Woman To Woman With Joanne The Magazine December 2016

DECEMBER 2016

THE MAGAZINE

Lizzie’s House

A Story of Faith, Hope & Charity Page 6

The Birth of a Promise Page 12

CC’s Coffee House Page 16

Officer Colendula Green Page 18

A Father’s Love Page 21

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Joanne’s Desk

Publisher & Editor Joanne Bell CEO Joanne Bell Contributing Writers Dr. Timothy Quinn Salmeilia Stewart JaMya Bell Michelle Johnson Brandon Cornelius, Jr. K. Pampley-Love Cover Design by Latasha Willis Cover Photo by Rodney McGee of RMcGee Photography Layout Design Latasha Willis Facebook: Woman to Woman with Joanne the Magazine Website: www.JoanneSBell.com Contact us at woman2woman.joanne @yahoo.com 601-398-6733 P.O. Box 2031 Ridgeland, MS 39158 All rights reserved. No portion of Woman to Woman with Joanne may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. The management of Woman to Woman with Joanne is not responsible for opinions expressed by its writers. Woman to Woman with Joanne maintains the unrestricted right to edit or refuse all submitted material. All advertisements are subject to approval by the publisher. The production of Woman to Woman is funded by advertising and sponsorship.

BY JOANNE BELL, FOUNDER

D

uring this holiday season, I am reminded of so much! More than anything, I am reminded of the love God has for us and the love He wants us to share with each other. There are so many people hurting during the holidays because they’ve lost a loved one or because they are down on their luck, whatever the case may be. As Christian brothers and sisters, we are to love one another as Christ has loved us and as we love ourselves.

The love that God has for us is so unconditional. It surpasses anything we could ever think or imagine. There is no love in the world that can be compared to His love for us, and even as smart as we think we are, we could never understand the capacity in which He truly loves us. He loves us so much that He sent His only son to die just to save us from ourselves.

Can you imagine? Someone who loves you for who you are in spite of what you’ve done or will do?

Someone who accepts you with one leg longer than the other, or that one eye that does its own thing – you get what I am saying. Someone who can still love you when you have wronged them, who can forgive you at the drop of the hat and still love you and treat you the same. Can you imagine? Someone who has every right to hate you for what you may have done but they still choose to love you. Someone who knows every deep dark secret about you and they can still look you in the eye and say “I love you” sincerely.

This is the kind of love God has for us and for that, we should be grateful and at least tell Him, “Thank You.” This holiday season is not about giving and receiving gifts, and Christmas trees and food.

This holiday season is about love – spreading love around the world, reaching out to your brothers and sisters in Christ and making sure they’re okay, giving hugs freely, giving smiles and sharing laughter openly. This is the season of love. Will you do it? Can you share a smile today? Can you speak to someone you would normally not speak to? Can you spread some love today?

Love ya much!

Joanne

In This Issue

Cover Story: Lizzie’s House – Pastor Betty Robinson .................................................. 6-9 Salmeilia Je – The Birth of a Promise .................................................................... 12 Dr. Quinn – Appreciation .............................................................................................. 14 Spotlight: H.M. McGill & Lynn Ladner – CC’s Coffee House ............................. 16 Spotlight: Officer Colendula Green ......................................................................... 18 Mya’s Corner - Make the World a Better Place .................................................... 20 A Father’s Love – Brandon Cornelius, Jr. ................................................................ 21 I Think I Can – Michelle Johnson ............................................................................ 22 Christmas Dessert Recipes ......................................................................................... 24 Make Room for Your Blessings – K. Pampley-Love ........................................... 26 National Fruit Cake Month: To Give or Not to Give? ......................................... 30 Our Sponsors ................................................................................................................... 34

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An Interview with

Pastor Betty Robinson PHOTO CREDIT: RMCGEE PHOTOGRAPHY

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A

nd now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity (I Corinthians

14:1).

Woman to Woman with Joanne had the opportunity to sit down and talk with Pastor Betty Robinson, founder of Lizzie’s House, a homeless shelter for battered, bruised and abused women and children. It was such a pleasure to speak with her as she shared her heart for people and the vision that God has given her, as well as the steps she’s taken to bring this vision to pass.

The mission of Lizzie’s House is to provide at-risk women and children in crisis with shelter, and to equip them with the necessary skills to break the cycle of poverty, illiteracy, hopelessness and dependency to become good productive citizens. To accomplish their mission, Lizzie’s House offers clients life skills training, counseling services, money management, group therapy and case management assessment.

We provide a real “home” to our clients. By providing our clients with a comfortable living environment where basic needs are being met, they are able to focus on working and saving to become self-sufficient and independent.

The Story of Lizzie’s House Lizzie’s House was started in 1989 with the tent revival that would be held every September. This building was just an old, boarded-up building that I think used to be a furniture store. We would have our tent revivals and there would be so many children that would come, and we would help them with homework after school. We

also helped them, along with the members of the church, to bring clothing and food and we would distribute it just about every night during the tent revival. For about three years after that, we realized there was a need in the community, and at that time, we didn’t realize that we would be making a permanent stay there. The property owner called the church and said that he heard about the things we were doing in the community every year in September, and he wanted to meet with us. When we met with him, he said, “Here is the key to my building. Why don’t you all make this a permanent stay?” That’s how Lizzie’s House came to be. The building was just an empty shell. There were no walls, and upstairs in the attic was just a lot of stored stuff.

During that time, a lot of people from the

church came to help clean the building. We had no idea where we would go with this.

In our minds, we just wanted to provide services for the community, like counseling, food, clothing and more. So, we just cleaned up the bottom part of the building, put a phone in and started working on a few tables and chairs. We had canned and dry goods, clothing, shoes and accessories, and it just grew as time went on.

In 1992, we were in Harlem, New York, walking the streets and passing out tracts, and God spoke to my heart and called me into full-time ministry. So, when I got back into Jackson that Saturday, July 4, 1992, I went to work on Monday morning and I told my boss that I had to resign, and I turned in my letter of resignation. On July 31, I left, and everything else is history.

Right after that, we were operating out of the building with just a food bank and a clothes closet, and we provided counseling services. Between 1997 and 2002, I had met about six to seven homeless men while witnessing in Smith Park by the Governor’s Mansion, and they followed me back to my building. I would pick them up every morning because they were cleaning out the attic for me, but one day, one came back with a blueprint of four bedrooms, a kitchen and a bathroom. He said, “I can build this. I’m a carpenter,” and the other one said, “I do floors.” The other one said, “I do plumbing,” and the other said, “I do sheet rock,” and, “We can do the electrical work.”

The list just went on and on. I asked, “You all can do all of this and you’re homeless?”

But that was a long story too. They built the first four bedrooms, kitchen and bathroom (Continued, page 8)

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(Continued from page 8)

of the shelter.

With all the skill they had, I wanted to incorporate a program that would help someone I knew needed help. So, I incorporated a construction company called Quality Construction Company, and I put ads in the paper [and] got jobs for them that I would take them to. I even bought a truck for this, and it went on for two years.

After that, trying to get the men from different churches to work with the homeless men became very hard, and I had to let it go.

God put me in a state of resting from 2000 until 2002. I was working at the building, and we were back to handing out groceries and clothing. But then this lady came by who ended up being a grant writer, and she asked me what did I really want to do. I told her at that time, God had showed me a women’s shelter. It would be almost like Wal-Mart, a one-stop shop where a woman with children or without children could move into this facility if they had nowhere to go. They would receive day care if they had children, they would receive the counseling that they needed, health tips for healthy eating and more. This was my plan for the cafeteria.

Who knew it would turn into a fundraiser? But I wanted to teach them how to eat healthy, and since then God gave me a book, “Your Health Matters,” that I share with the ladies as well.

So, this young lady wrote the grant and we got funded to open the shelter for women and children, and we have been here ever since. Then I thought about how other shelters have a name, and I wanted to name it something that people would [associate with] outreach when they heard that name, and I thought about John the

Baptist. The Holy Spirit spoke to me and gave me his mother’s name, which was Elisabeth, so I named it Lizzie’s House, and since then, things have just developed.

This corner develops as the Holy Spirit speaks to me – that’s how Lizzie’s House came about.

The shelter started with four rooms.

Now we have seventeen rooms – four single rooms where we house single women, and the other bedrooms have two to three beds so we can house more women and children at one time. Presently, we have about 15 women, and the rest are children.

Thursday nights, we offer a life skills class that consists of a clinical psychologist who comes in to have group therapy with the ladies, and on Tuesdays, a child psychologist comes in to meet with the families and have therapy sessions. The life skills classes are very important because we have professionals coming in to do this for us. I think it’s very important to also speak to the spiritual side of things – to teach them biblical principles and how to live.

That is so very important and that’s my main stream – that’s my heart –¬ to teach people how to live, how to depend on and trust God regardless of your situation. Everybody wasn’t born to be rich or famous, and even Jesus said, “You will always have the poor among you.” So, let’s stop looking at our circumstances, and trust God and where He is taking us. The spiritual side of Lizzie’s House is very important to me and I don’t force it on people. If they want to listen, then I’ve got it to offer.

This is a permanent housing program.

They can stay for as long as it takes for them to get on their feet; as long as they are not breaking any serious rules, they can stay as long as it takes. One of the things that we work with HUD on is to

end homelessness – that’s our main objective. So, if we feel that this person is going to take a while for them to get to a point where they trust people, or for them to get a decent job to even start saving, then that’s the way we have to look at this. I get so tired of hearing people say this about the homeless: “Well, they can just go to work,” or, “They are just lazy.” That’s not the issue here. There was a lady speaking to me about this and I asked her how did she get freed from her bad situation. She stated she got a lump sum of money from the Internal Revenue Service during tax season. And I said to her, “So Uncle Sam gave you that helping hand.” So, it is the same with the homeless who have fallen on hard times. I don’t care whether it is because of bad habits or whatever, I’m this helping hand if they are willing to get up and come with me. I’m Uncle Sam and I’m going to help because every case is not the same. Every case is not that they are lazy or they don’t want to work. It doesn’t work like that, not homelessness.

Homelessness started at the cradle with emotional problems, family issues, neglect – you name it, they got it or they’ve been through it. And I really want the public to understand that homelessness is not all centered around drugs, laziness and not wanting to work. That’s false.

There are some people who are homeless who would rather stay on the street than go to a shelter. I’ve witnessed that. The reason they would rather stay on the street is because of the way they have been treated. As homeless people, you are treated like nothing.

From September 1 through September 30 of this year, we ran a 30-night tent revival in the front yard of this facility. The day the tent was delivered, four homeless

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Homelessness is not all centered around drugs, laziness and not wanting to work. That’s false. men just walked up and asked if they could help. They helped to pitch the tent and believe it or not, they stayed there the entire 30 nights watching the chairs and other things that we left out under the tent. I didn’t expect that. A week after September 30, the tent stayed up and they stayed out late to watch it the entire time, but it was getting cold. So, I was lying on my sofa just resting for a while and the Holy Spirit said, “Get up and go get them sleeping bags.” So, I took them to Academy and bought four sleeping bags so that they wouldn’t have to be in the cold. Then the Holy Spirit spoke to me again and said, “You have an empty rental house with the utilities on.” I obeyed the Holy Spirit who led me to house those four men and I’ve housed them ever since.

Two of them work in the kitchen of Lizzie’s House, the other one has a security job at night, and the other one is very computer literate. So once again, God has opened the door for this men’s shelter. God has given us an opportunity again to do something positive with the homeless men in this community, and He has started it with four men.

There’s not a lot of help out there for homeless men because we expect them to be men not realizing that they have issues just like women have issues. From 1997 when I met the first six homeless men up until now, I have interviewed them just like you’re interviewing me. I have talked with them extensively. I have met their families because I wanted to know why they were homeless. I realized they have

a lot of issues. Some of them are very slow. Those who have been abused and mistreated just like women, and they have mental and emotional scars just like the women. There are men just like women who have been battered, bruised and broken, but they stand here with me and say, “Yet here I stand.” So, what am I going to do if God sent them to me? I’m going to take it one day at a time and give them what I feel is missing from their lives, the men and women.

What I really want the world to know and understand is that homeless people are not what the world makes them up to be, and that it’s not easy to be homeless today and back on your feet tomorrow just because you have a job. Also, in order to run a shelter, you need funding, and even if you commit $1 a day – that’s $30 a month – that surely somebody can donate to this shelter so that we can keep the doors open for women and children that really need some help in order to get back on their feet and become working, productive citizens again.

We need help from the community to help raise the funds to further the vision of Lizzie’s House. I want to raise awareness of what we do right here in the heart of Jackson, Mississippi. We have a grant from HUD. They have money for the homeless set aside, but that’s money we have to match. If we don’t match it, we don’t get to keep it. We also have some private donors, but that’s not many because there are so many nonprofit organizations pulling on

the businesses and private donors. So, we are asking for more community support.

We depend a lot on the community and fundraising, such as our cafeteria. We are open to the public for lunch Monday-Friday from 10:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Every plate that you purchase in Lizzie’s House Kitchen keeps a roof over the heads of women and children.

All donations are welcomed by mail or drop-off at: Lizzie’s House, 111 W. Monument St., Jackson, MS 39202. The phone number is 601-969-9856, and the web address is http://lizzieshouse.wordpress. com/.

In the near future, my vision for Lizzie’s House is for it to be almost like a hotel with at least 100 beds. It would have the lobby with the meeting rooms, a gym, the cafeteria and more, just as I envisioned back in 1997. That’s where I see Lizzie’s House going. That’s my dream.

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T

is the season to be jolly,” sung a man in a red suit with a long white beard as I approached my favorite store. As much as I wanted to pick up where he left off in the song, I simply took the advice of a great penguin, and just smiled and waved.

If I can be honest as a believer, as much as I should be excited about the holidays, it can sometimes be a bit depressing. I find myself overwhelmed with waiting in long lines and traffic. Even though Christmas is the same exact time every year, I seem to forget to prepare. When you lose a loved one, it seems as though the holidays are never the same. Regrettably, I am so consumed by my past or current circumstances that I forget about the true meaning of Christmas – the birth of a promise, the promise that it will get better.

Every new year brings about its share of joys and pain. Trials do not come to destroy us but to make us stronger. So many times, we become distracted by our current conditions that we grow weary during the process. Our light of hope begins to slowly dwindle away and burn out with gloom, doom and despair. However, it’s during these times that our strength must begin to grow stronger in the Lord. He is always there in arms’ reach, waiting to help us continue the fight. We must not grow weary in our faith and believe that how things are is how it will always be. It’s never His will for us to walk in defeat, but to know we

The Birth of a Promise have a birthright to full victory. God loves us so much that He gave us a promise. That promise was born to ensure full victory to all who may believe. Even though we may experience a temporary pain, we must continue to hold our heads up high.

Let’s look at the birth of Jesus. The Jews waited a long time for a Messiah to come so they may be restored to a position of power again. They were waiting for an earthly, rich king to come save them. So, already there is an expectation from the people of God on how their Savior should appear. The Messiah was born of a virgin bride named Mary.

Her future husband was about to leave her until an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. The couple immediately went from moments of a romantic happily ever after to being on the run and homeless. Yet, this is the process they were assigned to go through to give birth to the long-awaited promise, the Savior of the world.

I’m sure that during the process, Mary and Joseph had to ask, “If this is God, why not save us? Why not make it easy? Why do we have to flee the country? Of all the places the child of the living God could be born, why amongst cattle and sheep?” However, Mary and Joseph both knew they had to continue to put their trust in the Lord.

Even though fear may have been present, hope was alive. They both knew they were witnessing the birth of a promise. Baby Jesus looked nothing like a king; however,

BY SALMEILIA JE' STEWART he was indeed the king of all Kings. They both could rest assured that their current conditions would soon pass away, for Mary was giving birth to Israel’s long awaited King. What an honor!

The birth of a promise can cause some discomfort and inconvenience. However, these signs are indications that it is on the way. How many of us tend to give up and grow weary because what God has called us into looks nothing like anything we had ever imagined? It is during these times we often tend to give up not knowing if we stay in the fight long enough, we will witness what we have waited for.

It is during this time of the year we must reflect on the life of Jesus and not lose hope as the year ends. God has given us the greatest gift in the world, and we must know that our promise will come to pass.

So, let us not lose sight of the vision, let our ears not grow deaf to the voice of the Lord and may we never stop moving our feet.

May we grow excited knowing that we have victory. T.D. Jakes said, “A miracle is born out of our misery.” Let us walk in joy, peace and hope knowing that we have received a promise. In God’s time, He will restore us far greater than before and He will receive all the glory. Don’t give up during this time of the year. Rejoice knowing that as believers, we are heirs to one true King. Therefore, in due time, we all will live to witness the birth of our promise.

About the Author: Salmeilia is the mother of an eight-year-old son named Jaden and currently resides in Jackson, MS. She is an actress, writer and comedienne. She works for Phoenix Rising Entertainment. When she is not working, she enjoys taking pictures and having a great cup of coffee. You may follow Salmeilia on Instagram @Salmeilia and Facebook @Salmeilia Je'.

PHOTO CREDIT: GRAPHICSTOCK

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Appreciation BY DR. TIMOTHY QUINN

I

remember doing a board review course in New Jersey during my medical school training. I sat next to a student from a country in Africa who had come directly to the course from his native country to prepare for the American medical board. He was a physician in his country, but he had to take the American medical board to get a license to practice in the United States. His first response to my hello was a question asking who I was. He then asked what my parents did for a living. I informed him that my dad sold cars. He inquired if my dad owned many car lots, and I further explained that he sold used cars on someone else’s lot. The African student then inquired about my mom’s occupation. He was surprised when I told him that she was a teller in a bank that she did not own. The student stood up, looked at me and asked how I could sit next to him. He then sat in a seat across the room. Another student later explained to me that it was offensive to

him to sit next to someone that did not come from wealth. I often tell this story to demonstrate how lucky we are to live in a country that allows a poor boy from Mississippi with very limited financial assistance and poor grades to accomplish becoming a physician.

During this holiday season, we must first remember the reason for the season. We must remember how fortunate we are when we’re with family and friends. We must put aside our differences and focus on all the blessings we have today. Every year, I think of how far I have come. I think of all the patients who have allowed us to provide healthcare to them and their families. I remember the African physician from many years ago that helped me understand that all my success would not have been possible had I have been born in a different country. At times, we get caught up on how “great we are,” but this is usually when we start to fall. When we take our life’s blessings for granted,

we tend to not give them the needed attention and nourishment as we should.

A great example is a patient who lost his relationship with a family member whom he loved dearly.

During this holiday season, I encourage everyone to spend quality time with loved ones. We must remind our youth how important it is to be appreciative of all we have and not take blessings for granted. We must look to the future and actively anticipate ways that we can make someone else’s life better. I often talk to my daughter about the fact that giving gives a greater sense of long-term happiness than receiving.

Lastly, as your doctor and contributor, I must advise everyone to try to maintain a healthy diet with exercise during this holiday season. Let’s show our Creator that we appreciate our earthly bodies by celebrating with healthier lifestyle choices. So, when Big Mama offers you another piece of sweet potato pie, tell her, “Dr. Quinn says, ‘No, thank you!’”

For more information, visit our website: www.askdrquinn.com

PHOTO CREDIT: GRAPHICSTOCK

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For more information: 601-658-9577 x201 info@cnc-ips.com

GET STARTED TODAY www.churches.cnc-ips.com

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CC’s Coffee House

H.M. Gill and Lynn Ladner had no idea what kind of adventure their families were about to launch into three years ago. They knew their husbands, Bobby Gill and Kirk Ladner, had decided to move their law firm from downtown Jackson into the Ridgeland/Northeast Jackson community where their families lived and their children went to school. The old Madison County tax assessor’s office at 344 Highway 51, now The 344 Building, had been vacant a long time and that it was situated in a great location among a wonderful business and residential community. Kirk and Bobby, along with their law partner, Jamie Priest, decided The 344 Building was the perfect location to meet with their clients, practice law and get more involved with their community. So, they bought the building and began renovating the second-floor suites as the new home for Gill, Ladner and Priest, LLC. Lynn and H.M. knew that a variety of tenants had been considered for the first-floor suites and that the old tax assessor’s office had a drive-thru window where you could pay your taxes without getting out of your car. Their husbands thought a coffee shop might be a good fit for the downstairs space when they met with potential investors and tenants, and they knew they kept coming back to the coffee shop idea. So, there were some things they knew back then. But, there was a lot more they didn’t know.

What they didn’t know was that they would end up owning and operating the first CC’s Coffee House in Mississippi, that H.M. and Lynn would end up managing it, and that this adventure would bring them amazing opportunities, friendships, challenges and blessings. They

didn’t know that their staff would become their extended family and their coffee house guests would inspire, encourage and pray for their new business, their families, the ministry that would take place in The 344 Building’s first-floor suites, and the beautiful things that would happen over a good cup of coffee.

Sure, CC’s has amazing fresh-baked pastries (chocolate hazelnut croissants, white chocolate raspberry scones, butter rum muffins and toffee crunch blondies to name a few), fabulous fresh-brewed coffee (cypress sunrise medium roast, uptown jazz dark roast, and even New Orleans-inspired coffee with chicory), and drinks that sound like a list of the best things you could imagine (peppermint bark latte, king cake latte, turtle Mochasippi, mango and super fruit smoothies, and caramel cold brew). But when you talk to H.M. and Lynn about their new business, it’s clear that it goes way beyond the sweet and savory pastries and fabulous coffee. For H.M. and Lynn, the heart of CC’s is their staff, their guests, and the connection and community that happen in their store every day.

Their staff is young, but they are smart, hardworking and talented, and they truly care about taking care of the guests. Three of the team members have been with them since the store’s grand opening and now serve as team leaders. Cailyn faithfully opens the store every weekday morning, greeting guests by name and often starting their favorite drinks from memory before the guest reaches the counter to say good morning.

Melissa greets afternoon guests, baking beautiful pastries, and frequently taking the time to write down instructions for a guest’s favorite drink so other team members can make it when she isn’t there. Lauren anchors the weekend team with a warm weekend vibe, taking the time and effort to see that each guest knows he or she is important and welcomed as part of their weekend ritual.

Also, since CC’s opened, they have added even more great people to their lineup. Brianne brings a unique love and curiosity about coffee (even taking chicory home to use in her art projects) and has great talent for making beautiful drinks.

Brittany brings restaurant experience and a focus on bringing joy to the guests, encouraging those around her and taking time to help guests pick the perfect drink. In addition, Taylor and Abbi are a big part of keeping CC’s morning crew on track before hustling off to their classes at Ballet Magnificat. No wonder the morning team sometimes looks like a well-choreographed ballet!

For Lynn and H.M., the best part of all of this

is the connection with guests and the community. CC’s has hosted meet-and-greets for political and judicial candidates, a small faith group on Sunday nights, the Ridgeland Police Department’s first Coffee with a Cop last April, and a monthly Cars & Coffee event attended by hundreds of car enthusiasts from around the state. CC’s conference room, which seats 12 and is complimentary for CC’s guests, is a popular venue for business presentations, sales meetings, book clubs, Bible studies, art classes and even Russian lessons.

There are so many things H.M. and Lynn didn’t know would happen in The 344 Building: Guests who come to the drive-thru asking what they can put on their prayer list for CC’s and their staff, guests who make a special trip to the store to bring a split of champagne for a barista’s 21st birthday, guests who bring pictures of their families or their vacations, guests who share some of

the challenges they face at home or work, guests who bring a box of candy to celebrate Mother’s Day, guests who pick up cinnamon rolls for their parents every week or who pay for coffee for the car behind them in the drive-thru and guests who bring roses on Good Neighbor Day. When they opened CC’s Coffee House, they knew it would be about the guests. After all, there’s a sign above the conference room door that says, “You love our coffee. We love our guests.” What they didn’t know was just how much they would love their guests.

When they opened CC’s in The 344 Building, the Gills and Ladners wanted to tie the address, the building and the businesses inside to scripture. They were led to Psalm 34:4, calling the building 34:4 to remind them of the promise in that particular psalm: “I sought the Lord and he answered me. He delivered me from all my fears.”

So, this adventure has been a venture in faith, a venture in not knowing, but it is also a venture of promise and of delivery from fear of the things we don’t know.

PHOTO CREDIT: COURTESY CC’S COFFEE HOUSE; GRAPHICSTOCK

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CC’s Coffee House in Ridgeland is the first CC’s in Mississippi and is locally owned and operated.

Come see us for fresh-baked goods, guilt-free breakfast sandwiches, yogurt parfaits, and a variety of croissants.

Open 6:30am - 5:30pm Monday-Friday 7:30am - 5:30pm Saturday & Sunday

344 HIGHWAY 51 RIDGELAND, MS 39157 601-707-3685

brewed & iced coffee

convenient drive thru

hand crafted drinks

free meeting room hot & iced teas indoor & outdoor seating sweet & savory pastries

catering

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Interview with Officer Colendula Norton-Green

F

emale Officer Colendula Norton-Green has graced us with her presence to speak with her and share with you a portion of her story.

Where were you born? I was born in Flint, Michigan, but raised in Mt. Morris, Michigan.

How long have you been in Mississippi and what brought you here? I’ve been residing in Mississippi since the summer of 1996.

I had a close friend, who was getting ready to attend Jackson State, who convinced me to move to Mississippi. I broke my basketball contract with a school in Kansas City and transferred to JSU to play basketball and to attend school for my academics. I graduated with my undergrad in criminal justice with a minor in criminology in 2000. I completed the Graduate Elementary Program at JSU in 2002.

I was married for 17 years to my ex-husband.

We have two teenage sons. One is 15 and in the 10th grade, and my eldest son is 18 with his first year at Mississippi State University.

I’ve been with the Jackson Police Department for almost 12 years and counting.

Was it your dream to become a police officer? My dad influenced my decision. As a little girl, my dad used to talk to me about his war stories all the time. It gave me an interest to make a positive impact in people lives. I lost my dad at a very early age. My passion is to encourage Jacksonians to have a greater trust for officers and practice proactive policing.

How has your journey been as a female police officer in general and in Mississippi?

My journey has been a transition. While in the Police Training Academy in 2005, I had to prove myself to my male counterparts by being able to withstand the same workout courses; AKA “Pain and Suffering” is what our trainers would call it. By doing so, I was able to excel as the platoon leader. I had to keep account for myself and 18 other recruits. I was able to hold that position while graduating at the top of my class.

My main focus while working the streets during that time was to treat every Jacksonian like a first-class citizen. I was able to build lifelong relationships by doing so. I was recognized during Sheriff Malcolm McMillan’s

administration in November 16, 2007 through April 2009 as one of the first female officers for the new Segway unit in the Downtown Jackson area. Being a people person, my job was to give the best customer service to the citizens who worked in the Downtown area.

I interacted with people from all walks of life. I was intrigued by some of the homeless citizens with whom I came in contact with who were talented in art. I draw freehand, so I talked to them about art.

On September 7, 2010 thru May 2016, after a lengthy interview process, I was selected by Chief Rebecca Coleman as the first female Public Information Officer. My job duties were to act as liaison between the police department, and local and national media outlets. I was able to convince our chief at the time that social media was what we needed to advance our department by not just showing crime, but also showing positive things that we were doing. After our social media was approved, I comprised a page for Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, and ran those three websites. I am currently in the Administrative Division.

What trials or obstacles have you had to overcome if any as a female police officer?

While working the streets, I had to show my male counterparts that I could protect myself and them as well. I was able to back them up on the calls that we went on together. Some of my Brothers in Blue would say to other cops that I could back them up anytime because I carried my weight. That made me feel proud in knowing that they felt a sense of protection from me.

We are in the holiday season. Tell me: What has been your experience during the holidays, good or bad? My experience during the holiday season has been the loss of loved ones. I lost my Mom in December of 2004. I lost one of my sisters two years ago in November 2014. I also lost one of my favorite aunts in October of this year. There isn’t a deadline with grieving. Being around those who are empathetic is a great way to get through it.

What was one of your worst incidents/ calls you had to deal with? One of my worst

calls, after being released by my Field Training Officer (FTO), was answering a call at a local hospital, in reference to a three-year-old child being assaulted. The baby was assaulted by a close family member. I had a lot of mixed emotions. I have two teenage sons. The thought of someone violating them really had me being sympathetic to the little girl and her family. I was able to handle the incident in a professional manner. I diffused myself by comforting my sons and working out.

What was your best incidents/calls you had to deal with? My best incident was in reference to a missing two-year-old child. The child’s mother advised that while working in the yard, her two-year-old child had wandered off. I along with other officers was able to saturate the area and locate the child at a nearby residence unharmed.

Have you had to deal with an incident that changed you in some way? A life-changing moment for me was responding to a suicidal death. To see the dead body and family grieving had me thinking that there are so many people suffering in silence. Treat everyone right that you come in contact with because you never when it’s someone’s last day to live.

Is there a specific story that comes to mind and stands out during the holidays where you had the opportunity to be a light that someone needed? I had the opportunity to shed light on a coworker from another department. This coworker, who is ill, didn’t have any time left to stay out on medical leave.

That employee inboxed me on Facebook and told me her situation and asked if I could spare some time. Without hesitation, I immediately adhered to her need by giving 40 hours of my sick leave. It’s good to be a blessing to others.

Was there a time when you needed to believe in humanity again and someone unexpected helped you to believe again?

Traumatic events like the death of loved ones, working incidents involving young children or people I know causes stress. Having faith in God, being around caring individuals and working out allows me to balance out my life.

PHOTO CREDITS: COURTESY COLENDULA GREEN; PICJUMBO

WOMAN TO WOMAN WITH JOANNE: THE MAGAZINE • 19

20 • WOMAN TO WOMAN WITH JOANNE: THE MAGAZINE • December 2016

MYA'S CORNER:

Almost Christmas BY MYA BELL

H

ey! This is Mya! I’m back and it’s almost Christmas, which relates to what I want to talk about. You know how all the little children are making their wish now to Santa Claus and hoping they are not on the naughty list? Also the older kids, who are just telling their parents what they want, like more of electronics than toys. Grownups worrying about all the money they have to spend this year…

“Ugh!” is what they are probably thinking, am I right? I think I am. But have any of you all thought about Jesus and the children in need instead of yourself? You probably have not. But they are out there suffering and hoping to have a jolly Christmas like

the rest of us, but yet they don’t.

But that hasn’t really been happening lately. You know why? It’s because there are some people in this world that are so considerate and thoughtful and mostly thankful by making other people in need happy. So, what I’m trying to say to you is this: Try to go outside the box this year for Christmas and do something wonderful for someone in need. Then you will get something great in return. But that doesn’t mean you have to not buy yourself something and work hard for someone in need, and make your Christmas boring. Start small and just go to a homeless shelter or children’s hospital, and make them happy. Then come

around next Christmas and get bigger and bigger with your amazing ideas, and make the world happy and a better place.

Now, back to Jesus. You can’t forget about Jesus: He’s the reason we have Christmas.

So, don’t just wake up thinking about gifts. When you wake up, tell Jesus Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas! I know there might be some people out there who don’t believe in Jesus, but still be thankful!

You would not have the things you have right now if it wasn’t for Jesus. Thank you for reading Mya’s Corner and I hope you enjoyed this. Remember, you can make the world a better place by just doing a single thing.

JaMya Elisabeth Bell (Mya, for short) is a native of Crystal Springs, Mississippi, and currently lives in Gluckstadt, Mississippi. She loves to sing, act, cook and draw, and her favorite sports are basketball and track. In addition to stage performances, she has appeared on the TV show “Nashville” and the film “Soul Damage.” She is the daughter of Woman to Woman with Joanne’s founder and CEO, Joanne Bell.

PHOTO CREDIT: GRAPHICSTOCK

WOMAN WOMAN TO WOMAN TO WOMAN WITHWITH JOANNE: JOANNE: THE MAGAZINE THE MAGAZINE • 21 • 21

A Father’s Love BY BRANDON CORNELIUS, JR.

A

s a leader, I look at my church as being my family, my tribe, my connection with the body of Christ. The very essence of church fellowship is love. I pour myself out as a drink offering unto my members – to absorb the knowledge of the word, the love and the heart of God the Father through my life experience. Normally, I avoid focusing on myself and my experiences, but because of the nature of this article, I’m expressing my feelings about showing love to others as a father. So, understanding this expressed premise, I yield myself to God and I find myself being less afraid to reach out to others. I am uninhibited when I think of reaching out in a meaningful way to anyone, whether they be male or female.

The scripture states in Titus 1:15, “To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure.” Thus, I find myself stepping into a role as a loving father, even to the daughters of my church. My mind has been elevated from tradition, form or fashion. I am not afraid to give a hug, an encouraging word or a smile to anyone, any member of the flock. After all, love is what draws them even closer to our eternal Father. The Father’s love is nothing missing, nothing broken.

Naturally, I’m concerned about my church family. I’m concerned about their needs, their wants, their decisions, their life pursuits and always their spiritual growth. I look at them holistically. I often find myself asking questions that any father would. I ask them how they’re doing, who’s that new person with them, how their job is going or how parenting is coming. I particularly show myself touchable, trying to display love in

a most tangible way. As the Lord is, may I show and be love to my congregation.

Even with the best intentions and fueled

by Godly motivation, oftentimes because of what people experience, they cannot truly appreciate or accept genuine love. This may be found to be true with some of the women in the church.

Negative experiences with males is often in the way that many women view or believe all male experiences will be, even in the manner they view God as their father. We all know that people’s perception of the word “father” can either help or hinder their ability to tap into the magnificent love of our heavenly Father.

We also know that if that person has not had an adequate, decent or even neutral father figure, that word “father” can send shock waves into their emotional souls, paralyzing their very being.

As a leader, my job is to begin to break those spiritual barriers down by being a loving leader, by burning so fervent for the Lord that they catch on fire, living so close to God’s love myself that I can by personal testimony understand the power of God’s love – the love that burns and consumes any issue or any problem.

The ministry that I shepherd has been characterized as being like a strong oak tree with children playing on it, climbing the branches and swinging happily. That is the very nature or essence of my ministry – to provide a strong place, a safe place, a life-giving place for people to come and ascend into greater faith and spiritual growth. As leaders, we must break through these invisible barriers, snatching people into the love of God

through our very own actions and praying that God himself will begin crushing false ideas of relationships.

Leaders should thrive in a state of becoming – becoming the personification of love, becoming the personification of safety becoming a model, the template of who a man should be, especially for female members.

We must learn how to love and honor them just as God the Father does. We must be sensitive to the fact that many of the daughters in the church have not experienced healthy love – that their negative male experiences could be their only experience with a male.

This may be all they have to rely on. With a clouded frame of reference, it’s hard for them to understand that God sees them as His little girls, His daughters, His princesses.

My hope is that this article will start a conversation among leaders to target their congregations with more love – touchable, tangible, God-inspired love.

By doing so, we will visibly note a transformation of the way that people, especially the daughters of the faith, look at themselves and who they will give themselves to.

Together, leadership can stand in the gap – the difference between helping a daughter understand her total value and worth in God’s Kingdom, or allowing them to remain in a clouded self-inflicted state of trying to figure out who God is, yet seeking Him from an irrational, illogical and unfounded position.

Shift your church’s spiritual atmosphere: Literally save and change lives.

With love...

Brandon Cornelius Sr.

I Think I Can...

22 • WOMAN TO WOMAN WITH JOANNE: THE MAGAZINE • December 2016

I Think I Can...

I Think I Can...

R

ecently, I’ve heard sermons, studied teachings and noticed people talking more about the importance of what you speak, changing your life by thinking positively and actually getting up and commanding the morning by starting their day with prayer. I don’t know if that had anything to do with this, but the other morning, I was awakened with these words ringing in my ears... I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.

I smiled and said to myself, why am I thinking about The Little Engine That Could?

Most of us remember this childhood story of a small train who struggles to climb up the side of a mountain. He starts off saying, “I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...” He says this until he sees it working, and then he starts declaring “I know I can, I know I can, I know I can...”

This is an awesome children’s story with a lot of great references to never giving up even when things look tough. Remembering the story caused me to ask myself, “What voice am I listening to? What am I declaring over my own life?” It also caused me to think of what drives me to make it, even make it through hard situations in life that seem insurmountable. Staying encouraged is a process. We as people use many things to keep our spirits lifted. We use people, we use material things, but if we are wise, we will use our faith. The world teaches us to encourage ourselves with statements such as, “It’s all about me,” and “Use any means necessary,” to push to make it in this world. In the story, the small train encourages itself by changing his thinking, and although that is an important part of transforming, true transformation comes from the inside out. You see, as Christians, this process of encouragement is

BY MICHELLE JOHNSON

reversed. We read the Bible and the Holy Spirit encourages us. The change comes from within.

The Holy Spirit with a still, small voice will say, “I know you can, I know you can, I know you can…” As we listen to His voice, we begin to say, “I think I can, I think I can, I think I can…”

Whose voice are you listening to? Many times, we listen to the wrong voices: Voices of an angry abusive parent, a non-supportive spouse or jealous friend. Voices of self-defeat, low self-esteem or negative messages that we replay over and over in our own minds. The enemy of our souls also tries to place messages or voices in our way to affect our lives. These voices can often drown out the voice of God speaking to us. It is a sad commentary to replace fiction with the truth. Unfortunately, that’s what many people do when they believe what others say about them over the knowledge of God when they believe what others think instead of relying on what God thinks about them. The truth is, God has had a plan for our lives since the foundation of this world (Jeremiah 29:11).

So, if this is true, why is it that so many people wander around aimlessly and speak so many negative things about their own lives?

Why are there so many people living in the shadows, never reaching the destiny God has planned for them? The answer to this question is simple – it’s the voice that they are listening to. It is so important to recognize where that voice is coming from. Is that voice coming from inside of you, and are you listening to what God says about you from Him or another source? God wishes to speak the “I know you can” into your life. After hearing His voice, we have to begin to think that we can until our faith grows to declare that we can!

The Bible is the book that tells us what we can do, and we as sons and daughters have to begin to believe we can do it. This is the process, the journey that the Holy Spirit wishes to take us all on. The Bible tells us who we are, and then we begin to think that we can become that. Again, this process is in reverse order. The Holy Spirit says,” I know you can...” to us until we can begin to think we can. I believe that this is the season, the time for us as Christians to take our rightful place in God. I believe it is a time for us to take what God knows about us and to think on it...until we can believe it into the earth realm.

Then our thoughts and minds will become synchronized with God’s thoughts about us.

At that point, together with the Holy Spirit, we can climb any mountain. Self-help is only one part of it, and we must want to help ourselves. Yet, a wise person knows that we are empowered by something stronger than our own thoughts, stronger than our own self-will, a power greater than the human spirit. The Bible teaches, “It’s not by might, nor by power but by my spirit, saith the Lord (Zechariah 4:6).”

So, let God do it in this season. Let us climb this mountain together – you and that still, small voice. God wants us to think about what He already knows about us and what we have learned through the knowledge of the Word so we can ascend to a higher place in Him. When we accomplish this, that knowing in our spirit will push us into thinking that we can and we will ultimately start climbing mountains with the assurance of God’s power, plan and destiny for our lives. We will be confident before we even take the first step. Remember the “I think I can, I think I can, I think I can…” only comes from knowing what God can do.

PHOTO CREDIT: GRAPHICSTOCK

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24 • WOMAN TO WOMAN WITH JOANNE: THE MAGAZINE • December 2016

Christmas Dessert Ideas

All Recipes are from Delish.com

Christmas Tree Cookie Stacks TOTAL TIME: 0:30 LEVEL: EASY SERVES: 16-18 COOKIES

Santa’s Trash Cookies

Milk & Cookies Shots These are the kind of cookies Santa actually wants you to leave out for him.

TOTAL TIME: 0:35 LEVEL: EASY SERVES: 12 SHOTS INGREDIENTS • 1 tube chocolate chip cookie dough • 1 c. semisweet chocolate chips • 2 tbsp. coconut oil (or butter) • 1 part Baileys Irish Cream • 1 part milk DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease the cups of a muffin tin, then fill each one with a small ball of cookie dough, pressing down gently to form a well.

Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly golden.

2. As soon as they’re out, use a shot glass to gently press down the center of each cookie. Set tray aside to cool for at least 20 minutes.

3. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and coconut oil.

Microwave in 25-second intervals, stirring in between, until chips are fully melted. Line each cookie dough cup with the melted chocolate, place on a baking sheet or platter, and refrigerate until the chocolate has hardened, about 15 minutes.

4. In a shaker filled with ice, combine equal parts Baileys Irish Cream and milk. Shake, then pour into each cookie shot glass.

TOTAL TIME: 0:25 COOK: 0:08 LEVEL: EASY SERVES: 28 COOKIES INGREDIENTS • 3/4 c. cup unsalted butter, at room temperature • 1/2 c. sugar • 1/2 c. brown sugar • 1 large egg • 2 tsp. vanilla • 2 1/4 c. all-purpose flour • 1 tsp. baking powder • 1/4 tsp. kosher salt • 1/3 c. crushed potato chips • 1/3 c. Crushed Pretzels • 1/3 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips • 3 tbsp. red and green sprinkles • Flaky sea salt, for garnish DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 350ºF and line two cookie sheets with parchment.

2. Cream together butter and sugars until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes.

3. Mix in egg and vanilla.

4. In another large bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt. Add dry ingredients to wet and mix until smooth.

Dough will be thick.

5. Gently stir in chips, pretzels, chocolate chips, and sprinkles.

6. Make tablespoon size balls of dough. Slightly press them down onto the cookie sheet and sprinkle with sea salt.

7. Bake until edges are just starting to get golden, 7 to 8 minutes.

8. Remove from oven and let cool 2 to 3 minutes, then transfer to cooling rack to cool completely.

INGREDIENTS COOKIES: • 3/4 c. unsalted butter, at room temperature • 1 c. sugar • 1 egg • 1 tsp. vanilla extract • 1 tsp. almond extract • 2 1/4 c. all-purpose flour • 1 tsp. baking soda • 1/4 tsp. kosher salt FROSTING: • 1 c. butter • 4 c. powdered sugar • 1 tsp. vanilla extract • 2-3 tbsp. water or milk • Green gel icing color • 2-3 tbsp. red and white pearl sprinkles • 16-18 yellow star sprinkles DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 350ºF and line two cookie sheets with parchment.

2. Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes.

Mix in egg and vanilla and almond extracts. In a separate bowl, whisk together dry ingredients. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until smooth. Dough will be thick.

3. Make three sizes of cookie dough balls: 1 teaspoon, 2 teaspoons, and 3 teaspoons. (You should have an even number of each.) Place medium and large cookies on a cookie sheet and press down slightly on each. Bake until center looks mostly cooked, 7 to 8 minutes. Place smallest balls of dough on another cookie sheet and press down slightly. Bake until center looks mostly cooked, 5 to 6 minutes. When cookies are done, remove from oven and let cool 2 to 3 minutes, then transfer to a cookie rack to finish cooling.

4. Make frosting: Beat butter until smooth. Add half the powdered sugar and mix until smooth. Add vanilla

and 2 tablespoons water and mix until smooth. Add remaining powdered sugar and mix until smooth. Add green gel icing color to frosting and mix until your desired shade of green.

5. Assemble cookies: Get one size of each cookie. Fit a piping bag with a medium sized star piping tip (I used Wilton 32) and fill bag with green frosting.

6. Pipe a swirl of frosting onto the largest cookie, then add the second medium sized cookie on top. Pipe a swirl of frosting onto the second cookie, then top with the smallest cookie. Pipe a swirl on top of the final cookie and decorate with a star and round ornament sprinkles. Continue building cookie trees, then refrigerate until ready to serve.

Oreo Coal TOTAL TIME: 1:15 LEVEL: EASY SERVES: 38-40 COOKIES INGREDIENTS • 40 Oreos • 1 8-oz. block cream cheese, softened • 16 oz. semisweet or melting chocolate • 1/3 c. cocoa DIRECTIONS 1. Using a food processor fitted with the blade attachment, grind Oreos into crumbs. Transfer crumbs to a medium bowl and add cream cheese. Use a fork to mix until well combined.

2. Using about one tablespoon of the mixture per ball, form misshapen balls of the Oreo mixture. Place them on a plate and into the fridge for about 30 minutes to 1 hour to firm up.

3. Microwave melting chocolate in 10 to 15 second increments until melted and smooth. Using a fork or toothpick, dip each Oreo ball into the melted chocolate, then set onto parchment paper to dry.

4. Once firm, dip your fingers into the cocoa and lightly rub onto Oreo balls to complete the “coal” look. Store balls in the fridge until ready to serve.

BACKGROUND PHOTO CREDIT: GRAPHICSTOCK

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26 • WOMAN TO WOMAN WITH JOANNE: THE MAGAZINE • December 2016

Make Room for Your Blessings BY K. PAMPLEY-LOVE

Y

ears ago, I was the executive director of a small nonprofit. Money was very scarce, as you may well imagine, so the chance to order anything was a treat, indeed a rare luxury.

I remember one day when I ordered a lot of supplies. I got some things for my desk – some calendars and training equipment. I was elated. The day came for delivery, and through my office window, I saw the delivery guy drive up. I watched him pull down several boxes before rushing to let him in. As I led him to the room where he was to unload, I suddenly realized I hadn’t prepared a single spot for my purchases. He tried to smile through sweat and frustration as I scurried around trying to push things to one side for any amount of space for my treasures. It was aggravating for him and embarrassing for me. I later laughed at how one could cut corners all year, participate in fundraisers and write grants to gather the money to buy items, then spend countless hours poring over catalogs and online shopping sites searching for the best deal, only to forget to make room for everything.

What’s not so funny is that sometimes things done in the natural are often repli-

cated in the spiritual. Christians, so often, don’t make room for our blessings and miracles. We spend months, years even, praying, fasting and confessing to anyone who’ll stand still long enough to listen, only to scurry around trying to fit the answer to our prayers into our existing circumstances.

Let’s consider such a case in the Book of Acts, Chapter 12.

Peter had been imprisoned and a group of well-meaning saints got together to pray for his release. God answered their prayers, and Peter literally walked out of prison and right to the door where the believers were praying. A servant girl answered and recognized Peter’s voice, but the others (those praying) told her that it must be his angel. After all, he was in jail!

Imagine, if you will, people fervently praying for the release of Peter, only to deny that very release. These believers, like me with my packages, had done all the preparation but forgot to prepare for the answer. Has God promised you something? Have you been believing and confessing? Good, now prepare for it. Don’t be left trying to make room for your blessing.

PHOTO CREDIT: GRAPHICSTOCK

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28 • WOMAN TO WOMAN WITH JOANNE: THE MAGAZINE • December 2016

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30 • WOMAN TO WOMAN WITH JOANNE: THE MAGAZINE • December 2016

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32 • WOMAN TO WOMAN WITH JOANNE: THE MAGAZINE • December 2016

You have Medicare questions.

I can help.

Ezsma Holmes

Your local licensed Humana sales agent 601-953-5621

The Annual Enrollment Period is a great time to review your current Medicare coverage and see if there’s a better plan option available for you.

Before you sign up for a new Medicare plan, check to see if it covers what you need.

Call me today and together let’s find the Humana Medicare Advantage plan that’s right for you!

Call a licensed sales agent Ezsma Holmes 601-953-5621 (TTY: 711) Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Humana is a Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO and PFFS organization and a stand-alone prescription drug plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any Humana plan depends on contract renewal. A sales person will be present with information and applications. For accommodation of persons with special needs at sales meetings call 855-791-4087 (TTY:711), 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday - Friday.

Humana Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Humana”) do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.

English: ATTENTION: If you do not speak English, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you.

Call 855-791-4087 (TTY: 711) Español (Spanish): ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 855-791-4087 (TTY: 711)

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WOMAN TO WOMAN WITH JOANNE: THE MAGAZINE • 33

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34 • WOMAN TO WOMAN WITH JOANNE: THE MAGAZINE • December 2016

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