marriage 101:

Choose your battles wisely... let it settle in...

Battles not just with your spouse but also with family and friends. Living in victory means that not everyone will like you.

"It is to one's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel. "
Proverbs 20:3

It's Like Algebra...

Talking with one of my BFF's last night I came to this realization.

commitment

--------------- = marriage

love

I believe that this equates to a strong, understanding, not ever boastful version of marriage. You and your spouse or significant other have to come to some kind of understand on how you want your relationship to be and where you want it to go. This equation of sorts, is meant for the times when you need a little more than just love. What I mean by that is love is an emotion and we all know emotions can go up and down depending on our mood and sometimes they are not as strong as they were the day before. It's the commitment coupled with love and sometimes over love that brings you through the bumpy patches in the roller coaster ride.

You can have all the love in the world but with out commitment you have nothing.

Faith...

... is believing in the unknown; that which you can not see. Unwavering belief, in God, for what he can and will do for your life. In church last Sunday, my Pastor spoke about praying for yourself. It really hit home in the sense, that I don't pray as much as I should or need too. (odd that Sunday's word just smacked me in the face.) We all break out into pray or fall to our knees when times are hard and difficult but how often do we just take time to say thank you Lord for all you have done in my life and for what you are about to do. I use to say this prayer to myself a lot and I need to start saying it more. I need it to be my mantra, my battle cry, and my defense. Yes, a praying mother is awesome, but I need to start saying my prayers myself. I'm old enough to do it, so why am I not? This is my Thursday/everyday = an hour of self time (if not more) with my Savior.

Thank you Lord for what you have done in my life and what you are about to do.
Amen.

Alvin Alley: Revelations

I can remember being a little girl and making the trek to my dance school, the Venettes Cultural Workshop, in Long Island, NY, (we lived in New Jersey). Dancing has been apart of my life for so long now that it feels natural waking up early on Saturday mornings for Praise dance with SBC Rejoice!

All of my dance memories seem to become stronger when I know the Alvin Alley tour has started and this weekend the Alvin Alley American Dance Theater is in Chicago! If you have not ever seen an Alvin Alley production you are missing out. When I tell you, these are dancers... baaaabbbbyy they can dance!!!!! Every movement has a meaning and a purpose. They dance from the nape of their heads to each extremity. You can feel the passion, love, and spirit in each step.

A bit of History:

Alvin Alley Jr., founded the Alvin Alley American Dance Theater and is credited with popularizing modern dance. His most well-known choreographed performance is Revelations and what a spectacular performance it is!!! This piece tells the story of slavery to freedom and the faith and determination it took, set to blues and spiritual music. Another favorite of mine has to be Take Me to the Water (one of the three sections of Revelations) which is a reenactment of baptism.

You can check out videos here:

For Chicago Tour dates click here: