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I'm Going, Going, Back, Back, to College, College!

I've lived in Atlanta, Georgia for nearly 18 years. When I tell people I am from Staten Island, New York, I get asked the same question, "What brought you all the way down here?" and my answer is always "Clark Atlanta University." What made me choose CAU? I grew up watching a show called, "A Different World," that inspired me to attend an HBCU (Historically Black College/University). CAU was the only school I applied to. I had not heard of it until one of the seniors at my high school shared how sad she was that she was accepted to Clark Atlanta, but her mother said it was too far away. I did my research and took a chance on the one University that seemed to be the perfect fit for me, and I was accepted. I arrived on campus in January of 2007. Life at an HBCU was an amazing experience. I majored in Business Administration and was active in campus organizations like the Tri-State Club and NAACP. Unfortunately, my time was cut short to 3 years, because I could no longer afford to attend. I packed up my dorm room, and left campus in January of 2010.

I had every intention on returning to Clark Atlanta, once I could pay off my balance. Meanwhile, I became heavily involved at a local ministry here in Atlanta. I often prayed that God would provide the money I needed to return to CAU. I longed to finish what I started, but the money never showed up, and I came to accept that God was changing my path. I guess that's why the scripture says "You can make many plans, but the Lord's purpose will prevail" - Proverbs 19:21 (Bible - New Living Translation). A few years later, in March of 2013, I enrolled in cosmetology school at Aveda Institute Atlanta. I had been doing hair since I was 11 years old, but I had never thought of it as a career. It wasn't until my time in ministry that I was affirmed that I had a gift, and I was encouraged to make it my profession. I have enjoyed making clients feel beautiful, and I continue to grow in my skillset. Nevertheless, that desire to return to higher education never left me.

For years I wrestled with the urge to finish my degree, however, there was never a good time, and there was no money to pay for it. Between marriage, children, work, and ministry, I could not picture myself returning to the classroom with all that I had on my plate. if it were not for the Covid-19 Pandemic, I would not have been able to squeeze in an Associate Trichologist certification from U.S. Trichology Institute. Then came divorce. After 7 years of more lows than highs, our "rollercoaster," as he would say, came to an end. Divorce is a type of grief I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. It's a deep pain that takes intentional work to heal from, and I am doing that work.

Now, here I am, somebody's mother and nobody's wife. After being know as "Mrs." for so many years, I struggled with my identity as I returned back to "Miss." My literally felt broken. And, for the first time in my life, I put a name to a battle I had fought for so long; Depression. What I thought was simply sadness from a painful marriage was actually a feeling that visited me often when sudden and traumatic change happened in my life. The good thing is, now that I know it's name, I know how to take care of my mental health properly. There is another scripture that says, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" - Romans 8 (Bible - New King James Version). I hate that my marriage failed, however, I know that every experience, whether good or bad, will be used to produce something beautiful from my life.

When my divorce was finalized, I made a commitment to redeem the time, and make my dreams and goals a priority. I woke up the desire to go back to college, with faith that it would be paid for without me creating debt. Thank God for Pell Grants! While scrolling through the Salon Centric app for continued education classes, I was reminded that there was a degree program for beauty professionals through Lead | Rolf's Global Institute. I had considered it a while ago, but as I said before, the time was never right. However, now is the perfect time.

During the summer, I applied to and enrolled in the Beauty and Wellness cohort for Lead | Rolf's Global Institute at Mesa Community College. This time next year (2025), I will have an Associate of Applied Science. I can say that confidently, because I am hallway through my first semester with an 'A' in two of my classes and a very strong 'B' in one class. Oddly enough, this still doesn't seem to be the right time. I am a co-parenting mother, I work early mornings until the evening, and when I come home I am up all night working on assignments. I've been exhausted, physically, mentally, and emotionally. This has been one of the biggest challenges of my life, but I know it will prove to be a worthy sacrifice.

When I finish at MCC, I plan to transfer Arizona State University to complete Bachelor's degree in Health, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation with an emphasis on Personal Care. After that, plan to get my educator license in cosmetology. Also, I hope to have love again someday, but relationships are work. So, I will not be a fool that rushes into love. Instead I will take this time to do things that fulfill me and give me joy. God willing, my next blog will be about my trip to Italy. Until then, Ciao!

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He did it, for me!

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It Ain't Over...Die to yourself...then you will fly #Repost from @trialsntresses with @repostapp — #Goodmorning #inspiration #motivation #quote #quoteoftheday #trialsntresses #morningmotivation #repost #rp #quotes #teamnatural #morninginspiration #inspirational #morning #wakeup #change #life #wisdom #bestquotes #qotd #truth

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I just supported GOD IS REAL - a new faith film on @ThunderclapIt // @godisrealmovie

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Remember to never give up, beacause greater is HE that is in you than he that is in the world.

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Identity (Day 4)

There is no such thing as a perfect identity. If you are always try to be someone that others will like, you’ll end up not having peace in your life. To have peace in our lives, we must listen to God and get comfortable being who He wants us to be. We’re meant to rely on Him, to know His love for us, and trust that God shows us our identity. Part of living a godly life is having a group of friends who support you in your relationship with Him. Being a part of a godly community is vital in not forgetting that who we are is defined by God and not others. In this final episode, the three students must rely on each other to be reminded of who they are, and why having their identity in God is crucial. Watch what happens as all three students learn who God says they are in this episode of Erased. Question: Which of your friends and family help support you in your relationship with Christ? Lifekids.tv

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Identity (Day 3)

We can try to have the highest grades and be the best at school. We can try to be the best at sports. But being smart and good at sports doesn’t define who we are. We have to realize that others cannot create our identity. God has already told us who we are. He says that no matter how smart we are, how weak or strong we are, how athletic we are, or how much people like us, we are loved by Him and matter so much to Him. Through our weakness we are able to see how great and strong God is. It doesn’t matter if others say we aren’t good at something, God says He can use all of us to show His love to the world. In this episode, we learn that Subject 3 wishes he were smarter and athletic so he could be popular. He feels bad about himself because his grades aren’t as high as other students’. Watch what happens as Subject 3 learns who God says he is in this episode of Erased. Question: Who do you think God says you are?

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Identity (Day 2)

It can be tempting to let what others say about us define who we believe we are. But that’s not where our identity comes from. You are not what others say and think you are; you are what God says and thinks you are.

You are not on your own; you belong to God. You are His, and always will be. People will always look at us on the outside. They’ll think who we are depends on how we look and whether we’re cool or not. But God looks at our hearts, and we’ll only have peace when we believe who God says we are: His precious creations that He loves.

In this episode, we learn that Subject 2 gets teased at school, and wishes she were popular. She does not love who she is, and thinks that other people liking her will make her feel good about herself. Watch what happens as Subject 2 learns who God says she is in this episode of Erased.

Questions: What things do you believe about yourself that you’ve been told by others? Do you think these things are true or false?

www.lifechurch.tv

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Hold on to your Faith

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Identity (Day 1)

Identity is defined as who you are. It’s what makes you who you are; it’s what makes you unique. Still, this can be hard to understand because many of us are still learning who we are each day.

People may call us things like unpopular, or nerd. They may also call us nice things like pretty, or say we’re good at sports. But God says these things are not who we are. Other people do not choose our identity. God chooses our identity. He tells us who we are.

You were made in the image of God. This is who you are to your very core. No matter what you like about yourself or don’t like about yourself, your identity is in God.

He says that we are His creation; He made us how and who we are for a reason. And no matter what others say, you matter to God. He created us to have a relationship with Him.

In this episode, we learn that Subject 1 does not fit in at school. He doesn’t like himself because others believe he’s an outcast. Watch what happens as Subject 1 learns who God says he is in this episode of Erased.

Question: How does it make you feel to know that you were created in God’s image?

www.lifechurch.tv