the chocolate voice
April 2011
positive news that sweetens
the soul
thechocolatevoice.com
Spring is Finally Here!
Good Eats for Easter Easter Recipes!
Giving Back Fan of The Feather Hosts 1st Annual Golf Tournament &IRIﾃ々MRK ,SQIPIWW Veterans
Publisher Remarks When we first made the decision to publish The Chocolate Voice, we decided to develop a publication sharing positive stories that sweeten the soul. Stories like the ones you read each month from our fantastic team of contributing writers. It is our mission to focus on what we refer to as the three I’s: Informative, Insightful and Inspirational. Simply put, as challenging as it may be, our goal is to make sure that TCV remains a positive presence in your lives. With that said, in the past three years, it has truly been an honor to have come across so many remarkable people. Among those include, guest contributing writer Dr. Lawrence Wood and his wife Vanessa. Allow me to share a few words on these wonderful caring people, starting with how we met. It was suggested by a relative that I talk with Vanessa about a book written by Dr. Wood, “Among Pigeons”, a story about a homeless man’s journey on the streets. Considering the compassionate subject matter, even before making the call I was convinced that the Wood’s have a high regard for humanity. I was greeted over the phone by a pleasant Vanessa who was upbeat, personable and quite easy to have a conversation with. She and I talked and talked as though we had known each other for years, officially making us sister friends and ultimately facebook friends. We discussed many interesting topics, including the couples decision to start an organization called Fan of the Feather a non profit benefiting homeless Veterans. Incidentally, FOF is now officially in operation. Which is why it is with great pleasure that we’re excited to share with you in this months issue more of their exciting story and a wonderful upcoming event that you too can be apart of. (Read Q & A inside with Dr. Wood).
Also inside this issue, we’re featuring Robin Goings, the ex-wife of a relatively known comedian who fights back by turning her life around after suffering a debilitating divorce. Robins tenacity is sure to reach out and touch someone who’s gone through some of the pain and suffering she’s had to endure. Okay, shifting gears, it’s Easter all ready! This year the Easter Bunny falls on April 24 later than it has in the past. By the way, if you haven’t planned your Easter dinner menu, check out the two recipes courtesy of Shandeka Tinsley of A Slice of Heaven and Chef Mark Kuhn of Underground Culinary. Of course with Easter comes spring, and in California we’ve shift to daylight savings which means we spring forward. I don’t know about you but, I’m constantly playing catch up.
See you next month and, happy Easter.
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The first months s of the year were someation what chaotic on a state, national and international level. For some, the quiet spring to season is a rest from the excitement of the sse fall. How wonderful that God has blessed er us to enter into the spring season together and, keeping in alignment with his gift giving spirit, I to have a gift for you; a blessed word from my heart to yours that God will love, protect and prosper you in the coming seasons. As we push forward in the months ahead keep your focus on God. Remember him in the best and worst of times; let him be your comfort and your strength, for he said that he would be with us always. As I tell my church children,” keep your lives centered on God and pray, pray, pray, pray, pray! Lift up your voices to almighty God. Call upon the Lord our God and he will restore you daily”. Remember the effectual prayers of a righteous man avails much. One thing we ge. know for sure is that God is still in charge. Now that my days are somewhat quieter quieter, I ear the sport have decided to take time to learn d’s w of football. So if it is God’s will, I will enter the fall season with a different expecort. tation for the sport. ing I know thus far is that footOne thing ll is a very v ball structured game often filled with very unpredictable moments; very much like our weather. Be patient with me, for I am a beginner at the sport but a long time, active, participant on God’s team. I have a propensity to look at life from a more Godly perspective. Think about this-what would God’s team look like and more importantly would you be on that team? I have watched a few football games with my husband and I’ve noticed a few things. One, the players do not haphazardly take positions on the field. Each one has a strategic position to play. There is an offensive and a defensive line and within these lines there are many different positions. The teams are made up of a quarnning back, ter back, full back, halfback, running de rec line back, tight ends, wide receiver and special teams, just to name a few. These are l equ healthy, well equipped persons doing a job. e This part is easy to understand because it does not differ much from our daily jobs.
Dr. A m
anda
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God has already defined his team. Ephesians 4:11-12 11-12 K KJV says “And He Himself gave some to be s, some prophet, some evangelist and some apostles, pastors and teachers, the equipping of the chers, for t saints for the work of the ministry, edifying nistry for edify of the body of Christ”. Your position may be to minister to your friends and neighbors or to feed the hungry or visit the sick and shut in. This brings to mind a friend who was called to the ministry but was afraid of her calling because she did not think she was ready. Well, God had already called her to the ministry years earlier but her excuse was she was not ready and she was a work in progress. She did ed not realize that the “progress” she spoke oke of was preparing her to be a part of God’s tea team. look like? Let’s So, what would God’s team l review our lineup. would clearly be able to ineup We woul identify the team owner. God is still God, unchanging and always in charge. Our quarter back, Jesus, is still playing strong, sitting at the right hand of the owner, in constant communication with the coach. Consistently monitoring the play by play action is the Holy Spirit (our coach) continuously interceding for the defensive and offensive lines, the prayer lines, all believers (also known as the body of Christ-the church) diligently handing the prayers off to Jesus. The team owner has a plan. He has even given us the play book with line by line instructions to use as the foundation of our daily game. All three are available to help you with your position, trials and tribulations 24 hours a day/7 days a week! I like this game plan-it is most definitely a win, win situation for all involved for we know all things work together for those who are called according to God’s purpose. I wil will keep you posted on my progr progress in understanding the rules of g game of football. I invite you on any given Sunday to become a member of God’s team, remember our season is twelve months long, and the blessings never end. Prayer: Father God may the words of our mouth and the meditation of our hearts be u in th acceptable in your site as we serve you this season.
Dr. Amanda Goodson currently resides in Tucson, Arizona where she is the Pastor of Trinity Temple, C.M.E. Located at 1025 E 30th St and the President of Never The Same Ministries.
Out and About Upcoming Events April 30, 2011 2011 UA Black Alumni Phenomenal Women Dinner University of Arizona Student Union Memorial Center Grand Ballroom For more information, please call Keyshia Conner, 520-626.9455, or Tanisha Price-Johnson 520-626.8626 April 8, 2011 San Diego Association of Black Journalist 9th annual Scholarship Reception 6-8PM National Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Spectrum Academic Center 9388 Lightwave Avenue April 15, 2011 Never The Same Ministries Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Retreat Sheraton Hotel 5151 E. Grant Road Tucson, AZ (520)742-5400 or (602) 431-0510 April 27 to May 15, 2011 San Diego Repertory Theatre Presents Let Me Down Easy At the Lyceum Horton Plaza Written and Performed by Anna Deavere Smith http://www.sdrep.org April 29,2011 Maceo Parker Belly-Up Tavern www.bellyup.com Solana Beach, CA
May 7th, 2011 Mindi Abair and Bobby Caldwell Thornton Winery in Temecula, CA May 10th Lauren Hill Humphreys By the Bay San Diego, CA May 13, 2011 Fan of the Feather 100 Golfers on the Green For more information visit fanofthefeather.org/100 golfers Contact: Vanessa Wood at (760) 271-2450 May 20th, 2011 Whispers and Howard Hewett 4th & B San Diego, CA May 21, 2011 Smooth FM 98.1 Gaslamp Festival Featuring: Norman Brown, Eric Darius and more. www.kifm.com San Diego, CA