From a RAIDER to a SAINT!!

Finally....

The moment that I've been waiting 1 and 1/2 years for...


I'M OFFICIALLY BACK IN SCHOOL!!!!!! ---->> BOOOO YAHHHH!
(I've known for a few weeks now but now that I'm done with everything... I CAN REJOICE! LOL)


THANK YOU JESUS!!! I wasn't sure if I would see the day, guys! God is good!!!



With all that was going on in my life, it didn't seem possible... BUT TO GOD BE THE GLORY! lol




Please excuse the excitement! I can't contain it! It's just OFFICIAL NOW!



My FAFSA is complete... I bought my first book... I have my school id and password... Class starts on May 4th!!! I AM IN THERE!!!!







There has been a slight change of plans... scenery, I should say. I am no longer a Blue Raider (MTSU) :(.... I am now a Saint! The name of my school is called Ashford University and it's located in Clinton, Iowa. I'm going to school online now. Wait though,... before you worry!!!... The school has the highest accreditation that you can receive in online programs and when I graduate it will seem as though I attended the traditional campus. I am actually a student... I'm just taking the remainder of my classes online.






I changed my degree as well. I think I shared a lot of this with you guys a few blogs ago. After much prayer, I realized that Exercise Science is not the way I want to go. I grew bored with it and that is where I messed up. I didn't want to go to class anymore... and when I did go... I wasn't at all interested in what I was learning! PURE BOREDOM! I decided before I went back to school I would figure out what it is I really wanted to do. I thought about the classes I enjoyed the most and began my research. English was what I was the best in. I made A's in every English course and could write a paper the night before and still ace it! It's what I've always enjoyed. I don't know why I didn't think to do something with writing in the beginning. Teaching was definitely out of the question. I LOVE kids, and I wanted to keep it that way. lol I can only imagine what it's like to teach a classroom of different personalities! I don't think I could handle it. I like to PLAY with kids... not TEACH or be STERN with them.

So... JOURNALISM it is! I found that you can do a lot with a degree in Journalism! I can be a professional blogger, get PAID (big bucks) to update a company's twitter and Facebook pages (Can you believe that?! lol). I can write in magazines! I can go into broadcasting (which I highly doubt I'll try.) It's a lot I can do with it! I'm excited to see what will come of this degree! GOD IS GOOD! I'm finally turning pages in my book! New pages... New chapters! LET'S GO, GOD! A New BEGINNING!!!

Anyway, I had to share that with you guys! I've learned in this last year that God can do ANYTHING... above what I ask or THINK if I let him!!!! (Eph. 3:20) I also learned that He will bless me when I decide to get off my behind and do the WORK! (James 2:17)


"Don't give up on God and He won't give up on YOU!!!... HE'S ABLE!!!" <--- Don't you dare forget that!!!


Until next time,
Stix ♥

Community Day- "Let the WORD do the WORK!"

Guys! I had the craziest weekend! I won't go into too much detail because I want to spend more time on the experience I had at church today!!!... but how about my Saturday was CRAZY! I ended up having to work my shift (12pm-8am) and my friend AJ's shift (8am-4pm) because there was some stupid marathon going on and they blocked off the main exit and street to get to our job! She couldn't get to the building! MAN... 16 HOURS STRAIGHT?!?!? God helped me through that shift! It was soooo BUSY!!! I got home at around 5pm and was in bed by 6pm!!!! I woke up at like 7am!... Yep, 13 hours... and I still don't think I've fully recovered! CRAZY RIGHT?! ... Ok, on to the next thing!

Waking up at 7am wasn't as bad as I thought it would be! I honestly didn't think I would be able to wake up for church after experiencing such a hectic Saturday! I was shocked actually. Still a bit out of it, I managed to get out of bed to find clothes for church. Today was Community Day at our church. We take this day to minister to the community our church is in! I really wasn't feeling it, to be honest. I used to be so hype about ministering to people.... these days, not so much! I knew I needed to be there, so I pressed my way through. I was late too... but that was because I had to eat. I didn't want to be all grumpy and hungry when we ministered!

When I got there, my friend Sabrina was working the sign up table! She was able to get me on the team with my friend, Melissa. I was a little excited at this point. I made it in time for the end of intercessory prayer. (It was longer than usual) I was praying and still wasn't feeling it! Sister D, totally hearing from God, asked those to come to the altar who wasn't feeling it... or who felt like they were distracted! I was like, "Ok, God! You want to do something! I can already tell!" I was already a bit weirded out by how I would pray something and Sister D would say exactly what I said in my mind right after I said it! LOL! Kinda creepy, right?! I was starting to wonder if I was mouthing the words... and she was reading them! Anyway, so I went up there and allowed God to remove the distraction, the fear, and whatever else was keeping me from being able to press in! And from there... it was over! I was ready... and if the devil was right there we would have had at IT! HA! I received what I needed spiritually and was ready to go!!! PRAISE AND WORSHIP WAS OFF THE CHAIN!!! We were all so on FIRE! I was hype as ever!!!

After our bishop preached a brief sermon, we were on our way! I loved our group! Our leader was a lady named Valerie!... super sweet! We drove to our street and began to minister. We were able to speak to one man. He was so sweet. I enjoyed listening to him and prayed that God would do a new thing in him. He has such a sweet spirit. I know he would be a great add to the kingdom. I can see God using him to be a blessing to others. He looked like he had a testimony! As we made our way to another house, we realized that another team was assigned to our street. We spoke with them and decided that they would take one side and we take the other. We went to two more houses... both houses were empty! We prayed over their houses and were done! We called the church and asked if we could minister somewhere else because we were done in NO TIME! We were assigned another street, THANK GOD, and made our way there!

We were the only team on this street! Turns out, THAT is where God wanted us! We knocked on a couple of doors where the people chose not to greet us. That was fine with us. We still prayed over their house. We got to the third house and it seemed as though no one was there. We went out to the street and prayed. When we were done, I looked at the house again, and there an old lady stood! We went back over and spoke with her. She was really sweet. She had Alzheimer's disease. Her daughter told us as we continued to talk to the lady. We prayed for her... she was so sweet and cute as ever!

It was starting to get late so we decided we would put the door knockers on mailboxes and head back. I went to one mailbox and saw an old lady standing out the door looking outside. I thought it would be rude to just put the door knocker on her mailbox and ignore her so I went up to her door. Melissa followed me. I introduced myself, handed her the door knocker, and asked if she needed prayer. Turns out she was really going through and was expecting angels to come see about her. God told her we were coming! WOW! You really have to be in tune with the holy spirit to hear something like that... and KNOW FOR SURE... it was God! I loved it! We prayed for her and then she rejoiced! We rejoiced with her... and hugged her!

It turned out to be a great experience. Just think... we ALMOST didn't go on that street!!! God knew though! He set it up just right! I believe if for no one else, we were there for her! If you read this, I ask that you pray with me for that lady! I don't remember her name, but God knows! She looked like she doesn't eat often, and she told us that she is going through financially! I know God is going to come through for her!!!! Thank you in advance!

I was a bit timid about going out to minister TO those people. I mean really, how am I going to lead a soul to Christ? How do I do it?! I really thought there was some kind of deep way to do it!... but it's really not! I learned that today thanks to Ms. Valerie! It can simply start with a conversation! I'm about to show you... A few questions for you! Ask yourself this...

**Do you know JESUS CHRIST as your PERSONAL savior?!**
(How often are you two kickin' it?! Once a week? Every now and then?)

**If Jesus were to come today, where do you think you would go!? (Heaven? Hell?)**
(If your answer is unsure... like, " I HOPE I go to heaven"... there may be a problem!)

**If you're unsure, would you like to be sure today!?**

This is where the person or you will say the sinner's prayer! It's something like this...

"Dear God, I confess that I am a sinner.
I believe in You and that your Word is true.
I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins so that I may inherit eternal life.
I believe in my heart that on the third day He arose from the grave.
Forgive me for every sin that I've committed... those I know of... and those I don't.
Please come into my heart and be Lord and Savior of my life.
I give you my life and ask you to take full control from this moment on.
I pray this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."

It doesn't have to be just like that... and to be honest.. it doesn't even have to be that AT ALL! lol I know some people may not agree. God knows in your heart if you've accepted Him... He knows when you are just saying the prayer just to be saying it! I believe (this doesn't mean it's true) if you said, "Yes, Lord" and in your heart you wanted a new start... another chance to KNOW Him and do RIGHT by Him... then you're saved! *shrugs* But that's just me!!!

Anyway... I've rambled enough today! Seriously though, if you don't know Jesus as your personal savior... better yet... If you're unsure of where you're going to spend eternity, I encourage you to say "YES" right now!!! *smiles* I promise you will be glad you did! Think about it... "Almost" being saved won't get you to heaven!!! In the words of Brandy, "Almost doesn't count!" LOL CORNY!!!

I love you guys!!!... and I leave you with this! ;)



Until next time,
Stix ♥

GET OUT OF THE WAY!!!!!

You know, guys!!! When I hear God,... I hear Him!!! Now... do I listen immediately is another story! lol

"God is too good to be treated like that!" ... "How dare you NOT listen to the One who knows ALL!"

lol I hear you... judgmental, religious one!!!... but I'm not gonna sit up here and act like I am on the UP-and-UP all the time! There are times when I allow my situation to get the best of me!... Times where I choose not to do anything and just sulk in my mess! It is in that time that I get so caught up in it that I believe that He doesn't hear or care to help me! I open the door for the devil to come right in and jack up my thoughts! God is so cool though! He never fights with me! He sits right there and waits on me to get tired and realize where my help comes from! I love me some HIM!

I've been doing a lot of whining lately!!!!! "WHY AM I GOING THROUGH THIS, GOD?!... WHY DO I HAVE TO GO WITHOUT A CAR?!... CAN I HAVE MY CAR NOW, PPPLLEEAASEEEE?!" Yep... that's EXACTLY how I've been talking to Him! And here is what I hear in return:

"Draw nigh to me..."
Of course I knew that was a scripture. I had to look it up though.
James 4:8 "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded."

It took a minute, but it hit me! God wants me to be close to Him! He desires something greater than what we have! He wants a real relationship with Him!... not that religious stuff that people seem to be content with nowadays! It makes sense though! Now that I am without immediate transportation, I have so much time to spend in His presence! “Cleanse yours hands, sinner?” Uh-oh! There are some things I need to take a look at where God is definitely not pleased! Ok… I get it! I hear you, Lord!

Then I heard Him again... randomly! "Faith is the substance of things hoped for!" (Hebrews 11:1)

Me: "Yea, yea, God! I know that one!
Him: "How do you receive faith?"
I'm like: "duh, God! Faith comes by hearing... and hearing by the Word of God!"
lol I'm not playing! It happens like this sometimes!

I received another revelation! Here I am walking around like I have faith!... Faith that God is gonna bless me with a car! Faith that I am gonna come out of this financial bondage!... How the heck do I have faith and I don't read my bible consistently?! How am I supposed to BELIEVE that I'm gonna get a car and I don't even have a scripture to stand on!!! Silly me!! See, that's what happens when you walk around all religious-like thinking you got it all together! You quote scripture without even knowing what you’re saying!... still going through the same stuff! *tsk tsk*

I had a dream of a conversation that my spiritual mom and I had in “real life”(lol) the other day! It was the SAME EXACT CONVO! She said to me, "If this was my test, I would have passed a long time ago! You gotta listen to God! You have to draw near to Him!" I was like, "Ok. (in my head saying) WHATEVER!" When I woke up, I knew what I had to do! I knew that I had to let go of "SELF" (my flesh) in order to pass this test! I take what Paul said much more seriously now! I have to crucify my flesh... DAILY!... or else I’ll get caught up in the same mess, wasting time in the process!

I didn't write this blog to be judged! In fact, I rebuke YOUR religious spirit in the name of Jesus! I wrote this in hopes that through my transparency someone will receive the help they need! I want people to know that it’s ok to be REAL! That is usually when you receive the help you need! When you’re honest with God, yourself, and those around you!

SIDENOTE: Isn't it cool how God runs after you even when you aren't chasing after Him! He really does love you, you know?! That's finally beginning to register with me!

Ok!!... Do me a favor!!! Real quick!...

Take a look.. and I mean... really look at your situation!!! WHY THE HECK ARE YOU STILL IN THE SAME SPOT?! WHY DOESN'T IT LOOK LIKE YOU'RE COMING OUT?!

Now simply say to God: Lord, show me!! and trust that He heard you!

I guarantee there is a purpose behind it all! ;)

Like the church folk say... "Let your mess become your message!" What most people fail to realize is that you have to go through something and do the work before it becomes a MESSAGE!!! lol You feel me?!

Don't be like me! Pass the test the first time!

"What this world needs is an intravenous shot of the Gospel that isn't poisoned with Religiosity!" -Japhia Life

I am shocked to know that religiosity is a real word! lol WOW! That is beside the point! I totally agree with that statement though. Going back to what I was saying earlier, being "religious" (in the sense that the person believes they are greater than everyone else; being caught up in self and not of saving souls) will block you from the very blessing that God has for you! Being caught up in self will get you nowhere! I mean really... think about it... Was Jesus so caught up in self... and His "relationship" with God that he didn't have time to help those around Him!?... umm I think not!!! So PLEASE... don't lose sight of who you are! Read your bible, grow in the Lord, and preach THE GOSPEL! WE ARE CALLED TO SAVE SOULS, DUDE!!!!

Alright... to sum it all up though! Listen to God today! He has something to say!... and even better... HE REALLY WANTS TO BLESS YOU!!! Get the heck out of the way! ;) *BAM* I rhymed! HA!

Until next time,
Stix ♥

**It's been a long time...**

"I shouldn't have left you without a dope beat to step to..."

What's good, guys?! It's been awhile... but as promised I said I would never blog negatively again! Well let's just say, lately I haven't been the most positive of the Patty's in the world! I honestly have absolutely nothing to complain about tho! Doesn't make sense, right!? God is working out everything... and I do mean EVERYTHING... in my favor! I just can't seem to lift my spirits! << There's my issue right there! LOL! Tryin' to lift my own dang on spirits!!! I spend a lot of time in my room these days! I know my roommates think I'm crazy! lol... or rude! I just can't shake this feeling! No use in me trying to act all fake... It's just not how I roll! I'm good though! I'm coming out of it. Slowly but surely! ;)

God is good!!! I went to court regarding my wreck last week... my case was dismissed! The girl that I hit can't sue me!!!!... and I'm hoping that something miraculous happens where the car dealership that owns my car will not sue me... and we can work something out! We'll see about that one! I'm still car less... which is where my frustration lies! UGH!!! I WANT A CAR!!! I can't remember the last time I had to depend on someone to take me here... and there! It's soooo hard for me! LOL!! God will make a way though! I know He will! I just wish that way was made... YESTERDAY! lol I'm learning a lot about myself in all of this! God is definitely showing me what's in my heart!! PRIDE is one... FOR SURE!!! I'm trying to work on it! Pray for me guys!!! lol

In other news, it's looking like I may be back in school at the end of the month! I've decided to go a different route! I don't want to go back to MTSU so I've decided that I would finish my last year online. I found a great school in Iowa, Ashford University, who is going to transfer the majority of my credits. I'm pretty excited about that. I changed my major. After lots of prayer, I realized that Exercise Science is the reason why I kept putting school off. I didn't really want to do that! My major at Ashford University is going to be Journalism. I'm pretty excited! I love to write! I can see this being a lot of fun and very interesting!!! I'll keep you updated on that!;)

I'm moving out of my apartment in August! I'm pretty excited about it! I'm sooo ready for a change! My plan is to move back to Murfreesboro! I really miss it and was pretty much obligated to move out of the 'boro when I did move! As much as I love M'boro and as much as I want to move back, I still have my doubts! I'm not sure I want to be that far away from my boyfriend. Granted it's only like 30 minutes, but still! :( He doesn't want me to move that far, but he is very understanding! I love that about him! He wants me to be happy! I think that's why it's so hard for me to just be like... "Ok, I'm moving back!" Him being so understanding makes me reconsider! I'm praying about it! lol I WAS SOOO DANG ON HYPE A FEW WEEKS AGO! Wow... didn't expect to feel this way!

Speaking of Jeremy...

We are doing pretty good! We've gotten closer because of my wreck. We're still getting to know each other which is both refreshing and nerve wrecking all at the same time! I'm loving every moment of it! It feels good knowing that he is trying just as hard as I am to make this work! We are on the same page!... and God is still centered right in the middle of it all!! Yay, us!!!

Umm... what else can I tell you guys!??!?

Oh, I'm still writing! I have so much time on my hands since I don't have a car! I've spent a lot of it... sleeping! LOL... and the other part writing in my journal... praying... and writing songs based on my journal entries and my prayers! It's SO DIFFERENT from what I've ever written! I don't know what I'll do with it! We'll see! I have a few ideas!

Ok... I'm done! Praying that all is well with you guys!!! Keep God first, and everything else second! Nothing pleases God more!!! He loves you... and so do I!!! P-ce!!!

Until next time,
Stix!!!!

"For me He died, THAT'S LOVE!!!!"

Resurrection Sunday was awesome!!! I had so much joy in my heart and the weather was absolutely gorgeous! I don't think I saw one cloud in the sky! My Easter Sunday was spent away from home, as usual, that can be very hard! My family does an excellent job of making me feel included though! I received warm calls from them all wishing me a happy Easter and keeping me informed on the dinner!!! I LOVE THEM SO!

After work I went home and took a small nap so I wouldn't be too out of it at church. My friends and I chose to go to second service because we knew first service would be ridiculously PACKED!!! Thank God we stuck with that decision. It wasn't nearly as crowded as first seemed to be! Church was AWESOME! Unlike your usual Easter service, our church put on a play. I loved it! It wasn't a traditional "hung Him high, stretched Him wide" kind of play either! It spoke on different areas in a person's life that seems to be the "stone or "obstacle" that can block them from having a true, personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the very one that died for us... and would die for us again if He had to! It was great. It focused on areas such as: shame, pride, greed, and lust! I don't know about first service, but a lot of people were blessed and were saved during second service. It was a beautiful sight! Man, I love my church! We didn't do anything all traditional and yet God still showed up and people's lives were forever changed! THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT, BORN AGAIN!!!! You betta reach your world for CHRIST!!!! HA!

I wore a dress today guys and I didn't feel weird about it at all! Believe it or not I think I'm starting to get used to wearing them! I felt very comfortable in it! I can see myself wearing them more often! Little Stix is finally growing up and accepting the fact that it's totally normal to be feminine! LOL!! That sounds so weird... but it's so not like me to be that way!... Growing up a tomboy, I thought I'd never see the day where I would be carrying a purse (still getting used to that one), wearing nail polish, and buying dresses just because. My family is a bit shocked by it too!

Anyway... the rest of my day was fun! I spent some time with my "other family" after church, took a small nap, and then hung out with the girls! After a LONG 21 days of fasting, we had ribs, green beans, mac n cheese, and rolls!!!! Oh and I can't forget the different flavors of SODA!!! Yes, God! That was fun! We laughed it up and ate like we hadn't had food in years! I love my girls!!! I can't picture life without them!!! We're all different, but we all manage to get along just fine! God knew what He was doing when He put us together!!! LOL

So overall, it was a great Easter away from home!!! I pray you guys enjoyed your day as well!!! Anyway... I have a few shows to catch up on at work, so I'll end this here!

Until next time,
P-ce

Why did I see this movie TOO?!!!

Ok... Before I begin!!! Please watch this!!! I just need you to feel why I was SO ANXIOUS to see this movie!



Now TELL ME that doesn't look like a good movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'LL TELL YOU ALRIGHT! That movie SUCKED!!! Wait... before you think I'm being hard on Tyler... let me let it be known... I AM a Tyler Perry fan and have supported his movies... and enjoyed MOST of them in the past!.. but this movie RIGHT HERE!!!... a HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT!

I won't go into details about what all I didn't like because you may decide to go see it despite the horrible reviews! I will say that Tyler Perry had a lot going on in that one!!! Everything that could possibly go wrong in a marriage went wrong... and he made black women look like some CRAZY FOOLS when under stress!!! I mean, dang, I have not met ONE BLACK woman/wife like Tasha Smith's character!... or one that snaps like Janet did over NOTHING!!! He did a horrible job of trying to relay to us (the audience) what the heck was causing so much dang on ruckus in each relationship! I left the theatre in tears, totally confused, and (in the words of fake Beyonce, Skye Townsend) UTTERLY EMBARRASSED!!!

I HIGHLY recommend that you don't waste your HARD EARNED MONEY on a MESSY, horribly put together film! Please... if you have to spend a dime... Spend it at the redbox in a few months!... and I'm soooo serious!!!!

I know some people are gonna want to see it regardless of what you've heard. To be honest with you, I'm the same way! When I hear a movie is bad, I want to see for myself! Go ahead... watch the movie (a matinee would be great) and PLEASE tell me what you think!!!


I'm done venting! I pray that Tyler Perry is receptive to the bad reviews and takes a class or two on writing and directing movies!... 'cuz right now... his movies look like plays on a big screen! I'm just saying!!! I'm out!!!

Until next time,
P-ce!!!