On Assignment

In the car on my way home I always pray and thank God for another day!  After praying I got caught reminiscing about my humble beginnings teaching.  It is so interesting how instrumental and significant God plays a role in each of our lives.  I was thinking how I first started teaching it was almost like an accident but not really when I think back about it.  I started teaching at a "rough" school in Newark for two years.  God was testing me to see how strong and tough I was (grit).  Too only, realize that I would stay in Newark for another five years teaching at another school.  I would not have been able to withstand five years at my last teaching position without the hurdles of my first two years.  Hindsight is 20/20.  At my last school I learned that I am more then a conquer.  I am strong.  I needed those seven years in Newark to only prepare me for where I am now. I question and wonder what God is up to now.  I feel like  I know am on assignment.  In fact we are all on assignment.  We are forever evolving and advancing.  I am so looking forward to see what God has in store for me in 2016!  Stay tuned (wink).  

Have an extraordinary weekend.  I look forward to seeing you again on Tuesday!

xo, 

Lo--

Two Constants

A lot of us seem to live in extremes with being controlled by our past or obsessed about our future, that we miss our present, we miss our now.  The perfect gift that each of us are given is how we choose to live our life each day, in that particular moment.

Yesterday's post I was reflecting on what I am most grateful for, which is my journey.  What I am present to is that I am learning that there are two things that are constant in my life:  God & Change.

I have decided to stop fighting change.  Change is enviable.  If we are intentional on working on what is now, what is present then we can ultimately effect what happens to us tomorrow.  We should always invest our time in the moment, it will have a direct effect on our relationships, education , pressing situations, anything.

The other constant is God.  God is always present and will never leave or forsake you.  I have have experienced good and difficult times.  What I know for sure is that I have made it through.

I want you to be present to living in the moment.  Remember to breath and take stock of God at work in your life.  Even when you think you don't have much to be grateful for, stop to figure out what you need to do in this present moment (don't forget to exhale and breath).  I bet God will see you through to tomorrow.

I pray this post leads you to live, love & share.

See you next week!

Gobble Gobble

Thanksgiving has always been my dad's favorite holiday.  We usually are the one's to host Thanksgiving at my parent's house.

My dad has always appreciated family and friends coming together, having a meal and celebrating the present and future.  .  

We are 43 days out until the New Year and I am in what I  like to call "reflective mode".  I want to make sure that I am ways playing at my best (which is not ways easy).   

In these 43 days left I am most grateful for my journey.  This year has been a very telling year for me.  With ups and downs and some plateaus.  I have been stretched in unimaginable ways.  I have formed a stronger relationship with God that I have never experienced before and I LOVE IT.  I am thankful for my family who I count on 100 times a day.

Next week around the dinner table, with your love one's , breaking bread with new and old faces, let's us be reflective upon our journeys and remember that your current situation does not dictate your finial destination.

Remember to live, love & share.

I look forward to sharing again on Thursday!

Ps. Visit this link for a Thanksgiving DYI project just in time for next week.  

Ready, Set, GO!

So many times we are in the dreaming and planning stages that we are never in the implementing stage!  What I mean is that we have desires and dreams but we never move from that dreaming stage to actually beginning.

Many times we are either overthinking it, to scared to start, or just keeping it in our heads.  I want to encourage someone out their to move your plan from paper to actually doing it!  I read this quote by Francis of Assisi, "start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible".  Things happens in stages not over night.  Nothing has every been accomplished without a process.  Your dreams that you are aspiring for will be a process.  Understand it is going to take time and you will need to be patient.  You will need a long term view to face the everyday challenges.

You will never know how far you can really go if you don't begin.  Majority of the time you don't have to have it all figured out to begin.  Once you have your plan, resources, and faith you have a recipe for starting the process.  Most of us allow the conversation in our head to delay our "ready, set, go!"  Remember the life you live now is simply made of the stories you have told yourself previously. What is your story you are telling yourself today about your ready, set go!?  Today is the best time to start.  You are either producing excuses or you are  producing results!

Lastly, God has blessed you with the dreams, skills and talent that only you can use to transform the world.

On your mark, get set, GO!

See you again real soon. Remember to live, love & share.


Lo

Persisting through your passion

As always, another week, another post to feed your soul.  This week I want to talk about persisting through to your passion.  There will be times that you begin to question if you can make it or if it is worth it!?  It most certainly is worth it.  

The first thing you have to realize is that you have to mentally gear up.  The mind is a powerful thing. When you fill it with positive thoughts, your life will start to CHANGE.  We are what we think and speak.  What are your thoughts around your current situation or about yourself?   The Universe has a way of projecting what we speak as our truth. Visualize yourself achieving your goals.   Positive thoughts create positive outcomes.
  

Second, there are lessons that you have to learn during every season,that lesson is, stay humble.  While you are waiting for things to change, waiting for promises to come to pass, we should not become disconnect with our Creator.  During this time you are patient and humble.  Timing is everything. Sometimes it is just not your time yet.  Remember not to rush the process. Nothing good comes out of rushing God's plan for your life  (sidenote...I am working on this).

The next thing that is tied to patience is being discipline during your journey.  Many of of you follow the brother named, @Raeholliday on Instagram.  He recently posted this, "whenever you find yourself doubting how far you can go, just remember how far you have come. Remember everything you have faced, all the battles you have won, and all the fears you have overcome."  When you feel like throwing in the towel, throwing up the middle finger (y'all know what am talking about) remember to stay disciplined.  Discipline is an aspect of knowing what you must do and following through.  Disciple is learning how to do the next best step.  

Lastly, you know when you are chasing the right purpose because you are granted everyday with favor and grace. "The more you are thankful, the more you attract things to be thankful for." God would not have brought you this far to let you down.  Thank Him for the mini victories and watch Him bless you.  Graduate is the foundation of blessings.  Being grateful where God has you. Your blessing is on its way.

I look forward to sharing again this week.

Remember to live, love & share

Lo--

Going to the chapel

Going to the chapel and were gonna get married....

Yes, so I am officially engaged!  I can hear all my girlfriends say, "it's about time".  I have know Njeru (my fiancee) for over 10 years.  A lot  can happen in 10 years of learning someone.  You get to see someone pick their nose, hear them snore, and share the best laughs with.

We are currently taking our pre-marital classes at church with our pastor who will be marrying us this Spring of 2016.  

The classes have really revealed how much work we will have to put into our marriage.  It also has revealed the importance of God in our relationship and future family.

Here is what I know for sure:

I am marrying Njeru as a whole complete woman.  He is getting the best version of Lolade.  Now, I am not saying I am perfect but he is getting me as someone who has learned to love every part of myself from my toes to my hair follicles.

I am also learning patience and listening is important in a relationship.

My relationship and walk with God has strengthen and I am so happy to have found my equal who loves God more then me.

I realized that love will fizzle and we both will need to call on God for guidance ("Jesus, take the wheel").

We are also establishing friendships with other married couples and looking at good examples of marriage.

Lastly, we have decided that divorce is not an option. We have committeed to God being apart of our individual lives as well as our marriage 

I am looking forward to having many more years with this man and a life time of journeys.


Thank you for letting me Share :). Remember to live, love & share

See you again on Thursday!

Lo

This is us a year ago.  We traveled to TN to hike the Smokey Mts. 

Not for rent

Who are you renting your space to? Is it people's opinions? doubt? fear? is it the opinions of those closest to you?  Your mind is your sacred real estate.

That's right...unless they are a good tenant, otherwise shut out the extra noise.  When I chose to leave my job last year I did not tell many people about this transition.  Why?  Because I did not need to solicit anyone's opinion on what I valued to be true for myself

Some people felt like I kept a secret from them.  The truth is that when I am alone with my thoughts and with God I can not turn to anyone  and ask "should I do this or not?" When I am with God and myself  I am not seeking consensus but seeking clarity.  Being alone with God in prayer teaches me to TRUST Him alone.

In the mist of life happening you have to be intentional about spending time alone and with God.

Til next week,

Remember to live, love & share.


Lo--

Your Inner Voice is CALLING On YOU!

Hey My Loves,

It has been a while since I have written on Lo's Notes. I want to drop some knowledge that will hopefully leave you to listen to your inner voice and step outside your comfort zone.

At an early age we are taught not to trust people, places, things, and most tragically our heart's. Unfortunately sooner then later this leads to self doubt.

It's time to start listening to your  inner voice. Fear will drown your dreams and kill your decisions.
I am sure most of us wants to know how to begin to learn how to trust our inner voice.  Here are two things I want to leave you with:

      1. In spite of all your challenges and convictions of not being where you want to be, or having certain things , God's got your back!  He watches over you. There is nothing to big or small for God. 

         2.  Remember that it is your decisions and not your conditions that determines your destination. Move fearlessly in faith. Remember that when opportunity meets preparation, those are two ingredients for success.  

Beloved, take time this week and next to journal about the one thing that you are afraid to face. I challenge you to conquer your hesitation and listen to that repeated tug on your heart.  That is your inner voice.  

It is time to surrender and trust God to take you to the places you ought to be and surrounded by the people that will encourage you.

If this sounds like you, then I want you to share with me how you will begin to listen to your inner voice, that tug at your heart.

Til next time.  Remember to live, love & share.

LO

       Ps. Every time you compromise or settle for less then, you always get far less then you desire (wink).  

Get out of your own way

I am really growing all.  I don't remember when I realized this but I started to become really conscious of the fact that I talk myself out of my blessings (raise your hand if this is you).  What I mean by this is that I would say, "if it does not work at least I tried" or "if I don't get it now may be later".

God does not give you the idea without Him seeing you through.  He provides a way when there is non.  He will send the right people alongside you.

So why do we default to blocking our blessings?  Most people let fear of the unknown talk them out of their blessings. Any time you have an "if" when pursing your purpose you negate your blessings.  You are no longer living in creativity but now you are living in doubt.

I can find very many examples in my own life were I have allowed fear to derail me from being creative and experience joy in my pursuit of my purpose.  In essence you are either in fear or in faith. God does not give you the spirit of fear.  When pursing your dreams it requires faith.


When we pursue whatever God as called us to do, it is our outward expression of our trust in God.  When you fear you are saying you don't trust Him.

What is one area in your life you have talked yourself out of your blessings?

I pray this post leaves you to live, love and share over the weekend!

See you next week.

LO

FAVOR

Last week was about getting things done!  I was off from work ( still did work from home) and my wash machine dial came off!  I quickly called my dad (my super hero) and asked him what I should do...he advised me to call a repair company. I called and they came out.

My boyfriend was nice enough to stay for me during the window time since

I had errands to run and doctor visits.  The repair man diagnose the problem and told my boyfriend that this was an easy problem to fix.  The only thing was, if he fixed it, it would cost me over $200.00.  He quickly told my boyfriend that we could do it ourselves and it would take 5 minutes and only $23.00!

The repair man (nice man) called the store to see if they had the part for the machine, they did. Then, he wrote other instructions told my boyfriend that he did not have it in his heart to charge us for something that we could easily do ourselves at a low cost.   

I was running around all day, taking care of things and spending money on getting things done.  That same week I was even having car trouble and need to get something repaired on my car that was costing over $500.00!  

My boyfriend left me a message and told me to call him right away!  When I called him he told me the story and I was like, "THANK YOU JESUS!"  My boyfriend tried to give the nice repair man some money in his pocket, he refused.  Then, he tried to give him a Starbucks gift card someone gave him, the man refused.  He told my boyfriend, " it was nice not knowing not him, and have have great day"

After, having a day of swiping the debit card to getting things done (I can give you a list) this news was music to my hears!  I don't know what you would call him, my angel maybe, because God must have certainly heard my cry for the money I was spending that day!

I don't know who he is, but I know the strength and blessing of God when I see it.  I thank Him and I will now pay it forward.  

Remember to live. love. pay it forward (share).

LO --