Encourage Yourself....Speak over Yourself

"Freedom"- Frank Morrison

"Life without God is like an unsharpened pencil, it has no point."

Habari Gani!!! Happy Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is a holiday that celebrates family, community and culture. December 26-Jan 1



Umoja (oo-MOH-jah): Unity
Success starts with Unity. Unity of family, community, nation and race.
Kujichagulia (koo-jee-chah-goo-LEE-ah): Self-Determination
To be responsible for ourselves. To create your own destiny.

Ujima (oo-JEE-mah): Collective work and responsibility
To build and maintain your community together. To work together to help one another within your community.

Ujamaa (oo-jah-MAH): Collective economics
To build, maintain, and support our own stores, establishments, and businesses.

Nia (NEE-ah): Purpose
To restore African American people to their traditional greatness. To be responsible to Those Who Came Before (our ancestors) and to Those Who Will Follow (our descendants).

Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah): Creativity
Using creativity and imagination to make your communities better than what you inherited.
Imani (ee-MAH-nee): Faith
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The Story of Kwanzaa by Donna L. Washington and Stephen Taylor, ages 6-10
Kwanzaa by Trudi Strain Truit and Ceceilia Mindin Cupp, ages 6-7
Horrible Harry and the Holidaze by Suzy Kline, ages 7-10
Kwanzaa Crafts by Carol Gnojewski, ages 8-9
A Kwanzaa Story, or How One Gentleman Found His Way by Nancy Guthorn Harrison, young adults
Kwanzaa Fun, Great Things to Make and Do by Linda Robertson, ages 5-8
My First Kwanzaa by Karen Katz, ages 3-6
Seven Spools of Thread a Kwanzaa Story by Angela Shelf Medearis, ages 7-10

If you have stories and ideas you're willing to share about how your family celebrates Kwanzaa in an eco-friendly way, Contact Celebrate Green.

SOURCE::: http://www.celebrategreen.net/

No Weapon ...

Isaiah 54:17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

Philippians 4:13

On the verge of a meltdown I do what I usually do when I feel too weak to press on, I SEEK GOD. The end of the most dreadful semester is drawing near. Right before the breakthrough is the test of faith. I have studied hard but the last time I was in a stressful class like this, I wasn't a wife and I definitely wasn't a mother. Balancing a full time job, full time school, full time wife, full time mother can drain every fiber of your being. My issue with school is retaining the information. When I should be studying I am wondering, "Did I take something out of the freezer for dinner?" Hubby is finishing his second master's so we both decided to miss out on our usual Thanksgiving plans, celebrating with friends and family to stay home and study. Of course I cooked but although we missed everyone it was so necessary to stay focused in order to stay on track. We have HUGE goals and in order to get there means some dedication, sacrifice and persistence.

Just when my pity party was begininng I stumbled upon this picture, Stolen King by one of my favorite artists, Kadir Nelson. Next to Frank Morrison he is the BEST! Looking at this picture gave me strength to suck it up and get focused. This gives me chills because the Stolen King in this picture endured MUCH MUCH more than my mind can even fathom. So why complain? GET IT TOGETHER and get it done!! That means cancelling plans with friends and family until I get through this rough patch. December 7th will be a day of celebration as it will mark my last day in this class! I GOT THIS IN JESUS NAME!!! I can do all thing through Christ that strengthens me! I CAN DO THIS!!