Speaking of Speaking...

I have actually begun the next section of "Be Fruity", but I thought I would add some video of my recent speaking engagements. On March 23 I was the chapel speaker at my alma mater Judson College in Marion, AL. The night before I was able to speak at the CORE (the weekly student-led worship service) about modern-day slavery. Neither one did I feel I was at my best.

However, before and during chapel, I knew the Holy Spirit was there answering all the prayers I and others have prayed. I know He gave me words to say, and used the ones I chose to speak that probably weren't the best ones to begin with, to His glory. Praise be to Jehovah, the Most High God!!

Then on March 25, I spoke at an event hosted by the Fellowship of Black Seminarians where we watched At The End Of Slavery - a documentary filmed by the International Justice Mission (an evangelical Christian-based political group). We were few in number, but my presentation was 1000x better in many ways than the one at Judson's CORE gathering. There weren't as many questions at the Seminary presentation, but that could be because of the documentary. I do have a more secular version of this presentation in case anybody would like for me to come speak on this topic outside the church setting.

I definitely have a long way to go before becoming a "good" and more spiritually mature speaker, but I am glad to at least get started. I have video from Judson's chapel and the Seminary presentation on my facebook page. If you have time, I would love for you to watch (well, mostly listen) and give me some feedback! God bless, and may the Harvest be plentiful as we serve Him!!

A new friend and a New Perspective

I have been so excited recently about a new friend and mentor, Diane. She is one of the most Godly women I know, and I am so glad that I get to know her. She's been a minister's wife for over 20 years, and she and her husband have been through it all. I won't tell her testimony for her; if you'd like to listen to it, go to her site - http://www.dianenix.com/.

She and I talked last week about some things going on in the church and how to face them as a minister's wife. If any of you know me, you've definitely heard me complain about the congregation. After I explained my frustration with the sheep, she very lovingly said, "You don't have a lot of grace for the body of Christ, do you?"

Ouch. She picks up quick. But I needed to hear it, and what's more, I needed to admit it. I am so gracious and loving to people who don't know the Lord, but for the church, I'm ready to point out where they are lacking spiritually. Well, I admitted that she was right, and we went on to talk about what it means to love. We also spoke about how I, as a young woman, can be a positive role model and spiritual leader for women more than twice my age.

She went on to remind me that God loves His bride, and He will protect His bride, giving her 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 500th chances! Another friend pointed out that this congregation, like the Israelites, may be getting towards the end of a 40 year stint in the desert. They're weary, and they're human.

After hearing Diane's testimony, I realized how much I have to be thankful for. Through the trials we face at this church, God is continually refining us to be like Him. He loves us that much. My assignments for this week (yep, she gave me homework) was to pray earnestly for the congregation and that God would give me His eyes and His heart for these people, and then I was to pray that God would reveal any sin in my heart that might be keeping me from loving God's people. Would you join me as I pray for these things? I could use the help!!

BREAK-THROUGH!

A Court of Two Sisters: How Two Women Established the Christian Woman's Exchange as one of the Leading New Orleans Woman's Groups, 1881-1891

What do you think?

It's my THESIS title!!!!

I can't tell you how incredibly stoked I am. (Not that you can't already tell that.) Seriously, those of you that know me, completely know what forming a thesis statement and good title means to me - and to UNO since they won't let me graduate without these.

Okay, so here's the story.

The CWE began in 1881, modeled after the New York Exchange for Woman's Work. In a decade, two women - Mrs. Bartlett and Mrs. Walmsley - were able to establish the first free circulating library in New Orleans, a day nursery for working mothers, a consignment shop for women to earn an honest living, and a boardinghouse for women. The best part is...those are only the biggest things this group accomplished in just one decade. So I got to thinking about it, and I realized that this is my thesis - that getting through the first decade set the CWE up as THE standard for almost all other successful woman's organizations in New Orleans. Know what's even better? The CWE is still in existence - known now as The Woman's Exchange. Unfortunately they have changed their mission to historic preservation instead of charity, but the fact that they are still around is HUGE!

Okay, I want feedback. I can take criticism or compliments or anything at this point!

Need a laugh?

I can think of no better way to begin a new month than with a laugh. I wish I had a funny story to tell, but I don't.

I DO, however, have a two links you should go to that will get you rolling!! I was crying I was laughing so hard!

The first is a Youtube video from the Comedy Barn. It's totally clean and fantastically funny.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4Y4keqTV6w

The second is a woman who jokes about everything relating to womanhood. She is a wonderful Christian woman, and it did my heart good to watch some of her clips.
http://www.anitarenfroe.com/

Enjoy!!