SMH and what do you think happened? Yup, after all that work, I started my locs again... Until 2 weeks ago.   I kept these new locs for about 3 years and i...

I sing about faith on Sunday. I write statuses about how we can make it, just pray, wait on the Lord, let God handle it, don't quit.....and such. But the truth is I hate pressure. I want the easy way out. I don't want to take it anymore. I've given in to bad habits to momentarily relieve pressure.I want to avoid pain, ridicule, and discomfort, even if it means displeasing God. I don't feel like being disciplined. It hurts when my desires are screaming. I'd rather give in. How dare I? Daniel and the three Hebrew boys knew who they were and who they served. They didn't change their story even if it meant they would die. The thought of death didn't make them compromise. We want to please people so bad, or please ourselves, that we sometimes sacrifice our identity and compromise with sin just so we won't go through something bad. We fear man more than God. We love our lives instead of losing it for Christ. When the king asked the Hebrew boys to bow, they ...