Hello all!

He is risen!  I hope you all are having a great Resurrection Sunday.  Spring has sprung and there seems to be a bright change in the atmosphere. There is more daylight now and April has arrived. God is good!

This weekend I made it a point to do one thing that I’ve been putting off for at least a full month – putting my son’s new bed together.  I bought the bed in February from Wayfair. I believe it was delivered the first few days in March.  If any of you have ordered from Wayfair, you know that most of its items require assembly.

Praise God, he’s given me the ability to follow directions and put things together myself.  Though if I’m honest, anytime it comes to assembling or having to handle heavy items, I wish I had a male partner who can do these jobs for me.  Sometimes, I get downright angry if I’m having to do the work and the job is very difficult or the item is too heavy!   (If you’re wondering why my son didn’t do it, he’s away at school right now)

I was going to attempt to put the bed together the second week of March, but when I opened the package, I saw a lot of pieces!  In my mind there were a lot of pieces anyway.  The very sight of the pieces made me think, this was going to take a long time and be a challenge. Therefore I just kept putting it off.  Knowing I have obligations almost every weekend in April except this weekend, I set aside the late morning/early afternoon of Saturday to get this put together.  If I couldn’t figure it out, I figured I’d work on it some more after work during the week.

Saturday morning came and I procrastinated a bit.  I kept thinking about all those pieces I’d seen. I loathed the task, so I dragged my feet.  I checked the reviews for encouragement.  I remembered I bought it because someone said it took them under an hour to assemble. One  even said 30 minutes.  This motivated me to get going. Finally at 11:36am I began.   

I took all the items out of the package and sorted them.  I looked at the directions and began putting the bed together one piece at a time.  Once I started, I realized, this really wasn’t too difficult at all.  It was actually quite simple as I had all the pieces, the tool came with it and the pictures on the directions were spot on.   I made one minor mistake during assembly but caught and corrected it fairly quickly.  When I finished it was exactly 12:36pm.  I completed the assembly in exactly one hour.

I sat there looking at the finished product and shook my head.  I thought to myself, I could have finished this much earlier in March if I hadn’t  told myself all of those negative things.  There were too many pieces, it was too heavy, it was going to take too long, I couldn’t do it alone, etc.  It was a good reminder though.  Never look at a thing and become defeated in your mind before taking any action.  I allowed these thoughts to fester over time without even trying.  Just looking at it caused me to dread it.  This made me think, where else in life may I be doing this?  I need to access and change my thinking quickly!

So my question to you today is the same I had to ask myself.  Where in life have you already defeated yourself because of your own negative thoughts?  The hard truth is sometimes the voice inside of our head can be our own worst enemy.  I pray you take some time to think about the question so you’re able to change your thoughts and take real action too.  Gain the victory!  

Have a great week!

~Felicia

Hello all!,

I hope you’re all in good spirits and doing well.  I am doing well.  This past week I received my life coaching certification which I am very proud of!  I can remember about a year ago at this time wondering what was next for me, determining I wanted to receive my coaching certification and then trusting God to provide the funding and the needed time off of work.  He did both!  Very excited to be a Certified Life Coach Practitioner!

Even though I’ve been excited in one area I’ve been challenged in another.  The life of a mom transitioning from parenting a child to an adult!  I’ve heard about this before, but now reality has hit. Whew!  As most of you know my son is away in college now, so I’ve actually grown accustomed to the physical separation.  My challenge is helping and supporting him as an adult.  I have no control over his life and can only offer guidance at this point.  

A few weeks ago he was at a place where he was being mentally challenged.  My immediate reaction was fear and worry.  I felt completely helpless. Then I remembered, a couple of years ago I told God I’d trust him with my son.  I could no longer hold onto all the weight of his challenge, nor should I.  God says in 1 Peter 5:7, “Cast all your worries and cares unto God for he cares for you.”  In all honesty it took me about a week to fully release it and be at peace, but God came through for my son in that situation.  He truly cared for him.

Fast forward to yesterday.  I went down to see my son play a game in person as his school is now allowing a select amount of family members to attend games.  Everything was going well.  The game was close, but that is to be expected.  All of a sudden as my son is heading to the locker room at halftime, he motions that his back is hurting.  Now my son was literally just saying on Friday how he was physically feeling great and now this!  In the past he has been bothered by back spasms, but there hadn’t been any issues for over a year.  Now all of a sudden when he’s playing his best basketball this injury occurs.

I just finished thanking God and praying that he continues to keep his body fresh, but we all know, we are not in control and cannot receive everything exactly as we want. I was disappointed. So I had a decision to make.  I could be angry at God and discredit him for not answering my prayer or I could continue to trust him despite this.  I chose the latter.  I immediately prayed right there in my seat at halftime and during the 2nd half.  I prayed that God would give my son His strength and power to fight through the back pain.  As a mother it was hard to watch, but I saw my son fight through it with grimacing facial expressions on his face throughout the 2nd half. He had 5 at halftime and finished with 20 points, helping to lead his team to a victory over a tough opponent.  

He’s still in pain today and is being treated for the spasms, but I’m trusting God that somehow he’ll pull through in due time and heal his body.  I have no answers on if he’ll play the next game or how his back will progress, but that to me is real faith.  Trusting God to be God, when you cannot see a way out.

So now I ask you, how’s your faith today?  Have you recently been battling through a challenge and made progress only to suffer yet another setback? Well, my friend, that unfortunately is life.  Jesus says in John 16:33 says, “In this world you will have trials and troubles, but cheer up for I have overcome the world.” My prayer for you is that you continue to fight the good fight of faith despite what you can physically see before you.  In due time if you believe, God will come through for you, yet again.

Have a great week everyone!

~Felicia

Hey all,

Yesterday evening was difficult.  I made a mistake and am now dealing with the consequences of it.  Five months ago, I sold my son’s car to a person from Craigslist.  The sale was quick, but there was one issue, I failed to provide the DMV with notice of sale.   I never obtained the address, DOB and DL of the buyer, so I couldn’t complete the form.  I just hoped the buyer would be honest enough and complete the purchase at the DMV. 

Well, he was not, so I concluded.  Last Friday, I received a registration renewal in the mail.  I knew I renewed my vehicle’s registration in September so I didn’t know what this one could be for.  I opened the mail and my heart immediately sank.  This buyer never transferred the title. 

The first thing I did was look to see if I could find his contact information.  I found the old emails, but they were from Craigslist so there wasn’t an actual personal email address to contact. l prayed and asked God to help me.  I then tried to find his phone number from the text messages, but I realized I deleted them.  Then I went online to look at old phone bills to see if I could find his phone number.  It took me about 20-30 minutes to determine the likely choice.  I sent a text just saying, “Hi John!” as I figured he’d be more likely to respond without all that extra information, plus I wasn’t sure I was texting the right number (I’ve switched the buyer’s real name for obvious reasons).   He replied back about 20 minutes later.  At that point I text that he bought a car from me, I received the renewal notice, he may have forgotten to transfer the title and ask him for the info I need to complete the notice of sale. He apologized.  I again asked him for his DL, DOB and address to complete the notice of sale yet another time.  He said “Sure, of course” to which I replied, “Thanks John!”.

Then I waited. And waited and waited!  I’m thinking, “Is this guy going to send me the info? I bet he’s playing me!  I should text something back that isn’t very nice”.  Then my thoughts turn to, “God I really need you to help me.  Please convict this man’s heart to disclose this information.  Whatever happens I know I can trust you, but I’m NERVOUS”! I pretty much went back and forth with both negative and positive thoughts until an hour passed.

I sent yet another text, “John?” He replies,“Yes”.  Now for the third or fourth time I ask him to text me his DL, DOB and address so i can complete the Intent of sale online.

I’m thinking, “Come on please, please, please, let him give me this information.” Not even one minute passed and he sent me his address, DOB and DL. Can you believe it!?!?! OMG!  There are sooooo many people who would not have given me that information, but he did. I thanked God for a long while after that!  OMG!

Though it was 5 months after sale, I made it the DMV literally right before they closed today at 6.  Work meetings ran late, so I got there 30 minutes before closing. I was so late, that I was still in line when an employee came out and advised “If you’re not inside by 6, we will lock the door and you’ll have to return tomorrow.”  I left my phone at home so I had no idea what time it was.  When I was about four people away, another employee came out and asked if anyone had a title transfer.  I was the only one in line that did, so he took me to the front of the line to his station.  I explained my error and he completed the notice of sale transaction.  It was finished.

Whew! You talk about a nervous woman! Friday afternoon, when I received that renewal notice my heart sank, I knew I hadn’t completed my part. I had to go through all that simply because I didn’t complete the process.  Lesson learned.  In the future, I will be dotting all i’s and cross all t’s!

The biggest piece of all of this, is my renewed faith in people.  I trust God, but trusting people is a different story entirely.  I really needed this stranger to do the right thing. And he did, sigh. A little over a year ago, someone I cared about, betrayed my trust.  I was caught off guard and wounded deeply.  Without realizing it, ever since then I began looking at people with more of a critical eye. Cynical is the better word. I began being skeptical of everyone. I looked for what a person was trying to gain more than the good in them in order to protect myself from getting too close to anyone who hadn’t proven themselves trustworthy.  

This is no way to live. As one of my favorite pastor’s always teaches, “ Always think the highest thought of others”.  People make mistakes. Period.  Myself included.  That doesn’t mean I don’t need to set new boundaries or make other needed changes.  It does mean I learn, grow and trust again.  

I’m also reminded that over time, people change.  I watched the Malcolm X movie this weekend and he went through many transformations in his lifetime.  Drastic changes! I’ve gone through a few myself.  We all will if we take the time to learn and grow from the lesson’s life teaches us.

Lastly, I made a list of all the people in my life who have been nothing, but good to me over the past year.  This really helped me to change my perspective and begin seeing the good again.  In Matthew 22:37, Jesus gives us the greatest commandment which is to love God with all of our heart, soul and mind and love your neighbor as yourself.  It’s hard to love your neighbor if you’re looking at them through a cynical lense.  I learned a huge lesson over the last 24 hours. Although I didn’t like all I endured to get this problem solved, I am thankful for what it taught me.

Have a great week!

~Felicia

Hey guys,

I normally don’t write blogs in back to back weeks but wanted to share about an experience from last week.  Over the last few months, I’ve shared that I am currently working in a contracting role for the same company I had started with as a temp employee a year ago.  I’ve been contracting for about 3-4 months.  The plan is for me to be in this contracting role until the company released the hiring freeze between March-July 2021.  We’ve now come close to that time.

Last week, I had a conversation with one of my managers about the permanent role they’d like to hire me for.  Originally in August of 2020, we spoke about a role in Sales Operations as I’ve been working on various continuous improvement projects and new system rollouts.  However, the role they want to hire me for is in Marketing.  It’s a good thing my Zoom camera was off during this call as the look on my face was confused and shocked.  As my manager explained the role, I came to understand this was the greatest need on the team and one they felt they could get approved.

There is just one thing, I’ve never taken on a marketing role in my life!  I graduated from college almost 20 years ago and have been in either customer management or sales operations roles ever since.  I was in utter shock – Marketing?? Me??

I was uncomfortable.  I mean who doesn’t like taking on roles where they get to do what they do best and excelling at them?  Marketing will be a challenge, something I’ll have to work to learn over time.  The more I prayed about it and talked to a couple of others about it, I realized God has decided to do a new thing.  It is up to me on the perspective I am going to take.

That’s when I thought about my son who is in his first year playing basketball in college.  He was asked to switch roles this year from shooting guard to point guard.  For those of you not familiar with basketball, it may sound like a simple transition, but it really is not.  As a point guard, you are responsible to facilitate on the court and be the team’s leader.  He was asked to do this as a freshman, while trying to figure out how to play on this new level for himself.  It was challenging for him initially, but he picked up on it quickly with prayer and wisdom he’s gained along the way.

And guess what?  He’s doing just fine.  He’s transforming right before my eyes into a point guard.  I said to myself, “If he can do it, so can I!  So, what I’ve never been in marketing before.  My managers have confidence that I can do it and I believe God has brought me here for a reason, so while it may take some time to learn, I can do it.  It’s also a chance for me to be well-rounded.”  My perspective shifted from, “This is going to be too difficult” to “I can learn and I will be ok as long as God is with me”. 

This past Sunday I was listening to a message from  TPH One Church LA titled, “Be-Hold”.  The key verse was from Isaiah 43:19 which states, “Behold, I am doing a new thing.  Now it springs up.  Do you not perceive it? I will make a pathway in the wilderness.  I will create a rivers in the desert.”  This verse resonated with me especially after my conversation last week.  I don’t know of the official approval date of the marketing role, but I’ll be ready when it does become available.

Therefore,  I just want to encourage anyone reading this today and say it is never too late.  Never too late to start something new, never too late to leave something old behind even if its been 20 years like me.  As long as God is leading you, there is no need to fear.  Will you allow Him to do a new thing in you today?

Have a great week!

~Felicia

Hello all,

Today is the 31st of January in 2021.  On this day I have been reflecting on where I was last year on this very day. I remember it like it was yesterday.  I can recall having an interview with a Wells Fargo recruiter thinking that would lead to my next position. I was depending on this interview to open a door for the financial security I was looking for.  All of my other job prospects had dried up and this was the end of the road in my mind.

When I realized that this opportunity would not produce an actual job, I was devastated. I had money to pay all of my bills that were due February 1st, but I had no clue how the bills due March 1st would be paid as I quit my job three months earlier due to high stress and long hours.  My savings were running out quickly!  I literally curled up into a ball next to my bedroom window and cried like a helpless child.  I had no clue what I was going to do.  I was frustrated with God and the world as I had never been at the end of my rope before from a financial standpoint.

At that very moment, I confessed to God, “The truth is I don’t trust you. I’ve never been able to depend on anyone to help me financially.  I repent God.  I want to trust you, but I do not know how.  Please help me learn to trust you.”  Before I expound, let me say, God has always been the one to supply me with jobs that in turn provided for me. That I knew, but over time, I began trusting in the job and not God.  God needed to show me he was and had always been my source.

That very same afternoon, I got an email from a temp agency for an informational interview.  From that phone call, God began to unfold a plan of provision for 2020 that I never could have imagined.  I received income through temporary employment, my 2019 tax refund, through the sale of my house, random checks, unemployment, tuition relief and finally as a contracted employee.  I never had a need that was unmet and I did not miss one payment due date. Not one.

While I did not like the non-traditional forms of income in 2020, I learned some of the most valuable lessons of my life.  Most importantly, I learned I could trust God.  I can release the worry and fear that used to cause me to lose sleep at night.  Reflecting back on where I was and where I am now is literally a night and day difference. I am very thankful.

Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart.  Lean not on your understanding.  In all your ways, trust in Him and He will direct your path.”  I am a witness to these verses as truth.  If there is anyone reading this who is struggling to trust God in an area of your life, God can help you.  First and foremost, you are responsible to repent/confess of your lack of trust in Him.  Secondly, you need to release it over to Him.  Next, allow Him to solve it for you , in His way and in His time.  It may not look how you want it to look, but He will do it for you. Lastly, wait patiently for Him to solve it. 

1. Repent 
2. Release 
3. Allow God to solve it 
4. Patiently wait

I pray that you too will experience the same freedom and blessing only God can give.  

~Felicia

Happy New Year!

It’s been a few weeks since my last blog, however, as always, there is A LOT going on in the world.  Last week was a roller coaster with the Georgia runoff elections and Capitol riot.  I truly could not believe my eyes.  It hurt my spirit on so many levels.  Despite it all, I still hope for real change in this country. I pray God will help us in this time of need.

On a personal note, I am working on a few different things.  I’m trying to transition from blogging to vlogging (video blogs) sometime this year, I have about a third of my book to complete, I’m finishing up my life coaching credentials and continuing with personal development.  While all these things are good, I realized that none of it is going to come easy.

Two very big lessons I’ve learned the past year is the importance of perseverance and patience.  At the beginning of a new goal I am excited, ready to tackle it head on!  However, once I begin working on the goal, obstacles hit, and I find “reasons” why this may not be what I should be doing right now.  We’ve all done it.  We say, “I’m too busy, I’m tired, I don’t have the time, it’s too difficult”, etc.  We sometimes think, “If this was for me it should come easy.”  For most things in life that simply is not the case.  I’ve had to learn to fight off these excuses and keep pushing anyway even when I want to give up.

One recent success was braiding my own hair.  I’m not talking about normal braiding.  I’m talking about learning how to install a braid knot with hair extensions for box braids.  In the past, I would simply go to the braid shop and get it done.  Given we’re in a pandemic, I’m not as comfortable going to a shop with a lot of people. I also don’t feel deep cleaning is being done to keep the place sanitized.  Plus, I could save a lot of money by simply buying the hair and doing it myself.  Let me just say this did not come easy for me.  I began trying to learn in May 2020.  My first attempt was a major fail.  I watched YouTube videos multiple times but couldn’t get it.  I somehow got the extensions in, but it was a hot mess! In addition, my braids had different thicknesses, the bottom  of each braid looked chopped and there was no knot at the root to make the look appear clean.  I kept them in for a week or two, but only because I stayed in my house most of that time. 

I kept trying though.  I’d wait a few months and try again, then another few.  Finally, in late December, I watched a video where the YouTuber used blue yarn to provide more clarity while braiding.  I also found another YouTuber who advised you can now purchase hair that is “pre-plucked” so the end of the braid does not appear chopped.  It clicked!  I installed the braids myself with the knot at the root and a natural look at the ends!  I was super excited!  I noticed that with each braid section I was getting  a litter better.  Learning how to grasp the root, how to add hair to extend the braid, etc.  It took 8 months to figure out, but I stuck with it and eventually accomplished my goal.  I can now save $150 by braiding my own hair which is a HUGE WIN!

This one instance with the braids and others like it are good reminders to never give up, even when it’s challenging.  Give it a rest and pick it back up later if you must, but don’t give up.  One verse of the bible that reminds me of this is Galatians 6:9 which says, “Let us not become weary in doing good.  For at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

As you start the new year, I’m sure there is a goal or two you made for yourself this year.  My prayer is that despite the difficulty in achieving your goal, you would persevere until you cross the finish line.  No matter what – DON’T GIVE UP!

~Felicia 

Hey All!

it’s been a few weeks since my last post, but life has been busy.  I’ve been focusing on being present in the moment, appreciating life for what is going on right now opposed to what is to come.  Living in the present has truly allowed me to be at peace within myself.  It’s the best way to be!

As I’ve been focusing on the present , this past week, I had a struggle with something different – releasing the past to accept the new.  As most of you know, I’ve been in school to be a life coach the last 6 months.  The process has been one of the most life changing experiences I’ve ever had.  I promised myself that I would focus on the journey opposed to the final destination.  I loved the ride, the pit stops and the learnings along the way.

This past Wednesday night, I completed my last life coaching class.  I still have a few requirements left to complete, but for the most part I am done.  I no longer will be meeting with my peers and mentors a few times a month as I have been the last six months.  I’ve become so close to this community, so it was difficult for me to think of it all coming to an end.

On the final Zoom call, I was able to thank my coaching mentors and give them a few parting words.  I thanked them for everything, told them the huge impact the program had on me and reminded them of how important their work is in changing the lives of so many others.  Because of it, I’d now be able to work with clients who will hopefully have the same, life changing experience.  I shed a few tears and exited out of the Zoom meeting.

I called my sister immediately afterwards.  I told her, I was sad it ended and about how much I was going to miss it.  My sister asked me why I was sad and why I wasn’t happy about my accomplishment.  Afterall, I made it. I finished.  After hearing her words I couldn’t agree with her more.  My perspective on the matter was off.  I was focused on the past.  Yes, the experience was great and I learned a lot, but the moment has now shifted.  My current present is nearing certification status.  The learning part of my coaching journey is over.  It’s now time to move onto the next chapter and apply what I learned.  

In Joshua 1:2 God is speaking to Joshua and says to him, “My servant Moses is dead.  Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan river into the land I am about to give to them – to the Isrealites.”  God was clearly telling Joshua that the previous chapter had come to an end.  It’s now time to move onto the new place.  That is exactly where I am right now.  Closing one chapter and moving onto another.  I don’t know what it looks like or how everything will come together, but I trust God will lead me to where I’m supposed to go.  

Now, I ask you today that are reading this, are you looking backwards to what was or moving forward, open to the next place God has for you? It’s definitely ok to be thankful for past memories or maybe those past memories were bad and you want to forget them altogether!  Either way, the past is gone.  It’s now time to focus on what God has you in the future.  I hope you are able to trust God to bring you to your next chapter.

I pray that each of you have a fabulous New Year!  So long 2020!  Hello 2021! 

~Felicia

Hey there!  

As to be expected this year, the state of Minnesota recently enforced some temporary restrictions due to Covid. The Governor announced a 4 week restriction of youth sports, fitness centers, theatres,  and some other businesses. Well, my son plays college basketball and was advised they could go home until the last week of December due to all classes being online.  The college gym was closed until after Thanksgiving due to Covid cenerns as well.  My son planned on getting a gym membership for the time he was home, but with the new restrictions he could not.  He decided it would make more sense for him to go back to college in Iowa so he could at least continue individual workouts over the next few weeks as the official season begins in mid-January.

This resulted in an unexpected trip to Iowa this past Sunday to drop him off again.  During the trip I was planning on “talking” with him about a few things.  You know, advising of an area or two he could improve on.  Boy was in for a shock!  In the middle of the night, God reminded me of a shortcoming I needed to address instead.  Normally, when we drive long distances, I do all the driving. All!   There are a few reasons for this.  The first being I simply want to be in control of how fast we’re going and I’m more experienced. Secondly, what if I were to fall asleep and he misses an exit, doesn’t know how to navigate or just gets nervous due to inexperience.  Lastly, I get fearful for him and the police.  I worry he may  be pulled over out for being a young black male.  One time a couple of years ago, we were driving home from a basketball game.  I was driving and he was in the passenger seat with his black hoodie on.  About a mile from our home a police car decided to follow us until we were a couple of blocks from our house.  This experience made me very nervous for him and it took a long time for me to trust God with my son driving alone.  Of course I’d be in the car this time, but still.  To make me even more afraid, he got his hair twisted the day before we left so his current look doesn’t necessarily conform with what makes people feel “comfortable”

Did I have enough fear and worry for you?! Whew! I told my son the day before he’d be driving during the trip this time.  He wasn’t too thrilled about it, but I told him he really needed to begin learning these skills.

The next day before the trip began, I apologized to him.  I explained I was not serving him as I should because of some control, fear and anxiety I was experiencing. I advised he needed to learn these skills in order to gain experience and so he would no longer be spoiled to it. I told him about driving in the right lane unless he wanted to pass so he would be following the rules of the road per se.  I started as the driver on the  trip  and had him take over the more challenging piece.  He’d have to get in the correct lane and hit 3 exits in a short time span.  And guess what, he did just fine.  He turned on Google Maps on his iphone and got us there safely.  Now, I still needed to ask him to slow down a few times, but that’s just an age thing. Lol

God in his infinite grace had lovingly corrected me in an area he knew I needed to improve upon.  As a result, I’m now able to trust my son to take over more of the long distance driving responsibilities and most importantly I no longer have to hold tightly to control because of my fear and anxiety in this area.

So today, I ask you, want are you holding onto too tightly in order to stay in control?  What is causing fear and anxiety, holding you back from your blessing.  The word says in 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us that God does not give us the Spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.  In Phillpians 4:6, it goes on to say, “Do not be anxious for anything; instead pray about EVERYTHING.  Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.”

My prayer is that you will allow God to help you this week by releasing your current challenges to him. I pray you will be blessed as a result of your obedience.

Have a great week!

~Felicia

I woke up this past Friday morning and began the normal workday routine.  I turned on my work computer promptly at 8am to check my emails before making a quick bowl of oatmeal.  However, before I got the oatmeal, I received an email that truly woke me up.  I participated in a week long continuous improvement event and was now being asked to deliver a portion of the presentation for the meeting at 10am.  Instantly, my appetite for the oatmeal disappeared.  I generally do not like these types of “opportunities” sprung on me at the last minute.  I prefer to prepare in advance and carefully study each slide so that I’m familiar with the content.  What I preferred would not be taken into account.  Thirty minutes later, I worked with my team to determine my slides, studied them the best I could, said a prayer and delivered my portion of the presentation.  I completed the task, but not without the feeling of my heart ready to pop right out of my chest!  Thankfully I took enough deep breaths so no one was able to hear the nerves as I spoke.

Fast forward to Friday afternoon.  One of my clients asked for a session the next day, Saturday.  I love to coach, but coaching requires preparation.  This I could do, but it required me to rearrange a few things in order to make it happen.

Then I received another surprise Saturday morning.  My son’s team decided to shut down practice and workouts until after New Years.  My son will have online classes for the next trimester and I’ll need to pick him up from college tomorrow afternoon.  Talk about a shocker!  Thankfully, I did wash all of his bedding this past week and got oil change on Friday evening so I’m ready to go.

All of these things happened rather quickly, unexpectedly you may say.  There’s a saying in the church that says, “ Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready”! I believe this saying is a down to earth way of saying what the Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 4:2 which is, “ …Be ready in season and out of season…”.  These were great reminders for me. When I see patterns like this, it reminds me to not get too comfortable and stay alert! I have to ask myself if I’m doing what I know in advance because I know it will eventually need to be done. 

The word tells us to be prepared as you never know when you’ll be asked to do something or a sudden change occurs.   Now obviously we cannot prepare for everything single thing (i.e. an unexpected death, a freak injury, etc,), but what about the things we can?  I would ask each of you (including me) to prepare yourself for when your number is called.  What is God asking you to prepare for now so you can be ready when the time comes?  Let us not delay, but do our part and prepare for the next.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

~Felicia

Hello All!

Yesterday I celebrated another year of life!  This year’s celebration was pretty relaxed, but I’m so grateful.  Grateful for the people who love me and for God’s grace.  I am truly thankful for where I am at this point in life, what I like to refer to as my mid-life:)

I have had many major breakthroughs since the last time I shared which may be surprising seeing that  it’s only been two weeks.  Nevertheless God has been blessing me!   First off, I experienced a major breakthrough financially.  The employer I have been working for as a temporary employee for the past 8 months hads been on a hiring freeze since April due to Covid sales declines.  I was supposed to be released in mid-May, but due to the project I was working on they asked me to stay on part time to complete the project through the end of June.  When that time came, they asked me to stay for another three months as a temp to work on another project.  I really needed a permanent job at that point, but decided to stay due to the fact that I loved the work they were asking me to do, I liked the people and I liked the company.  I truly felt God was going to open a door for me there and he did.  Though still on a hiring freeze, I was recently upgraded to a consultant role in the company.  This took almost 2 months to complete, but it is now finished. This came with a significant pay increase and more job security.  The amount of obstacles that God brought me through to allow for this breakthrough are simply too many to share.  However, I will say I now know with God anything is possible if you believe and follow his will.  His way is never easy or comfortable, but it will always be the best route for you.

Secondly, I began writing my first book!  I’ve completed about 30% of the rough draft thus far.  The book is about the last year of my life, specifically my journey of faith.  I started from the beginning, the very rough months of a new season when I had no clue what was going on.  Writing those chapters caused me to go back to moments, experiences and emotions I didn’t care to feel again.  However, in order to be able to bless someone else and let them know, “If God brought me out, he can do the same for you”, I needed to share the dark valley days  in addition to the sunny ones.  I’ll keep you all posted on my progress.  The thought that I will soon be an author simply blows my mind and I am so honored that God put this book inside of me to help someone else out of their dark days too.

Next, I’m proud to share that I began life coaching!  You all know I’ve been in school for coaching, but now I’m actually doing it!  Before you are granted your certification, you have to earn your certification through experience, similar to student teaching.  I currently have a few clients who offer me the opportunity to work on my craft.  It has been one of the best gifts God has blessed me with thus far!  The fulfillment I receive from helping others help themselves is through the roof! I’ve truly tapped into my purpose and I am certain I was meant for this work.

As if all of this hasn’t been enough, I had a fairly significant spiritual awakening last Saturday.  I had been wrestling with discontentment for a long time.  I tend to always look towards things I may want in the  future instead of living in the moment.   Many times I look to get things done quickly, just to look around for the next thing to complete in hopes to get closer to my desired future state.  During a coaching session, where one of my mentors was coaching me, she asked me to speak what I wanted as opposed to what I did not want.  She challenged me to determine the moments I felt content  within vs discontent, so I could help myself know what to ask for.  I replied to her that I want peace in my spirit to simply be. Period.  I want to be content to be in my present state of being.  I then realized I felt this peace whenever I felt the presence of God in my devotional times.  Therefore, I asked for God’s presence to dwell within me always. Every moment of every day.  That was eight days ago.  Ever since that day, I haven’t been rushing around to check another thing off of my list.  I’ve been living life and appreciating the moments I’ve been given to fellowship with others, talk with a friend, smell the flowers, be kind to someone,  feel the breeze and appreciate the beauty of nature.  It’s been freeing!

I am so thankful for what God has done in my life over such such a short time period.  I also am thankful for those who have supported me through thick and thin. I thank those of you who have supported me by simply taking the time to read my blog and come on this journey of faith with me this year.  I am forever grateful.  Thank you.

~Felicia

“The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy.  I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly” John 10:10