Lessons Learned.......
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The Prodigal Daughter Stage Play is on baby!
After months and months of planning and silence (lol) my stage play is finally a go! I have the BEST producer and director on the planet!
I am so excited and this play rocks. When I read the script, I experience wild emotions and I know the story....it's my story (based on my book) but I am telling you it is good. It is really good.
Casting is on and I have some great talent but we are still holding auditions. The little girl that is playing Hannah is so sweet and precious. She is going to take your breath away. The woman that plays my character, has her work cut out for her....putting it mildly. My producer wanted me to do it but I will leave the acting to the professionals. The cast will be amazing.
I can't wait to tell who we have....but mums the word until contracts are signed.
I got a hundred and one things going on but I am having the time of my life. I turn 40 in a couple of weeks and I promised myself MIA......we will see.
Stay posted for more 411.
Lord, Jesus I need some sleep!!!!
I am so excited and this play rocks. When I read the script, I experience wild emotions and I know the story....it's my story (based on my book) but I am telling you it is good. It is really good.
Casting is on and I have some great talent but we are still holding auditions. The little girl that is playing Hannah is so sweet and precious. She is going to take your breath away. The woman that plays my character, has her work cut out for her....putting it mildly. My producer wanted me to do it but I will leave the acting to the professionals. The cast will be amazing.
I can't wait to tell who we have....but mums the word until contracts are signed.
I got a hundred and one things going on but I am having the time of my life. I turn 40 in a couple of weeks and I promised myself MIA......we will see.
Stay posted for more 411.
Lord, Jesus I need some sleep!!!!
My little man in the making
A few days ago the kids and I were watching a movie. In the middle of the movie, Evan asks me what does he have to do to be baptized? I told him that all I had to do technically was to call our church and have the baptismal scheduled but before I could do that, I needed to know why he wanted to be baptized and what did it mean to him.
He said he wanted to be a Christian and that he wanted to give his life to Christ. WOW. He just turned ten years old and I was overwhelmed with emotion. I needed to know that he understood what he was saying and not just repeating what he may have heard. What does giving your life to Christ mean? I queried. Mommy, I want to live for God...he said. I want to be a Christian.
At this point, I could hardly contain my emotion. A few months ago, Evan came home with a recommendation from his teacher to test and enroll him into the gifted program and of course that prompted Mommy Tears so when he saw me crying he concluded that I was shedding the same "type" of tear. He asked me if I was just as happy as when I found out that he was being considered "gifted" and I told him that this was MUCH bigger than that.
He said he knew why because one day he would outgrow the gifted program buy that he would be a Christian forever.
WOW. WOW. WOW.
So yesterday, we are driving and he asked me how do you become a preacher.
"You can't elect to be a preacher, Evan. God calls men and women into ministry. Preaching is not a vocation. It is a calling. Has God called you to preach?"
"Not sure, Mommy. I think so. When I know for sure, I will let you know."
Wow. Wow. Wow.
I will keep you posted.....as Evan keeps me posted.
I have the most precious children.........
He said he wanted to be a Christian and that he wanted to give his life to Christ. WOW. He just turned ten years old and I was overwhelmed with emotion. I needed to know that he understood what he was saying and not just repeating what he may have heard. What does giving your life to Christ mean? I queried. Mommy, I want to live for God...he said. I want to be a Christian.
At this point, I could hardly contain my emotion. A few months ago, Evan came home with a recommendation from his teacher to test and enroll him into the gifted program and of course that prompted Mommy Tears so when he saw me crying he concluded that I was shedding the same "type" of tear. He asked me if I was just as happy as when I found out that he was being considered "gifted" and I told him that this was MUCH bigger than that.
He said he knew why because one day he would outgrow the gifted program buy that he would be a Christian forever.
WOW. WOW. WOW.
So yesterday, we are driving and he asked me how do you become a preacher.
"You can't elect to be a preacher, Evan. God calls men and women into ministry. Preaching is not a vocation. It is a calling. Has God called you to preach?"
"Not sure, Mommy. I think so. When I know for sure, I will let you know."
Wow. Wow. Wow.
I will keep you posted.....as Evan keeps me posted.
I have the most precious children.........
Manifesting Amazing~
When I trust God with every area of my life the amazing begins to happen in every area of my life. I have sooooooooooo much to share but the season to share is not at hand.
Stay tuned for some amazing testimonies!
It is so good I can hardly catch my breath!
Stay tuned for some amazing testimonies!
It is so good I can hardly catch my breath!
Pictures from this months outreach effort.
Operation Love was a huge success. We fed over 250 people this time which exceeded my goal to double last month's effort. The number of volunteers also doubled and I am excited about what we are accomplishing. We are not only feeding people's physical being, but we are feeding their soul. A little gleam of hope and encouragement goes a very long way. One of the gentlemen told me he had been released from prison earlier and had no idea where his meal for the evening would come from. He said he prayed that someone would be out doing what we were doing.
I challenge every person to give to someone that needs help. There are about 10,000 homeless people in Atlanta. A city that is rich in abundance. Just think would would happen if only 10% of our thriving population would give someone a meal? The problem would be eradicated instantly. The gratefulness in the eyes of these people is humbling. I anxiously await the day where no one is ever hungry in this country. Hunger is ridiculous. It is just unacceptable....but I continue to do my part.....one person at a time.
Love is amazing!
Saturday was a huge success. Some friends and I hit the streets of downtown Atlanta and fed the homeless and it was amazing! At first, I was overwhelmed by the need but after I absorbed the reality of the situation, I rolled up my sleeves at got busy distributing food.
We served over 120 people and the smiles on their faces I will never forget. Their sincere appreciation and the kindness they showed US left an imprint on my life that will be with me forever. One of the women walked up to me with her arms extended wanting a hug. I did not hesitate and hugged her so tight I could feel her heartbeat.
We listened to their needs and was surprised by some of their responses. We made note of them all and a personal vow to help where we can. I will post pictures tomorrow. It is so refreshing and humbling to serve others. I am so thankful to God that He allows me to do so. We are going out again in a few weeks and I cannot wait.
We served over 120 people and the smiles on their faces I will never forget. Their sincere appreciation and the kindness they showed US left an imprint on my life that will be with me forever. One of the women walked up to me with her arms extended wanting a hug. I did not hesitate and hugged her so tight I could feel her heartbeat.
We listened to their needs and was surprised by some of their responses. We made note of them all and a personal vow to help where we can. I will post pictures tomorrow. It is so refreshing and humbling to serve others. I am so thankful to God that He allows me to do so. We are going out again in a few weeks and I cannot wait.
So unworthy!
I am nothing. I can do nothing. I am nothing outside of the Grace and Mercy of my God.
I am because He is.
I do because He grants.
I stand because He strengthens.
I inhale because He breathes.
I move because of His Spirit.
I exist because of the Master.
I am nothing. HE is everything.
Unworthy I am to even sit at the Master's feet, but because of His love towards me I am His daughter. He has adopted me into His family.
I am because of the I AM!
I am because He is.
I do because He grants.
I stand because He strengthens.
I inhale because He breathes.
I move because of His Spirit.
I exist because of the Master.
I am nothing. HE is everything.
Unworthy I am to even sit at the Master's feet, but because of His love towards me I am His daughter. He has adopted me into His family.
I am because of the I AM!
More of God less of me!
God said something to me the other day that stopped me in my tracks. If was after I spent the day at one of my favorite places in Atlanta....Atlantic Station. Hannah and I was having a Mommy and Daughter day. We got really cute (really cute) and rocked it out. We had dinner, she enjoyed the train ride and kiddie show, we listen to live music and just had a great day.
I could not help but notice that everywhere we went, we attracted a lot of attention. Men in particular. Hannah is a rock star in her own right but the attention I was getting was more than the norm. It startled me a little. So I did a self check to make sure no body parts was exposed.....and kept it moving.
A few days later, God brought the day before me and what I had on. Black leather thigh high boots, a grey turtleneck mini dress, and silver accessories. The boots stared where the dress ended. I am looking at the vision of myself before me and I am like "OK, God, what's the problem? I looked cute. I was fab-sexy"
"Too sexy" He said.
"How was I too sexy? I am always classy. Never trashy. I push the boundaries a little but that is what I do. You know this about me."
He asked me a series of questions. "What if I had wanted you to pray for someone? What if I needed you to cancel your plans and serve me in the moment? What do you think the reaction from people would have been to you all fab and sexy?"
"Never really gave that any thought. Lord. I was just doing me"
"Exactly. I need you to do ME"
So here we are. Tone it down, Dana. Tone it down. I have no intentions of looking like Mother Teresa but I am going to make a conscious effort to modify my attire a bit. I strongly believe women of God should exude His beauty and grace. Queen Ester was selected from amongst hundreds of women to be queen because girlfriend Rocked it Out! She was fine, smelled good and had God's heart. The King knew nothing about her heart. It was "her fine" that got his attention!! Nothing is wrong with being beautiful and fabulous.....it only becomes a problem when it gets in God's way.
So with me, God said too much Dana....not enough of Him.....and He knows my hearts desire is more of Him and less of me.....for His Glory. I am His bond servant therefore I must do what He says. I am to please Him not myself. Ouch!!! That hurts!!! But it is the truth nevertheless. I live to please Him.
So my soul says SO BE IT!
I could not help but notice that everywhere we went, we attracted a lot of attention. Men in particular. Hannah is a rock star in her own right but the attention I was getting was more than the norm. It startled me a little. So I did a self check to make sure no body parts was exposed.....and kept it moving.
A few days later, God brought the day before me and what I had on. Black leather thigh high boots, a grey turtleneck mini dress, and silver accessories. The boots stared where the dress ended. I am looking at the vision of myself before me and I am like "OK, God, what's the problem? I looked cute. I was fab-sexy"
"Too sexy" He said.
"How was I too sexy? I am always classy. Never trashy. I push the boundaries a little but that is what I do. You know this about me."
He asked me a series of questions. "What if I had wanted you to pray for someone? What if I needed you to cancel your plans and serve me in the moment? What do you think the reaction from people would have been to you all fab and sexy?"
"Never really gave that any thought. Lord. I was just doing me"
"Exactly. I need you to do ME"
So here we are. Tone it down, Dana. Tone it down. I have no intentions of looking like Mother Teresa but I am going to make a conscious effort to modify my attire a bit. I strongly believe women of God should exude His beauty and grace. Queen Ester was selected from amongst hundreds of women to be queen because girlfriend Rocked it Out! She was fine, smelled good and had God's heart. The King knew nothing about her heart. It was "her fine" that got his attention!! Nothing is wrong with being beautiful and fabulous.....it only becomes a problem when it gets in God's way.
So with me, God said too much Dana....not enough of Him.....and He knows my hearts desire is more of Him and less of me.....for His Glory. I am His bond servant therefore I must do what He says. I am to please Him not myself. Ouch!!! That hurts!!! But it is the truth nevertheless. I live to please Him.
So my soul says SO BE IT!
Worships tears.
I live a very open and transparent life. I have no secrets. I am bone honest.....even to a fault at times. I really do not have a prayer closet. Anywhere I am can easily become my prayer closet. My home is my sanctuary. I converse with God as I move throughout my house on a daily basis. The shower is my favorite place. Often, after songs, petitions and weeping before my God, I will look to see Hannah standing in my master bath puzzled.
She use to ask me who I was talking to, now she knows who I am talking to. "Mommy, you talking to God?"
"Yes baby, I am talking to our God". She still does not understand worships tears. She always thinks something is wrong. She will run to her Mommy's rescue with tissue and gently cling to my neck. "Mommy, please don't cry. It will be alright".
My precious Hannah. I try to explain to her that I am not sad. Quiet the contrary actually. My tears are tears of joy. Expression of heartfelt gratitude towards my Lord. My Master. Who took a raggedy little broken person and put the pieces back together. I try to convey to her that my tears are the sweet evidence of my worship. I weep because I am free.....no longer bound.
Soon she will shed her own tears when she realizes just how awesome her God is.
She use to ask me who I was talking to, now she knows who I am talking to. "Mommy, you talking to God?"
"Yes baby, I am talking to our God". She still does not understand worships tears. She always thinks something is wrong. She will run to her Mommy's rescue with tissue and gently cling to my neck. "Mommy, please don't cry. It will be alright".
My precious Hannah. I try to explain to her that I am not sad. Quiet the contrary actually. My tears are tears of joy. Expression of heartfelt gratitude towards my Lord. My Master. Who took a raggedy little broken person and put the pieces back together. I try to convey to her that my tears are the sweet evidence of my worship. I weep because I am free.....no longer bound.
Soon she will shed her own tears when she realizes just how awesome her God is.
In a wonderful place!
I must say that life is good! I am in the moment and enjoying every second of it. The pieces are all coming together and 2012 will be a great year.
I am working on some amazing projects, Hannah the Great books, Girl, God did not send you HER man and more. I have finished another major project and now it is time to allow God to bring all the pieces together.
I realize that His way may not be my way so I am content. I do not have to know how it all will come together, I just know it will. I do not have to kick any doors down, God will open the doors for me that He wants me to walk through.....I will keep grinding it out and doing my part.
I have two of the most amazing kids on the planet. Evan is my joy. Hannah is my love. Hannah told me today that I am her super hero. Wow, what a moment that was!!!!! When I asked her why I was her super hero she said "because you're my mommy. you are the best mommy. you are my super hero". I must be doing something right.
So as 2011 comes to a close I can honesty say I am at peace and in a wonderful place!
I am working on some amazing projects, Hannah the Great books, Girl, God did not send you HER man and more. I have finished another major project and now it is time to allow God to bring all the pieces together.
I realize that His way may not be my way so I am content. I do not have to know how it all will come together, I just know it will. I do not have to kick any doors down, God will open the doors for me that He wants me to walk through.....I will keep grinding it out and doing my part.
I have two of the most amazing kids on the planet. Evan is my joy. Hannah is my love. Hannah told me today that I am her super hero. Wow, what a moment that was!!!!! When I asked her why I was her super hero she said "because you're my mommy. you are the best mommy. you are my super hero". I must be doing something right.
So as 2011 comes to a close I can honesty say I am at peace and in a wonderful place!