2013 Rant #1

Cue that Sam Cooke---> "It's been a longgggggg, long time comin'....but I know a change is gonna come..."

HAPPY NEW YEAR LADIES & GENTS!

Check out my video below! 

Disclaimer: I'm smacking gum, and I tend to say "like" and "or whatever" way too many times. I didn't feel like editing...because I don't know how....and I didn't attempt to figure it out. lol...next time though!

I've missed y'all! Hit me up in the comments! =)

LOVE People

Whew! Haven't seen you all in a while! Looks like Candice has been holding the site down in my absence. So for those of you who don't know, I now attend Liberty University which is a Christian university. I transferred from VCU this past January. And all I can say is I'm learning so much!!! Not just academically but spiritually. I'm currently taking a discipleship counseling class and an evangelism class (amongst a few others) and my textbooks are literally books that I would probably read on my own, so I'm enjoying it.

One thing I'm learning everyday is the importance of LOVE.

Now we all know we're suppose to love each other right? If not, now you know! But I'm beginning to understand it more and more. The discipleship counseling class is teaching me a healthy balance. I've always been the "counselor." People have always been comfortable venting to me or asking my advice and I think it's because I'm a good listener. Through that class I've learned the importance of pouring into others only when I've been poured into.

I say that because I haven't always done that. I wrote a poem not too long ago and part of the poem said, "Who will counsel the counselor and encourage the encourager?" Anyone who serves others in those areas have probably had the feeling at some point where everyone expects you to have the answers and neglect to realize you may have your OWN questions. But that's what I'm learning...

EVERYTHING GOES BACK TO GOD AND HIS LOVE.

I can't help others if I don't allow the love of God to fill me up so I can pour out on them. Both my evangelism and counseling courses have taught me that. One of my friends is a songwriter and in one of his songs he says "How can I feed the multitude but in the meantime I'm starving ME." Or something along those lines.

Balance is important! And making sure I don't allow anyone to make me their god is even more important. Anything I do ministry wise, whether counseling, evangelism, or just simple encouragement should in the end, direct them back to God. Counselors automatically want to help people solve their issues but wisdom is making sure you love the person enough to not BLOCK God's love from them.

There's only one Saviour and there's only so much one person can do. I've learned that planting a seed in someone whose lost or someone whose broken may be all that God requires of me to do so that then He can introduce His love. I knew these things, but certain times I've gotten wrapped up in the moment and poured out more and more and more. When God was saying "Ok! Let me do MY job now." You must love people enough to get out of the way of the holy spirit.

It all goes back to His love for us and the desire He has for us to want Him. He's desperate for us and no one should take His place. Understanding His love is what will draw us to Him. It's what will provoke us to love and encourage others. It's what transforms us from who we are into who we're called to be. His love is what causes us to want others to know it. And I'm honored that God wants to introduce others to His love through me, as long as I know how to get out of the way when He does.

Excited to learn more!

Day 18: My Thankful

I'm thankful that Cece Winans ministered at my church today. I absolutely LOVE her! I have at least 4 of her CDs, not including the ones when she collaborated with her brother Bebe Winans. Her worship is pure, and you can just tell she's an anointed genuine person. I really enjoyed it!

I'm thankful for my good days, as well as my bad days.

I'm thankful that I barely had cramps this month!! Ladies, you understand... :)

I'm thankful that I've learned the principle of talking/encouraging myself when I'm going through stuff. I no longer put up with stints of emotional and depressing thoughts. I might feel some kind of way for a moment, but I realize I must push forward and not stay in that state.

I'm thankful that my brother comes home later on today!! YAY! I've missed that kid!

I'm thankful that God understands and loves me, when I don't even love or understand myself at times.

I'm thankful that I haven't withdrawn from any classes this semester. I think I've withdrawn from a course every semester since I've been enrolled in college. That was 2007. Think of all that money lost. Smh! Well, I'm glad I'm finally sticking it out. Even though my grades are C's and above right now, I'm grateful I'm making more progress to getting my Bachelor's in Professional Writing (similar to Journalism).

I'm thankful for my hubby, whoever you are. I hope that you're on the path to wholeness like I am, discovering who you are and the purpose that you are assigned to complete while on this Earth. =)

Graduations Make Me Smile

Time sure does fly when you're having fun, wouldn't you say? My brother and cousin both graduated from high school this week, and it seems so surreal. I feel like I just graduated! I'm sure however old you are right now, there's something in your life that you did years ago, but it seems like yesterday. It's crazy!

Aren't we cute?

I actually enjoy going to graduations. Yes, some parts are boring. But at some point through the ordeal, I get inspired to go to the next level in my own life. I still have most of my graduation cards from when I graduated in 2007. The money's all spent, but I like reading the motivational words from time to time. Need a pick me up? Head to Hallmark and browse the graduation section...lol..seriously though.

I guess it really hasn't hit me that my baby bro is about to leave the nest (probably for good), but this just reminds me that life goes on. Everyone has to let go of the hand that feeds them one day or another, and if you're over 25 years old, your grip should be loosening. You can't be a baby forever. The road can be scary, but it's just a new chapter in your life.

I think my aunt said this at my cousin's cookout: "Don't be so quick to be a grown up, because it's not as fun as it seems."

I don't necessarily agree with her. Of course, I think the image of independence and freedom is glamorized more than the actual work behind the scenes. However, I plan on having fun 'til I die (while paying my big girl bills and tending to my other responsibilities). I mean, you only get one life. Why not make it fun, ya know?

Then my grandma said that, "These [college years] are about to be the best years of your life."

Umm...I don't really agree with that too. All MY days are about to be the best they can be. There is no day, month, or year promised to us. Enjoy it ALL while you can.

Yea, so I'm glad I was able to attend both graduations/family gatherings. It got me to thinking about ALOT. From mistakes I've made in my past, to forgotten dreams, stupid boys, summer plans, lack of never living a "wild" life, and even a strong strong STRONG desire to be in an interracial relationship. lol...I'm still alert, so I think I'll write more.

Untitled...just 5-7-2011

The reason it took me so long to write this time was:  I didn't have anything to say!    :-/

I don't really have a particular topic in mind for today either.  I don't know what it is.  I'm just writing because...I guess.

From my last posting, you may have guessed that I just started immediately living life with no regrets and blowing all my money on life adventures (like Queen Latifah did in Last Holiday).  But...no. I had a semi-productive week after that.

I finally got my education stuff straight. I've switched colleges SO many times...long story. But I've finally decided to finish something this time.  So back to square one at ODU (via satellite), and hopefully by Dec 2012 or May 2013 I will be DONE!  I feel like I've been in school long enough to have obtained a Masters or Doctorate in something. smh.

Classes are registered for the Fall...just gotta pay for them. haha...and I'm forcing myself to take an online summer class. I'm getting focused for real this time.  I like to have fun and hang out with friends, and that has been one of my highest priorities since I began college.  This time around, I gotta do what's right for Candice. My dad always says that there'll be plenty of time for fun.

College is really not long. I'm amazed at how quickly four years went by since I graduated from high school. I can't believe my little brother is graduating in a month.  Wow...I'm telling you, it feels like I just did that! If I had caught on to the concept that "College isn't long, and there'll be plenty of time for fun," I would be singing a whole different tune right about now.  Oh well, this is not the time for regrets.

I heard this quote awhile ago pertaining to regrets. "You shouldn't have any regrets, because at one time it was something you wanted to do."

So, I really have no regrets. I guess in a perfect world, we would all want to do things a little bit differently.  However, everything works out for the good for those who love GOD!!  Everything always has a way of shaping you into the person you were meant to be anyway.

As far as being more productive, I've been reading a little more.  Soon, I'll be back on my nerdy bookworm status. I don't care what you think or say.  I used to be in LOVE with reading and writing.  I could do that all day--it was like my favorite pastime or something.  Haven't been that into it since maybe middle school...sigh. I'm getting back into it though.  What am I reading now??

Call me what you want, but I'm trying to read the entire Bible.  Never did it before, so why not? Sometimes when people use references from the Old Testament, I have no clue as to what they're referring to or where it is located.  So, I'm  reading it for a better understanding and to see all that God wanted for us to know.  I'm excited as to what I will find out.  I'm halfway through Genesis lol, so stay tuned.

I'm also reading A Month to Live by Kerry and Chris Shook.  It is taking me F O R E V E R to finish this book!!  I remember when I got it a couple of years ago. I was in the same position as I am now, as far as figuring out my purpose and life. Not to sound deep, but I went into the Christian Bookstore looking for a quick fix to my problem and God literally led me to this book.  He told me that this was the book that would help me with that, but still I have yet to get past Chapter 3.  Ughhhh!

No worries, changes are being made.  Progress doesn't take place overnight, but excuses can be eliminated.  You must change a thought or a habit to see true C H A N G E manifested in your life. Keep smiling.  Keep dreaming.  Keep believing, and just GO!