J.O.Y.

and I knew each other for a few years, and we decided to become a couple. I began to find myself idolizing him. I would put his needs before God There was a brokenness that I thought I could fix. I had to sit back and review the other relationships that I had been in as well. I never was that one to be so into a man where I would lose myself within him (soul ties). My friend and I started having problems and we decided to take some time apart, and that broke my heart. Even though we were apart we still communicated a few days out of the week A few months passed; I look up it is August 2015 a Monday morning I received a call that change my life. My friend died from a motorcycle accident. I dropped to the floor, I lost it and a big part of me had died. I could not believe it I had just spoken with him that night, not even an hour before the accident.

I was mad at God that man I thought was supposed to be my husband, but God took him completely away from me

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

That scripture was on replay… I did not know how to cope with life without him. I found myself drinking wine and crying daily until I fell asleep literally every day for almost a year straight It felt as if I hit rock bottom in my spirit I felt I had suffered in silence I would cry when I was alone. I would put my mask on quickly when someone would come around. I feel as though my children, sister and mom felt my pain, because they would always check on me and give me hugs.

Then one day out of the blue someone invited me to their church and without a doubt I said yes They picked me up that Sunday for service and as I walked into the sanctuary tears began to roll down my cheeks. I found myself at that church every Sunday for over a year straight at that altar, tears flowing. I needed GOD.I wanted that pain to stop. I did not want to be stuck anymore. I did not want to feel alone. Suddenly during this difficult period of my life God began to speak to me and tell me that I AM HIS CHOSEN Daughter, I AM HIS Masterpiece, I Am No Alone, I Am Valuable, I Am Worthy, I Am Smart, I Am Beautiful, and the list goes on It felt like Bartimaeus from the bible in the book of Mark 10:51-52 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. My eyes and ears were now open. God heard my cries, and He began to send people to help me. Before I knew it, it was 2018 and that task of finishing High School came back to my spirit. I was now 44 years old researching on how to get my High School Diploma. God had taken that task which I thought got lost and brought it back to the surface during my healing process

January of 2018 was the 3rd quarter of the school year when I started. In the beginning, I had mixed feelings about going back to school at the age of 44 But I knew that feeling was not going to stop me, so I allowed the feeling of excitement to be the leader and the goal to finish to be the winner to look for. I assumed it would be a challenge, because when I attended High school in my teenage years it was difficult for me. I now understand why it was difficult for me, one – because I did not put any effort into doing the work and two - I certainly didn’t invite the Holy Spirit in to help me. Now I am giving it my all. The last two quarters that I attended before summer break with the help of Holy Spirit, I knocked it out of the box. I was able to complete 4 classes with 3 A’s and 1 B - nobody but God Summer break came and went It was time to go back to school. I had 4 classes that I needed to complete. Everything going well with school and life was good. February 2019 a edy hit my family. My nephew at the age of less than 24 ths was murdered, and my brother as well as the mother ded me. I missed almost 2 months of school. I would go to s when I could as well as do the assignments online. The to me was truly an angel. She made I needed to graduate. And I know ssigned that woman to me because t year The enemy thought he was of school a fourth time due to the

It is almost time for graduation, and t Education High School that they do and gowns to receive your Diploma. hat news and I said Lord you know an a day after hearing that, I that they would be allowing stating that they would be allowing all Adult Education students to wear caps and gowns from that year forward. Glory be to God. This accomplishment meant a lot to me and I wanted the full experience of the graduation. I was the first child to graduate from my parents and I completed that task with honors, not from man but from God.

If you do not get anything from what I have written I need you to get this and embrace it. God used what I thought that was going to destroy me to open my eyes and push me into living my best life. Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose Also when God has given you an assignment and, in your eyes, you don’t believe or think that you can do it. I need you to take your hands off it and call on God for help and TRUST HIM with that assignment, even when it does not look like it can be done. There is no assignment too big or too small for God.

And when He has given it to you, I am a witness to tell you that it will not return to him void as He said in the book of Isaiah 55:11 “so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it”. How long it takes you to complete the task is up to you.

Two things before I close. First: no more allowing yourself to keep you stuck by thinking and saying that you cannot do it. You must change your words to “I can”, and “I will”. No longer will you say” I will try”, because if God told you to do it then that means you CAN DO IT ABSOLUTELY without a doubt Second thing: the enemy will throw all kinds of hits at you to delay and make you feel that you cannot accomplish what God has called you to He does not want to see you be GREAT. It is very important that you have a relationship with God, know HIM for yourself. God will teach you how to defeat the enemy. He will show you how to use the power and authority that He has given to you.

But the only way you are going to know about that power and authority is by spending time with God in his word. In closing, I do not care how young or old you are, there are some things that you have put down that will come back to the surface Guess what? That is the assignment that you need to pick back up now! And ask God to give you everything that you need to complete it You listen for him and He will answer you through His word, a person, a small still voice Just trust and know that you will get your answer!

Lashawnda Shiree Love is a multi-talented individual with a wide range of skills and expertise. She is a wife, mother of three children - Chadrick Kyles Jr, 22, Shedrick Kyles, 18, and Purpose Lamb, 8. Lashawnda is an entrepreneur, business owner, minister, community service provider, author, ghostwriter, YouTube Vlogger, make-up artist, and gospel recording artist.

Lashawnda wears many hats, including CEO of Intellectual Designs by Lashawnda Love (Social Media Marketing), where she creates websites, social media content, and social media training. She has created magazines for Mogul Leaders Magazine, N.B.Q Magazine, and numerous graphics for K.I.S.H. Magazine. Additionally, she has her own cosmetics line called "Lashawnda Shiree, " which features over 16 different shades of 16-hour matte lipsticks and 2 lip liners

Lashawnda is also a life coach and mentor, with a Doctorate in Christian Counseling, and she works as a therapist at Clearpath and Professional Associates HealthCare of Georgia. She is the visionary behind B.A.B.Y. Ministry (Becoming A Better You). Her desire is that souls are saved, marriages are healed, and chains be broken

She recently birthed a publishing company called "Stork Publishing LLC," and she and her husband have also created journals and a T-shirt line called "The Loves Collection." Lashawnda is a talented singer and songwriter who has released several singles, including "Deeper, The Perfect Gift," "Because of who you are," and "Silent Night " She is also the author of several books, including "A Guide to Winning the War Against a Narcissist," "Rock Your Spouse World 7 days out of the Month," "There is Power when a Wife Prays!," and she has ghostwritten her husband's book "How I Went from Arrested to Rescued."

Lashawnda is also a divorce coach, using her personal experiences to help others navigate the difficult process of ending a marriage. She owns an in-home catering company called Mama Tees Catering, where she provides healthy keto meal preps.

Lashawnda's goal is to promote the kingdom of God through praise and worship, help broken and battered women, and continue