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Love is amazing!

2012-02-06T04:44:11Z

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.

So unworthy!

2012-01-20T14:05:59Z

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!

More of God less of me!

2012-01-16T13:10:05Z

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!

Worships tears.

2012-01-04T19:42:55Z

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.

In a wonderful place!

2011-12-24T03:39:13Z

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!

Really God, Really?

2011-11-06T20:07:23Z

The assignment God just gave me is MAJOR. HUGE. To BIG for my shoes. It has me feeling like some of the patriarchs of old that posed the question, Why me? Surely there is someone else you can use? Someone that is more skilled and qualified? Why would You choose me to do this? It is so out of my comfort zone, I do not even know where to start has been the dialogue I have been having with myself.

God really is not interested in my commentary but permits me to have it nevertheless.
"Go because I told you to. Do because I told you to".

Well, I guess that is settled.
He will never give me a vision and not provide provision. He will never ask me to do something and not lead the way. So I am trusting Him to show up and show out cause this thing right here is beyond me!!!

For real, for real!

And another one.

2011-09-28T02:24:03Z

My graphic artist knocks another one out of the park. Loving this logo for my tee-shirt line. This line is very important to me and has been dancing around in my head since I was a young girl. Thanks to a partnership with Spreadshirt, it has become a reality. Eventually, I will produce the tees under my own JuicyLips label but I am taking it one step at a time.

I will be having a trunk show soon with a few friends of mine so stay tuned for that invite....also visit the website for more information regarding the facebook tee-shirt contest. The lovely person with the most likes wins $100. Just in time for the holidays!

Smoo-Smoo
That's I love you, Dana Style!

No Photoshop!

2011-09-21T17:12:36Z

I opted not to post any of the pics the photographer edited and photoshoped on my website or social media outlets. I am not a perfect woman but I am who I am. Almost rocking 40 (proudly), I am at peace with my body and how it looks.

There is some extra juicy around my thighs and buttocks, courtesy of my pregnancy with Hannah. There are some dark spots on my legs from being attacked in my back yard from mosquito's. There is a mark on my forehead from when I had stitches as a little girl from running into a coffee table that often shines through the makeup.

There is a burn on my fore arm from cooking Hannah's father one of my coveted homemade meals from the time when things were "good" between us. I have a scar on my knee from when I fell off my bike....you get what I am saying....I am flawed. I ain't perfect and I refuse to portray an fallible image of perfection when no such thing exists. My bodies flaws have their own story to tell. My nicks and scapes and burns remind me of my experiences and how far I have come and how I have grown.

I am who I am and I am proud of my glory and my blemishes!

This body is mine and it is good. Ain't that what God said after He created Eve and all the Glory?
Yeah, baby! I am good.

Photo shoot.....done!

2011-09-20T17:19:10Z

Just finished a photo shoot and it was a lot of work but I had fun. Kudos to the women that do this every day all day......whew! I needed a nap, a fan and water. My photographer was awesome and kept me laughing. Thankfully, these pics were shot in the comfort of my home. That helped. I hope you enjoy the pics.....I pushed the envelop in a few but that is what I do. HAHA.

Could not get any pictures with Hannah....the princess slept through the whole thing. Lol
Back to my grind....I know I said I was going into resting.

Yeah right, what's that?

My first born, my first love

2011-09-20T17:14:06Z

Quiet Time!

2011-09-19T20:20:57Z

Time to be still and go into my secret place. I need to rest. I need to hear. My energy needs to be replenished so I can do what needs to be done next. Cause what's next requires everything I got and I plan to give it everything I got.

Ray of light............

2011-09-08T14:09:19Z

Temples.....not dumpsters!

2011-08-31T15:36:38Z

I sent out a request for original music for consideration for a project I am working on. For the most part, I received some amazing compositions......really raw undiscovered talent and I am very pleased because I have more than enough music now.

But I did receive some music that was shocking! Now, I am not a teeny bopper, good and grown but this music was absolutely off the chain. I kept wondering who would listen to this? Where would you listen to it? Thank GOD, My kids were not in ear shot as the music player on my computer started to play. I mean right out the gate it was triple x!

I cannot even repeat or type the lyrics it was just to much. Not just one song....all of it. I could not help but think where have we gone wrong? What happened to our sacred self respect and decency? When did men start talking to women in this manner? When did sacred lovers start hoeing each other out?

I am literally outdone. I could not listen to all of it. It was just so filthy.....I had to go and take a bath.

So my little lesson learned was to guard my heart. Guard my eyes and my ears and not to allow trash in my temple!

Great Job DC!

2011-08-30T19:05:29Z

My graphic artist is doing an amazing job! Draft number 1.

Grind..................................................

2011-08-29T04:34:26Z

This past week was very productive! I met some major goals and finally am getting the help I desperately need. It is almost 1am and I am up grinding. I have tried to go to sleep several times but the things I have to do keep calling me, so I am up and at it.

Very soon, I will be able to share in detail my very exciting news. Can't wait. Come to Mama baby!

Smooches!

Hannah's lesson on faith

2011-08-20T21:07:29Z

About a week ago, Hannah and I planted some flower seeds in three flower pots. I put them of the front porch and we promised to water them daily. Every day, when we walked past the pots, Hannah would check to see if the seeds had started to grow.

I have never seriously planted anything in my life in seed form and had no idea how long it would take to see anything growing. Two days ago, as we walked by she said "Mommy it's growing......see it?" I peeped into the pots and saw nothing but dirt. No evidence of anything growing. Hannah on the other hand declared in her 3 year old know it all tone, that she sawsomething.

Well wouldn't you know, the very NEXT day, green was above the soil. The flowers are growing! When I showed Hannah she said, "See, Mommy I told you." She knew we had planted seeds and she was expecting something to grow. She saw with faith eyes the flowers forming before they actually did. I am the queen of faith. I believe all things are possible and refuse to accept anything other than what it is supposed to be but this little conversation with my daughter reminded me that I was not seeing our flowers with faith eyes. I needed to get on board. I was slipping!

I was waiting on a physical manifestation as opposed to seeing the beautiful blooms before the beautiful bloom.

Thank you Hannah Alexandria Perry for reminding Mommy of exactly what faith is. Plant a seed. Expect the harvest. Receive the harvest. Period! See the harvest when there is only dirt in the ground. Feel the softness of the petals before they bloom. Smell the fragrance before any is produced.

I got it baby girl.
You are right. You told me.

Imitation flattering yes, solid....no.

2011-08-19T17:30:17Z

It is said that the highest form of flattery you can give someone is to imitate them. Imitate their dress, their personage, their body of work. That may be true but imitation robs one of creative expression and is not solid.

Your personage and body of work should be uniquely yours. God created you an original so be who you are. Do what you do. Sure, all successful people have mentors. Guides. People that are trustworthy to offer advice and support. That however, is not to be abused.

Whatever you do in life has to stand on it's own legs if it is going to survive. You cannot ride someone else's coat tails. You must stand on your own. Your body of work if compromised by imitation will be unsuccessful because that in its core is dishonesty.

Dishonesty will not be rewarded and it will not prosper. Why was precious creative energy being what already is. Be who you are and that always will be good enough!

What God did on the 8th day.

2011-08-18T01:02:53Z

Ummmm.

2011-08-11T14:20:51Z

Ummmm is the place I am in right now and it feels so good. When I sit back and take my life in, my response is ummm. You know the ummm you make when you are enjoying a bowl of your favorite icecream or eating a piece of triple chocolate cake layed in a rum sauce and whipped cream? Or the ummmm you make when you are experiencing a heated stone massage with just the right pressure?

My life is good. I have moved out of struggle into peace. I like the woman that I am. I like the mother that I am. I like to partner that I am. I understand my relationship with God and I am at peace with my conflicts, my humanity. I understand Who He is to Me and what He is to me. I rest in the safety of His arms.

Make no mistake about it, I am not suggesting that my life is cookie cutter perfect and that adversity does not exist, I am simply saying that whatever comes my way, it comes to pass. I am more than a conquerer and that is good enough for me.

So enjoy your day and get the "ummmm" of your life on. It feels wonderful!

Taking it in

2011-08-01T00:38:14Z

Relishing in the moment. Enjoying the sun....set. Watching the birds settle into their home for the evening. Feeling the warm air, sippin something sweet. Admiring the beauty of the hour.....not wanting it to end. Inhale.......no exhale. No, not yet.