A Full Circle Moment

Hello good people!!! June is just about finished and it's been a really encouraging month for me. It's felt great to be stationary for a bit...I did the math recently and realized from January through May, I'd traveled to eight different cities. Mercy. My time at the Poynter Institute for Journalism last month was SO INCREDIBLE. Not only did I grow as a stronger and more competent writer, I also came full circle with God's purpose for my life.

At the close of the training, we "graduated," becoming official Poynter alumni and were given the opportunity to say what the week meant to us. I was filled with deep joy and gratefulness to my gifted teachers and especially to the Lord. I penned the following words as I left St. Petersburg:

I knew this week was special...but deeply immensely good for my soul is just how special it was. I was trained by some of the best in the media industry for a week of incredible and intense journalism and communication development. A @poynter_institute summit changes your life. 16 years after finishing an epic journey at UGA, laying a foundation for a journalistic career, but moving in a different chapter for several years, I find His plan had this special week in mind.

Way back then, EVEN then. The tears flow now because I am grateful, for this week, for those who've invested in me the last six days, and for Him. Grateful that He knows my story better than me. And He sets things in motion that bless me beyond measure. May I tell the stories to come well and responsibly - with structure, detail, and most importantly, intention.

Amen to all of that. If you have some time this weekend, do check out a couple of my recent articles, Five Ways to Struggle Well in Unexpected Disappointment, Encouraging College Students When It's Not Your Job and Summer is The Best Time to Mentor Men. 


This Is What Happens When You Get Over Yourself
She took a moment before speaking. Tears brimmed her eyes.

In a room filled with people from different ethnic backgrounds, genders, and generations, my friend shared what it felt like to be a Latina in America and a Latina in our organization.

Tears flushed her face as she recounted her journey as a missionary and the disheartening challenges she faced developing her funding, not because the money wasn’t available, but because of her encounter with beliefs some people held about Hispanic and Latino people. The closed-minded beliefs often led to closed doors.

She faced prejudices against her community and culture. The bias made her feel not fully American.

That feeling of not belonging and being perceived as an intruder penetrated her heart. Rejection hit her soul and affected my friend’s self-esteem.

Her vivid words opened my eyes. As an African American, I’m well informed of the struggles and triumphs of my people in the story that is America. But how informed am I about the stories of others? To read more, click here. 

Another Birthday...

June is a sweet month for me because it's my birthday month! I celebrated well in Orlando and took some time to marvel at all God's done for me and how He continues to be my True North in the crazy that life can sometimes be. I'm super grateful to see another year and enter it with style, grace and a bit of 30-something swag. I got this new cookbook to close out this month of celebration. It's a whole foods/plant-based concept with so many great recipes. I really enjoy cooking and doing so in healthy ways, so this is a great treat. I smiled like it was Christmas when it arrived by mail earlier this week. 

Thank you for your faithful prayers, grace-filled giving and continual encouragement as I serve the Lord on the mission field. I could not do this work without you. When the days are long, and the work is substantial, God reminds me to work first as unto Him, and then trust Him with the results. I pray His words to me would also encourage you. Set your eyes on the Lord and trust Him with everything.