Month: May 2013

Something great happened today… I was at home. 

If you know me, you know I have been carrying around two calendars. The current calendar ends in June and I have July and August clients already. It’s a new habit I’ve been working on – physical and electronic calendars. Unfortunately, It gives the appearance that I’m always busy. The truth is, I have more down time than people think because this is transition season. I can’t tell you that I know all of what is happening, but I’m ok with that. (FAITH)

Contrary to popular belief. I don’t always get my way. When I do, it’s not always what I want. I know that may sound crazy, but it’s the truth. Now don’t get me wrong, sometimes I think I know what I want, and when I don’t get it I’m not happy about it. That’s life. It doesn’t kill me or slow me down. God is still growing me, and I’ve matured a lot, but there are areas that…um…don’t mature as fast. So while I am a maturing young woman, there are still little girl desires that I have to tame. 

In my eyes, I have a long way to go. I truly am transparent. I am an open book to God and a clear chapter for other audiences. I tapered down to chapters because I can only share what I know. The Almighty has seen my past and my future.

As I cooked via recipes today, which I don’t do often, I thought about being able to plan meals for my family. I’m actually quite excited about the prospect of cooking for a family. It was time consuming, meticulous, and it altered the day’s plans, but it was worth it. I cherish days like today, because this season is one of change. I have no clue what’s around the corner, but in my view… everything is going to be ok. 

When it looks like you have no idea where you are going, be certain that God is up to much! Special prayers to two traveling missionaries! Ashley Randolph (my cousin) and EbonyJanice (my sister and friend) are both traveling to different parts of Kenya this summer. They both are going to impact in a major way. Empowering, giving light to leadership, and teaching are their targets. May God continue to pour into them that they may pour out. Will you join me in lifting them up in prayer?? 

So many great things happening, I am grateful for them all. 

Ivy Out

Have you ever looked up, attentively, and realized that you were surrounded by support? 

It is a magnificent feeling, to realize that the people around you want the best for you. I just want to take a moment to encourage you to thank the people who support you. It’s not always easy to stick through thick and thin, but there are those who do. Share your gratitude with them, because it may be what they need to keep moving forward. 

Never assume the strong are invincible.

Ivy Out

I want my words to make an imprint on the world.

I would like to be remembered as someone who made a difference. I would like to help change poverty status for someone which increases the chances their child will graduate from high school. I’d like to leave a legacy in every child that I met, and for my motto to ring in their ears. As a classroom teacher I would engrain into my students the following: “I expect the best, there are no exceptions.” I didn’t expect someone else’s best, just their personal best. This year, I just prayed that a seed would stick in good ground.

As I encounter adults, I pray that I can be light to them as well. I pray that I can smile at someone who hasn’t received one that day. I can hug one more person. I can give one more donation. I can spend one more minute volunteering. I can serve one more, feed one more, gift one more, affirm one more. I just want to be a blessing. That will make me successful.

When I get my degree, this next feat, I want to save families – one at a time. I might not be a super hero who is capable of taking the world by leaps and bounds. I might not be perfect, because no one is. I might not be the richest in the world, but I will amass my little into longevity. I might not be the model to some, but I will be beautiful and healthy because I value what God has given me. I will leave my mark by being intentional. I will be intentional with people and with my time. I will cherish days – good and bad. I will remember. I will launch forward. I will kiss babies, and sing to bellies. I will nurture. I will love. I am.

You know, I’ve been doing this JESUS thing for a long time. This relying on the SAVIOR in times of smiles and frowns…

I have caught up to my granny’s words, “Just keep saying good morning.” I can hear my mother saying, “Trust God.” I can see my Uncle singing songs exalting the name of the Lord with a genuine heart. I can hear pastors of my youth covering me with lessons to apply; now I have lived a few of the tests.
The teacher will always test the knowledge they have given you. The greatest of them all (The Father), is no different in His assessment. He’s given me things to be faithful over, like a salary and multiple streams of income. He’s given me stewardship over a house and a truck. He’s given me multiple gifts and talents, and watched how careful I handled them. He’s planted seeds in the people around me that become the garden of blessings that never wither. He’s groomed me and pruned me; some don’t call anymore, come by, or even recall me anymore. He’s shed some unnecessary weight called guilt, built up a muscle called respect, molded character, and polished humility in me. For that, I have learned to apply obedience, when I didn’t want to. I have created this habit called paying my tithes. I have endured the troubled waters, and went back to float someone else through the bog. I have looked at spirits and spoke the blood of Jesus in their midst. I have prayed through storms, surgeries, depressions, recessions, marriages, births, transitions, smiles, tears, bitterness, and joy. I have witnessed and I have hid in His hand.

God has been good to me. I have stood, fallen, gotten back up, crawled, laid out, and crumpled under the care of the Most High. I don’t do all the things I used to do. I have changed. I acknowledge that this life isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. I know that God had a plan for Jeremiah and He has one for me. If Hadassah can deal with a Persian King, and still carry out a mission for the kingdom, I can stand up in a world that doesn’t agree with me. I still have attitude adjustments to make and I have room to grow, but I am on my way. You have a story, whether you tell it now or later… someone needs to know that it’s possible to overcome. This isn’t the end.. it’s only the beginning. My sis, Tonia Bivens, read a post from 2009 that popped back up on her TL. I was shocked by reading my own words. I’ve been walking this road with Jesus a long time… He’s been ALL THAT to me.

Ivy Out