Heels Global Magazine Summer 2018

THIRD QUARTER 2018

GLOBAL MAGAZINE

HEELS HOT FUN IN THE SUMMERTIME

Ed Gainey

The Man Behind The Politician

Categories of People In

NFL DRAFT 2019 MARK GILBERT

Melody Jacobs www.melodyjacob.com Stylist, Fashion Model

The Editor's Notes We are grateful for the transitional period which has brought us into a new season with our magazine.

We are proud to present Heels Global Magazine, formatted to bring Healing, Encouragement, Elevation, Love and Soundness to ALL. It is our heart to expand our reach to both men and women of all walks of life as we bring fresh articles that will not only be informative, but inspire, motivate, challenge and entertain too as well!

We have added some new contributors and plan to expand our reach to an even more diverse group of writers and contributors over the next few months until we reach our goal of GLOBAL influence.

Until then, we hope that you will enjoy the quality of this magazine and tell others about something that you may have read that has inspired you.

As always, like, share, follow, join our email list, do whatever you need to do to stay connected.

If you are interested in becoming a contributing writer or photographer, drop us at note at brtycapublishing@gmail.com

Someone from our staff will respond and give you further instructions.

Until then, welcome to the new HEELS GLOBAL MAGAZINE.

Cheryl Jones-Ross Editor in Chief

HOLD ON SUMMER is not quite over yet!

Oliver Sjรถstrรถm Photographer Filmmaker and Photographer from Sweden | IG: @ollivves | Available for hire | Inquiries: ollivves@gmail.com | Lightroom Presets available here: sellfy.com/ollivves

HEELS ON THE COVER Melody Jacobs www.melodyjacob.com Stylist, Fashion Model Editor in Chief Cheryl Jones-Ross

Contents Summer 2018 Edition

7

Hair Me Out Mz Nikki

Assistant Editor Tyonna Singleton Assistant Editor Vivian Edmonds

12

Free Author D Angel

Contributing Writers

Rev. Denise Wade

15

Hot Fun In The Summer Time Rev. Denise Wade

Nicole Turner-Thomas

Theresa Baker

Author D. Angel

Robin Sample

Staff Photographer Matthew Singleton SICQOGRAPHY Additional Photo Credits: Kaique Rocha kaiquesrocha (instagram) Melody Jacob

18 20 24 27 30

Meal Prep That Saves Time Theresa Baker A Perfect Mess

The Man Behind The Politician Feature Story Ed Gainey

It's That Time of Year Robin Sample

NFL Draftee 2019 Mark Gilbert "I Do It For My Grandmother" 3 Categories of People in Your Life

Feature Stories In This Issue

Ed Gainey The Man Behind The Politician

Meal Prep That Saves Time.

Page 18

As I sat with state representative Ed. Gainey. I was struck with the wisdom coming from a man who had few gray hairs and not nearly enough wrinkles to back up the soundness and good judgment that he possessed when it came to his views on life.

Page 20

NFL Draft 2019 Mark Gilbert

It was a tough time for me when she passed. She was a very big reason — if you asked me who you do it for, I do it for my grandmother.�

Page 27

When You Are Ready, Everyone Knows It!

Ryan Tang ryantdesign.com

SUMMA SUMMA SUMMA TIME! Yes Beautiful, summer is definitely upon us, and I need for all of us to be ready for this Summer '18!!

Summer is that time when coats come off, and sundresses come on!

Before we get into "What's the hottest colors, etc this season?", first things first.

Summer days can get extremely hot and sweaty, so make sure you are staying hydrated, drinking plenty of water.

Eat lots of green, leafy vegetables, and good fruits. This is good for your digestive system and also your skin. Detox several times over the summer months. Cookout, and traveling, sometimes we don't eat our best. You want to rid your body of all that not so good stuff.

Now, let's talk summer colors! This summer, the hot color is a beautiful, pale pink. Nails, toes, and yes, even a splash on your hair!

This color is absolutely gorgeous on all skin complexions. From 1-10, this color is so soft, and elegant. You are sure to feel so puuurty!

This summer, as a stylist, I would love to see lots of short, fun haircuts. Smooth, and chique or spiky, and funky! Long hair is nice, but there is something about a woman who cuts her hair! As my girl Coco Chanel once said, "A woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life."

This summer, as a stylist, I would love to see lots of short, fun haircuts. Smooth, and chique, or spiky, and funky! Long hair is nice, but there is something about a woman who cuts her hair! As my girl Coco Chanel once said, "A woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life."

Skincare. Skincare is very important, especially in the summer.

Like I said, lots of water is a must! I know eyebrows are about to be raised, but the only thing you should wash your face with is HOT WATER! Yes I said it...HOT WATER. Soaps, facial soaps, are not good for your skin, they only dry your skin out.

To remove makeup, I use a cream facial CLEANSER, or if it's just light daytime makeup, I use makeup remover wipes, and then wash my face with hot water. You may feel funny at first, but trust me, your face will thank you!

Always use a daily moisturizer. Oh how beautiful it makes your skin. And you will save a ton of money on foundation, because you won't need as much.

Moisturizers are a must in the summer heat.

Lips. We all want pretty, soft lips. Well you can definitely have them if you keep a little menthol lip balm in your purse!

Yes! Yes! After I moisturize my face in the morning, I immediately put my lip balm on, (carmex is my favorite).

People laugh at me, cause they buy them expensive little lip balls. I don't care for them, because to me they are for flavor. I don't want flavor, I want soft lips!

Perfumes. Summer time calls for soft, delicate, scents like, fruity, florals, and citrus scents. Save the musks for winter.

I am wishing all of you a BEAUTIFUL, fulfilled, and safe summer!

I am always open for Beauty questions. Feel free to email me at SHDBN06@gmail.com

ISeeUBeautiful ~Mz. Nikki

2343 Smallman St. Sola Salons Suite Mz Nikki 8a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Get Directions m.me/SophiscatedHairDesign Call (412) 828-6454

Going to the ends.

Where no one else goes. Because Jesus is alive in the hardest places to be a child.

Connect 1.888.511.6548 World Vision P.0. Box 9716 Federal Way, WA 98063

AUTHOR D. ANGEL

FREE As we get closer to those hot summer days we all love and enjoy, our streets become filled with all different walks of life.

Kids are done with school, college kids are off for a semester, and adults looking to come out and enjoy adult activities. After being in hibernation through a cold winter, folks just wan too break out and have fun.

Some of us go on vacation with our families, off to amusement parks, take trips and all sorts of activities while it’s nice out.

The sad part about summer, i what often comes with these nice days: a rise in death tolls from violence.

These clubs and these bars are some of the biggest contributors to gun violence You put a bunch of teens or young adults, who are from different neighborhoods or belong to different gangs, in enclosed space filled with violent music, alcohol, and access to dangerous drugs, you are basically creating killing field.

Not to mention, this kind of atmosphere also encourages sex, leading to a rise in unplanned pregnancies. The sad part is, most o our youth find places that are dangerous enough to lose your life in the coolest places to be.

This is a serious mental health issue that’s concerning for all cities in America. How do we convince our youth to choose better places with their time when they a a place to hear mood altering music, and dance and grind on each other with drugs and alcohol in their system?

All while walking around with their chest poke out trying to be the hardest with their group of friends.

I recognize how monumental this issue is to tackle, but we’ve got to start somewhere: and it starts with recognizing the problem.

Peace brothers and sisters

Our cover model, Melody Jacobs is the CEO and founder of Melody Jacobs Blog. She is a Media influencer, Content Creator, Lifestyle and Fashion Model.

MJB is focused on partnering with brands, marketing and recreating collections with/for brands.

MJB has grown in becoming an international brand ambassador, representing different clothing lines and charity homes.

MJB has been featured on different magazines and currently stands as the face of different brands she works with, topping the best 5 blogs in Ukraine and 10 most influencer blogs in Europe.

Visit her website at www.melodyjacob.com

HOT FUN IN THE SUMMER TIME! Those of us in the baby boomer generation remember the song, “Hot Fun in the Summertime” by Sly and the Family Stone.

Out of school, county fair in the country sun, and everything it’s true.

End of the spring And here she comes back Them summer days Those summer days That’s when I had Most of my fun Them summer days Those summer days Hot fun in the summertime Hot fun in the summertime Hot fun in the summertime Hot fun in the summertime Basically, the artist is referring to a young lady that he only gets to see in the summertime after school is out. I’m guessing that she comes to visit some of her family from another city or even state every summer, and the songwriter is referring to the anticipation of seeing her.

Psalm 133:1, (KJV) Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

The Message Bible reads, “How wonderful, how beautiful when brothers and sisters get along!”

As we reference the aforementioned song and scripture, there is a certain anticipation of summertime.

Everyone begins to make travel plans, picnic plans, fishing plans, and we get an adrenaline rush as we plan to attend our family reunions. Family reunions become an exciting time to reunite with one another; it’s an opportunity to welcome the newest members to the family and to celebrate the accomplishments of those who set goals last year and now they have successfully reached them. It’s also a celebration of life for our senior family members who God has allowed to share another family reunion with us, as well as a time to remember and reflect on those family and loved ones who are absent from the group this year.

Summertime is an opportunity to get together with those you have only kept in contact with via social media, phone and emails during the winter months of cold, snow and ice. Most people don’t have a desire to travel much in winter and fall. It’s a sad reality that some people who must travel in the winter months is due to illness of family members or they are attending the Homegoing Services of family and friends. So just as the flowers, plants and some animals lie dormant in the winter, so does our communication with one another.

Thanking God for Summer, because it gives us another opportunity to rekindle those relationships. We can experience “Hot Time in the Summertime.” How can we do this?

Men who love to participate in outdoor activities such as golfing, fishing, camping, hiking, boating, kayaking, sports, etc. can use these opportunities to connect with family and friends. These are some of the evangelism tools that God has provided for us. The word also tells us that, “They will know my disciples by the way that they love one another.” One of the easiest ways to show love is to invite others into your space. Get together in these venues with other men who have the same interest and before you know it, you all will experience that “Hot Time in the Summertime” moment!”

Ladies, we can do the same. Get together and plan a day together with friends and loved ones. Do a “Spa Day”, “A Day at the Pool” which can include lunch; get together and have a “Walk Around the Park Day”, plan a picnic, go to a ballgame, go to the local flea markets together, visit the outlets, farmers market, etc. All these venues are our opportunities for evangelism and can soon become our “Hot Time in the Summertime” moments!

This summer make a special effort to get to know your neighbors or at least the one next door. As you see someone cutting their grass, walking around your development, washing their car, taking out the trash, etc., be intentional to speak and engage them in conversation. Start walking the designated trails, go to the dog parks with your pet.

This summer spend more time outside with your children/grandchildren. Plan to attend their outdoor sport activities. Make time to go to the parks, camping, etc. This will improve the parental relationship between you and them. Everyone needs to put away their cell phones, mac books and IPads long enough to get personally connected with one another; you may be surprised what you didn’t know about your child in this past year and it may be an eye opener for them to discover who mom and dad really are.

It’s always a blessing to be with the ones you love; and it is a blessing to be able to create new opportunities that will enable you to make new connections and to form new relationships. Everything we do is an Evangelism opportunity so whenever you are making these connections with family and friends, if you discover they do not have a home church, the door has opened for you to invite them to be your guest one Sunday morning.

In closing, Psalm 24:1 reads, “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to Him.” Therefore, whatever we do we need to make sure that we exhibit the love of God and that He is well represented. We may be the only “Jesus” that is seen among some of our family and friends.

As summer begins, be thankful and enjoy all that God has provided for us in this season and I pray for traveling mercies, reconciliation where needed, healing, deliverance and the peace of God over every person reading this article. Let us have a “Hot Time in the Summertime” in Jesus Name. Amen Rev Denise Wade

Burning illusions bathing in the minds of beach lovers and surfers while the sparkle of the ocean glistens off of their skin, drifting further into dreams of traveling for the summer... sinking sand sizzling imprints blowing into the wind, lifting their thoughts to cloud nine while feeling the flutters as they hear the planes peace pulling onto their souls, heart beats matching the rush of the waves,

Summer time is your perfect painting to brush colors of love with fruits and smothered barbecue decorated with veggies picked from your garden, sprouting into Joy seasoning the positive vibes as you serve at the family reunion.

Dancing on a cruise, like a free butterfly whisping into the air, ohhh how breathtaking summertime can be while sipping on ice cold lemonade remembering how memories can fade, ohhh but the refreshing taste of ice cold lemonade.

Sitting under the night sky with the sound of darkness wishing upon a star, that summer will never go away winter spring and fall I like.... but summer I wish to stay, yes I love to sit under the night sky, ohhh how I wish I never had to tell summer good bye.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: BY: VIVIAN EDMONDS

Meal Planning That Saves Time After a long day at work, what is one of the first things on your mind? What am I going to make for dinner? Once you’ve decided what you’re making, you probably have to stop at the grocery store or decided you’ll just go through a drive through and take dinner home. With either decision, you’ve either taken valuable time out of your evening or you’ve spent unexpected money.

What if you could enjoy your evenings, have control over your dinner plans and could save money? With this weekly “meal planning” strategy, you can have it all!

Step #1 Create Your Menu Get your family involved. Ask them what they would like on the menu.

List Sunday through Saturday and next to each day what you would like to make. (Save more time and more money by adding one or two portions for lunches.)

Step #2 Ingredients Once you’ve created your menu, list everything you need to make each meal. This is your grocery list.

Step #3 Check Your kitchen Once you’ve made your grocery list, look in your panty, cupboards, freezer and refrigerator to see if you have (and enough of) any of the items on your list. If you do, check that item off of

Step #4 Grocery Shopping Buy only what you need! When we go grocery shopping blind, we spend more than we expect or intended to and often times have to stop at the store more than once or twice a week, wasting time as well as money.

Step #5 Enjoy Your Week Knowing each day what you’re making for dinner, not only saves you time and money, it elevates stress. Our homes should be an atmosphere of peace and serenity. Having a well strategized plan, even (especially) at home reduces stress and efficiency.

To schedule your FREE Consultation to see how we can help with your organization needs, please contact us.

A Perfect Mess Phone: 412-744-6102 Email: aperfectmess43@gmail.com Web page: www.aperfectmess43.com Facebook: @theresnomesslikeaperfectmess If this home efficiency plan helped you, we would love to hear from you.

As I sat with state representative Ed. Gainey. I was struck with the wisdom coming from a man who had few gray hairs and not nearly enough wrinkles to back up the soundness and good judgment that he possessed when it came to his views on life.

In the time that we sat and talked he spoke with regard to the applications of his life experiences, the knowledge gained from his mistakes and his successes along with his vision for making the communities that he serves full of opportunities, equality and fairness for all people.

According to "Wikipedia", Ed Gainey was born February 19, 1970. He is currently a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, serving since 2013.

Gainey has also served as a community development specialist for Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, and as the Chairman of the Pittsburgh Democratic Committee.

He has represented the 24th District since 2013. His district includes many majority African American neighborhoods in Pittsburgh, including Homewood, East Liberty, East Hills, and Lincoln-Lemington, plus the similar adjacent municipality of Wilkinsburg.

As I sat and talk with Representative Gainey, I wanted to know more about the man, Edward Gainey since I had already heard so much about the politician. I wanted to know what drives him on a daily basis and what led him on his political journey and on his journey to be a servant to the people.

He began by telling me of his disappointment in socializing his way out of college. Something that he had major regrets over. He felt that he had mainly disappointed his mother who worked hard to ensure that he would have the best education available to him so that would become a man of integrity and honor. This led to his desire to complete what he had started and make sure that any further opportunities given to him would be embraced with determination and commitment.

He did not set out with the mindset of becoming a politician and certainly did not come from a family with a background in politics nor some of the noted connections that others may have been afforded to advance their political aspirations. No, this man, Ed Gainey, worked hard and used the life's lessons as he was divinely directed to follow a path that was certain to lead him right into his purpose.

I asked, "Some children know what they will be when the are young. They say I want to be a policeman or fireman when I grow up. Did you ever feel that way about your future?". His response to me was, "No. As a child, I never met a politician. I was simply living the life that was modeled before me. However, as my life progressed I believe that I was led into politics".

He was raised by a single mother whom he spoke about with honor an adoration, who pushed him to excel in his education. He later developed a strong relationship with his father whom he also spoke of with a sense of pride and reverence. In January of 2016, his sister, Ja-nese Talton, was killed outside of Cliff's Bar and Grill in Homewood. It would soon be learned that the man was angry that his advances toward her were rejected. He followed her outside and shot her in the chest.

I asked Mr. Gainey, how the death of his sister has impacted his life and if it has fueled his passion to help people in anyway. But his answer was not of gun control or stricter sentences for repeat offenders but, he spoke of how that tragedy strengthened his relationship with his father and caused him to have a greater understand of who his father really was and of the things that caused his father to be the man that he was.

A strong familiar foundation is one of the many attributes that contributes to the wisdom and prudence displayed by a man who works tirelessly for his community without expectation of riches and fame. As a matter of fact, when I went to his office for this interview, I expected to be taken into a plush office with congressional decor, a cherrywood desk, conference table and large leather chairs used to relax in while planning the years agenda for working with the community. But what I found was a simple office filled with the necessities needed for a public service work environment, paperwork and more paperwork on simple metal desk, polite interns who made me feel at home and a small staff busy answering phones and handling the daily task of running a goverment office led by such a prominent figure in Pittsburgh’s political arena.

These things were major for me because they allowed me to have greater insight into the heart of this man who loves the communities that he serves and is serious about his commitment to better these communities for the good of all.

When he arrived he greeted me with a great big smile and a hand shake. I remember looking at his face thinking how much he looked like a close cousin of mine, not at all like the stern faced hard demeanor that I had expected from my own ideas of what a politician may be like.

As he shared a story with me about his own first encounter with a politician while attending college at Morgan State in Baltimore Maryland, he spoke about how he heard this particular man speak of some things that he had planned to do within his community to improve the quality of life for his constituents. Mr. Gainey expressed how he was not in total agreement with the plans of this politician that he was interning for at that time and also believed that what he was saying that he could do, would not really be done. He felt that his plans for renovating and improving that particular district would shift that neighborhood's composition and cause many African Americans to be displaced. However, when he returned several years later, he discovered that the process not only improved the community, but the people where thriving and settling into better living conditions and economic progression. Seeing positive change actually transpire within that community was the catalyst that started Mr. Gainey on his journey to help provide a better life for the people in his own communities.

As I shared with him one of my concerns within our communities involving young men being incarcerated and given stiff sentences because of drug abused, he listened intensively as I talked about my own personal experience regarding one of my sons

When asked, "What changes do you want to see", he replied, " I think we have to reverse what we have built. Even though my district is big, let's just talk about the whole district. From an educational standpoint, I want to see where our children have an opportunity to go to school earlier. I want to see more money dedicated to a universal pre-K fund that gives our children an opportunity to start early. The data demonstrates that if they start early then they will have a better opportunity for success. If that's what the data demonstrates then to me, that is what you invest in because the rate of return is less incarceration and more education. The younger that we begin to get them into a classroom setting and begin to work with them is critical.

He recently held a back to school event at Destiny International Ministry in Pittsburgh for children in grades K-5. He told KDKA news Pittsburgh, “The back-to-school giveaway is an event I look forward to every year,” Gainey said. “A new school year provides students an opportunity to take on new challenges, and I enjoy playing a role in helping them grow.

Our students truly are our future, and we must do everything we can to help them reach their greatest potential.”

In continuing our discussion, he went on to say, "From a criminal justice standpoint, I think that we have to give people back their life. I think that coming home with felonies and misdemeanors and you have done your time is not a way to segue people back into society. But, it becomes an obstacle or a barrier making it difficult for them. Not that they can't overcome that because we have models of that but, we have made the road difficult.

I think that in criminal justice we have to totally eliminate the war on drugs. I don't know a society that has not gotten high. People have been getting high since the beginning of time. So if we talk about incarcerating people for just selling drugs and getting high, and the only way for rehabilitation is detention then we haven't made the world a better place because we are putting barriers on people knowing that we can't stop it.

Instead of regulating something so that we can ensure that we can reduce the homicides, suicides, and overdoes in order to be affective in the communities, we must first understand that drug usage is going to be a part of it. Instead of people going to the penitentiary and rehabilitation, drug usage must be regulated. Until we get that, we will experience more of the same.

A proposal from state Rep. Ed Gainey, to form a committee that would study legalization or decriminalization has been submitted but unapproved as of yet, since it was referred to the Health Committee last October.

“The time is now for Pennsylvania to address this critical issue of self-redemption providing our citizens with a true second chance,” Gainey said at an Educational Forum hosted by Pennsylvania State Sen. Sharif Street in which he was in attendance to raise awareness of Senate bill 942, which would end sentences of life without parole in Pennsylvania.

“We have to save Mother Earth,” he was quoted as saying at a May 3 2018 press conference at the East Liberty transit station. “The more we can invest in cleaner air, the more we are looking to the future. And we know electric buses are the way of the future.” Looking to the future is not uncommon for a man of vision who not only talks of change, but is active in pursuing it.

As we ended our interview, I felt the need to express to Mr. Gainey how impressed I was with the amount of wisdom that he possessed. I truly and personally believe that Representative Ed Gainey is a man with a true heart for societal reform, the type of reform that will not only benefit the people that he serves, but will give them back their dignity, their hopes and dreams and propel them into a new way of thinking about life which will effect their choices and better their options for a better and brighter future.

It’s That Time of Year!!

Yes!! It’s that time of year!! Lots of sunshine, hot weather, picnics, backyard barbecues, block parties, family reunions, music in the air, sounds of children playing tag, hide and go seek, because school is out because it’s Summer time!

We have been bundled up all winter, weathering the ice, snow and frigid temperatures and now, we can put our boots, coats, scarves and gloves away and trade them in for maxi dresses, shorts, capris, tanks/beaters, sandals and sunglasses. It’s the time of year when you get to show off all of your hard work and dedication from having been in the gym working on your Summer body!

When I think of Summer time, I think of everybody being happy, families coming together, friends hanging out just because, music playing from the trunk speakers of someone’s car, children running around playing and plenty of good food fresh off the grill. What is it about Summer time that causes us to be so happy? Is it

because we can finally get out of the house and engage in some fun activities? Is it because our children are out of school and we get to spend quality time with them while getting a break from the daily hustle and bustle of early risings and late settlings? It may be a combination of things, which may vary from person to person, but all in all, Summer time seems to be the season that just makes people feel good.

Summer 2017, I woke up on a hot, July morning, the temperature was already in the mid-80s and it was expected to climb to the high 90’s by the end of the day. I opened my blinds to capture the rays of sun, which were shining like beams of gold, lighting up the morning sky. I got out of bed, walked over to my window and saw children already playing hopscotch on the sidewalk in front of my house. I smiled and joyfully reminisced about days when those children were once my friends and I, up and outside with the first sign of sunlight. I stood there watching them for a few minutes and when they were finished playing, they said something to each other, followed by smiles and then they each went their separate ways, skipping all the way.

That scene brought back so many memories from my past, memories that made me smile and be grateful that children were still able to have good, clean fun in a society where there is so much violence, drug activity,

high speed chases, etc.

So, I decided I would take a drive down to the beach. It was the weekend, I didn’t have to work, my homework was done, and I didn’t have anything else to do. So, I got up and got myself together, put on my favorite shade of lipstick and my sunglasses and hit the road. As I drove, I took in the beauty of nature, as I noticed beautiful leaves hanging from tall, swaying trees, colorful flower beds adorning

yards as I passed by, and the local ice cream truck that was parked on a corner with a line of excited children, who were waiting patiently to get their treats. Scenes like these remind me that it is Summer time!

As I arrived at the beach, there were a sea of umbrellas spanning the entire beach, with people sun-bathing, sun tanning and some, even napping. I immediately joined them and before long, I was enjoying the heat from the sun and the warm breeze as I lay there listening to the waves crashing against the beach, seagulls chirping as they flew overhead and the voices of adults and children as they played frisbee, volleyball and other beach sports. I could stay right there forever, not a care in the world, being one with nature, and allowing the stressors from my busy life get washed away with every crashing wave. This was the life. This was life in the Summer time!

The beginning of Summer is like a second celebration of New Year’s. It feels like a new beginning when Spring goes out and Summer comes in. There is so much joy, happiness and excitement that comes along with the anticipation of Summer. People are looking forward to family vacations, that they began planning during the Winter months. Season tickets to amusement parks and theme parks and being put to use. Baseball stadiums are filled with cheering fans. The oceans and bays are full of cruise ships, yachts, jet skis, surf boards, and other water vessels, as people take to the seas in the Summer time.

Everybody is looking forward to Independence Day, where there is plenty of good food being grilled, good family fun, friends stopping in and at the end of the night, everybody gathering around in anticipation of the annual fire work display that will light up the night sky with bright colorful sequences of patterns and designs, with the grand finale being the show-stopper, the thing that reminds everyone that Summer time is here!

I hope every enjoys their Summer. Remember to wear sunblock when you’re planning to be outside for extended periods of time, drive safely and sensibly, do not drink and drive, and above all else, take this time of year to spend with your family. We only live once and we only get one family so enjoy your time together because it’s Summer time!

Robin M. Sample, CSC-AD/P Author, Motivational Speaker, Advocate for Victims of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

2019 NFL Draft Mark Gilbert “I Do It For My Grandmother"

“Mark displayed athletic ability as a toddler. He was left handed and his Dad kept a basketball or a football in his hands. He was an exceptional basketball player at a very young age.

I always made sure that he felt our presence and support. We missed very few games. His Dad took all of them to workout in addition to their team practices. The goal was always to self assess and ask, “Did I get better today”, said his mother Tonya Gilbert in a recent interview that I had the honor of doing for this magazine.

“We stressed academics no matter how hard it seemed. Mark knew if his grades slipped sports came second. He loved sports so he always found a way to stay centered and focused.

Mark Gilbert was born on June 1, 1997 to Mark and Tonya Gilbert. He is the oldest of their three children. He began to favor football after a traumatic knee injury in 2014. He was concerned that he would not recover from such a devastating injury, but his determination and faith supported him to a full recovery which led him and his team right into the State Championship win in Basketball that same year.

Remarkably, he had a phenomenal year playing football after missing his Sophomore basketball year.

He played AAU for Ozanam as well as the Darrelle Revis Allstars in Pittsburgh PA. Over the years he excelled in both basketball and football and was sought after by the elite AAU teams of North Carolina. He led his high school team to a NCHSAA 3A State Championship win and was named the MVP in 2015.

He attributes his faith in God to his upbringing and his desire to succeed not only in sports but in life to the memory of his maternal grandmother, who died suddenly in 2005. He told GoDuke Magazine’s John Roth, “It was tough when she passed away because she played such a big role in my upbringing,” Gilbert said. “I was home-schooled until third grade. While my parents worked I was at home with her all day.

Any errands she had to run, I was right there by her side. It was a tough time for me when she passed. She was a very big reason — if you asked me who you do it for, I do it for my grandmother.”

“Mark’s dad and I decided early that we would put his faith first, then family and football. We pray with him before every game whether it be at his hotel or over the phone. He looks forward to that time as he prepares for each game. When choosing Duke as his college to attend, he was impressed with their faith, family, football approach. It was the deciding factor for him in addition to their strong alumni base and proven reputation to produce world leaders. He has learned how to successfully balance being a student and an athlete as he enters his Junior year at Duke.

Receiving dozens of scholarship offers to play football encouraged him to go to college and pursue a higher education. He is currently majoring in Sociology and is studying documentary studies with hopes to someday use media to tell the stories of those who never have the opportunity to do so.

Here are some of Mark’s impressive stats: Four-year letterman at Terry Sanford High School under head coach Bryan Till ... three-star prospect by ESPN.com, Rivals.com, 247Sports.com and Scout.com ... rated as the No. 37 cornerback in the country by ESPN.com, No. 42 by Scout.com, No. 53 by 247Sports.com and No. 62 by Rivals.com ... charted as the No. 2 cornerback prospect in North Carolina according to Scout.com ... in December, 2015, received the Laurel Wreath Award, an accolade marking the highest sports honor North Carolina can present to an athlete ... chosen to represent North Carolina in The Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas ... recorded a second half INT to help North Carolina to 54-39 victory over South Carolina ... following senior year, placed on the all-division NCPreps.com all-state team ... as a senior, helped Terry Sanford to a second consecutive Cape Fear Valley 3-A Conference title and a 12-2 final record ... totaled 66 tackles and three kickoff returns for TDs ... as a junior, helped squad to a 9-4 record and Cape Fear Valley Conference crown after recording 34 tackles, three INTs and one punt return for a TD ... also lettered in basketball ... led Terry Sanford to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 3A state crown as a junior and earned title game MVP honors (31 points) in a 67-60 win over Gastonia Ashbrook ... All-Cape Fear basketball player of the year pick by The Fayetteville Observer (18 points per game) as a junior.

Even though Gilbert is not nationally know (yet) he is currently projected as a 1st round 2019 NFL draft pick. He has not decided whether he will enter the draft yet. His focus is on this school year and the new football season beginning with a game against Army.

Standing at 6’1ʺ, the Duke cornerback played 914 snaps last season and was targeted on 60 of them, six of which he intercepted. Mark Gilbert intercepted 10 percent of the passes thrown his direction by opposing quarterbacks.

“In my eyes he’s the best at all he does and I’m his biggest fan”, says his mother, Tonya. “He requests your prayers as he continues to pursue his degree and his gift makes room for him”.

Categorizing The People In Your LIfe You must begin to categorize the people that are your life especially when it comes to the dreams and the goals that you have set for your life. Some people are connected to you to the end, they have been assigned to your life all the way through and to take up the mantle that you leave behind when the Lord upgrades you into the life to come.

However, others may not be in your life permanently and that is alright. They may be there to help you grow and get through the rough stages of your life. They may be there to share in a particular assignment that you have been placed on this earth to perform for a period of time. But then there may come a time of separation when you begin to move in God's perfect will for your life and the perfect will for that person's life is no longer connected to you.

As I started to purge my Facebook friends list, I first began to remove the people who had inactive statuses.

Some folks are simply inactive in your life. You are still connected to them, but for no meaningful reason.

They are just there taking up the space and time that you need for those whom God sends to help you get to the next level in your life. Those types of folks, should immediately be cut out of your life because you have no relationship with them anyhow and they certainly won't even notice that you have cut them off.

When it comes to categorizing people in your life, here are three quick negative traits to watch for, these are not the only traits, but I will start with these: 1. Watch out for people who have never supported you.

Even though you have done for them, when your turn comes to be in the forefront they will refuse to support you. You can help these types of people and be there even in their roughest situations but rarely will they be there for you in yours. If they have never supported you, they will certainly not support your dream either and will do whatever they can to make sure others follow their lead.

2. Be careful of people who refuse to celebrate with you.

Now, you should not be one who is looking for affirmation from man by any means or one who expects to be celebrated for the things that you do. You should always be willing to do even if no one says, good job or pats you on the back. BUT, it is best to keep a close eye on those who never say anything good about you.

People who never compliment you, who rarely show any type of happiness for accomplishments that you achieve outside of them, fit into this category. They are happy for you as long as what you are doing is enhancing their lives, but they aren't happy for you if you are celebrated outside of them.

3. Watch out for those who are secretly jealous of you. Jealousy is a sneaky thing and it can manifest in different ways, including the ones listed above.

But, the jealous person is the most dangerous of all. They secretly want what you have or what is in you and are angry at you because they think that you are taking away from them. Instead of them understanding that what they have in them is just as valuable as what you have, or knowing that who you are has no detrimental affect on them, they will do whatever they can to ruin your reputation, and try to make you feel and look inferior in front of others in order to discredit you and your dreams.

These types of people find you useful as long as you do their bidding, but they will do whatever they can to keep you submissive to them so that they can control you because if they control you, they will make themselves great through you.

If jealous people are permitted to stay in your life for an extended period of time and you do not deal with them by cutting them out of your life first, they will eventually do whatever they must do to permanently shut you down.

It doesn't matter what good you do for a person who is jealous of you, they will never be satisfied with what you do for them and they will never be willing to accept YOU no matter how great the thing is that you do for them or give to them. They will have no pity, no compassion and no gentleness for you if there ever comes a time to take vengeance against you. These types of people will seek out an enemy of yours, befriend them so that they can have more "power" to come up against you.

This is why you must guard what you know is true about who you are, because you won't really know who is for you until you open your mouth and begin to talk about your dreams and your destiny.

Everyone is not going to understand you, no matter how much you want them to and you can not afford to have well-meaning people to talk you out of walking in who you have been created to be.

Some folks who are connect to your destiny may even try to talk you out of it because they understand what your dream means to their life and their relationship with you.

So, what do you do once these folks are removed from your life in a manner that causes you to feel hurt, betrayed or alone, or when those that you trusted turn their back on you or throw you in the pit because of their refusal to accept you for you.

You Forgive!

When we fully understand that forgiveness is a decision and not a feeling, we will learn how to let go of the affects of the offense as well as the feelings that we have toward the person that has offended us even if we still feel offended or hurt.

Be assured that may not be easy to do and it may take time as well as conscious, intentional thinking to function in such a high capacity of moral character. Does it mean that you are morally corrupt if you struggle with forgiveness? The answer is emphatically, "No". But it does mean that we have some maturing to do.

Unforgiveness is a surefire way to keep us bound to our past and it keep us connected to the hurt and pain that the Lord has freed us from. Unforgiveness is a spiritual poison that we drink expecting the other person that we are angry with to die. It poisons our mind, our soul and even our body and causes everything from mental depression, to health problems such as cancer, fibromyalgia and arthritis.

Here are three facts that may help you on your road to forgiveness.

1. It may take time to forgive however, the only time it needs is the time that it takes for you to change your mind.

2. Be who you were created to be knowing that the same gift that caused you to be an outcast is the same gift that will get you out of where you are and bring you before great men.

3. Allow your mind to be transformed. Let your mind be so far from your past, your past hurts, disappointments and betrayals until those who may come back into your life, will not recognize the new you.

You should be so changed that you are eager to bless those that curse you, pray for those who despitefully use you and serve those who in the past spit in your face.

And always remember everyone is not going to support you, but as long as you are good with you, that's all that matters!

Because

How

You Get There Matters!

Nikita Kachanovsky https://www.patreon.com/nkachanovsky

AJ Garcia ajgarcia.net

HEELS HEALING ENCOURAGEMENT ELEVATION LOVE SOUNDNESS

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