SpeakUpSis - 2024 Winter Edition by SpeakUpSis®

TABL EOF

CONTENTS Edi t or ’ sNot e

SpeakUpSi sSt or i es

Chef ’ sChoi ce

Communi t yEvent s

Gett oKnow Her

WomenI nBusi ness Spot l i ght

Si sCol umns

Body ,Spi r i tandSoul

Cr eat i veCor ner

ButGod!Test i moni es

Edi t or ’ s Not e “ Thi sedi t i ons er vesasagui de encour agi ngusal lt ol i vei nf ai t h. . . ”

hei naugur alyearofSpeakUpSi s !Magazi newasgr eat er t hanIcoul dhavei magi ned.I n2023,wepubl i s hedf our edi t i ons ,oneeachquar t eroft heyear ,andconnect ed wi t hover8, 000i ndi vi dual si nt endi f f er entcount r i eswi t ht he di gi t alver s i onoft hemagazi neands ol dover500pr i nt copi es .Aswes t epi nt ot hedawnof2024,Iam t hr i l l edt o unvei lt he5t hedi t i onofSpeakUpSi sMagazi ne.

i ns pi r i ngwomanwho deci dedt ot akeal eapof f ai t handwal konwat erwi t h God.I ti smyhopet hatyou wi l lcel ebr at eherr es i l i ence andl ear nf r om herj our ney , chal l engesandt r i umphs .

Thi sedi t i oni scent er edar oundt hepower f ult hemeoft aki ng al eapoff ai t ht o“ Embr acet heShi f t . ”I nawor l dcons t ant l yi n f l uxandf i l l edwi t ht hehar dt hi ngsofl i f e,t hi sedi t i ons er ves asagui deencour agi ngusal lt ol i vei nf ai t h,ur gi ngust o wel comechangewi t hopenar msandf i ndbeaut yi nt r ut h, t r ans f or mat i on,andt r ans par ency .

Aswebegi nt onavi gat et he l ands capeoft hi snew year ,I ext endmydeepes tgr at i t ude t oyou,ourcher i s hed r eader s .Yourengagement andent hus i as mf uelour commi t mentt odel i ver i ng cont entt hatr es onat esand i ns pi r es .Her e’ st oayearof embr aci ngs hi f t s ,s par ki ng t r ans par entandvul ner abl e conver s at i ons ,and cel ebr at i ngt heext r aor di nar y i nt heor di nar y .

Ourpagesar egr acedwi t ht hef r es hper s pect i vesofournew 2024r egul arcol umni s t ,pr omi s i ngayearofi ns i ght f ul comment ar yandt hought pr ovoki ngi ns i ght s .Thei runi que voi cesaddavi br antl ayert ot het apes t r yofi deasf orwhi ch SpeakUpSi s !Magazi nei sknown. Ii nvi t eyout odi vei nt ot hehear tofourmagazi ne,t he SpeakUpSi sSt or i es ,wher et hevoi cesofwomenechowi t h r es i l i ence,cour age,andwi s dom.Thi sedi t i onhi ghl i ght s s ur vi vor sofchi l dhoods exualabus e( CSA) ,at opi ccl os et o myhear t ,asIam aCSA Over comer ,t oo.Thes enar r at i ves br i ngt ol i ghtt hedi ver s eexper i encest hats hapeanddef i ne us ,f os t er i ngas ens eofcommuni t ywi t hi nourr eader s hi p.Our Gett oKnow Heri nt er vi ew of f er sagl i mps ei nt ot hel i f eofan

War mes tr egar ds ,

AngelChar mai ne

Edi t or i nChi ef SpeakUpSi sMagazi ne

SpeakUpSi s Stories

EVELYN’ SSTORY: TRUSTYOURGUT By:Evel ynFar mer Phot ogr apher :SnappedbyConni e

sapas s i onat eadvocat eand pr oudos t omat e,I ’ ve adapt edt ohavi ngan os t omy ,andI ’ m gr at ef ul .Tobe hones t ,Inevert houghtIwoul d des cr i behavi ngaper manent col os t omyasgr at ef ul ,buti ts aved myl i f e. Jul y30,201 9,Ir ecei vedt he di agnos i s ,butmycancerj our ney act ual l ybegannear l ys even mont hsear l i er .I tal ls t ar t edwhenI washavi ngt r oubl emaki ng compl et ebowelmovement swhi l e us i ngt her es t r oom.Ichal kedup mys ympt omst obei ng cons t i pat ed,asIhaves uf f er ed wi t hcons t i pat i onmos tofmyl i f e. WhenInot i cedbl oodi nmys t ool ,I madeanappoi nt mentwi t hmy Pr i mar yCar eDoct or .Mydoct or br us hedof fmys ympt omsand s ai di twashemor r hoi ds ,and due t omyage,Idi dnotneeda col onos copy . Af t ers eei ngt hedoct or ,I cont i nuedt ohaves ympt omsand j us t“ f el tof f , ”s oIcal l edmydoct or agai nacoupl emont hsl at erand as kedt os chedul eacol onos copy . Whi l eawai t i ngaut hor i zat i on,my condi t i onwor s ened.WhenI awakenedf r om t het es t ,Iknew s omet hi ngwaswr ong.Thedoct or

Evel ynFar mer Phot ogr apher :SnappedbyConni e

SpeakUpSi s Stories

Evel yn’ sSt or y: Tr us tYourGut By: Evel ynFar mer

s howedmeapi ct ur eofaf i s t s i zed mal i gnantt umori nmys i gmoi dcol on. Ever yt hi ngs hi f t ed.Iwasi ncompl et e s hock.Myhus bandbegancr yi ng.The doct ors ai dIhada“ l ongr oad”aheadof me,butever yt hi ngwass chedul edf or met os eet heoncol ogi s tands t ar t t r eat ment .Iknew att hatmomentIwas goi ngt of i ghtt hi s .Wewoul dget t hr oughi tt hebes tweknew how,but t i medi ds eem mor ef i ni t e,ands omany t hought sgot hr oughyourheadwhen yout hi nkofhow mucht i meyoumay havel ef tt os pendwi t hyourhus band, chi l dr en,andf ami l y . Li f ebecameawhi r l wi ndofdoct or ’ s appoi nt ment s .Ihads i xweeksofor al chemo,t hi r t yt hr eer adi at i ont r eat ment s t omypel vi st os hr i nkt hes i zeoft he t umor ,ands ur ger y .Ihadbeent ol d bef or es ur ger yoft hepos s i bi l i t yIcoul d haveanos t omybag.Iwokeupf r om r ecover y ,s aw t hebagandwast ol di t wasper manentduet ot i s s uedamage Evel ynFar mer Phot ogr apher :SnappedbyConni e

f r om r adi at i on.

goi ngt hr oughphys i cal l yand ps ychol ogi cal l ymor et han I tcanbehar dt or ecl ai m your t hos ewhohavebeent her e f emi ni ni t yandr ebui l dyour t hems el ves .Iknow whatt hey s t r engt haf t ert r eat mentand ar egoi ngt hr ough;Ir emember s ur ger y .Li f ewi t hanos t omyi s bei ngi nt hei rs hoes .Iwantt o hel pt hem under s t andt hei rl i f e notper f ect ,butIs har emy s t or yt obr i ngawar enes s , i snotover .I nf act ,i ti sj us tt he s pr eadi nf or mat i onaboutt he begi nni ngofs omet hi ng“ new, ” s ympt omsofcol or ect alcancer , andIwantt opr ovi det hem andt oencour ageot her st oget wi t hmuchneededs uppor t . s cr eened.Ial s os har emys t or y f ort hos ewhomaybependi ng Pr oudl y ,Icans ay ,“ Is ur vi ved anos t omys ur ger yandnew cancer ,andIam t hr i vi ng. ” One os t omat esbecaus enoone mayas khow Igott ot hi spoi nt , t r ul yunder s t andswhatyouar e andt heans weri snots i mpl e.I t

i nvol vedt i me,s uppor tand s el f l ove.Iwi l lneverpr et end t her ewer enot ear sor depr es s i on,butal lofi thel ped met obecomet heper s onIam t oday-as ur vi vor .

SpeakUpSi s Stories

“ I ’ mt i r ed.If eeldr ai ned.Iwant as epar at i on. ”

hos ewor dss hookme t omycor eand changedmyl i f e' s cour s e.Inevert hought s epar at i onordi vor cewoul d becomeapar tofmys t or yi na mi l l i onyear s .Idi dn’ thavea r ai nydayf unds aved.Idi dnot haveapl anB.Inever ent er t ai nedt het houghtof l i vi ngl i f ewi t houtmyhus band bymys i de.Iwasnotpr epar ed whenmyhus bands har ed t hos ewor dswi t hme.I r ecent l ygavebi r t ht oour younges ts on,Khal i l ,whowas af ew mont hsol datt het i me.I waswor ki ng1 0hour saweek asacont r act or .Iwasi nno pos i t i ont obegi nanew l i f eon myown.Yet ,Icoul dnotdeny t het oneofmyhus band’ s voi cet hatt ol dmehi smi nd wasmadeup. Myl i f ef el tl i keal i vi ng ni ght mar edur i ngt hemont hs t hatf ol l owedt hi sencount er . Li keJobi nt heBi bl e,If aced

ever ydi f f i cul t ypos s i bl e.My mar r i agewasf al l i ngapar t . Wewer ef or cedt omove f r om ourhome.Myhus band s har edt hathenol onger want edt ol i vet oget her .I neededchi l dcar eanda f ul l t i mepos i t i on.Iwast or n bet weens t ayi ngi nYor k,PA, orr el ocat i ngt oMar yl andt o l i vecl os ert of ami l y .Ihadt o makel i f echangi ngdeci s i ons wi t hl i t t l eemot i onalcapaci t y orbandwi dt h.Iwasnot at t endi ngchur ch.If el tal one anddef eat ed.Is t r uggl edt o over comet het r aumaofmy pas tandunbeknowns tt ome i ts pr eadt oever yar eaofmy l i f e.If el tt r apped.My hus bandf el tt r apped.Gi vi ng upappear edt obet hemos t vi abl eopt i on. Oneday ,mont hsl at er ,Iwas i nt r oducedt ot heBur den GI ni aBi s hop f ami l y .TheBur densar e Phot ogr apher :Samant haRengi f o Pas t or sandCouns el or si n Yor k.Icont act edt hem i n des per at i ont of i ndcl ar i t y andcomf or t .Tomys ur pr i s e, t heywel comedmycal lwi t h

SpeakUpSi s Stories

Gr acet oSt ar tOver By: Gi ni aBi s hop

openar ms .Af t erat t endi ngaf ew s es s i ons ,we i nvi t edmyhus bandt oat t endas es s i on.I r ememberPas t orJuani t at el l i ngmet her ewas hopef orourmar r i age.Icl ungt oherwor dsand pr ayedf ort heheal i ngwes odes per at el y needed. I nFebr uar yof2022,myhus bandas kedf ort he s epar at i on.Dur i ngJune,wemovedi nt oour s epar at ehomes .TheLor dpr ovi dedmewi t ha new homei nMar yl and,af ul l t i mepos i t i on,and at r us t edbabys i t t er .Yet ,Is t i l lhopedf ora s econdchancef orourmar r i age.Thi sOct ober 2023,Icel ebr at eGod’ sf ai t hf ul nes st oans wer mypr ayer .He us edt he s t or msi nour l i vest o s t r engt henus , r ef i neus , andhealus .

GI ni aBi s hop Phot ogr apher :Samant haRengi f o

Iam wal ki ngi nal evelofper s onal heal i ngandf ul f i l l mentt hatI nevert houghtwaspos s i bl e.The i ci ngont hecake?Godus edt hi s s t or mt opus hmei nt odes t i ny .I n 2024,Iam r el eas i ngmyf i r s t book,Gr acet oSt ar tOver .I fyou ar ef aci ngas t or mt oday ,Iwant yout oknow:1 )Nos t or ml as t s f or ever ,2)Youcant r us tGod, and3)God’ spl ani snevert o des t r oyyoubutt obr i ngabout yourbeaut i f ulf ut ur e.

GI ni aBi s hop Phot ogr apher :Samant haRengi f o

SpeakUpSi s Stories

THEBRAVESTTHI NG I ’ VEEVERDONE BY: ERI NNANASI

hebr aves tt hi ngI ’ veever donei ss t andal oneout s i deChi l dr en’ sTheat r e, hol di ngas i gn.I twasacol d s pr i ngday ,andIhaddeci ded t ooutmys el fasas ur vi vorof s exualvi ol enceatt hehandsof at eacher .Iwasoneof ei ght eens ur vi vor sofChi l dr en’ s Theat r ewhof oundt hecour age t os ue,butont hi scol ds pr i ng day ,i twasj us tme.Mys i gn i dent i f i edmyat t acker ,whathe haddone,andmyagewhenhe t r i edt or apemei nhi scar . Fi f t een.Iwasf i f t eenwhenhe of f er edmear i dehomeaf t era l at et echr ehear s al .Whenhe dr ovepas tmyhous eand par kedonLakeHar r i etDr i ve. Whenheki s s edme,andIs ai d noIwantt ogohomeandhe r i ppedandcl awedatme. If oughtmywayoutoft hecar , f al l i ngont ot hecur b.Ir an home.Idi dn’ tt el lanyone becaus eatChi l dr en’ sTheat r e, younevert ol d.Weal lknew but wenevers pokei tal oud.We knew JohnCl ar kDonahuewas mol es t i ngandr api ngl i t t l eboys . Weknew St ephenAdamczak wasas s aul t i nggi r l s ,mys el f i ncl uded.Weknew aboutJas on McLean.

SpeakUpSi s Stories

Gr acet oSt ar tOver By: Gi ni aBi s hop

Thi swasChi l dr en’ sTheat r e.WewonaTonyawar d.Smi t hs oni anmagazi nef eat ur edChi l dr en’ s Theat eri nani s s ue.JoelGr eygus hedaboutusonat al ks how.Youdi dn’ tt al kaboutt her apeort he pedophi l i aort hegr oomi ngort heabus e.Youf ocus edont hear t . Decadesl at er ,asmyhus banddr ovemys i gnandIt oChi l dr en’ sTheat r e,Icoul df eelmyanxi et y r i s i ng.It houghtImi ghtt hr ow up.ButIgotoutoft hecarhol di ngmypos t erboar d,andwal kedont o t hepubl i cs i dewal k.Ast hecol dwi ndbl ew myhai rawayf r om myf ace,Is i mpl ys t ood,decl ar i ngmy t r aumaf orpas s i ngcar sandpedes t r i ans .Andmyanxi et ywasr epl acedbyas ens eofcal m. Ipr ot es t edever yweekendout s i deChi l dr en’ sTheat r e.Somet i mesot her sj oi nedme,s omet i mesi t wasj us tmyhus bandandmys el f .Ours onj oi nedusoneSat ur day .Ior gani zedapr ot es tofoneof Chi l dr en’ sTheat r e’ sbi ggal as .Ther i chf ol ksi nt hei rMer cedesandRangeRover si gnor edusal l . Sui ngChi l dr en’ sTheat r ewasnotaheal t hyt hi ngf ormet odo.Fouryear sl at er ,Iam s t i l lnotokay . Buts t andi ngout s i det hebui l di ngwher eIf i r s tl ear nedwhatf earr eal l yi s ,hol di ngas i gnt hats har ed myt r ut hwi t hs t r anger s ,t hatwasheal t hy .Thatwasamazi ng. Thatwast hebr aves tt hi ngI ’ veeverdone.

SpeakUpSi s Stories

Rachel l eTi nsl ey-Hi s Doxol ogyCat er pi l l ar : Showi ngandt el l i ng how hehas t r ansf or medmyl i f e ever ywher ewego! By:Rachel l eTi ns l ey

f t ert oomanyyear sof l i t er al l ydanci ngwi t h t hedevi l ,Godr es cued mef r om t hepi t sofdar knes s andhasf ul l yr edeemedme. TodayIpr oudl ydancef or Jes us .Iwasabr okengi r li na br okenwor l d.Il i t er al l ycr aved l ovef r om al lt hewr ong pl aces .Idi dn’ tknow my wor t h.Al lIknew wast ous e mybodyt ot ur nmenonl i keI di dmyabus er ,mybi ol ogi cal f at her .Thi sl edmedowna pat hofpr omi s cui t ybegi nni ng ear l yi nmyf r es hmanyearof hi ghs chool .Thi spat t er n cont i nuedoni nt omyadul t year s .Iwal kedt hr oughl i f e car r yi ngal otofpai nduet o t hes er i oust r aumadonet o me.It r i edt obl ockoutt hos e

t er r i f yi ngmemor i esf ormos t ofmybr okenadul tl i f e. Af t ermovi ngasf arawayasI coul dgof r om myabus er ,I l andedi nAr l i ngt on,Texas .I s pentmyf i r s tf i f t eenyear si n Texasget t i ngpai dl ot sof moneyt opl aywi t ht hemi nds ofmen.Is ay“ pl ay”becaus eI f oundmys el fwor ki ngata gent l eman’ scl ub.Fort hem,I wasaf ant as y ,af r i end,a conf i dant t hei rs ecr etmus ei n adar kpl ace.Thehar dt r ut hi s t hat ,t ot hos emen,Iwas ever yt hi ngt hei rwi f ewasnot . Mos tofmybi gmoneycame f r om mar r i edmen.Iwat ched mar r i agesdr owni ns i n, i ncl udi ngmyown.

SpeakUpSi s Stories Themanyni ght sofdr i nki ngt o numbt hepai nr es ul t edi nme pl eadi nggui l t yt oaCl as sA mi s demeanorf orDWI .Iwent t oj ai lf ort hef i r s tt i mei nmy l i f e.Ihadnomemor yofdr i vi ng homet hatni ght .I twasi nt hat j ai lcel lt hatIwasgr at ef ult obe al i ve,butIwasf acet of ace wi t hconcr et ewal l sandIhadt o s wal l ow s omehar dt r ut hs .How coul dIj eopar di zes eei ngmy babyboyagai n?Wast her e s omet hi ngwr ongwi t hme?I knew onet hi ng;Iwast r apped i nadanger ouss i npat t er n.The ni ght sofwaki ngupandnot knowi ngwher eIwascamet o anendwhenIf oundoutIwas pr egnant .Iwass el f i s handt ook ani nnocentl i f et hr ough abor t i on.Ir ecogni zedIwasl os t andneededhel p.The empt i nes s ,gui l t ,and br okennes swer e over whel mi ng.If el thopel es s .I r eal i zedf ort hef i r s tt i met hatI wasgoi ngt ohavet os t and bef or emyunbor nchi l done day .I twast hent hatIknew s omet hi nghadt ochange.Il ai d onmyapar t mentf l oorand cr i edoutt oGod;“ Pl eas e changeme! ”Godhear dme t hatday . ” I t ’ sbeenl i f echangi ngt owat ch Godus eal lmypai nf orHi s gl or y .Thr oughal lt hedar knes s , Ihavef oundt hel i ght -t hel ove ofGod.Ever yt hi ngIhadl os t whenIwasal i t t l egi r l ,God r es t or edi nmes t r ongert han ever .Hes howedmehow t o f or gi vemys el fbecaus eHe al r eadyhad.Lear ni nghow t o f or gi vemybi ol ogi calf at her

Hi sDoxol ogyCat er pi l l ar : Showi ngandt el l i ng how hehast r ans f or medmyl i f eever ywher ewego!

By: Rachel l eTi ns l ey

wasakeyt omyheal i ng pr oces s .Godl edmet owr i t e anopenl et t ert omybi ol ogi cal f at herexpl ai ni ngal lt hathi ss i n haddonet omys oul .Il ethi m know t hatIam notangr y anymor e,noram It hebr oken gi r lheabus edf ors ol ong.I want edhi mt oknow If or gave hi mf orever yt hi nghedi dt o me.Myhopei st hatoneday myf at herf i ndst heLor das wel l .Iexhal edt hatday .The wei ghtwasi ns t ant l yl i f t edof f mys houl der s . Iam al i veonl ybyt hegr aceof God.Al lgl or yt oJes usf or ever ! Myhopei st hatmys t or y i ns pi r esot her st odr aw neart o aGodwhof or gi ves ,who comf or t s ,andwhoheal seven t hedar kes tpas t s .I ’ ml i vi ng pr ooft oneverl etyourpas t def i neyou-don’ tgi veuphope! Godgavemehopeevenaf t erI hadt akenani nnocentl i f e. YoucanmeetHi m wher ever you’ r eat .Ipr oudl ys har emy t es t i monyi nhopesofr eachi ng j us tonebr okens oull i kemi ne.

Premui m Reci pes BUTTERPECANCAKE

Zyki aMcCoy Reci pef oundi n1 5i n1 5Mi nut es orLes sCookbook

Tocont actZyki aMcCoy zyki amccoy@gmai l . com

am whatyoucal lahol i dayper s on.Iabs ol ut el y l oveget t i ngt oget herandmaki ngmemor i eswi t h f ami l yandf r i ends .Ofcour s e,t hos ememor i es i ncl udeourf avor i t edi s hes .Iam af anoft hemealas awhol e,butdes s er ti st hecher r yont op!Oneofmy f avor i t edes s er t si sbut t erpecani cecr eam,but dur i ngt hehol i days eas on,i t ’ sal i t t l et oocol dt o s cof fdowni cecr eam,s owehaveBut t erPecan Cakewi t has i deofeggnogt or i ngi nt hehol i day s eas on.

Premui m Reci pes

BUTTERPECANCAKE

CakeI ngr edi ent s:

I ci ngI ngr edi ent s:

1Cup 3Cups 1Cup 1Cup 1Teas poon ½ Teas poons poons 1Teas 1 ½ 2 1 ½ Teas poons 1 ½ Cup

1 ½ Cups 6OZ ¼ Cups 1½ Teas poons ¼ Teas poon 4cups poons 1Teas ½ Cup

But t er Cakef l our Gr anul at eds ugar Li ghtbr owns ugar Baki ngpowder Baki ngs oda Sal t Eggnog Lar geEggs , Room Temper at ur e Vani l l aext r act Pecanhal ves, f i nel ychopped

Cupsbut t ers of t ened Cr eam chees es of t ened Cupdar kbr owns ugar vani l l aext r act s al t Powder eds ugar Eggnog Pecanhal ves , f i nel ychopped, opt i onal

I ci ngI nst r uct i on 1 .Makeyouri ci ng. Us eahand

mi xert omi xal li ngr edi ent s unt i lyouhaveal i ghtand s moot hcons i s t ency. Pl acet he mi xt ur ei nt hef r i dgeunt i l r eadyt ous e.

eheatt heovent o350F 2.Pr ( 1 75C) .

ownbut t eri nas aucepanon 3.Br

medi um l ow heatands etas i de t ocool .

ldr yi ngr edi ent si nt oa 4.Addal mi xi ngbowl .

t ercool s , addt he 5.Oncebut

mel t edbut t erandal lwet i ngr edi ent st oget heri nabowl andl i ght l ywhi s k.

hewetmi xt ur ei nt ot he 6.Pourt bowlofdr yi ngr edi ent sand mi xt oas moot hcons i s t ency.

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pr epar edcakepans , andbake t oi cet her emai nderoft he on350F( 1 75C)f or2530 cake. mi nut es .W hent hecakei s done, t hes ur f aces houl d yt her emai nderofyour 3.Appl s pr i ngbackt ot het ouchanda 1 pecanst hr oughoutyour t oot hpi cki ns er t edi nt he i cedcake. cent ers houl dcomeout mos t l ycl eanwi t hf ew moi s t abaf or kandenj oy! 1 4.Gr cr umbs( nowetbat t er ) .

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cakepansf or1 01 5mi nut es bef or ei nver t i ngont oa cool i ngr ackt ocool compl et el ybef or ef r os t i ng.

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s er r at edkni f et ocutof fany exces scakeont het opt ol evel i t .

Wes uppor tl ocal communi t i esacr os st hegl obe. Thank youf ori nvi t i ngSpeakUpSi sMagaz i net oyourEvent s .

Dani el Jacks on: AVet er an' sJour neyt o Repr es entGeor gi a' s1 2t h Congr es s i onal Di s t r i ct By: Angel Wr i ght Phot ogr aphy: SnappedbyConni e

nt hehear tofGeor gi a' s1 2t hCongr es s i onalDi s t r i ct ,a campai gnl aunchunf ol ded,mar ki ngt hebegi nni ngof ani ns pi r i ngj our neyl edbyDani elJacks on.A manof i nt egr i t y ,avet er an,adevot edf ami l yman,anddeepl y i ngr ai nedi ncommuni t ys er vi ce,Jacks on' sent r yi nt ot he pol i t i calar enahass t i r r edexci t ementandgar ner ed wi des pr eads uppor t . Thel aunchevent ,at es t amentt oJacks on' sdi ver s e appeal ,wel comedat t endeess panni ngvar i ous backgr oundsandagegr oups .Fr om t hos ewhohavel ong knownhi mt oi ndi vi dual seagert ol ear nabouthi svi s i on, t hegat her i ngmi r r or edt heuni t yJacks onai mst obr i ngt o t he1 2t hCongr es s i onalDi s t r i ct .

Asavet er an,Jacks onbr i ngsa uni queper s pect i vet ot he t abl e—oner oot edi ns er vi ce, s acr i f i ce,andacommi t mentt o def endi ngt heval uest hatmake t heUni t edSt at ess t r ong.Hi s mi l i t ar ybackgr oundnotonl y s hapeshi spol i cypr i or i t i esbut al s or es onat eswi t hcons t i t uent s whounder s t andt hei mpor t ance ofl eader s hi pf or gedi nt he cr uci bl eofdut y . Beyondhi smi l i t ar ys er vi ce, Jacks on' si dent i t yasaf ami l yman hasendear edhi mt omany .Hi s dedi cat i ont ohi sf ami l yi s r ef l ect i veoft heval uesheai mst o champi oni nCongr es s —val uesof Asavet er an,Jacks onbr i ngsauni que per s pect i vet ot het abl e—oner oot edi ns er vi ce, s acr i f i ce,andacommi t mentt odef endi ngt he val uest hatmaket heUni t edSt at ess t r ong.Hi s mi l i t ar ybackgr oundnotonl ys hapeshi spol i cy pr i or i t i esbutal s or es onat eswi t hcons t i t uent s whounder s t andt hei mpor t anceofl eader s hi p f or gedi nt hecr uci bl eofdut y . Beyondhi smi l i t ar ys er vi ce,Jacks on' si dent i t y asaf ami l ymanhasendear edhi mt omany .Hi s dedi cat i ont ohi sf ami l yi sr ef l ect i veoft he val uesheai mst ochampi oni n Congr es s —val uesofuni t y ,r es pons i bi l i t y ,and t hepur s ui tofabet t erf ut ur ef oral l .Thi s per s onalt ouchhast r ans l at edi nt oas t r ong connect i onwi t hvot er swhos eei nJacks ona r epr es ent at i vewhounder s t andst hedai l y s t r uggl esandas pi r at i onsofor di nar yf ami l i es . Att hecampai gnl aunch,t heat mos pher e buzzedwi t hent hus i as m andas har ed commi t mentt ocommuni t ywel l bei ng. Suppor t er s ,youngandol d,camet oget her , f or mi ngamos ai coff aceseagert or al l ybehi nd acandi dat ewhoembodi est hes pi r i tofs er vi ce t obot hcount r yandcommuni t y .Jacks on' s communi t yor i ent edappr oachwaspal pabl e, andhi svi s i onf orat hr i vi ngandi ncl us i vedi s t r i ct r es onat edwi t hat t endees .

Thes ucces soft hel aunchcanbeat t r i but ed notonl yt oJacks on' scompel l i ngbackgr ound butal s ot ot hei ncl us i venat ur eofhi s campai gn.Theevents er vedasami cr ocos m oft hedi ver s edi s t r i ctheas pi r est o r epr es ent —adi s t r i ctwher epeopl ef r om al l wal ksofl i f ecomet oget herf oracommon pur pos eembodyi nghi scampai gns l ogan, Toget herWeWi l l . AsDani elJacks onembar ksont hi spol i t i cal j our ney ,hi scampai gnl aunchhass ett het one f orani ncl us i veandener get i cr ace.Wi t ha f oundat i onbui l tons er vi ce,f ami l yval ues ,and communi t yengagement ,Jacks oni spoi s edt o makeal as t i ngi mpactonGeor gi a' s1 2t h Congr es s i onalDi s t r i ct .Thej our neyahead pr omi s est obeonewher et hevoi cesof vet er ans ,f ami l i es ,andcommuni t i esconver ge undert hebannerofal eaderdedi cat edt o s hapi ngabet t erf ut ur ef oral l .

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EMBRACI NG TRANSPARENCY: MEETALYSI A NI COLE By: AngelChar mai ne | November1 7, 2023 Phot ogr aphy: Rober tGr ant

metAl ys i aNi col eatt hebegi nni ngoft heSpeakUp Si s ®j our neyi n201 9.Wewer ei nvi t edt obeapar t ofaconf er encef ort heyout h.Iwasas peaker ,and s hewasal i t ur gi caldancer .Shewasapower f ul dancer ,andIr emembers ayi ngs omet hi ngt oheraki n t o,“ Idon’ tknow you,butI ’ m goi ngt oknow you. ”I al s or emembert hi nki ngs he’ spower f ul ,buts he’ s hal f waywal ki ngi ni t ,andwhens hedeci dest oyi el d t ot heLor d,s he’ sgoi ngt odoamazi ngt hi ngsf orHi m. Thet r ut hoft hatt houghtwasmor er ealt hanIknew orunder s t oodatt het i me.Si nceouri ni t i al meet i ng,Al ys i ahasbl os s omedi nt oar adi ant f l owerbr i ngi ngbeaut yt hr ought r ans par ency asanact r es sandas i nger .Igotan oppor t uni t yt os i twi t hAl ys i af oran i nt er vi ew t hatbecameat es t i mony s er vi ce!Att het enderageof1 3,Al ys i a Ni col ef oundher s el ff aci ngt hedaunt i ng r eal i t yoft eenagemot her hood.A s i t uat i ont hatcoul deas i l yder ai ldr eams andas pi r at i ons ,yets hedef i edt he oddsandembar kedonar emar kabl e j our neyt hatt r ans f or medherl i f ei n unexpect edways . Tobegi nourt al k,Ias kedhers i mpl y t ot el lmeaboutAl ys i a.Sheans wer ed, “ I ' m amot heroft hr eeanda gr andmot her .Ihavebeen dr eamchas i ngs i nceIwass event een.As youmayhavenot i ced,Ihavea7year ol d gr ands on,t hatmeansIs t ar t edki ndofear l y .I hadmyf i r s tchi l datt heageoft hi r t een.Af t er havi ngmyf i r s tchi l d,It houghtIhadt ogi ve

EMBRACI NG TRANSPARENCY: MEETALYSI A NI COLE

upondr eams ,butIl ear ned;Idi dn' t ,andar oundt heageof s event een,Is t ar t edchas i ngt hedr eam ofs i ngi ng.Now,we ar ei n2023,andIcans ayt hatIam as i nger ,anact r es s ,a wor s hi pl eader ,andapr ai s edancer .Al s o,t hi syearI f i ni s hedget t i ngadegr ee,andI ’ m pr oudofmys el f . I t ' sj us tt het woofuss i t t i ngt hr ought hi st al k,butIf i nd mys el fcheer i ngf orherasi fs he’ spr es ent l ywal ki ngacr os s t hes t aget or ecei vet hatdegr ee.I ’ mi naweofwhats he hasbeenabl et oaccompl i s h,s oIas khert ot al kabouther f ai t hj our ney ,t os how uswhatt hatf ai t hwal kl ookedl i ke f orher .Shebegi nst hi sext r aor di nar ys har ebys ayi ng,“ I cur r ent l ycal lt hej our neyI ’ m on,t hewat erwal ki ng j our ney . ”

Ear l yDr eamsofR&BSt ar dom Hal t ed Bef or el i f et ookadr amat i ct ur n,Al ys i ahar bor edabur ni ng pas s i onf ormus i c,par t i cul ar l yR&B.Des pi t et hechal l enges oft eenagepar ent hood,s hecl ungt oherdr eam of becomi nganR&Bs i nger .I twast hi sunwaver i ng det er mi nat i ont hatf uel edherr es i l i encei nt hef aceof adver s i t y . “ Ever yt hi ngI ' m doi ngi sj us t ,i t ' sj us tGod.I fHes ays ,doi t , I ' m goi ngt obecr azyenought ot r yi t .I ' ml i t er al l yt aki nga l eapoff ai t honever yt hi ngHe[ God]t el l smet odo,butI can' ts ayI ' veal waysbeeni nt hi spl ace.Is aw al otof t hi ngs ,di dal otoft hi ngs ,wental otofpl acest hatIai n' t havenobus i nes s .Iwasl ear ni ngt heent er t ai nmentwor l d. Whi l ei nt heent er t ai nmentwor l d,Ibegant or eal i zeIdi dn' t wantt ous emygi f tf ort hewor l d.Idi dn' twantt okeep s i ngi ngi ncl ubs ,bar sandni ghts pot swi t hs t r i pper sand s t uf f ;Idi dn' twantt hatenvi r onment .Godhadbeent el l i ng meIcoul dn' tdoR&Bmus i c,t hatIwoul dn' tus emygi f tf or t hewor l d,yetIdi dn’ tl i s t enandcont i nuedt odowhatIwas doi ng.I n201 2,Hegavemeal as twar ni ng.Iwasheadedt o oneoft hebi gges tni ght sofmyl i f e.ImetanA&Rand al mos tgots i gned;awhol ebunchofwonder f uls t uf f ,i nmy eyes ,wer et aki ngpl ace.

EMBRACI NG TRANSPARENCY: MEETALYSI A NI COLE

Ont hewayhomef r om t he l ef tyout her e?” Embr aci ngaHi gherCal l i ng s how t hatni ght ,Iwasi na caracci dent .Thevehi cl e Shecont i nues ,“ Hehopped Facedwi t ht hef r agi l i t yof f l i ppedei ghtt i mes ,andt he outt hevehi cl ebef or et he l i f e,Al i ci at ur nst of ai t has per s onIwaswi t hl ef tme vehi cl es t ar t edt umbl i ng;he heranchor .I ns t eadof f ordead.It ol dGodi nt hat l i t er al l yhoppedoutoft he s uccumbi ngt odes pai r ,s he vehi cl e,andIwast heonl y t akesacour ageousl eapof momentt hatIwoul dno onet umbl i ngi nt hevehi cl e.I f ai t h,embr aci nga l ongerus emygi f tf ort he l aughabouti tnow,butof newf oundconnect i onwi t h wor l d,andIwoul dnotput cour s e,i nt hatmomenti t God.Thi ss pi r i t ual anymanaboveHi m ever i ke,Ican' tbel i evet hi s , t r ans f or mat i onbecomes agai n. “Mymout hi sgapi ng wasl dn' tknow t hecat al ys tf ora att hi spoi nt ,andIi nt er j ect youknow?Hedi herIwasdeadoral i ve. r emar kabl et ur nar oundi n t ogetcl ar i f i cat i on.Ias kher , whet “ So,whenyous ayl ef tyou f ordead,doyoumeant he per s onl ef tt hevehi cl eand

herl i f e,butt hi sl egoft hej our neyi s notwi t houti t ss har eofbumpsand br ui s es .Att hi spoi nti nour conver s at i on,Iam s i l ent .Thi sent i r e conver s at i onf eel sl i ker el eas e,s oI r emai nqui etandhol dt hes pacef or hert odoj us tt hat . “ Ihadas ongont her e[ t hegos pel al bum]Iwr ot ecal l edTheyDon' tKnow. I ti sas ongt hatal otofpeopl ear e hear i ngnowadays .Twel veyear sl at er , I ' mj us ts t ar t i ngt ol etpeopl eheart hi s s ong.Theonl ypl aceIwoul ds i ngi t waschur ch.Af t erput t i ngoutt hat gos pelal bum,Ij us tknew Iwasabout t ot akeof f .Honey ,Ij us tt houghtIwas goi ngt obegr eat .It hought ,OhGod,I gaveupR&B;Igaveupt hewor l d;I ' m doi ngt her i ghtt hi ng.Loandbehol d, s weetbabyJes us ,yout hi nkwhenyou

EMBRACI NG TRANSPARENCY: MEETALYSI A NI COLE

comeovert ot hi swal kof pl acest heywal kedaway mymar r i ageandbe t r yi ngt owal kwi t hGodt hat f r om.Al t houghs hewasan compl et el ydone.Iwasover ever yt hi ngi sj us tgoi ngt o out s pokenper s on,s he t hatdude.Y' al l ,I ' mf r om t he bebl oomi ngdai s yf l ower s , begant os i l enceher s el f . s t r eet s ,I ' ms or r y ,butIwas cl ouds ,andmar s hmal l ows , Shes har est hatf orabr i ef overt hatdude,andGod buti ti st hes emoment swe t i mes hes t r uggl edwi t hi n wast el l i ngmeIhadt os t ay . l ear nwear es er i oust hr eat s her s el faboutwhet hert o Ihadt ohol don.Ibegi nt o t ot heenemy .Ideci dedt o begi ns i ngi ngR&Bagai nor t hi nkIam bei ngpuni s hed.I l i vehol y .Idi dn' twantt o t ocont i nues i ngi ngt hes ong as kGod,whatdi dIdo? s hackupanymor e.Idi dn' t t heLor dgaveher ,They God,whydoyouhavemei n wantt of or ni cat e.Idi dn' t Don’ tKnow.Shef ounda t hi spos i t i on?Ar eyout el l i ng wantt obeahabi t ualus er new chur chhomewi t ha met os t ay?Lat er ,Ir eal i zed ofs ubs t ances .Igaveup new pas t orwhoal l owedher i twasaboutcr eat i nghonor ever yt hi ng,gotmar r i ed, t obeher s el f .Es t abl i s hi ng wi t hGod.Ihadt ohonor di dn' ts i ngR&Bmus i c,di dn' t t hi snew r el at i ons hi pwi t h whatIt ol dGodIwoul ddo, s mokeanymor e.Idi dn' t herpas t orhel pedhert o s oIs t ayedunt i lhe[ my dr i nk;Idi dn' tgooutt o gr ow anevens t r onger hus band]l ef t . cl ubs .It houghtt hi si sgoi ng r el at i ons hi pwi t hGod.Al ys i a t obei t .Thi si sgoi ngt obe s ays ,“ Gods t ar t eddeal i ng Af t erhel ef t ,Iwentt hr ough gr eat .Ij oi nedachur chand wi t hmeaboutnotpl aci ng abadmomentbecaus ei t s t ar t edwor s hi pi ng. anybodyi nHi ss pot . ” wast heendi ngofa Ever yt hi ngs eemedt obe r el at i ons hi p.Whenhel ef t , f i ne.Then,Iendedupwi t h ngme TheEvol ut i oni nt oAct i ng Godbeganshowi chur chhur t .It hought ,I t hi ngs .A f ew year saf t erhe havegi venyoual loft hi s , l ef t ,s omeoner eachedout AsAl i ci af or gedadeeper Jes us .Ar eyougoi ngt ol et connect omeonFacebookandwas i onwi t hGod,door s t t hes epeopl ecomei nand l i ke,‘ Hey ,I ' m wor ki ngwi t h openedt ounexpect ed hi sgi r l ,ands he' sdoi nga domel i ket hi s ?Ir emember oppor t uni t i es .Shevent ur ed t s t agepl ay ,andyous houl d t hi nki ng,Jes us ,r emember i nt ot hewor l dofact i ng, t r yi t . ’It hought ,Idon' tact ;I wher eyout ookmef r om? bot hons t ageandon s i ng. ” I ' m notmeantt obepas s i ve. s cr een.Herper f or mances That ' snotwhoIam;t hat ' s r es onat edwi t haut hent i ci t y , aughs ,andagai n,I notwhoGodcr eat edmet o dr awi ngf r om t hewel lofher Shel l ear ns omet hi ngnew about be.I ' m aver yvocalper s on. ownt r i al sandt r i umphs . t hi samazi ngwoman.Imet Gods howedmes ome herasanact r es sand t hi ngswi t ht hel eader s hi p.I Whi l eAl ys i awasgr owi ng as s umeds hes t ar t edasan s pokeoni t ,andi twasnot t hr oughChur chhur tand act r es sandt r ans i t i onedi nt o wel lr ecei ved. ” s t r engt heni ngher s i ngi ngats omepoi nt .Now, r el at i ons hi pwi t hGod,her Iam l ear ni ngi twast he Al ys i aandIt al kabi tabout mar r i agewasf ai l i ng.She oppos i t e.Shecont i nues chur chhur tandhow i tcan s ays ,“ Ther ewer et i mes t ht hes t or y . l eadaper s onbackt ot he whenIwant edt ogi veupon wi

EMBRACI NG TRANSPARENCY: MEETALYSI A NI COLE

“Iwentt ot heaudi t i ont he r eal i zet hats omanyot her per s ont ol dmet ogot o.I womenar et hes ameway , hadneveract edadayi nmy i t ' sl i ke,wow!Now,I l i f e.Al lIdi dwass ay ,‘ You under s t andwhyyous ayi t ' s know,God,i ft hi si swhat acommuni t yandnotj us tan youwantmet odo,I ' m eventornotj us tapl at f or m wi l l i ng. ’I nmymi nd,Iknew I becaus ei t ' sj us tamazi ngt o hear dGod,s oIaudi t i oned, s eehow manyot herwomen ki l l edi t ,gott hepar tont he act ual l yneedt ol ear nhow f i r s tt r y .Icoul dn’ tbel i eve t os peakup.And,i t ' snot whatwashappeni ng.Iof t en s peakupandber at chet , s ayAl ys ci aNi col e,asan buti t ' smor el i ke,s peakup act r es s ,i sal lGodbecaus ei f andbehear d.Li ke s omebodywoul dhavet ol d s omebodyneedst ohear mebackwhenIwaschas i ng yours t or y;s omebody t hedr eam ofs i ngi ngt hatI needst oknow your wasgoi ngt obeanact r es s ,I t es t i mony .Maybeyoucan woul d' vebeenl i ke, hel ps omebodykeepf r om MmHmm,no;Iai n' tdoi ng goi ngt hr ought hes ame t hat .Si ncet hen,I ’ vebeeni n t hi ngsyouwentt hr ough,or aboutf i veors i xdi f f er ent maybeyoucanhel p s t agepl ays ,oneTV s er i es , s omebodybel i evet hatGod andamovi e.I thasbeens o r eal l ys peakst ot hem,and much,andIhaven' thadt o Hewi l lt el lyout omoveand gooutt her eandchas ei t ,s o docer t ai ns t uf ft hatdon' t Iknow i t ' sGod. makes ens e. I ' veal s os pokenatt wo Att hes econdSpeakofSi s womenempower ment Exper i ence,Iwasas ked event s ,t hankst oSpeakUp how If el taboutt hepi eceI Si s .Ihavel ear nedt os t ar t hadj us tper f or med.The s peaki ngupagai n.I twas cr azyt hi ngi sj us tbef or eI goodt obei nt heSpeakUp di dt heevent ,Godwas Si senvi r onmentwi t h deal i ngwi t hmeandt ol d womenwher eyous peak me,‘ Idon' twantyout o yourmi nd,andi tdoes n' t wearanymakeup.Idon' t meanyou' r eof f endi ng wantyout ohaveaf r es h anyone,t ar get i nganyone, r et wi s t .Idon' twantyout o ort r yi ngt omakes omebody getupt her ewi t hyour f eelbad.I t ’ sj us ts har i ng pus hupbr aon.Idon' twant how If eel .Whenyous peak yout ohavet heper f ect upi nt hatenvi r onmentand pos t ur e.Iwantyout ogoup

t her eandj us tbeyou. ’That monol ogueyougavemet o per f or ml edmet ot api nt o bei ngf ul l yt r ans par ent becaus es he[ t hewomani n t hepi ece]wasi ns ucha vul ner abl epl ace.I nor dert o pr oper l ydel i vert hepi ece,I hadt obet r ans par entand vul ner abl e.Pr i ort ot he per f or mance,t heLor dwas deal i ngwi t hmei ns omany ar easofmyper s onall i f e,s o byt het i meImadei tt ot he event ,Iwasawhol emes s .I cr i edt hewhol ewayhome. Thatni ght ,Godwasl i ke, ‘ Thi si syours eas ont obe t r ans par ent .Thi si syour s eas ont obeyour s el f .You donothavet odr es supf or t hes epeopl e…Thi si st he s eas onwher eyou' r egoi ng t obecompl et el y t r ans par ent ,andyou' r e goi ngt owat chhow My gl or yf al l s .Andyou' r egoi ng t owat chhow peopl e connectwi t hyoubecaus e ofyourt r ans par ency . ”Is ay Iwasi mpr egnat edwi t h t r ans par encyatt hats econd SpeakUpSi sExper i ence. Af t erbei ngi mpr egnat ed wi t ht r ans par ency , amazi ngl y ,anot herl ady r eachesoutt omeands ays , ‘ Hey ,Iwantt oknow i fyou woul dcomeanddoa women' sempower ment eventwi t hus .Ij us twant

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cont i nuet owal konwat er .

Li vi ngbyFai t h Today ,Al ys i aNi col es t ands asat es t amentt ot he t r ans f or mat i vepowerof f ai t h.Herl i f ei sal i vi ng t es t amentt ot hei deat hati t ' s nevert ool at et ochange,t o f i ndpur pos e,andt ol i veal i f e gui dedbys pi r i t ualpr i nci pl es . Thr oughherj our ney ,s hei s encour agi ngot her st ot ake t hei rownl eapoff ai t h,no mat t erhow i ns ur mount abl e t heobs t acl esmays eem.I bel i eveAl ys i a’ scommi t ment t ot r ans par encywi l lhel pt o br eakdowns oci et albar r i er s s ur r oundi ngi s s uess uchas t eenagemot her hood,chur ch hur t ,ands omanyot her per s onals t r uggl es .By s har i ngherown vul ner abi l i t i es ,s hei spavi ng t hewayf orot her st os hed t hewei ghtofs oci et al expect at i onsandembr ace t hei raut hent i cs el ves .

yout ot el lyours t or y .Thi si swher et hatt r ans par ency wasact ual l ybi r t hed.Is pokeabouts omanyt hi ngs t hathappenedi nmyl i f e.Soonaf t er ,Iwasbei ng as kedt obeonanot herpl at f or m andi nanot her s t agepl ay .Godwasmovi ng.Icont i nuet os ayAl ys i a Ni col ei sal lGodor ches t r at ed,andI ' mj us twat er wal ki ngi nt hi ss eas on.Somet i mes ,Igett ot hepoi nt wher eIs t epoutt heboat ,l ookdown,andI ' ml os i ng myf ocus .Is ayt oGod,‘ You' r egoi ngt ohavet ohel p me. ”Then,Her eel smer i ghtbacki n,andwe

Ipr ayyouhaveenj oyed meet i ngAl ys i aNi col e. Al ysi a’ sCont actDet ai l s: I nst agr am:@al ysi ani col e4 FB:Al ysi aNi col e Emai l :Al ysi ag22@gmai l . com

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KENI TRA MOZELLE K

eni t r aMozel l e,anat i veofAugus t a, Ga,i saRegi s t er edNur s ebyt r ade andanEventPl annerbypas s i on. Shecombi nedt hes egi f t sast heownerof Event sBona' Fi dewher es hecoor di nat es andcr eat esevent st hatf aci l i t at e s af e,t r ans par ent&cour ageous conver s at i ons wher e par t i ci pant s becomet henextbes tver s i onsof t hems el ves . Keni t r ai spas s i onat eabout Ki ngdom andcommuni t y , i mpact i ngs paces ,and cher i s hesoppor t uni t i est o s uppor tl i kemi ndedl eader s andvi s i onar i eswi t hs i mi l ar val ues . Af t erbei ngi nt r oducedt o wi dowhoodi n2021 ,gr i ef becamet hecat al ys tf orher wel l nes sj our ney .

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KENI TRA MOZELLE I n2023Keni t r af oundedGr acedFor Thi s ,acommuni t yf orwomen, es peci al l ywomenoff ai t h,whoar e t aki ngowner s hi poft hei rwel l nes s j our ney;per s onal l y ,r el at i onal l yand pr of es s i onal l y .Sheal s opubl i s hedher f i r s tbooki n2023,Gr acedForThi s ,The Devot i onal .A 21DayJour neyf or WomenGr owi ngThr oughGr i ef . I n2024,s hei sf ocus edons peaki ng, coachi ng,cons ul t i ngandcr eat i ng;a s pacewher eherpas s i onands ki l l scan bemaxi mi zedf ors t r at egi ci mpact . Phot ogr apher : HazelEyesPhot ogr aphy

Connectwi t hKeni t r aMason Websi t e:www. Keni t r aMozel l e. com Emai l :j oi n@keni t r amozel l e. com Phone:706389091 2

SIS CO LUM NS

GROWI NGMI NDS, GUARDI NGHEARTS MYWAYORTHEHI GHWAY

i ndi ngmys el fwi t ht wo t eenageboysi nt he hous e,oneoft hem bei ng par t i cul ar l ys t r ongwi l l ed,has beenachal l engef orme. Admi t t edl y ,t eachi nga s t r ongwi l l edchi l dpus hesme t omyl i mi t .Bei ngs t r ongwi l l ed mys el fof t enbr i ngst eachi ng andl ear ni ngt oas cr eechi ng hal t .Iwasr ai s edwi t ha" my wayort hehi ghwayment al i t y . " Idi dwhatIwast ol dbecaus e t hatwashow i twasdone. Per i od.Whi l emyol des ts on compl i esr el at i vel yeas i l ywhen as kedt ocompl et ehi st as ks , myyounges ts onwoul dr at her t aket he" hi ghway . "Heck,he t akesof fdownt her oadwi t h hi sf i nger si nhi sear sand t ongueoutasher unsf ort he f i ni s hl i newi t houtevenwavi ng goodbye.

per s onal i t i esl ear nand,mor e i mpor t ant l y ,how Imus tgo aboutt eachi ngt hem.Mor e i mpor t antt hant eachi ngt hem WHATt ol ear ni st eachi ng t hem HOW t ol ear nandt o t hi nki ndependent l y .

Ther ef or e,Imus tal l ow t hem r at hert hanevi l ,whi chwi l l t heoppor t uni t yt o" doi tt hei r def i nehi sf ut ur es ucces s .Hei s way . r eal l yt hought f ulabout eval uat i ngt hos edi f f er ent s cenar i os .Hei sal s oas kedt o meas ur ehi s" wi l l i ngnes s "i n mos ts i t uat i ons .Iwanthi mt o know t hati fhei s" wi l l i ng"t o doi tmyway ,hehasal loft he cont r ol ,asi twashi s" choi ce" t ocompl y .Thekeywor dsf or hi m ar e" choi ce"and" wi l l i ng. ”

Hel i kest odot hi ngshi sway .I t makeshi mf eels t r ong, conf i dent ,andi ncont r olofhi s wor l d.I t ' si mpor t antt ohi m.My j obi st ot eachhi m andhel p hi m gr ow.Thebot t om l i nei s ,i n or dert oaccompl i s hwhatwe bot hneed,Ihavet ol ett hi ski d doi thi swayFI RST.I nr eal i t y , doIcar ehow hegoesabouti t i fheget st hej obdone?Nope. So,we' vemadear ul et ohel p Hei ns t ant l ybel i evesheknows usbot h.Il ethi m doi thi sway t hebes twayt oaccompl i s h f i r s t .I fhecanpr oducet he ever yt hi ngandof t enf l at out des i r edout comebydoi ngi t hi sway ,gr eat .I fhecan' t ,he i gnor esmyi nput .Iwon' tt el l agr eest odoi tmyway .I t youaboutt heabs ol ut e wor ks .Webot hgetwhatwe s t andof f sI ' vehadwi t ht hi s wantandneedi nt heend. ki d.Thatwoul dr equi r e vol umes .HeandIof t enend upi nconver s at i onsabout Homes chool i ngt hes eki ddos choos i ngt ous ehi ss t r ongwi l l hasgi venmeawhol enew f orgood per s pect i veonhow i ndi vi dual

Li saTayl or Fol l owerofJesus,Wi f e, Homeschool i ngMomma, Mul t i busi nessOwner Sur vi vi ngGr i efJaden’ s Mommy06/ 25/ 0703/ 04/ 2008 Let ’ st al k.Emai lmeat GMGHear t s@gmai l . com

SIS CO LUM NS

THOUGHTSTOPONDER WEARI NGROSECOLORED GLASSES

’ ms ur eyou’ vehear dt he Phi l i ppi ans1 : 91 0NI Vs ays , t er mr os ecol or edgl as s es , “ Andt hi si smypr ayer :t hat r i ght ?Whenyous ee yourl ovemayaboundmor e per s onoras i t uat i oni nl i f e andmor ei nknowl edgeand t hr oughr os ecol or edgl as s es , dept hofi ns i ght ,s ot hatyou youar echoos i ngt os eet he maybeabl et odi s cer nwhat goodandi gnor i ngt hebad. i sbes tandmaybepur eand bl amel es sf ort hedayof Pr over bs22: 3NI Vs ays ,“ The Chr i s t ,f i l l edwi t ht hef r ui tof pr udents eedangerandt ake r i ght eous nes st hatcomes r ef uge,butt hes i mpl ekeep t hr oughJes usChr i s t —t ot he goi ngandpayt hepenal t y . ” gl or yandpr ai s e Seei ngt hr ought hel ens esof ofGod. ” r os ecol or edgl as s escanput youi nhar m' sway . Asyour ef l ectonyourpas t deci s i ons ,how haveyou Thi sof t enhappensi n chos ent ovi ew ot her sor i nt i mat er el at i ons hi ps .You s i t uat i ons ?Di dyouas kGod meets omeone,andt heyput f ort hegi f tofdi s cer nment ? t hei rbes tf ootf or war d.You Thi sgi f ti swi t hi nal lofus ;we begi nt os ees omeoft he j us thavet oacknowl edge negat i vet r ai t sorbehavi or s , andaccepti t . butyoui gnor et hes et hi ngs becaus eoft hegoodyous ee I ti sagi f tt hati snott obe i nt heper s on. t akenl i ght l y .Yourqual i t yof l i f edependsonyoubei ng Whi l es omeonemayhave abl et out i l i zei t .Movi ng s omepos i t i vechar act er i s t i cs , f or war d,r emembert o youcan’ ti gnor et henegat i ve r emovet her os ecol or ed ones .Thenegat i vet r ai t s gl as s es ,s oyoucan havenotdi s appear ed,you s eet hi ngsmor ecl ear l y . havej us tchos ennott os ee t hem;youhavechos ent o vi ew t hem t hr oughr os e col or edgl as s es .

Debor ahJef f er son Aut horandCr eat orof Har obedsThought s.Thr ough mywr i t i ngandsoci almedi a cont entIai mt opl easeGod byhel pi ngot her sont hei r j our neyt hr oughl i f eby shar i ngmi ne. www. har obedst hought s. com

SIS CO LUM NS CONVERSATI ONS WI THMYDAD

t ’ sawkwar dl ypr of ound t hatIcanr emember whenIwasayoungchi l d, asf arbackasIcan r emember ,Icanvi s ual i ze f r amedbi t sandpi ecesof amazi ngl yi ns i ght f uldays wi t hmydad.Dayswhenhe woul dent er t ai nmeas ki ng hi m at hous andques t i ons aboutwhathewasdoi ng under neat hhi scar ,ort ohi s mot or cycl e,orwi t hmy gr anddadi nt hes hopi nt he backyar d,oraboutal lt hos e s hi nykeyshehadonhi skey r i ngorwhat everel s ei twas undert hes unIcoul di magi ne as ki ng.I ti ss t i l lcompl et el y capt ur edi nmymi ndasbr i ef f r agment edgl i mps esofa movi er es embl i ngs omet hi ng t odayt hatwewoul d pr obabl yr ef ert oasa“ l oop r eel ”wi t hnos ound.Not hi ng aboutt hos er andom conver s at i onswer eeverl i f e al t er i ngf ormychi l dhood, andyet–t heywer e.

oneday ,mydadwas n’ tt her e Myf at herwasneverper f ect , f ormet oas kques t i ons buthehasal waysbeens ol i d. anymor e.Ir emembermy Iam gr at ef ult hati nt hos e mot hert el l i ngmehewas n’ t conver s at i onswi t hmydad, comi ngbackandt os t op wi t hhi swel lear nedwi s dom, as ki ngwhy! hei ss t i l lt eachi ngmehow t o bes ol i d! Idon’ tr ememberbei ngs ad orbei ngups et .I twasl i f e, andl i keever ybodyel s e, whenl i f ehappens ,Iadj us t . However ,al t houghi na di f f er entci t yandadi f f er ent s t at e,myf at herwasal ways j us taphonecal laway .Wi t h f ami l ys uppor tandt hegr ace ofGod,Iadj us t edt hr ougha myr i adofadol es cent ,young adul tandmi dl i f echal l enges andf oundmyway .

Fas tf or war d45year sand LynnGl adney t het r ut hi s ,I ’ ms t i l lf i ndi ngmy way…def er r i ngbackt ot hat Mot her ,Vet er an,GA l i t t l egi r lwhoas ksmydaddy Repr esent at i veDi st r i ct1 30 al lki ndsofques t i ons .Even now,dur i ngourweekl y , Empower i ngwomen, r out i neconver s at i ons ,wecan vet er ans,andpr of essi onal s l aughandt al kaboutJazz wh i l e f o s t e r i n g p r o g r e s s Mus i c,hi s( 1 950’ s 60’ s )hi gh anduni t ywi t hi n choolcl as s mat es ,pol i t i cs , Mypar ent sdi vor cedwhenI s t i es. andt hepr i ceoft eai nChi na, communi wass i x,andIwasanonl y orhour s .I ’ vel ear neds o chi l dt omys i ngl emot her .At f el faswel las t hatt i me,Idi dn’ tunder s t and muchaboutmys at herdur i ngt hes e t heci r cums t ancesort hebl ur myf t hatwasaheadf orme.Then, conver s at i ons .

SIS CO LUM NS

FI NDI NGMYPLACE I N THESUN FI NDI NGCONFI DENCE Conf i dence-t hest at eofbei ngcer t ai naboutt het r ut hof somet hi ng( Oxf or dDi ct i onar y)

1Cor i nt hi ans1 2: 9Andhes ai dunt ome,Mygr acei s s uf f i ci entf ort hee:f ormys t r engt hi smadeper f ecti n weaknes s . Iwast hel i t t l egi r lhi di ngbehi ndMama’ sl egs .Iwast he t eenagerwi t hmyf acei nabook.Iwast heonei nt he backgr oundofever ypi ct ur e.Iwast hei nvi s i bl eone.Yes ,I hadf ami l yandf r i endswhol ovedandnur t ur edme,butI di dnotyetpos s es st heabi l i t yt ol ovemys el f .Idi dn’ t bel i eveIhadanyl ovabl equal i t i es .Whoout s i deofmy f ami l yandf r i endswoul dl oveandacceptme?Whatdi dI havet oof f eranyone?Ever yonear oundmewass hi ni ng br i ght l y ,andi ni t i al l y ,Iwascont enti nt hes hadows ,butt hat cont ent mentwasf adi ngf as t ,andIdi dn’ tknow how t o movef or war d.

t hi sdes ol at et ownand awayf r om t hes e peopl ewho’ veknown meal lmyl i f e,t hen,I coul ddoandbe bet t er .Icoul dbea di f f er entper s on.Of cour s e,If ai l edt o r eal i zet hatIwast he pr obl em.Mor e s peci f i cal l y ,myvi ew of mys el fwast he pr obl em.Idi dnotyet know al lt hatGodhad pl acedi nme;Idi dn’ t under s t andhow my l i f eexper i encest hus f arwoul dwor k t oget hert ogui deme t omyt r ues el f .Iwas i ndeedmywor s tcr i t i c, butIhadt of i ndaway t obecomemy gr eat es tcheer l eader .I hadt of i ndawayt o s hi ne.

Ideci dedt ogot ocol l ege400mi l esawayf r om my homet own,f r i ght ened,butr eadyf orachangeors houl dI s ayanes cape.Ihadanoppor t uni t yandanexcus et o l eavehomeanddowhatever yonehadbeent el l i ngmeI s houl ddo.Getaneducat i on;makes omet hi ngofyour s el f , andt akeadvant ageoft heoppor t uni t i est heoneswho camebef or eyoudi dn’ thave.Thi swaswhatt heyhad al wayst ol dme.Theydi dn’ texpectmet ol eavehomet o makei thappen. Homei swher eIt houghtal lmypr obl emsexi s t edand per s i s t ed.I fIcoul dgetawayf r om t hi spl ace,t hi smeager ,

Sat r i ci aMoor e Awr i t er ,educat or &ment or

SIS CO LUM NS

TAL VA' SWRI TEAWAY GETTI NGCOZYI N YOURHYGGE ( PRONOUNCED ‘ HOOGUH’ )

i nt eri suponus ,andt hegi f t i ngs eas oni si nt heai r .Thanks gi vi ngDay cel ebr at i onsar eover ,andl ef t overt ur keyhasbeent ur nedi nt ot ur key s al ad,t ur keygumbo,ort ur keyandchees es andwi ches .Chr i s t mast r ees havebeendr aggedoutoft hei rs t or agecl os et sf oror namentador nment ,and t hos es avor ypumpki ns pi cel at t eshavel ef tourpal at esf ul l yi mmer s edi n ci nnamon,nut meg,andcl ovesi nf us edwi t hs t eamedmi l k. I t ' st hes eas onofgi vi ng,wher epeopl eopent hei rwal l et sabundant l yt os pr ead hol i daycheer .I t ' sof t endes cr i bedast hemos tbeaut i f ult i meoft heyearandi sa t i met oembr aceHygge.Whati sHygge,youas k?Wel l ,i t ' saDani s hwor d des cr i bi ngt hats ens eofcozi nes syouf eelwhenyouwantt obenes t l edi nyour f avor i t ebl anketwi t hyourf avor i t ebever agei nhand.I t ' swhenwi nt erhi t s ,andyou f eelas ens eofgi vi ngpeace,cal m,cozi nes s ,andcomf or tt ot hos ear oundyou.I t ' s t hos ecuf f i ngs eas on,Net f l i x,andchi l lmoment s ,butf i r s t ,s hoppi ng.Manypeopl e ar es hoppi ngunt i lt heydr opdur i ngt hewi nt erhol i days eas on. Never t hel es s ,asyoupus hal ongt hehi ghwaysandbywaysdur i ngt hi sbus y wi nt ers eas on,r emembert ol i s t ent ot hei nnerwor ki ngsofyours pi r i tandl ett he at mos pher epul lyoui nt oHygge.Wher emovi eni ght sandcozys ocksar ecoupl ed wi t hcr ockpot sandcomf or tf oods ,bubbl ebat hsandcandl es ,wi ne,andwi nt er cockt ai l ss uchasgi nger br eadorchocol at emar t i ni s . Pouri nt oyour s el fasyoul oveonot her st hi swi nt er ,andt aket het i met or el ax, r echar ge,andwr apyour s el fi nt oHygges eas on.

Tal va

Wr i t er/Vi si onar y Awr i t erofal lt hi ngs;wher e Ikeepi tt i ghtf r om l ef t t owr i t e.

TTAL VA. COM Phot o:Char l eneMcKoy "I magezbychar "

BOD Y , S OUL, S P I RI T KEEPI NGYOURTRESSES LUXURI OUSLYMOI STURI ZED

By:J’ Ni ’ Robe

st hewi nt erchi l ls et si n, bedamagi ngt oyourhai r .Opt ourhai rof t ent akesa t ous el ukewar m ort epi d beat i ngf r om t hedr y , wat erf ors hampooi ngyour col dai r .Tomai nt ai nheal t hy hai r .I ndoorheat i ngs ys t ems andhydr at edhai rdur i ngt he keepusni ceandwar m; wi nt ermont hs ,i t ' ses s ent i alt o however ,t heyr educet he under s t andmoi s t ur i zat i onand i ndoorhumi di t y( moi s t ur e) t hef act or st hatcaus edr ynes s . l evel swhi chcanl eadt ohai r Thi sar t i cl ewi l lexpl or et he dr ynes s .Wi nt eral l owsust o conceptofmoi s t ur i zat i on, bever yf as hi onabl ewi t hour del vei nt ot hecaus esofdr y out er wear .Hat sands car ves hai rdur i ngwi nt er ,andpr ovi de ar eamus tdur i ngt hewi nt er pr act i calt i pst okeepyourhai r mont hs ,r ememberr ough l ooki ngvi br antand t ext ur escanbecome moi s t ur i zedt hr oughoutt he ent angl edhai rs t r andscaus i ng s eas on. dr ynes sors heddi ng.Us es i l k ors at i ns car vest or educe Moi s t ur i zat i onr ef er st ot he f r i ct i onandbr eakage.I n pr oces sofaddi ngorr et ai ni ng addi t i on,moi s t ur ewi cki ng moi s t ur ewi t hi nt hehai rand l i ni ngsar egr eatt oavoi d s cal p.Moi s t ur i zer sar e dampnes swi t hi ncaps . pr oduct sdes i gnedt oenhance t hehai r ' sabi l i t yt or et ai n A heal t hyhai rr egi men wat er ,pr omot i ngaheal t hy r ecommendat i oni st o moi s t ur ebal ance.Col d i ncor por at eamoi s t ur i zi ng ai rt endst ol ackmoi s t ur e, s hampoof ors hampoodays . l eadi ngt odehydr at i onofbot h Optf ors ul f at ef r ees hampoos t hehai rands cal p.Dur i ngt he wi t haddedhydr at i on.Choos e wi nt ermont hs ,amoi s t ur e ar i chcondi t i onert ol ocki n bal ancedhai rr egi meni s moi s t ur ewi t hnat ur aloi l sl i ke neededt opr eventunwant ed j oj obaoi l .Lookf or hai rdr ynes sors heddi ng. “ penet r at i ng”moi s t ur i zi ng condi t i onerpr oduct s . Dur i ngt hewi nt ers eas on,us e Penet r at i ngcondi t i oner sar e l ow pHl evels hampoosand f or mul at edt openet r at e don’ tovers hampooyour deeperi nt ot hehai rs t r and, t r es s es .Hots hower sar e pr ovi di ngbet t erel as t i ci t yand l ovel y;however ,hotwat ercan hai rr et ent i on.

Las t l y ,her ear es ome addi t i onalt i psandpoi nt er st o mai nt ai nt hemoi s t ur el evel s dur i ngt hewi nt ers eas on. Exer ci s et oi ncr eas ebl ood f l ow t oai di nhai rcel l f or mul at i on.Dr i nkpl ent yof wat erandeatpl ent yoff r ui t s andveget abl escont ai ni ng wat er ,i r on,andvi t ami nsA & E.Cons umi ngf oodswi t h Omega3f at t yaci dand Bi ot i n,andus i nghai randnai l s uppl ement sar eapl us . Mai nt ai ni ngmoi s t ur i zedhai r dur i ngt hewi nt ermont hsi sa bal ancebet ween under s t andi ngmoi s t ur i zat i on, addr es s i ngt hecaus esof dr ynes s ,adopt i nganut r i t i ous di et ,s el ect i ngt her i ghthai r pr oduct s ,andwear i ngpr oper headgear .Byf ol l owi ngt hes e t i ps ,youcankeepyourhai r l ooki ngi t sbes tal lwi nt erl ong, ens ur i ngi tr emai nsheal t hy , s hi ny ,andwel l hydr at ed des pi t et hehar s hweat her condi t i ons .

Connectwi t hJ’ Ni ’ Robe onI nst agr am @j ni r obe.

BOD Y , S OUL, S P I RI T HEALI NGI SMYPORTI ON By:Mar yRober t s

sIs i ther e,l i s t eni ngt o Godgui di ngmywor ds , Iam r emi ndedt hat heal i ngi sagi f tmeantf orus al l .Ir ecal lat i mewhenIs ati n adoct or ’ sof f i ceconf r ont ed wi t ht hewei ghtofmul t i pl e di agnos eshangi ngoverme, oneoft hem bei ngLupus .I n t hatmoment ,Ihear da whi s perf r om God,al ovi ng as s ur ance,t hatmywor ds hel dt hepowert os hapemy r eal i t y .

Thi sexper i encet aughtme t hatweof t ens peakwor dsof af f l i ct i ons i mpl ybecaus ewe ar eunawar eoft hei ncr edi bl e benef i t spackagebes t owed uponusaschi l dr enofGod. Wemaynotr ecogni zet hat heal i ngi si nher ent l your s ,asi t i sal r eadycover edi nour di vi nebenef i t spl an.Icar r i ed whatf el tl i keapr of ound s ecr et ,year ni ngt oconf i dei n s omeone.Thencamet heday whenIr ecei vedmyt es t r es ul t sands har edt he Whi l et hedoct or sconduct ed i ncr edi bl enewswi t hmy t hei rt es t sandr ef er r edt o chur chf ami l y .Ever yt r aceof t hei rmedi calt ext s ,Iknew i nf i r mi t yhadvani s hed,andmy deepwi t hi nt hatmywor ds t es tr es ul t swer eal lnegat i ve. coul dover r i det hei rdi agnos i s . ByHi ss t r i pes ,Iwasheal ed. Theyhaves eencount l es s cas esl i kemi net hatendedi n If i r ml ybel i evet hatmywor ds Lupus ,butt het r ut hi sour wer et hever ypr es cr i pt i on bel i efhol dst hekeyt oour Godpennedt omendmy heal i ng.I fwedon’ ts peaki t , body .So,Is har et hi swi t hyou wedon’ thavet or ecei vei t . t oconveyt hatwhi l eyoumay notal wayshavet hepowert o Iwai t edf ort het es tr es ul t s , pr eventot her sf r om s peaki ng l ongi ngt os har emybur den i nt oyourl i f e,youdopos s es s wi t hs omeone,t oas kf or t hepowert odecl i newhati s pr ayer s ,butwhatr es onat ed s poken.Youcandecl ar eyour mos twasGod' smes s age, ownr eal i t y ,s epar at ef r om “ Daught er ,yourwor dshave t hei rper cept i ons . power ,andasl ongasyoudo nots peaki t ,i twi l lnotcome Somet i mes ,youmus t t opas s . s ummont hecour aget oopen yourmout hands peakt he

t r ut h.Remi ndt hewor l dof yourbenef i t spackage.Yes , youar eawar eoft he ci r cums t ances ,butr emember , “ ButGod”….Iknow whati t l ooksl i ke,butGod.Iknow whati ts eemsl i ke,butGod.I know whatt heys ai d,butGod. Iknow whati tf eel sl i ke,but God. Si ncet hatday ,Ihavenot exper i encedanymor e s ympt omsoft heaf f l i ct i on, andIneverwi l l .Why? Becaus eIknow t hatheal i ngi s mypor t i on.

Connectwi t hMar yRober t s onI nst agr am @mar y. r ober t s. 1 88

BOD Y , S OUL, S P I RI T FI RSTGENERATI ON:CONQUERI NGUNFORESEEN CHALLENGES THATARI SEWHEN BREAKI NGGENERATI ONALCURSE

By:D' JanaeRobi ns on,MBA,BA

nt hemacr os cal e,we f r equent l yder i vea s ens eofhonorf r om bei ngt hef i r s tandbei nga t r ai l bl azer .Onabr oaders cal e,we f al lvi ct i mt ogl or i f yi ngand gl amor i zi ngbei ngt hepi oneer whi l ewenegl ectt odi s cus st he Unf or es eenChal l engesThatAr i s e WhenBr eaki ngGener at i onal Cur s es .Myunant i ci pat ed chal l engespr es ent edt hems el ves i n t hef ol l owi ngways : 1 . )I mpos t er Syndr ome 2. )Ment alHeal t h 3. )Fai t h 4. )I nt r aCul t ur alNuances 5. )Li mi t edNet wor ks Bef or eIdel vei nt ot hr eeoft he f i vechal l engesIencount er ed dur i ngmyj our ney ,i ti si mpor t ant t ogi veal lhonorandgl or yt o God,andr ecogni zehow i mmens el ypr oudmyf ami l yi sof me. Iam at wot i mef i r s t gener at i on HBCU gr aduat eoft hei l l us t r i ous Hus t onTi l l ot s on Uni ver s i t yi nAus t i n,Texas .Ihave gai nedexper i encewor ki ngat Facebook( Met a) , Googl e,andas t ar t upt ech companycal l edMi o. Asacer t i f i edDi ver s i t y ,Equi t y , andI ncl us i onSpeci al i s t ,Ihave devel oped,des i gned,

andexecut edMi cr oLear ni ngs , Mas t erCl as s es ,Panel Di s cus s i ons ,andConf er ences . Fur t her mor e,Ihaves er vedasa moder at orands ubj ectmat t er exper tf orvar i ousPanel Di s cus s i ons ,i ncl udi ng I nt er s ect i onal i t y ,Col or i s m,Bl ack i nTech,andIhadt hehonorof bei ngapanelexper tf or ' Hi ghVal ueWomeni nTech Car eer s , 'hos t edbyMi cr os of t . Cur r ent l y ,Ihol dt her ol eofChi ef ofSt af ff orRHJ cons ul t i ng Gr oup,andIr ecent l y ent er edi nt omyf i r s tI nt er nat i onal Br andPar t ner s hi pagr eement wi t hExpr es s ,I nc.asaSt yl er Edi t or . Asapr ouddar ks ki nned,nat ur al hai r ,unapol oget i c,bl ackwoman I ' vehadt hepr i vi l ege t obet hef i r s tandonl yatmany ' hi ghl evel 't abl es .Howeve,t hat hascomewi t hgr eat r es pons i bi l i t yandunl ear ni ng. Bei ngt hepi oneeri nmyf ami l yt o vent ur ei nt ouni queoppor t uni t i es s t ar t edasanexci t i ngj our ney , al l t hough,Iwas n' tr eadyf ort he ps ychol ogi cali mpacti thadon me. Oncet hei ni t i alt hr i l lof“ bei ngt he f i r s t ”s ubs i ded,r eal i t ys eti n. The t r aj ect or yIwasf ol l owi ngs etme apar tf r om t hehi s t or i calnor msi n myf ami l y .Ther ef or e,goi ngt omy el der swas n’ tanopt i on. Thi sl ed t ohei ght enedf eel i ngsof

l onel i nes s .Asar es ul t ,Iwas chal l engedi nwayst hati mpact ed myment alheal t h,myf ai t hi nGod wast es t edal lwhi l enavi gat i ng i mpos t ers yndr ome. Her ear eaf ew wayst hatIwas abl et oover comebr eaki ngmy gener at i onalcur s es : 1 . )Ment alHeal t h:Ihadt hel uxur y t or ewar dmys el fwi t hmont hl y mas s agest hatpr omot ed r el axat i onaswel lasas s i s t edwi t h r educi ngs t r es sandbodyt ens i on. 2. )Account abi l i t yPar t ner :A ps ychol ogi cal l ys af es pacet hatI coul dgot of ors uppor tasI bat t l edI mpos t erSyndr ome 3. )Fai t h:Cont i nui ngt oel evat emy t r us ti nGodwhi l eIi ncr eas edmy pr ayerl i f et odi s mant l eddeepl y r oot edf ami l ys t r onghol dswas t heepi t omeofhavi ngwal ked byf ai t handnotbys i ght Des pi t et hes echal l enges ,t hos e whos ucces s f ul l ybr eak gener at i onalcur s eshavecr eat ed auni quepat ht hatwi l lhel ppas t , pr es ent ,andf ut ur egener at i ons . Ref l ect i ngonmyl i f e,t hemos t f ul f i l l i ngas pecti sGodut i l i zi ngmy t es t i monyt obecomet he r epr es ent at i onIneverr eal i zedI needed.

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IAm Me I am notyourwor ds I am nott hec ol orofmys ki n Pl usmys ki ni st oot hi ckYoucan' tgeti n I am notwhoyou' r et r yi ng Toc onf or m met obe I am notr ej ect i on I am notdepr es s i on Thos epas thur t s Hadt ol etgoofme I am notyour Bi t t ert hought sofme Notev enmyunf ul f i l l edDr eams I am notanxi et y I s t andf l atf oot edandpr ocl ai m I am t hedaught er Oft hemos twi s eKi ng I am notyourexpect at i ons Somet i mesI wi l l f al l I hav el ear ned I am notmyf l aws I am notmycl ot hes I am notmys hoes I am notmycar Thos ear eal l mat er i al pos s es s i ons Guar ant eedt oper i s hwi t hi nt hebl i nkof t hi ngs I am s eeki ngaf t eret er nal r i ngs Pr es s i ngonandov er c omi ngadv er s i t i es Lear ni ngt hel es s ons Recei vi ngt hebl es s i ngs Bei ngs hapedandmol dedi nt o WhoGodhascal l edmet obe

I am notas hamed Becaus eI am nott hename Youcal l me I am Redeemed I am Del i v er ed I am Fr ee Ev er yi nchofme I am t hes al toft heear t h Ev er ywher eI s t ep Bec omess eas oned God' spr eci ousgi f t Gi v enandr ecei v ed I am whoGod Mademet obe I am Me AndI am ENOUGH Toconnectwi t h

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oped .Idevel ds oi br i f o t e u d y m o t c e er t ,Ihadahys y or nJul I alf t pi hehos nt backi t u p s a w d n a n o i he ect ,t nf cs i ani ot bi i eandant ocedur pr a r e t f A . s y a d l ona i t addi ngbutGod!He hi .Not y l cal i t as r d n w o d t n e w s . number akemeout ot eoutt m g n i r b t ’ n d i d e dmeH ol t

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Thewat ers ur r oundedan opendr var ai nands i ousapar l owl t ment yf l ooded s .Iwass t a r t l e d r us b y hi ngwat t h e s o undof ers at ur at i ngt hecar petf wast l oor ouchedby . E v er yt hi t ng hebugi nf es t edwat al lhopewas e r , a n d i ts l os eemed t .ButGod!G odt t ur r i umph.Heg nedt r a g e dyi avemebea nt o ut yf oras hes . -Lat oyaW as hi ngt on