The Wait Is Almost Over!

Blondeva's Boys has been (and continues to be) a labor of love. Every literary work that I create, whether it's fiction or nonfiction, is written with passion and purpose; so this process is no different from that vantage point. However, just because of this book's title and the woman to whom it pays homage, the writing and releasing of it will forever have a special place in my heart.

The foundation on which to build this story about a woman called Ms. Blondeva and her four sons (one of which was at one time prodigal, but ultimately found his way home)  quickly and clearly formed itself in my mind. The names of its characters, the twists, the turns, the plot -- they were all revealed to me in the earliest days of the creation process. Because of all that, I predicted that this one would be a fairly swift write. I figured three months tops. Boy was I wrong! The fact that the writing of this manuscript wasn't progressing along at the speed that I wanted it to was very frustrating for me. I don't like to miss deadlines. For some reason, when I don't meet them, I feel a sense of failure.

My initial self-imposed release date for Blondeva's Boys had been set for the spring of this year. When June 20th rolled around, it brought with it the first day of summer and the hard realization that I'd missed my deadline. My first reaction was to get frustrated, but in my years of being a prayerful writer, I've learned that books inspired by God generally get completed on HIS time and not ours. There are some who have already pre-ordered this title, so I still wasn't happy that the book didn't release on the announced date, but I made peace with it.

The art of effectively balancing my career (corporate assignment) and my calling (writing ministry) can be quite challenging sometimes. Add to that the fact that I am a wife who refuses to allow anything to compromise the quality time I spend with my amazing husband . . . and then add to that the live radio show (Royal Pen Network) that I host each week . . . and then add to that my husband's and my July 10, 2016 ecclesiastical elevation and installation as Lead Pastors of Deliverance Revival Church . . . and perhaps you have at least a glimpse of what my daily life is like when trying to keep everything balanced and in perspective. I saw an online posting a few weeks ago that said, "I'm not saying I'm Superwoman. I'm just saying no one has ever seen both her and me in the same room at the same time." LOL!

Daily I thank God for my life. As busy as it is and as much of an acrobatic act as holding it all together can become, what I'm most grateful for is that it is filled with things that are rooted in purpose, and I get to share it with people that bring me love, joy, and peace. That's an existence that is worth more than all the money and status in the world. I weathered quite a few stormy seas to get to this place, but one thing I know for sure; God was always in my boat. And when the time was right, He said, "Peace. Be still." (**WHEW... I almost got happy. That'll preach right there!)

It's all about God's perfect timing. And as far as Blondeva's Boys in concerned . . . the wait is almost over, and the time will be 10:30 a.m. on October 29th during a book release party that will be hosted as a part of the 1st Annual Christian Book Lovers Retreat in Charlotte, NC. It is with great excitement and anticipation that I await this date. I mentioned in my opening paragraph that this project means a great deal to me. My mother hated her first name and very few people were even privy to knowing it. She went to be with the Lord in November of 2014 and shortly afterward, God gave me the inspiration to write a book that would make hers a household name. I understood Mama's dislike for her name. Honestly, I didn't care for it much myself. But after she graduated to heaven, I began seeing it as a name as unique as my mom was, and I embraced the idea of using it in my book's title. The character in the novel who shares her name is not fashioned after my mother. Blondeva (my mother) and Blondeva (the character) have very few things in common; however, the book itself is indeed named in Mama's honor. My prayer is that this fictional story of faith, family, and forgiveness is one that would have made her proud to have her name on the cover--and also one that readers will find heartwarming, dramatic, and encouraging.

Please make plans to attend this years Christian Book Lovers Retreat, And while you're there, also make plans to attend my book release and be one of the first to get a copy of my hot-off-the-press title. It will mark published work #22 for me, and the first five people to enter the party will receive a FREE autographed copy! How cool is that?

Want more information about me and/or about my other 21 titles? Visit my official web home. They call me Royalty Writer! :-)

Four Months from "Chapter 50"

Today is Wednesday, August 17, 2016, and I am exactly four months from "Chapter 50." Thank you, Lord for life, health, and strength. And not just a mediocre existence, but a JOYOUS life, EXCELLENT health, and MORE physical, spiritual and emotional strength than ever. God is good!

The reality of being less than eighteen weeks from reaching my life's half-century mark has really sparked inside of me a new appreciation for ME -- for who I am and Whose I am. The trials of my life have been many. It seems that from the moment I reached adulthood, God began permitting challenges in my life that during the time seemed almost unreasonable and certainly undeserving. But it all worked for my good. Even in the midst of my personal storms, I can truly say that I've always loved life . . . even when I hated what I was going through, I loved life. I smiled through difficulty, laughed in times of hardships, and even found the words to encourage others in the moments when I needed to be encouraged the most. When I look back on it now, I have to admit that I'm sometimes in awe of the strength I exuded. How did I do it? How did I get through that? Why didn't it kill me? Why didn't I lose my mind? They are all questions to which I full well know the answer. It was GOD and GOD alone! He equipped me with the endurance. I am a blessed woman. I'm a walking miracle. I don't look like what I've been through!

Elated is perhaps the best word to describe the way I feel about my swiftly approaching "Chapter 50." The thought of getting older doesn't sadden me; it gives me joy because it means I'm blessed to be among the living. And there isn't a smidgen of doubt in my mind that turning 50 will also turn the page to even greater blessings and more amazing opportunities in my life. This isn't the end; it's the beginning.

So much has happened already in this year of 2016 in the months leading up to the my milestone; perhaps the most life-changing one being the ecclesiastical elevation and appointment of my husband and I as lead co-pastors of Deliverance Revival Church in Macon, GA. Neither of us saw that coming, yet somehow we were well-prepared. We weren't seeking it, and becoming pastors was neither of our aspiration, but God called and equipped us, and we answered the charge. 

Another thrilling event that will mark this year for me is the birth of my first biological grandchild. I was blessed to inherit the title of "G-ma" when my husband, Michael and I got married. Between my marriage to him and my baby daughter's marriage 15 months ago (her husband already had a son from a previous relationship), I'm already the proud grandmother of four. But in just a few weeks, with a due date of September 20th, my baby girl and her husband will be having their first child together . . . a daughter . . . Melody Michelle (I've already given her the nickname "MeMi"). She'll have my middle name and she'll be my first biological grandbaby. It is with great anticipation that I look forward to that day!

December 17, 2016 is just four months away. Time passes quickly, and it will be here before I know it. The sooner it arrives, the sooner the manifestations of God's continued grace in my life and the life of my family. When I turned forty, I gave myself a birthday celebration to remember. That was nearly a decade ago, but I can recall it like it was yesterday. My life was in shambles back then, but nobody knew; not even my children, parents, or siblings, because I worshiped and smiled through it all. My worship was real. My smile . . . not so much. 

I gave the theme of that birthday celebration "A Few of My Favorite Things" and from the live band that performed to the people I invited to the colors that decorated the building, I saturated it with favorites. I needed so desperately to focus on only those things that brought me happiness. I needed to block out everything else except the pieces of my life that made me smile. For that day, I refused to allow negativity to outshine the good. I made the day glorious in spite of the circumstances.

This year, what will make my celebration best of all is that there will be no mask on my face. I have an amazing marriage, I love my job, my children are doing awesome, I'm about to release my 22nd book, and I'm walking in divine purpose. What more could I ask for? My joy will be authentic and the smile I'll wear on my face will be a direct reflection of the one that is in my heart. I am living the happiest time of my life. My latter is so much grater than my former. I have more love, joy, and peace than I've had during any other era of my life. Everything isn't perfect, but everything is beautiful! For anniversary celebrations, the fiftieth year is represented by "gold" and I'm living my life like it's golden. Thanks be to God!

So I have absolutely no reason to complain about this new chapter in my life. Why should I? It's my season. Greater increase is coming in my "Chapter 50." I've already decreed and declared it, and God has already given the assurance! Increased blessings. Increased anointing. Increased finances. Increased FAVOR! 

Four months from "Chapter 50" and feeling FABULOUS! Thank you Jesus!!

Countdown To "Chapter 50"

Today is August 4, 2016. I wore red today. Nothing really special about the date, and no special reason for wearing the red. I just thought I'd mention it (smile). 

As I arrived at work early (as I always do), I spent some quiet time with the Lord (as I always do too). I pray each morning before I leave home, but when I meditate on God in the early minutes of my arrival at the office, it sets the tone for my entire workday.

Getting situated in my cubical before anyone else in my department begins filtering in is something that I do on a near-daily basis. It's highly unusual for any others to arrive ahead of me. Getting here at this time allows me to not only enjoy a little quiet time before the hustle and bustle begins, but it provides me with a few precious moments of solitude to pray and meditate on the goodness of the Lord. And today as I did that, I found myself reflecting on my life; both the challenges and the triumphs that have made me the strong woman that I am today.

Time passes so quickly, and life is fleeting. As I did my own personal review this morning, I thought of so many things; so many times that God came to the rescue. Like the time my family and I were in a deadly head-on collision back in 1973 that took the life of the drunk driver who smashed his truck into our car and seriously injured almost every member of my family who was riding inside. The shattered bone in my left leg was one of the less severe injuries, but as a seven-year-old, the entire experience was a traumatic one for me. But thank God we all survived. I also reminisced on the moment I became a young blushing bride at the age of twenty-one and the painful, yet joyous experiences of giving birth to our daughters. I can so clearly recall when Brittney and Crystal were newborns and holding them in my arms singing "Jesus Loves Me" as I rocked them to sleep. That seems like just a few  years ago, but in reality those are fond distant memories. Now they're both married with families of their own. And then, in a not-so-fond memory, I faced the heartbreaking, life-changing moment of burying their biological father--my first husband. That seems like only a handful of years ago, but it actually happened in 1995 and nearly twenty-two years have passed since then. "Time waits for no man" is not a biblical quote as I've heard so many wrongfully state, but it's a true saying just the same. 

I've endured and experienced many tribulations in my past, but I thank my heavenly Father that my latter days have been so much greater. It all worked together for my good (Romans 8:28). By far, my life (neither past or present) isn't perfect, but God has made it beautiful despite the scars. In more recent years, I've been abundantly blessed to meet and marry the man of my dreams. Michael introduced me to a new level of love, and with him I daily experience the joy of working together in corporate America and in ministry with the one God kept for me...until it was time. In my reflecting time this morning, I thought of just how blessed I am in spite of the enemy's attempts to destroy me. So many who know me, don't know all the details of my story; therefore they don't understand the depth of my praise. In just a few months, I'll be celebrating another birthday. It's a milestone I was never supposed to reach. I'm calling it my "Chapter 50" -- such a fitting theme for the 50th birthday of a writer; don't you agree?

Daily, I'm surrounded by beautiful women of varied races and ethnic backgrounds. At work. At church. At literary functions. At the grocery store. Wherever I go, I see them. And it seems that I'm older than most of them. In my daily interactions, I often hear women claiming to be ages far younger than they really are. On any given day, it's not uncommon for me to hear females complaining about getting older. I hear them voicing their longing to return to their more youthful years. Yet I'm not moved by it. I absolutely love me and I love my age! I'm about to be 50 years blessed! Every single year marks a blessing that so many others didn't live to see, yet I'm not only alive, but I'm healthy, happy, and whole. It didn't have to be this way. As a matter of fact, according to modern medicine, it wasn't supposed to be this way. BUT GOD!!! I continuously thank the Lord for His grace and mercy, realizing that had it not been for Him, I would have been dead a long time ago. 

Medical science still can't comprehend why I wasn't infected with the virus that causes AIDS as a young bride married to an awesome man . . . but a sick man. One who had no clue that he was HIV positive when he married me. Medical science can't explain away why I didn't contract the deadly virus in 4 1/2 years of consistent unprotected sex, or how on earth I, in turn, didn't pass the virus I should have had along to the daughters I birthed. Medical science says I never should have made it to Chapter 30 of my life, let alone Chapter 50 . . . and you think I'm going to complain about the blessing of living to see another year? Are you kidding me??? I dare not lie about my age because my lie could have been my truth. No, I'm NOT turning 25! It is with joy that I embrace my two gray hairs. I was never supposed to live long enough to see them! So what if I got a little winded this morning when I decide to take the stairs up to my third-floor office space rather than ride the elevator? Every heavy breath that resulted from the climb was a breath that I was never supposed to live to inhale or exhale. So excuse me if I'm one of the"weird women" who actually thinks that aging is a gift and not a curse.

So YES!!! I am excited about my countdown to Chapter 50. I'm elated that there are only about nineteen weeks separating me from celebrating a half century of life. I'm going to look forward with great expectation to every single day that leads up to that moment.

December 17th is going to be a day that I give God the glory as I celebrate a life that only He could give and the incredible love that God alone has allowed me to be surrounded with in this chapter of my existence. Nope . . . I don't long for the past because my present is far too blessed and my future will be even greater than I can imagine.

I'm ready to turn the page and see what's next in this amazing story titled Kendra that only God's pen could author. No edits. No re-writes. In every sentence written and in every scene created, it's been just what He purposed and designed for me. And at this very moment, I decree and declare that Chapter 50 will be my best one yet!

DREAM BIG! A Lesson In Black History from a Piece of American History

Yesterday, I was blessed to be among several other employees that gathered in a reserved meeting space within the Fortune 100 company for which I work to see, hear, and experience a piece of Black History. And not just Black History . . . but American History. The guest of honor was Dr. Robert L. Wright, who not only served as keynote speaker, but as an incredible tool of motivation to all who would listen to his words and grasp the powerful messages behind them.

Dr. Wright is a native of Columbus, GA and serves as Director Emeritus of Aflac. He had only great things to say about our company and the many ways it continuously sows into the up-building of the African American community. A few weeks ago, when I met with a company executive and was asked to write an article on Dr. Wright regarding his pending appearance, I had never before heard of him. As I embarked upon the necessary research to put together the feature, my ignorance of this man became a point of embarrassment. Delving deeper into my online exploration, I discovered the life of a man of great wealth; perhaps not financially, but certainly a man rich in determination, wisdom, understanding, experience, and accomplishment. By the time my personal research was complete, I felt I'd been introduced to an unsung hero.

Though yesterday's occasion was one set in place by the company's Diversity Counsel to commemorate Black History Month, Dr. Wright's appearance drew the perfect crowd. Blacks, Whites, Asians, Hispanics . . . the varied culture of the corporation's roster of employees could be seen throughout the room, and from the rousing responses, it was easy to conclude that everyone was educated and empowered by the message presented. During the one hour gathering, our featured guest shared his personal testimony of growing up in the segregated south. By far his wasn't a privileged household. His father was an humble bricklayer and his mother worked as a nurse. Together they did all they could to ensure their children grew up to be more in a world where Blacks were still viewed as less.

After graduating from Spencer High School in Columbus, GA and finding it impossible to gain acceptance into southern colleges due to elevated racial tension, Robert Wright decided upon Ohio State University. There, he pursued a degree from the school’s College of Optometry. Upon obtaining his credentials, he returned home with the earned title of "doctor" and with the intent to begin practicing in his field. But his establishment as an optometrist in the segregated South would not come easy. Because doctor or not . . . he was still black.

Racial intolerance was still prevalent in the late 50’s and early 60’s, and Wright’s first attempts were met with many barricades. One practice went so far as to erase their sign advertising their need to hire a staff Optometrist when he came to apply for the job. Eventually discouragement sent him back to Ohio, but determination wouldn’t allow him to stay. Upon getting word of the goings on in the civil rights movement that had begun brewing in the South, Wright walked away from the independent practice he’d been working with in Ohio and headed back to Columbus, GA where he joined in as an active part of the movement. In 1965, he became a part of the original “Dream Team” when he found himself marching along with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. from Selma to Montgomery.

Though he was eventually able to begin a successful practice in Columbus, a new purpose had begun taking root in Dr. Wright’s life and his interest shifted from healthcare to politics. The desire to make a positive difference in the lives of those in the world around him had taken a front seat, and he found himself answering the call; selling his practice in the process. In 1970 Wright was elected to the Columbus Georgia City Council where he ultimately served three terms and was responsible for Council District 2 with a population of approximately 50,000 residents. But his proven level of responsibility and accountability was far too great to be confined to the borders of Columbus’s local government. Dr. Wright became a part of the Executive Leadership Cabinet for the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation and he served as Chairman of the Presidential Commission for the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.

Most recently, Dr. Robert Wright was presented with the prestigious Congressional Black Caucus Annual Phoenix Award during a ceremony that was attended by President & First Lady Obama, proving once again that he is indeed a man among men. To say that sharing the same room with this nearly 80-year-old icon on yesterday felt like being in the presence of greatness is not an overstatement. When I shook his hand at the close of the event, I felt honored. 

The overall theme of the afternoon was DREAM BIG, and being one who looks for spiritual messages within everyday experiences, I pulled many things from those two words. As Dr. Wright talked about the challenges that he had to overcome to find success; I thought of the many traps set in place by the evil one that we all have to triumph in order to reach our divine potential. I thought of the Almighty God that I serve and how BIG and powerful He is. When man tells us we can't, God assures us that nothing is impossible with Him. When man defines us as less, God says that through Him, we are more than conquerors.

So yes . . . Dream Big! For there is no dream bigger than the one that shows us our worth and gives us the strength to overcome the odds and strive toward what we know to be our God-ordained purpose.

A Tuesday Testimony

Let me pre-warn you. This may be a bit of a lengthy blog entry and it's all to the glory of God, so if you have no free time on your hand and/or if you have a problem with reading about the goodness of my God, you may want to stop reading now. However if you read on, I know this will bless you. The Lord told me to share it, so I know it's meant to be a blessing to those who will read it. Can you stand to be blessed?

Yesterday was a great day . . . not just because of what God did in the life of my household, but simply because GOD is GOD. He is amazing. He cannot lie. He is faithful. He is GOD and even on a bad day, He is good.

Unlike many, I don't choose to use social media (or public blogs) as billboards on which to announce my tests; instead I select to use them as platforms on which to broadcast my testimonies. I use them as means by which I share positive inspirations and encouragement. It is my desire to always be a blessing to those with whom I come in contact, and what I know for sure is that constant complaints and negative remarks don't bless anyone. So on this Tuesday, I want to testify.

Let me be clear: I don't try to appear to have the perfect life. In fact, I know very few people who have been more transparent with their life's battles than I have. I have immortalized some of the most trying and even embarrassing ones in published books that have been distributed both nationally and internationally. So perfection is not the picture I strive to paint. However God has always ordered me to share the messes of my life only after the messages have also been manifested because that's the only way that they can truly bless and encourage the masses. And so today, I share the story of my household's most recently fought battle...because with God's help this battle is over and we have come out victorious!

After twelve faithful and loyal years on the same job, my husband Michael (aka "the babe") was abruptly terminated. It happened on October 7th . . . the eve of his birthday! What should have been a time that we were planning to celebrate life; the enemy instead wanted to speak death into our situation. It was a sudden move that neither of us expected to happen at that time. The manner in which it was done and the timing of it all seemed heartless and calculated. It took us by surprise, but from the moment that it happened; I believe both of us knew that God had to be up to something. Michael was one of the company's hardest and most dependable workers. Nothing about them choosing to release him made common sense, so even though the termination seemed to come with no good reason, we knew there had to be a God reason. Still . . . it was a harsh blow.

Initially, very few people knew about Michael's joblessness. It was a while before we even told immediate family members. Most of those who ultimately came to know about it found out from Michael. I didn't feel it was proper or honorable for me to distribute the information. Ultimately, I shared the information with five saved and Spirit-filled sisters that God placed on my heart. I didn't randomly select them; I sought God for who could be trusted. I enlisted their prayers and asked them to touch and agree with me for God to open the right door at the right time for employment for my husband. They were my secret weapons, my backbones, my prayer circle, and every time I reached out to them, they were right there willing to intercede with me for God's will to be done. If they're reading this, they know who they are, and to each of them, I want to say THANK YOU! 

For the past several months, the income in the Holmes household has been cut tremendously. Michael's termination meant that well over half of our combined income was gone -- literally overnight. My husband was the larger breadwinner, and he had been the one paying the overwhelming majority of the household bills. I cannot honestly say that I didn't feel anxious and even afraid at times realizing his income was no longer there. But I can honestly say that I never lost my faith . . . and neither did the babe. In fact his faith was strengthened and elevated in immeasurable ways. The sudden thrusting of him in this seemingly barren place was also his sudden thrust into a wealthy place -- the face of God.

Every morning, during this time of transition, the babe would rise in the wee hours--even before I'd wake up to prepare for work. He would head to the room in our home that I call "Purpose Central" -- our home office; our very own war room, and there he would lay prostrate before the Lord, seeking strength, direction, wisdom, and understanding that only God could give. He would come out of the office long enough to pray over me before I left for work or just to see me off, and then he'd go back in to continue his time with the Lord. I watched a man who was already spiritually strong become a powerhouse in his faith. Several mornings as I prepared for work, he would leave the office and come in the room with me and passionately share with me all the things that the Lord had poured into him in those early hours before I'd awakened. He was growing spiritually by leaps and bounds.

During this "down time" God also showed us what true favor felt like. I'd become slack in my tithing, believing that I needed every dollar to pay other things, but during this time of major lack, God challenged me to trust Him. I began tithing regularly again. It became a total "faith walk" for both my husband and myself. During this time, God proved to us that our jobs weren't our true source. They were only resources. He was our only source. For months (while both of us were employed) we'd been down to one vehicle and was in need of a second, but didn't have the available funds to get a dependable one. Every door we knocked on remained closed; every person we went to for financial assistance had none to give. But in the midst of Michael's unemployment and while my paycheck was the sole income of our household, God allowed us to obtain a "like new" Toyota 4Runner . . . and when it was driven off the lot, it was paid in full without a dime of my paycheck being used!

Both my husband and I are licensed ministers, and on the very first day that we met, we shared with each other the details of our spiritual callings and our divine purposes. He'd told me that his passion and purpose was to be used of God through the ministry of Christian Life Coaching to help others in their mental and spiritual growths; especially where their relationships were concerned. He had placed the pursuit of his purpose on the back burner largely because of time restraints and financial limitations, but during the season that our household income was severely downsized due to his unemployment, God provided the time and the means for him to re-enroll in Life University and complete all the studies required for his certification. It too was paid in full with none of the resources coming out of my income.

The entire time that the babe was out of work, our mortgage and all of our monthly utility bills were paid without a penny coming out of my paychecks. Every month, God provided a ram in the bush! Take note: during this time, we didn't have everything we wanted, but God ensured that we had everything that we needed. There were people who saw what was happening in our lives and thought we'd been given an increase in salary, but the truth was we'd had a substantial decrease in salary. The blessing weren't in our finances; it was in God's favor toward us! Favor from God doesn't need funding from man.

As the months passed, Michael tirelessly searched for work and our budget got tighter. Things were getting tougher. Ends were getting harder to meet. We were in need of a breakthrough. Some that I owed money to were all of a sudden coming at me for it. Their timing couldn't have been worse, but I didn't share my family's personal struggles with them; it wasn't their business. I've leaned that everyone doesn't need to be privy to our problems. While some will pray, other will hope -- hope you fail, hope you falter; hope you fold. I paid what I could when I could, and the rest I left to God to work out. All the while, Michael was submitting dozens of employment applications but only a couple of interview opportunities were extended. In my personal prayer time each day, I'd ask God to have His way. I didn't request that He grant any specific job or position. My continuous prayer was that God would open the door of His will because one of the harshest lessons that life has taught me is that doing things our way or going after what we want can be the worst thing ever. But I knew if we allowed God to do His thing, it was going to be done right.

To make an even longer story as short as possible, God has revealed His will, He has had His way, and He has done His thing! Ever since I began employment a little over a year ago with the Fortune 100 company for which I work and the babe has seen how happy I am working there, he has voiced a desire to work for a corporation just like it -- a company who values its employees, compensates well, and provides a pleasant daily work environment. Back in November, a high school acquaintance of my husband's called him and said, "The Lord told me to tell you to write down the name of the business you really want to work for, place it between the pages of your Bible, and leave it there." It almost seemed foolish at the time, but God will choose even the foolish things to confound the wise (I Corinthians 1:27). In obedience, Michael followed the instructions given; writing down the name of the same organization for which I work. He had already filled out several applications for job openings he'd found for the company but had been getting no response. But his faith and obedience paid off!

Two weeks ago, he got a call from that very company -- for a position he'd applied for back in November -- the same month he'd gotten that call from his classmate! The company requested an interview, and on the day of his interview, I contacted all the women in my prayer circle, told them the time and date of the interview, and asked them to press with me in prayer. And they did it! A week later, the company asked Michael to come back and meet some of the other employees. Me and my sisters in the faith prayed again. Then on yesterday, he received the call that welcomed him aboard. His official start date is only a few days away. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!

I wanted to share this testimony not to brag or boast, but with the prayer that it will bless someone on this day. No matter what you're dealing with right now and regardless of how hard or hopeless it may seem; STAY FAITHFUL. Continue to do God's will and follow His instructions and His ordained path for your life. We've heard it before and it is the truth . . . Every setback is a setup for your comeback! Things will arise that will tempt you to take your eyes off of God or to make you feel that you have to take control of the situation and handling it using your limited strength and knowledge, but don't waiver and don't stray. When times get the toughest, that's when we have to depend on the Lord the most and allow Him to do His perfect work; even on those days when it feels like He's not working at all.

Know this... All things work together for the good of those that love God and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Even when your enemies mishandle and mistreat you . . . they mean it for evil, but God is going to turn it around so that it works in your favor! Your enemies have no clue who they're messing with. They have no idea how much detriment they are bringing on themselves when they mistreat even the least of God's little ones. They will see you victorious and they will hate you for it, but there will be absolutely nothing they can do to stop it! Be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord (I Corinthians 15:58). Don't faint, don't be discouraged. Stand on His Word, stand on His promises and watch your tests become your testimonies!

Amen! To God be ALL the glory!!!

2016 - My Year of Promises Fulfilled

It's been a full year since I've written in my official blog, but the lapse certainly wasn't due to the

lack of things worth posting! I last updated this online diary on December 31, 2014, and the entry I wrote was entitled: "Stepping Into 2015 - Stepping Into My Double Portion." In that article I shared how God had assured me that the year 2015 would be a year of double blessings for me. I didn't exactly know the fullness of those words that were divinely spoken into my spirit, but it didn't take long before they began manifesting themselves.

Indeed 2015 was a year filled with "doubles" that I hadn't anticipated. God's words to me began materializing in the simplest of ways. The first week of January, I received an online shoe order that I'd placed in December. The box containing the black ankle boots came just in time for me to wear on the new corporate assignment I was blessed to land in December as well. A couple of days after the first box of shoes arrived, a second box arrived from the same shoe store. It contain a similar pair of ankle boots; only in blue. I had only ordered one pair. When I called the company to report the error, the customer service rep ended our call by saying, "Well, I guess you got double for your trouble because if you want the boots, you can keep them at no charge." That turned out to be the start of a string of "doubles" to come.

Earlier in 2014, my husband and I learned that our son's family was expanding. He had already given us a grandson so it was good to learn that the little one on the way was a little girl. Jokingly, I'd told them to name her after me. As 2015 rolled in and the due date got close, we learned that it wasn't one granddaughter as we first thought. Twins. Double. In April, our family welcomed Kennedi and Kyndal to the world. Although it was never told to me that they'd actually named the girls after me, those names sound a lot like Kendra, don't they? :-)

God not only made good on His word through our son, but he did the same through our daughters. First, our baby girl got engaged. Then two months later, our firstborn daughter got engaged. Both our daughters were blessed to marry wonderful men of God in 2015, giving my husband and I two handsome "sons-in-luv." Double. And since our baby girl married a young man who'd had a son from a previous relationship, her marrying him gave us our second grandson. So now, not only did we have two granddaughters, but also two grandsons. Double.

The corporate employment that had opened to me in January had been assigned on a temporary basis. After six months, it became permanent. When the position was offered to me on a permanent basis, the offer came with a sizable raise. As I read the contractual agreement that was sent to me, one of the first things I noticed was that the amount of the accompanying pay increase was exactly two-times the amount of what I was paid on the previous job that I'd left in 2014. Double. And when I began working the job, I prayed and asked God to bring someone else on-board who had a genuine personal relationship with Him. Prayer partners...women to whom I could connect spiritually. God answered me in abundance. Today, only a few short steps separate me from two other Spirit-filled women with whom God has allowed me to build a solid sister-friend relationship. Double.

Most recently, I began praying for an avenue to open wherein I could put my gift of writing in action on a corporate level. I work for a Fortune 100 corporation, and being able to write for it would be an outstanding opportunity. The Lord revealed my heart's desire to one of the sister-friends with whom I work, and she approached me and gave me the name of a contact person who might be able to provide the connection I desired. I followed through with reaching out to the person she suggested, and my act of obedience resulted in the offer to become a contributing writer for the company's official employee magazine AND to be a writer for the company's diversity council. Double!!

And I know that there is more to come. I began writing this blog on December 31, 2015, but had to place it on pause so I could attend Watch Night Service to ring in the New Year in corporate worship. As I'm ending this blog entry, we have already been blessed to cross over, and I know in this year of 2016, God will continue to manifest His promises. Last year was a year of doubles. But I have so many stored promises from God that this year I am expecting an overflow!

I decree it in Jesus' name . . . 2016 is my year of promises PROMISES FULFILLED.

Stepping Into 2015 - Stepping Into My Double-Portion - Who's Coming With Me?

Seems like it was only four or five years ago when all the world appeared to be in a frenzy about the impending unknowns of the Y2K. All of our lives we'd placed a 19 in front of our years when posting dates, and suddenly, we had to change and get used to placing a 20 there instead. It changed everything from the way we did business to the way we functioned on a day to day basis. It took us out of our comfort zone, but in the end, everything worked out okay and most of our concerns were proven to be unfounded. Change is imminent, and sooner or later we have to accept it . . . even if we don't readily embrace it.

The year 2014 proved to be a very active one for me. The changes it brought sparked emotions from one end of the spectrum to the other. Not only did it bring me immense joy, but it also brought great fear and deep heartbreak. The fear came when an attempted robbery was made on me as I arrived at work in July. Fear nearly paralyzed me that day. It was still relatively dark outside, and I was all alone (except for the perpetrator), so the only one I could rely on was Jesus. Having only recently moved to the area, I'd only been on the job for six months. On every job I've ever had, I'm known for my ability to overcome challenges it presents. But having someone walk up behind me with a gun and threaten to use it if I didn't give up my purse was more than enough to make me leave. I put in my 2-weeks notice the very next day. I still triumphed in my opinion. Maybe not professionally, but definitely personally. After all, I lived to tell the story. I was still around to put in the two-week notice only because God preserved my life. He allowed me to remain calm in a chaotic situation and enabled me to think quickly that day and outsmart my aggressor. Not only did I escaped with my life, but also my purse. The perp succeeded in taking nothing from me.

The heartbreak came with the the passing of my mother. It's still a hard reality to accept. I honestly can't recall a time in my life when I grieved so heavily. I already knew the pain of losing a loved one that was dear and near to my heart. In 1995, I buried my first husband; a man I loved and adored with all that was within me. But it felt as though the departure of Mama pierced an entirely different area of my heart. For a solid month, I think I cried every single day. Often times the tears would break suddenly and without warning. I no longer had an outside job with assignments to keep me busy and my mind on other things. Being a full time writer again seemed to make the healing process even worse. I was at home alone for much of the day, and writing wasn't a big enough distraction to keep my mind occupied.

Mama was a trooper 'til the very end. God didn't permit her to suffer long at all which was a tremendous blessing. From the time of the doctor's devastating diagnosis until God took her home was a matter of about two months. And she was basically able to fully carry out her life as normal until the last two weeks. Mama never once complained. She never once seemed the least bit concerned of what was to come. Mine is a very close-knit family. I had a tight bond with my mother. I spent nine days of those last two weeks of Mama's life living in the house with her and my dad and helping to give her the 'round-the-clock care that she'd come to need. She was having trouble getting around at that point, but she was fully in her right mind, had a healthy appetite, and was always in good spirits. We had many talks and shared in many laughs during that time. In the aftermath it seems like the knowledge that I'd been there for her when she needed me most would have brought me a great sense of joy and peace. Instead, it seemed to do the opposite. All those fresh precious memories of my mother would overshadow me, and the constant realization that I'd never see her again on this side of life was consuming me with grief. I felt the onset of depression; some days not even being able to get out of bed. One while, it felt as though I might grieve forever, but with a little time and a lot of prayer came God's divine comfort. I still miss her terribly and at times I still grieve. The truth is, I probably always will. But it's no longer the overwhelming sadness that I originally experienced. I'm not drowning in tears now, and I can actually talk about her without completely falling apart. Today I'm able to rejoice in knowing that she's completely healed and in the presence of the Lord.

Sometimes when things happen that we label as "bad," we tend to forget all of the great and marvelous things God has done for us. One heart-wrenching moment can erase every celebrated moment if we allow it. And that was a mistake that I came very close to making. But in 2014, the Lord did some awesome things for me in spite of Mama's transition. In March, I married one the most wonderful men I've ever known. A man who loves the Lord with all of his heart. A man who loves me as Christ loves the church. A man who exceeds everything that I've ever asked for or dreamed of. Meeting him in 2013 was a blind blessing. I didn't plan it, I wasn't looking for it, and in fact, I didn't even want it. The crossing of our paths was completely orchestrated by God. There is no other explanation. After having to endure the utter heartbreak of burying my first husband and the sheer embarrassment of the details that led to the divorcing of my second; marriage wasn't something that appealed to me anymore. My heart never hardened toward marriage, and I still fully believed in true love. However, neither of them were of any interest to me at the time. I was single and completely happy at that status. I didn't feel incomplete or lonely. I was an independent woman, living comfortably in my own home, working as Director of a respected preschool, providing well for myself, and loving every minute of it. But God had other plans for my life...and I'm so glad He did. My husband, Michael, is the absolute greatest gift that I never prayed for, and if God had done nothing else for me this year, allowing me to become Mrs. Michael Holmes would have been more than enough. But the Lord had more in store.

For instance, there is the matter of my 20th published work. If writing and publishing books is indeed the equivalence of giving birth to children, I surpassed my due date many times with The Path From Pain to Purpose. I became "legally separated" from my ex-husband in 2010, and although I began writing the book in 2011, the Lord made it abundantly clear to me that I was going to have to walk through the spiritual storm that my life was going through at that time before I'd be able to complete the book in the manner in which He was inspiring. In my stupidity, I tried over and over again to force the premature completion of it in spite of what God told me, but His will would not be overruled by mine. That entire process (the dissolution of the marriage) was probably the biggest personal trial I've ever had to come up against. Between the lies that were told, the betrayals that were discovered, and the just plain disgusting details of it all; I found myself being broken, remolded, then broken and remolded all over again. It was a rough transformation process, but on the other side of it, God made me so much strong, wiser, better . . . and HAPPIER! It took more than three years, but this year, the book finally birthed electronically in the month of September and in print in the month of December. Not only that, but God gave me a bonus blessing when He allowed me to also publish a 21st work when I released an electronic version of my very first novella on Christmas Day entitled Three Wyze Men.

To end the year, God favored me with a new job. The end of my former employment (even with the fear and danger that surrounded it) was something that God allowed. The timing of it proved that God was (and always is) in control. During the downtime that followed the ending of that employment, the Lord allowed me to fulfill the things that He had assigned me to do in my writing ministry--those things that full time corporate obligations on a mentally stressful and demanding job just weren't allowing me to complete. It also allowed me to be totally available for my mother's needs. But once those assignments were complete, God opened a great door for me to return to corporate America. On December 14th, I spoke the name of the company for which I wanted to work and I spoke the title of the executive position that I wanted to hold. I hadn't applied for it nor did I know that position was even available at that moment, but on December 15th I applied for an online job posting that I found as I was browsing the Internet. The position that needed filling carried the exact same title that I'd spoken the day before. But I because it was a posting that didn't include the company's name, I was totally unaware at the time that it was also with the exact same company whose name I'd spoken a day earlier. I discovered that the following day when I received a call for a preliminary interview. Within five days I'd been hired for the position pending the outcome of a criminal background check...and I certainly had no worries about that. Because of the nature of this particular job, I'll also be allowed the time and the mental calm that I need to be able to get necessary writing assignments done too. I will begin working shortly after the New Year. To God be all the glory!
So yes...God has done great and mighty things for me this year and I'm GLAD. Yet, as much of a milestone as 2014 has been, He has rested the words in my spirit that 2015 will be my year of double-portion. As Michael and I fellowshipped with my dad at his church in Valdosta this past Sunday (Michael was the keynote speaker), my father got up near the end of the service and said that God had told him that 2015 was going to be the best year for his (my father's) ministry. I turned to look at my husband as I sat beside him in the platform because I'd just told him a few days earlier that the Lord had rested the words "double portion" in my spirit as it pertained to the year 2015. I'd never told my father that, so when he said what he said, it was confirmation! But I don't believe it's a word only for me regarding my life or a word only for my dad regarding his ministry. I believe it's a word for all of God's people! Not those who just speak the name of Christ, but those who LIVE the lives of Christians. Those who are walking in the will and the ways of the Lord. Those who don't mind being ridiculed for the sake of the gospel. Those who aren't trying to fit in with the world, but instead are determined NOT to conform but be TRANSFORMED. Those who are walking in divine purpose. I decree and declare it right now. As God has spoken it to me, so shall it also be to you: 2015 is our year of DOUBLE-PORTION!