Positive Message. Spread it!

I was almost on the verge of quitting blog world. I started this blog because I feel God has allowed me to go through certain things in life to help other people. He allowed me to go through pain, suffering, joy, amazing accomplishments etc...to tell someone else that it DOES get better and everything that happens in your life has purpose. I felt that blogging was an opportunity for me to reach people all over the world in search of a positive word. 

I received an email from someone on my blog roll list asking me to "please remove me from this blog/list." Immediately I could not understand why someone would want to be removed from my blog list when all I've ever tried to do with it was uplift and encourage people. That message made me question if I should even continue with it. I mean, I only send out one blog email per month so it wasn't like I was spamming with several entries every single day! It was disappointing and could have possibly ended what I feel God laid on my heart to do.

But it didn't. 

I know now, it's not about me, it's about Him and He will lead who He wants to this blog.

What I've discovered along this journey is that not everyone will receive the message I bring. Not everyone wants to read just how GREAT God is. Not everyone wants to read week after week or month after month how God has delivered, answered prayers, made a way or healed a loved one. I also had to learn how to not internalize the request of that individual. It's not me that this person wanted to disconnected from...it is the message I bring. Gods message. I know that now. That's not my battle to fight. God will lead the right people to this blog at the precise moment they need it. For bloggers, the most important thing to us is that somehow, someway our words make a difference and it reaches the intended target and in this case that would be YOU!

When you find yourself on the verge of giving up on spreading positivity, encouragement, joy, and uplifting word...don't! There are people who need it. There are people searching the internet right now trying to find a tailor-made word to get them through whatever season they may be in. They need you to keep spreading the word and being obedient. When I was going through a stormy season of my life, it was a blog that helped me get through the day. His words spoke to me and encouraged me to keep on pressing. You never know who will stumble across your blog searching for a word for their moment. Continue to let your words help people.  

Updates and such.....

It's been way too long ...but a much needed and necessary break from blog world.

Where do I start....well, first and foremost I thank God for guiding me through these past few months with clarity and peace. I had to step back from blogging to keep my head clear and focus where it needed to be. I had to concentrate on those areas of my own life that God was dealing with and that meant I had to clear my space spiritually, emotionally and physically in order for that to happen. Time has been moving SO fast and by the end of my day all I had the desire to do was get some rest! So, for all the phone calls I couldn't answer, emails I never got around to replying to, text messages that went unanswered PLEASE charge it to my head and not my heart. 

Wedding: 

SEVEN Days! One week. NEXT Friday!!.....I will be saying "I do" to thee most amazing woman everrrrr! She has been such a blessing to not only my life but so many others. I really can't believe it's actually happening! I'm thankful for every failed relationship, disappointment, heartbreak, tough life lesson and experience that has prepared ME to be the person I am. It was in those situations that I can now see I was being tested, molded and crafted to receive the blessing I had been praying for. A life partner. When I initially started praying for someone I could spend forever with, I wasn't ready. But with the words I released from my mouth to God's ears... He would prepare me. He used so many situations and people to humble me, teach me and test me...to see if I was ready for what I prayed for. I can now say by faith, I passed! And next Friday, July 20th my obedience and faithfulness to HIM...will be rewarded when I marry the one person that I am so blessed to have in my life.

Blessings:

Just over a month ago, I formed a small intimate prayer group for something Nicole and I laid before God. After trying so long to obtain it on our own, I knew we had to take everything up a notch. Spiritually.We had done all we could humanly do and....nothing. I sent an "I need you all praying like you've never prayed before" text out and within minutes they were ON it! For a week straight we all stayed in constant prayer and believed it would come to be. I never doubted. I never wavered in my faith. I knew the power of prayer and that's all I could lean on. After that week...the group continued to lift us up. Saying our names and lifting up a very specific prayer. You cannot tell me there is no God because on 07-07-12...that prayer was answered! There is no other explanation. No other justification. It HAD to be God. I LOVE when He does that! I just want to thank those folks for their unselfish prayers on our behalf. No words could ever explain how grateful we are for you and we in turn pray for YOU. 

So, I probably won't do another entry until after I am officially hitched! *smile* I am looking forward to a much needed honeymoon and relaxation! I really appreciate each and everyone of you reading this blog. I know it wasn't my "normal" kinda entry but if you only take one thing from this one PLEASE let it be....Prayer works! And, everything you may be going through at this moment may seem like it's leading nowhere, but I am living proof how your "nowhere" seasons in life can be the perfect set up for ALL of your hearts desires coming to be.

Love you all.

Chanel-

"The Devil Made Me Do It"

"The Devil Made Me Do It"

I pray everyone is in the best health and spirits. I also hope that you're still being mindful of paying it forward and #Love365. A little bit of genuine niceness goes such a long way.

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I laughed when I came across this picture because A. I wasn't even born (I don't think) when Flip Wilson was at his antics and B. It SO applies to this blog in some respects.

I've found that we give the devil way too much credit. Well, let me speak for myself... When things are going wrong, or not the way I want them to, when everything seems to be falling down around me, when all hell just seems to be breaking loose...I say, "The devil is just SO busy!" I think culturally we have been programmed to think that when things are not going according to plan or when "bad things" are happening OR "good things" are not happening (that's a whole nother' blog) we immediately give credit to the devil. Sometimes, there are evil forces at play and the devil IS busy but sometimes it has nothing to do with him at all. 

What life has taught me is that sometimes God allows things to happen or not happen to build us. To make us. To shape us. Lessons that come in the form of tests, trials, frustrating predicaments, heartbreak and loss. He allows our finances, health, relationships, children, homes etc to come under attack not to destroy us but to teach us something. And trust me, He KNOWS exactly what to use to get your attention. I've learned some of my greatest lessons during seasons where I thought the devil was surely out to get me! But it turned out not to be the devil...but God shaping, molding and developing my character. I know this because the end results were positive, wonderful and morphed me into the person I am today. I'm far from perfect and I have situations going on in my life at THIS moment where I'm only standing because of my faith but I know that God is with me so I have to press and not lose focus. 

There may be something that is going on in your life right now where you feel like you are under attack. There may be situations that make you question is God even with you. Life may have dealt you some blows that have you feeling like you are the devil's target and you are growing weak. To that I say...maybe, but...it also may be God trying to bless you with something amazing and you have to go through whatever you're going through to be ready for it when it comes. This season may just be your conditioning for your blessing. Through it all you have to pray and be mindful that the rain doesn't last forever. The devil doesn't have reign over your life so stop giving him credit! Stand firm, keep the faith and feel special that God is trusting you to pass this test. 

Have a Super week!

Chanel-

Transparency Series #2

(One picture from our Engagement Photo Shoot! #Shoutout to Marsalis Images)

Updates:

School - Since my last transparency blog I did drop the one late class. It was just too much for me and it felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders not having to be in class until 11pm. I am doing very well in the Urban Crime Patterns class and I hope to pull out an A. I have also registered for the Fall semester (although I said I was going to drop out) lol. I mean, the way I see it I will just keep on until either I'm done or life happens and I just don't go anymore. Either way I'm okay with it. So...school stuff is smooth and no complaints in that department.

Career - I REALLY need ya'll praying for a position I am applying for. It would be the BEST Job ever at this juncture of my life. I honestly think the job was created JUST for me. I made a few calls, sent out my info and all I can do now is pray that everything falls into the right hands! I'm trying not to think about it too much because I know it will drive me nuts! Let's just say it would be an awesome opportunity. God knows what I need and what my passion is so I have no doubt that IF it's meant for me...all of the things that need to come with it will be. So I release it into the universe. It's gonna be weird leaving the Forensics Field. But I know the time has come. I'm no longer driven or passionate about what I do. I DO what I'm supposed to do but I'm just not challenged nor am I excited about it anymore. I've been feeling this way for about 2 years now. I have actively been looking for another job for about that long as well so prayerfully my TIME has come! Please take a few moments to send some UP for MY new job!! *I'm speaking as though it already is!!*

Love -  Me and my other half are doing wonderful! It's such a blessing. We will have our last marriage counseling session at the end of May. We started back in August. It has really been a rewarding experience for us. I have actually enjoyed it. We both have. We went into this very serious and in agreement that we would not take the next step forward without completing counseling. Besides, I HAD to lock it down...nobody is going to cook for me EVERY night, pack my lunch EVERY day, Count my calories for me, LOVE family structure the way I do, let me be an individual, put up with my antics AND share my same sense of humor like her! Ha! We will keep our therapist info on standby and schedule appointments as needed in the future but for now we are done! The Big day is quickly approaching, 07/20! *save the dates will go out next week so if you get the special telegram....you're on the list~* If not, please know that in order to stay within our budget we HAD to make some tough calls as to who we could invite. It's going to be very small and intimate with 50 guests. We are very excited about EVERYTHING that's going on in our lives now and all I can say is having Christ as the center and foundation of your relationship makes ALL the difference. 

Friends - I love ya'll so much! I honestly don't know how I would keep my sanity with out my Ace's aka Stunts and Sold out Shows crew. lol There is nothing like a balanced life with true and genuine friends you can always count on. I am so grateful for each of you. Even with all your antics and foolishness! lol I know I tell ya'll all the time but I just wanted a special place in this blog for YOU.

That's all for now............

Have a GREAT week!

Chanel-

When It's Time to Stand Still

When It's Time to Stand Still

Hey Everyone! #Love365 is still in full swing! 

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This blog will speak to someone that's in that dreaded season of standing still. Trust me, I know that season all too well. I've been there. In fact, we've all been there at some point in our lives. Standing still is by far one of the most difficult seasons to be in because it's the time when you must surrender all control and....wait. Waiting means you must have patience. Patience means the when is totally out of your control. That's the hard part. Especially when you are waiting for something that you desire so much. You know what they say, "a watched pot never boils." 

Standing still is difficult because chances are you've already done all you can do to either make something happen, change something or avoid something. Time can seem so unfair. Days seem like weeks, weeks seem like months and all you can do is....wait. It's hard to see life happening for other people and you seem to be stuck in a place where no matter what you do there just does not seem to be forward movement. You're forced to be in what seems like a stagnant place while other people seem to be traveling light years through time. I will testify that being in the standing still season will produce more tears, hurt feelings, and more down emotions than up. It down-right sucks! In that season I cried, felt like life was just so unfair, lost sleep, lost weight and I was just plain unhappy.

But God.

I will tell you that the standing still season was one of the best seasons of my life. Although I could not see it at the time. My character was reformed in that season. My faith was birthed in that season. My trust in God was   manifested in that season. My mind was renewed in that season. My world was flipped and turned upside down in that season but.....I came out a stronger, wiser and FAR BETTER person. What I thought I needed so bad I discovered I really didn't need it at all. I wanted one thing but gained more that I can ever type in this blog! 

Standing still was just what I needed. It makes you stop and work on your inner self. If I can be honest with you and give someone hope...the standing still season is where you REALLY need to be excited! That is when God is working behind the scenes and something wonderful is waiting for you on the other end. If you just hang in there and truly get the lesson that is being taught things will be better than you've ever imagined. Please trust me on that. Hold on to the fact that sometimes God has to shut you off from everyone and everything and put your "happenings" on hold to deal with YOU. 

Perhaps He's preparing you for something you've been praying for and you must go through this season to be ready for it! That alone should help you weather this season with a different frame of mind! Don't give up. Hang in there! There is a blessing waiting for you when you pray and stand still. I pray this helps someone...

"After you've done all you can. You just stand."

Chanel-

You must have Faith.

Faith

#Love365 is making a difference! If you are participating in the #Love365 movement and have positive reports to tell...do share! I would love to hear some of the ways in which you are showing love EVERY day.

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The topic for this blog is Faith.  I'm sure many of you have some amazing stories of how you prayed...and God answered! There is nothing like sending a prayer from your mouth to Gods ears and having it answered. Not only answered but things work out in such a way that you KNOW it's only God because of how smooth and effortless things just fall into place! 

Prayer must be backed up by faith. Once you send your request or petition to God you have to believe by faith that if that request is indeed in His will...it SHALL be answered. You can't doubt. You have to stand firm and believe that it will all work out for your good. You have to have faith that despite what you see God knows all and will come to your rescue. 

What do I mean by that? Let me give you my testimony: I recently encountered several things that seemed to be coming at me all at once! Things that I could not do myself and things that I know only God could resolve or make happen. For those of you who know me...you know I am a work in progress when it comes to worry. But hey, who isn't. *smile* I knew that the only way things would work out was if God himself did it. No money, scheme, resource or person could do it. I worried, I cried, I lost sleep, I was feeling down and it all just consumed me. Then one day in service it hit me..."Wait, I don't have to worry when I can pray." It really was that simple once I came to my senses. I wrote the items on a piece of paper. I prayed and told God I could not fix any of them on my own. I threw the pieces of paper in the trash on my way out of church promising that I would NOT take them back home! I would not worry or lose anymore sleep over things I had NO control over. It felt so liberating to cast my situations on God and not worry. I slept so well that night and we had a wonderful day after church. I'm not saying they never crossed my mind from time to time but when they did, I prayed and let them go. Within a few weeks God had answered my prayers! Thank you JESUS!

Lesson Learned: Sometimes in life things will happen that you cannot handle or control on your own. As humans we always want to fix things on our own. I believe God lets certain things come to us to show us that we must depend on Him. People say, "God won't put more on you than you can handle." I don't believe that! I think He DOES...because it's in THOSE times that we realize we are not God! We must depend on Him and he knows exactly what situations to use to show us that. Life will put your back against the wall and you have no place else to turn BUT to God. He does that so when He does move there is NO way you can explain it away to anything or anyone else. Those tests are faith builders. You have to trust that if God did it before He can and will do it again! 

What are you praying for? Do you have the faith to back up your prayer? Try it and see just how amazing God is! I am a living testimony of how prayer AND faith WORKS!

Have a super day! Love you all.

Chanel-

Love. Life. Joy.

Love. Life. Joy

Happy Valentine's Day 2012!

Love: A powerful motivator. Love will make you feel on top of the world...or down in the dumps. Love is something everyone desires. Love must be nurtured and cherished each and every day. Make the commitment to "Love 365" days a year. That is the key to really experiencing the fullness that love has to offer. I call it Love in the bank. Making deposits to your Love account on sunny days so when the storms come you can borrow a little sunshine to get you through. Love with no expectations. Love when it's unexpected. Love like the person will not be here from one moment to the next. Love unconditional. I've dedicated to the "Love 365 Challenge." I will do something everyday to show my love and dedication. Just little things…nothing big or grand. Simply small gestures of love to cherish each and every day you are blessed to have it. Paint her fingernails, leave a love note in his/her lunch bag, sing a song, write a poem...the simple small things to show them love. I challenge you all to do the same. So, Get Busy "Loving!"

Life: Has a funny way of happening when we are trying to figure it all out. It constantly does what it is intended to do....go on. Life is unique in that it has already been scripted. We are just mere cast members in the ever evolving production. Life is precious. Life is filled with ups and downs. Life can bring you to your knees and produce blows that can literally take your breath away. Life can bring you so much happiness, excitement, and some of the BEST moments you've ever experienced. Life is unpredictable. One minute you have not a care in the world...the next all hell has broken loose! The one thing we all know is that we only get ONE life to live so we must make the best of it.

Joy: The biggest of them all. And purpose of this blog. As we celebrate Valentine's Day we must keep love and life in perspective. Humanly love may come and go. You may have the perfect Valentine or none at all. Love may have you on top of the world today! Love may also have you cringing at the sight of a red balloon or flowers. Love and Life may have you in a place where you really will just be glad when February 14th is OVER. As unpredictable and fickle as life and love are...there is nothing like Joy. Joy comes from within. Joy is the peace within even when love and life aren't a bed of roses. Joy is knowing that no matter what's going on around you there is inner peace. 

God gives Joy. External circumstances and people give you happiness. Joy is something God promised to give us and NEVER take away regardless of how we act, what we do or what decisions we make. Happiness is temporary. It is contingent upon people, life and circumstances. We have money...we are happy. We have love...we are happy. We have great heath...we are happy. Everything is going according to our plans...we are happy.

You have JOY no matter what. Strive to embrace Joy in everything. Joy is priceless. It will make the difference in your attitude, outlook and responses. I hope this helps someone. I know it helped me :)

Enjoy your Valentine's day!

(I love you Sweetpea)

Chanel-