Happy 2011!!

Ah, well... I'm still here!

And knowing that God has seen me fit to continue on in 2011, it's obvious that He has a purpose and a Mission for my life! I am finally starting to realize that this thing called 'Life' is bigger than me, and I just need to get out and make it happen. I joined New Directions Christian Church, and was immediately placed in Teen Drama Ministry--could that be due to the fact that I am animated and dramatic in life? :)
It was surprising, but not totally unexpected. It seems God keeps bringing me back to Drama...lol...Despite how I fight it! (I was placed over Drama in World Changers in Atlanta as well.)
To date; I have written several scripts, am working on organizing MERGE Womens Group, and have resolved to write my story, and do speaking engagements this year, even beyond teaching abstinence. I founded Light of Life (LOL) Youth Empowerment Org. with a shady partner/pastor who shall remain nameless (more on that later)... and we uprooted our entire family from Atlanta to Memphis, TN!

These are all pretty big (and scary) moves, but Im up for the challenge.
Honestly at this point in my life, I feel that I need to make money for my talents and gifts!  Everything I have done has been volunteer-based. It cant be selfish to want to earn money can it? I decided that a few weeks ago when I'm standing outside my daughters cheerleading game crying because I cant afford a $7.00 ticket to get in. I have run out of gas twice this month. My bank accounts are overdrawn. My phone is off. It's time to turn things around. Something has got to give, right?  

MOPSS: The problem with working in ministry sometimes, is that they want you to utilize every gift in you, take them to another level, work in promptness and Excellence, and walk away with a pat on the head, and a reminder to 'stay humble'. Hey, I'm all for giving all I have to God, but I don't think he desires for His people to be broke and struggling. I believe that he uses the gifts and talents within us to make a difference, and at the same time, thats where your blessings lie. Including financial ones. But some ministries take advantage of the loyalty and hard work of the people that volunteer, and become Holy "slavedrivers', laying guilt-trips on them when they dont lay aside everything for the 'Vision', and it ends up causing severe burn-out, rebellion, and leaving the ministry out of hurt, bitterness, and a feeling of lack of appreciation. If I have seen it once, I have seen it a thousand times. That is not God. Leaders need to learn to get right down in there in the trenches with those they lead, and be respectful of the time and talent (and family situations) of others. Being a Leader, you are supposed to be even more of a servant than the volunteers. Isn't that what Jesus Modeled?

God has also placed in my heart to start teaching people how to Overcome their pasts, to move towards their future, without passing n the serious issues to their children. I have been there. I have had to overcome alot of Generational issues. Have I succeeded everytime perfectly? No. But when I fall, I dont stay down. I continuously strive not to repeat the patterns set before me. I'm going to call it 'The HeartWood Experiment" or something similar. Heartwood is the central part of the tree, and supports it. I want us to get back to finding the Central person that we all started off being, and return to that person...the one with destiny, purpose and dreams. Who we were before life, heartbreak, and circumstances caused us to set down our dreams and build hard shells around us. I will document the work that I do on this Program, because I know that this ought to be interesting...

I would love to have this years journey documented, along with my 'famous' Facebook MOPPS that my readers seem to so enjoy. Hopefully, this blog will inspire and empower someone else to pursue their dreams as well. During this time, I will be posting the irritating things that happen as well. I AM a Christian, indeed, but there are lots of things in life that drive me up the wall...and Im not afraid to speak on it. Call me what you will... but I am not fake about it. I can be real about my strengths AS WELL as my weaknesses!

I am married with 6 kids, and there is so much I have learned, and am still learning...but unfortunately, there is not much room for serious error in raising a family...however, you can all learn and grow from your mistakes if you stay away from a 'holier than thou' attitude with them, and learn to grow and change with them. So, you may get some parenting tips here, too.  Use at your own discretion...

So hang tight! Buckle your seat belts...
I've got a feeling...This year is definitely my year!
MW