Happy Monday!

Hello Blogging Friends!
It's MONDAY!!! Ok--so, I'm not that excited that it's a beautiful day and we're covering poetry, but I'm finding my own beauty right now!

I went home this weekend, our church had its 27th anniversary, and it was phenomenal! In all of my years of attending my church, I have never felt God so near in a service. The singing, the praise dancing, the worship, but most importantly, the WORD was just amazing. It was one of those services where you are near tears the entire time...can I get an Amen?! smile

I am still studying my notes, but I will have to share the highlights at a later date. The message was over "Discovering the Will of God." God has been doing so much to show me His face lately, and this word was a confirmation in my spirit of so many things. You know how you can ask for something, and 'think' you heard the answer? Anyone ever been there?! I've struggled with taking action after God has given me the direction to go. I've been so paralyzed that I have failed to exercise my faith, and go foward. Joyce Meyer said it best when she said that being afraid to miss God can be just as detrimental as not moving at all...isn't that the truth?!

I promise I will share more of the actual message later...it is worth the wait...I promise!

UPDATE:
My pneumonia has finally given in to the antibiotics! It took a while (4 weeks), but the pleurisy has subsided...I wouldn't wish that on my WORST enemy...pain like no other...

Plans to move to Houston are still underway....keep praying...God is moving!

Did you see it?!

I haven't been following this season of American Idol closely, but I happened to catch this today. Most of the group songs they choose for the contestants are quite corny, however, this is awesome!!! I was so happy to see that they didn't edit this song! Enjoy!

Family Pride

Hello Blogger Friends!!!

I am so proud of my cousin Jonathan Lewis. He graduates in May, and he is ranking as the Valedictorian of his class right now. This article was written about him in Jackson, MS Clarion Ledger. He is really a great kid, and I am so proud of him. It makes all of those years of fixing him hot dogs and green beans SO worth it....smile! Thank you for sharing in this proud moment with my family and I!!!!

'Ebony' honors Provine's remarkable Lewis

Jonathan Lewis' unique mixture of academic and athletic prowess earned the Provine senior a spot in Ebony magazine's Top 10.
Ask parents what they want their child to be, and the answers will run the gamut from A to Z.
Some may say they want a strong academic student, valedictorian even. Others may want a sports star. A few may aspire for their child to be student body president. Or maybe one with a heart for others and who is involved at church. Many will say they want a good kid who respects and is respected by others.
For the parents of Jonathan Lewis, a senior at Provine High, the answer's simple: all of the above.
"Jonathan's name means God-given, and he has truly been a blessing to his parents," said Jennifer Lewis, Jonathan's mother and a teacher at Provine.
They are not the only ones who have noticed. The June issue of Ebony magazine will feature its selected outstanding scholars, one of whom is Lewis.
"It's the top 10 scholars in the nation, which is featured in Ebony every year," Jonathan said. "I was (notified) about a month ago that I had been selected. They called and said it's primarily because of my grades and my volunteer work. I volunteer with the March of Dimes."
Lewis, who is on track to be valedictorian, said he is involved with March of Dimes because he wants to bring attention to Mississippi's premature birth rate, one of the highest in the nation.
Lashunna Blackmon, Lewis' advanced placement senior English teacher, noticed both his balance and dedication.
"Jonathan is probably the most well-rounded student I've ever had here. He plays ball, he's involved in other activities and he gets his work in on time, even the lengthy assignments."
"Obviously, he's an outstanding representative (for Provine), because he really does epitomize what we believe, that hard work and consistent effort are the keys to success," Provine Principal Tex Red Jr. said. "He's a very articulate young man. As president of the student body (he's called on) to do a great many presentations, speak to the school and represent the school quite a bit. I've had a great many people say to me how well he represents this school.
"Having a young man who's so academically inclined while at the same time being a part of athletics and other extra-curricular activities ... he's the total embodiment of the student-athlete. You knew (when he came in as a freshman) that he was going to do well. Plus, I know his mom and pop, and I knew they wouldn't accept anything less."
Education is a part of the Lewis family's foundation. His father, Danny Lewis, is assistant principal at Powell Middle School.
In addition to the educational background, Jonathan and his father also share a love of basketball, as well as a claim to hoops success. A point guard for the Rams varsity team, he helped his squad claim back-to-back Class 5A state titles as well as this season's overall state championship.
Danny said that success, combined with his efforts to help Florence High School win the overall state title when he was in school, makes them the only father-son duo to claim overall titles of which he is aware.
"Mixed in with all of that, he is also one of the secretaries of Sunday school at Pearl Street A.M.E. Church," said Benjamin F. Harper Jr., superintendent of Sunday school at the church. "He actually contacted me. Now think about all of the other things he's been doing, (and he still wants) to be secretary. One of the things that really impressed me was that, when he had to go off on a basketball trip, he would let me know in advance. That's the kind of fellow he is."

Lady in Waiting...

What a difference a day makes....have you ever said that before? Well, I want to change that to what a difference TIME makes.

I know I've been in a blogging mood lately, but this post, I have to say has been on my mind for a while. Amongst my single friends, I've been hearing the laments for companionship....why I've even participated a time or two, but let me tell you what I've learned in those quiet times alone with God.

God's timing is perfect. God does not need our help. Yes, faith without works is dead, but it is important to not confuse our 'works' with our own agenda.

My heart quietly breaks when I see a friend settle for less than God's best out of the loneliness of the moment. Trust me, I know the questions of, "how's your love life," and "are you dating," seem impossible to answer at times, but what's the alternative? To settle?

During a lunch conversation with 2 seasoned teacher friends, my "love life," came into view. You know, it's like you can almost feel the question coming..."so, how's your love life?" My first thought...what's it to you...but, I replied that Jesus and I were fine, and that I'd rather be happy and single for the rest of my life, than settle for the moment.

There are SO many wonderful examples of successful, Christ-filled relationships God has shown me in and out of my home. I WANT THAT, and not the diet, watered down version. I want the marriage God designed for me, with the mate God hand-made just for me. It's more about the wedding, the dress I'll wear, and the honeymoon we'll share...it's about connecting with my mate, doing more for the Kingdom, and growing closer together in Christ.

Yes, we want what we want, when we want it, but God's timing is perfect. Plus, disobedience in one area affects all aspects of your life. I'm not willing to pay that kind of price.

My prayer is that I remain in His will, and trust in His timing, even if I am single for a while.

So, if you are one of my friends, then you already know this, but if you're new to the blog, here's my list of what I want to accomplish before I get married:

*I want to travel to Africa and serve in the mission field

*I want to serve in my church back home in the teen ministry (this ministry was so instrumental in my life as a young Christian, I hope to get this chance this summer)

*I want continue with the plans to buy my first home

*I want to become successful in my career

*I want to pay off ALL of my student loans!

So if you're reading, and you're single....what's your to-do list? Is HE in the plan???

Lovely Words...

"For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.” -Audrey Hepburn


"I would like to be known as an intelligent woman, a courageous woman, a loving woman...a woman who teaches by being."-Maya Angelou

I felt like blogging today! Nothing really on my mind, just wanted to get in here and unload. You know, stress is such a BAD thing! I mean, it can cause you to not sleep at night, have mysterious aches and pains, and become irritable for no apparent reason!

The relief comes when you master the thing that is stressing you out, you can cross it off of your 'to-do' list. Those are the moments the release comes! I look forward to crossing some things off in the very near future. Nothing life threatening...I promise!