Saying Good-bye: 2014 in Posts…

Hello World,  mamajoyce

I absolutely love this time of the year: the few days after Christmas just before the dawn of a brand New Year…Maybe it’s because it’s winter or maybe it’s just in my head, but somehow the air feels crisp with excitement as the world prepares to hit biggest reset button of them all…Whatever has happened in a year – good or bad, the beginning of a New Year is an opportunity to continue to greater heights or leave pain in the past…It’s a time to reflect on all that has transpired in 365 days and wonder about what is to come…And that sentiment brings me the point of today’s blog post…If you mind, let’s take a tour of 2014 via my this blog…

January 2014 – I admitted that I do watch “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” (hiding behind my computer since you probably want to throw rocks at me 🙂 ) and was fascinated by the storyline about Mama Joyce and how she couldn’t stand that her daughter Kandi Burruss, former Xscape songstress and current song-writing millionaire was engaged Todd Tucker, a production manager. (They are now married!) I was so fascinated with the storyline that I interviewed Mama Joyce: “Mama Joyce Gets Us Straight…And Steps Back…And Keeps Stepping…(MY INTERVIEW).”

February 2014 – I celebrated my first Valentine’s Day as a married woman in my blog post “Lovapalooza: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly of Love on Valentine’s Day.” Also, if you live in Georgia, remember this was the second time in just a couple of weeks that we were snowed and iced in…and this particular snowstorm/ice storm happened to fall on Valentine’s Day week…

March 2014 – Although I am a reality television show fan, I pleaded with gospel duo Mary Mary to rethink their reality show in “Why Mary Mary May Need To Get Off Reality TV…My Open Letter to Erica & Tina Campbell” as their lives seem to have unraveled for all the world to see… Mary-Mary-Season-3

April 2014 – I shared that I FINALLY completed the rough draft of my first novel in “This Novel That I’m Writing…My Modified NaNoWriMo Challenge…”  

gradrobertMay 2014– With my husband’s permission, I shared some of his testimony in “Delay is NOT denial…Celebrating My Hubby’s College Graduation!!!”

June 2014– Although the world lost “Phenomenal Woman,” Dr. Maya Angelou on May 28, I wrote about her in my June 1 blog post “Remembering The Phenomenal Woman: Maya Angelou…” The example of her life is a beacon that anything is possible for a black girl, a girl who once thought of herself as “a too-big Negro girl with nappy black hair, broad feet and a space between my teeth that would hold a No. 2 pencil” – her words…maya

July 2014 – I wrote the blog post “Young Pastors Vs. Old Churches…” that generated a great discussion…This post was inspired by this article “Young Pastor Voted Out By Veteran Members Of Historic Baptist Church In Philadelphia” by Cherri Gregg on CBS Philly’s website.

cross2August 2014 – My husband and I celebrated our first anniversary as marrieds and I wrote about our journey together thus far in “7 Lessons Learned: Going From ‘Single Lady’ to ‘Smug Married.'” It was the third in series of three posts I wrote about being married for a year 🙂  To read my first post, go to  “Couples’ Night – Going From ‘Single Lady’ to ‘Smug Married’”… and my second post was “Cooking & Cleaning Oh My! – Going From ‘Single Lady’ to ‘Smug Married.’”

September 2014 – During this month, I met newly minted Soror Suzan Johnson Cook, who is not only a former pastor and current author, she also served as the United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom. Her book “A New Dating Attitude” made me know that I know that I know that I truly know my husband was and is God’s best for me…I wrote about our meeting in “Making Your Divine Appointment…” sujay

October 2014 – I explored my fear of Ebola in my blog post “Seven Scriptures to Dispel F.E.A.R. About Ebola…”

November 2014 – I forced myself to separate Dr. Heathcliff “Cliff” Huxtable, America’s favorite dad, from Bill Cosby in “What Would Jesus Do About Bill Cosby?” I still don’t know what to do about these allegations…This ranks up there with finding out there is no Santa Claus and the chocolate factory in “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” is not real…

Marry-Us-For-Christmas-posterDecember 2014 – Ever since I got engaged during the Christmas season two years ago, I see Christmas as a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and celebrate the beginning of my new life with my hubby…So I was especially elated to interview Malinda Williams, who starred in the movie “Marry Us For Christmas,” which premiered on UP. Check out “‘Watch ‘Marry Us For Christmas’ Tonight/My Interview With Malinda Williams.”

One last thing:

I’ve found the best way to bring in the New Year is in church where I will be tonight…And what better way to prepare for Watch Night Service and the whole year than to pray? Join Girlfriends Pray as they begin a Pray-A-Thon today at noon EST….Details below…

prayAny thoughts?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Making Your Divine Appointment…

Hello World,

Delta Authors on Tour...

Delta Authors on Tour…

Yesterday was a whirlwind of a day…I had gotten up around 5:30 a.m. to pray and write and then I mapped out the rest of day…I had planned to go the Delta Authors on Tour event for a couple of hours and then get on with my Saturday washing clothes, grocery shopping, etc. – basically the mundane stuff…

In my mind, I was grumbling about the various things I needed to get done – the fun stuff and not-so-fun stuff…I LOVE to write, but writing this first novel has been a challenging feat for me for several reasons…For the sake of brevity, I will only name two…Reason #1…Up until the last year or so, I haven’t read a novel in some years…I’m a non-fiction afficionado…In fact, even though I’ve been a part of a book club that has read novels for roughly 16 years, I have read very few of them (I’m grateful they allow me to come back to meetings 🙂 ) Reason #2…Since I’m trained as a journalist, I can whip up a competent article or two or three if threatened in a few hours…But writing chapters and for hundreds of pages is a marathon I’ve never run before…

The not-so-fun stuff was obviously my household chores…Sometimes my week is so hectic, I have to relegate mundane chores to the weekend…and the last thing I want to do on a weekend is wash clothes, plan meals, clean, etc. When I was single, I could ignore all of the not-so-fun stuff and let things pile up including dishes, clothes, dust bunnies, etc. But now that someone is living with me, I no longer have that luxury…(although my husband would probably argue that I still allow myself that luxury…)

Sorors Dr. Fran Breakfield & L.D. Wells...

Sorors Dr. Francene Breakfield & L.D. Wells…

So yesterday, I had all of that planned as I charged into Greenbriar Mall where the Delta Authors on Tour event was held. My plan was to stay there for two hours tops…I was there to support two of my collegiate chapter sorors L.D. Wells and Dr. Francene Breakfield and then meet newly minted Soror Suzan Johnson Cook, who is not only a former pastor and current author, she also served as the United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom…But when I was told Soror Johnson Cook wouldn’t be there until 3 p.m., I realized that my day would unfold as planned…

Me & Soror, Dr., Ambassador & More Suzan Johnson Cook...

Me & Soror, Dr., Ambassador & More Suzan Johnson Cook…

How many of you know that “in their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps?” (Proverbs 16:9)

What I understand now is that I had a divine appointment to be there and not just for two hours but for the WHOLE day…I got there early about 11 ish in the morning and didn’t make it home until roughly the same time last night…

Me & Soror Victoria Christopher Murray...

Me & Soror Victoria Christopher Murray…

While I was there I met Soror Suzan Johnson Cook whose book “A New Dating Attitude” made me know that I know that I know that I truly know my husband was and is God’s best for me…But that wasn’t the only reason I was there…I reconnected with authors I’ve met before such as Victoria Christopher Murray and met authors I’ve never met before such as Angela Ray, Dr.

From left to right, Dr. Martha Ward Plowden, L.D. Wells, Brenda Jackson, Dr. Fran Breakfield

From left to right, Dr. Martha Ward Plowden, L.D. Wells, Brenda Jackson, Dr. Fran Breakfield

Majorie L. Kimbrough, Dr. Martha Ward Plowden, Ruth P. Watson, Stephanie Perry Moore and Brenda Jackson…In fact, I hobnobbed with the Delta Authors on Tour so much I was invited to go to dinner with them that evening at The Pecan restaurant in downtown College Park…New York Times Best-Selling Author Brenda Jackson, who I’m ashamed I’ve never heard of before yesterday, has written over 100 books!!! (Y’all know she has been blessed by God, all gifts do come from Him…)

Stephanie Perry Moore and one of her adorable young fans...

Stephanie Perry Moore and one of her adorable young fans…

The conversation at dinner encouraged me to continue in my divine appointment of being a wife (maybe mother someday…I know I’m 41 and the countdown has started…Mind yo business 🙂 ) and an author with dreams so big only God can accomplish them through me…

As I and some of the author Delta Authors on Tour made our way back to our cars, little did we know that we had another divine appointment…We met a dynamic downtown College Park business owner that regaled us with story after story after story of her “mustard seed” faith and how she encourages people to not only dream but to WAKE UP!

Don't we look hungry? LOL...Me & Angela Ray...

Don’t we look hungry? LOL…Me & Angela Ray…

And I’m only giving you the “public personal” version of the divine appointments that I experienced yesterday because I’m still pondering everything and this is the Internet…lol…

So this morning, I’m awake and ready to continue to writing this novel that I hope to have “spit shined” and ready for perusal next month…Y’all keep me in prayer…

Won’t He Do It! Guess What? He Already Did!

Any thoughts?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12 Reasons I’m Thankful for 2012…

My aunt traveled from out of the state to come to my book launch party…

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; His love endures forever. Psalm 107:1

Hello World,

At this time of the year, I always have to pause and thank the Lord for His Goodness to me…So let me list 12 reasons why I’m thankful for 2012…

1. My first book “After the Altar Call: The Sisters’ Guide to Developing a Personal Relationship With God” was published this year. I have wanted to be an author since I was six years old so the publishing of this book represents the beginning of the realization of a lifelong dream… And since it was published, it has become an Amazon Best Seller and Black Expressions Book Club Best Seller!!! Thank you Lord for You are good…

Roses my boo gave me to help me celebrate my 39th birthday…

2. R. (my boo) was accepted into a college program in his chosen field this year…I’m so proud of him and happy for him…Like Brian in the movie “Mahogany” said, “…Success is nothing without someone you love to share it with! ” It has been wonderful to share our successes together this year, and I am looking forward to sharing many more of our successes together…Thank You Lord for You are good…

3. My book launch party was the visual representation of my lifelong dream coming true. And I was so blessed to see how many friends and family came out to support me!!! I will cherish this night for as long as I live…Thank You Lord for You are good…

Me and my lovely assistant at my first book signing at Lifeway Christian Store…

3. The journey of being a published author has been a lot of work, but incredibly gratifying…I have sold and signed books at Lifeway Christian Store, Nubian Bookstore, an Annual Writing Workshop and Fine Arts & Music Extravaganza( both hosted by the Stone Mountain-Lithonia Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated),  in Nashville, Tennessee at 33st Annual Christian Women’s Retreat, at Central Christian Church’s 11th Annual Women’s Prayer Breakfast, at the 98th Hampton University Ministers’ Conference and at the AJC Decatur Book Festival. Also, on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012, I will be one of several authors participating in the Third Annual Southwest Arts Center Book Festival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The center is located at 915 New Hope Road, Atlanta, GA 30331. Whew!…Thank You Lord for You are good…

4. Although I’ve been working as a journalist for some time, I’m so grateful for more opportunities in my chosen field…I became an official contributor to Urbanfaith.com this year, and my contract as a columnist for THE LOOKOUT was renewed…I have been a freelance writer for Atlanta Tribune: The Magazine since 2009, but this past summer, I won an Atlanta Association of Black Journalists award for business reporting for the magazine! And I got to be part of the AABJ panel discussion “The Art of the Hustle” with The New York Times best-selling author Denene Millner (one of my mentors in my head). …Thank You Lord for You are good…

Praising the Lord at the 98th Hampton University Ministers’ Conference…

5. Although my primary purpose of attending the 98th Hampton University Ministers’ Conference was to promote and sell my books, God blessed me in other ways as a result of attending this conference…First of all, the music at this conference which was also held in conjunction with the 78th Annual Choir Directors’ & Organists’ Guild Workshop…And when I say the music was breathtaking, I really and truly mean that…I have never praised God like that in all of my life, and it was such a blessing to my spirit…Also, it was wonderful to visit Hampton University for the first time…It is such a beautiful school…

Also, while I did not get to meet Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook, who is immediate past president of the HU Ministers’ Conference and the first female president of the conference, I was inspired to look her up after the conference…Her book “A New Dating Attitude” is one of the most important books I’ve ever read…I’m just going to put it out there…I want to meet her and interview her one day…maybe even collaborate with her on a book….(Dr. Sujay is a true friend and mentor in my head.)…Thank You Lord for You are good…

6. I’m always grateful for my wonderful family…As my family is originally from Jamaican and we have spread out all over the world, I don’t get to see my extended family as much as I would like to…However, I was able to spend some time with one of my cousins who lives in Jamaica…He was in Atlanta for a few months while pursuing his medical degree…Thank You Lord for You are good…

At Sunset at the Palms Resort in Negril, Jamaica…

7. Speaking of Jamaica, as it is my family’s homeland, I’m always grateful to visit although I’m no longer able to visit my beloved grandparents who are now with the Lord…In September, I was blessed to go back to Jamaica to be a bridesmaid in one of my best friend’s wedding.  While I was in Jamaica, I was able to see one of my beloved uncles that I haven’t seen in years. Also, it was great to visit this year as Jamaica celebrated 50 years of independence from Great Britain this year!…Thank You Lord for You are good…

8. I’m sooo thankful for my immediate family as I am every year…It continues to be a blessing to see my nephew and niece grow up….I cannot believe my nephew has entered middle school this year……Thank You Lord for You are good…

9. As of this year, it has been 20 years since I graduated from Benjamin Banneker High School in high school! For the first time since then, I was able to return and visit the brand new beautiful school as a part of its Career Day last month…What a blessing! …Thank You Lord for You are good…

10. I never take my health for granted…As of my last physical, I’m still healthy……Thank You Lord for You are good…

11. I never take my finances for granted…I’m so thankful that I’m able to pay my bills, save and invest……Thank You Lord for You are good…

12. And I’m always thankful for the little things…feeling the sun on my face as I drive…a good hair day…a kick-behind workout…Saturday mornings……Thank You Lord for You are good…

What are you thankful for in 2012?

Any thoughts?