Uniting Women & Teenage Girls to Impact Their World ™ NOVEMBER, 2021
How to Plan for the Holiday Without GOING BROKE
DORETHIA KELLY
National Family GIVE THANKS With Caregivers Month A Grateful Heart Responsibilities of A CHRISTIAN Manifest the LOVE WIFE Of Your Life DR. CHERYL MERCHANT
REVEREND ROBIN HOPSON
JILL CROSBY
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ON THE COVER: DR. MISSY JOHNSON, FOUNDER & CEO OF FEARLESS WOMEN ROCK, LLC
GREETINGS SISTAHS! We ponder and discuss all the interesting occurrences that happened the past year; the good times, the bad times, the frustrating times and the fun times. We share what valuable lessons we learned from our experiences, what God showed us and how He was faithful through all of it. We do this as a closure to one year and then an opening to the next. After we have laughed a while and then cried, we begin to look forward with great excitement, wondering what God has for us this coming new year. What new experiences will we go through and what new lessons will we learn. It’s all fresh and new and that is exciting. As we begin to peek into the new year, we have to maintain our focus, even when life throws us a curve in the middle of the road to your Destiny. Having an opened mind and heart to where ever the Lord may take you with full assurance and confidence that He is with you. (Matthew 28:19-20) There’s no limit to what God can do in your life and nothing is impossible with God. God opens doors that no man can shut and also closes doors that no man can open. The possibilities are endless with God that is according to His will. (Philippians 4:13) When we are willing to let go and let God work in us and through us, He will always stretch us and grow us. It is an important part of the growth process. Continue to grow in your relationship with Him and in His Word. Pray for God to mold you and make you pliable in the Potters hand and then watch the Master Craftsman work on His masterpiece; which is you! Go forth SISTAHS, be empowered, be informed and be inspired!
PHOTO BY SHAWN LEE STUDIOS
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A SISTAH’S LIFESTYLE Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart by Reverend Robin Hopson.............................................................................. 6 ALL THE SINGLE LADIES Manifest the Lord of Your Life by Jill Crosby .............................................................................................................. 8 FAITH & FINANCES How to Plan for the Holiday Without Going Broke by Dorethia Kelly ................................................................ 10 VIRTUOSITY Responsibilities of a Christian Wife ............................................................................................................................ 13
ON THE COVER: “Rocking With Faith” DR. MISSY JOHNSON, Founder & CEO of Fearless Women Rock .................................................................... 14
MINDING SELF National Family Caregivers Month by Dr. Cheryl Merchant .................................................................................. 20 SISTAHS IN BUSINESS Dannie’s Kitchen & Catering by Danielle ................................................................................................................... 22 KJ Enterprizes “Don’t Stress Just Press” with Kirsten Jones...................................................................................... 23 AUTHORS SPOTLIGHT Pastor Valorie Bennett-Wiley ...................................................................................................................................... 28 Coach Enna Bachelor...................................................................................................................................................... 29 EVENTS & RESOURCES
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WITH A GRATEFUL HEART
GIVE THANKS WITH A GRATEFUL HEART! This is often said but sometimes our hearts are not in the most grateful place. During this time of year, we set a day aside one day to give thanks, but I want to encourage us all to think about the goodness of Jesus and all that He has done for us and all that God has blessed us with. Think about this, we serve a God that gave His only son that whosoever believes will have everlasting life! This is something that should help us have heart surgery and create in us a grateful heart. It’s not about the material things, You may not have a fancy house but be Thankful you have a roof over your head You may not have a seven-course meal but be Thankful for the food you have to eat
You may not have a luxury car but be Thankful for the car you have to drive You may not be the CEO of the company but be Thankful you have employment What I am saying to you is in all things give Thanks because there is always someone who wishes they could be in your shoes. God has shown me it is not about what I have and what I don’t have, but to be Thankful for Everything! The challenge from this is to be Thankful Daily! I bet when you do you will be surprised at the Blessings that come your way!
© 2021 Robin Hopson – All Rights Reserved.
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Get Love: When you love yourself unconditionally, you create and draw loving energy toward yourself. When you fully immerse yourself in Divine, unconditional love of self you will feel exuberant, joyful and deeply peaceful. To help you get to an unconditionally loving place, treat yourself to a brief meditation of self-love every morning and every night. Close your eyes, take some deep breaths, get centered and relaxed. Get Real: It’s time to throw Barbie and Ken in the trash and GET REAL! When you are describing your ideal mate, let things that are not very important go! If you are a woman, and you prefer a taller partner, be open to meeting someone shorter (there are a lot of incredible not-so-tall-men out there!). If you are man and you want a perfectly slender/thin woman, instead, imagine your mate active, energetic and fit. Let the specific body type go. Chemistry is a funny thing and comes in all shapes and sizes! If you prefer younger or older, know that age is extremely relative. Get Clear: Once you have developed a healthy, loving relationship with yourself, the next step is to get clear about the type of person you would like to draw into your life. In an interview with Jack Canfield, author of Chicken Soup for the Soul, he says, “You definitely have to decide what you want. If I call up a travel agent and say, “I’d like to go on vacation,” they’re going to say next, “Where do you want to go?” I could say “Some place warm,” but eventually they’re going to force me to decide. Until I decide, they can’t help me get there. Neither can the reticular activating system in your brain, what I call your Inner GPS.” A great exercise on getting clear starts listing all of the
qualities you would like to experience in your ideal partner. Write everything that comes to mind, such as integrity, honesty, good sense of humor, active, healthy, intelligent, great chemistry, wants kids, financially stable, loves to travel… Once you have your list, circle the items that are “must haves. Get Grateful: : Rhonda Byrne, author of The Secret, writes: "With all that I have read and all that I have experienced in my own life using The Secret, the power of gratitude stands above everything else. If you do only one thing with the knowledge of The Secret, use gratitude until it becomes your way of life.” Now let’s energize your story with the emotions of gratitude! Read your story out loud and imagine he/she is ALREADY in your life and FEEL joy and gratitude for the beautiful life you have created together! Now, really expand those feelings and let your heart fill with love. Get Busy: The final step in manifesting your mate is to TAKE ACTION! Jack Canfield states, “You can’t just wish for a Cadillac while sitting in your living room and have one show up in your driveway… So what you have to do is take action--with faith that it’s going to come true.” The best way to take action is to put yourself in situations where you can meet other eligible singles. Join activity groups, take classes and do the things you enjoy. Be open to meeting/dating a variety of people “lookswise;” remember, chemistry is a funny thing! ©2000-2020 Conscious Dating, LLC – All Rights Reserved.
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HOST A HOLIDAY PARTY WITHOUT GOING BROKE
A lot of times, we commit to something months in advance and then when it comes time to do it, we almost wish we hadn’t. This often happens with holiday parties. It sounds good in October when things are light and you are excited about the upcoming festivities, but as more and more piles on your plate, it seems daunting as party time gets closer. I absolutely love hosting holiday parties but am not a fan of going broke to do it. Over the years, I’ve learned how to enjoy the holiday season without tapping out financially. If you love the holidays like I do and want to have an economical gathering, here are a few things I do each year that you can try, too.
I Get Started Early I try to plan holiday parties months in advance. By planning, I’m able to shop for the things I need a little at a time versus all at once. I learned the hard way that waiting until the last minute is no fun, adding stress to my mind and my wallet.
I Plan My Spending I make a list of everything I’ll need, from groceries to decorations and any small gifts I’d like to share. I include how much I want to spend in each category. Once I reach that limit, I’m done.
©2018 Dorethia Kelly – All Rights Reserved. https://www.themoneychat.com/frugal-fall-date-ideas-for-couples
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RESPONSIBILITIES OF A CHRISTIAN WIFE
The Bible tells us, “[A woman] is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come” (Proverbs 31:25). Without a doubt, God gives women strength, particularly in our marriages. When we become wives, we also become stewards of strength. We are responsible and accountable for how we us our strength. A Christian wife is a woman of strength. She’s undeterred by those who say something can’t be done. Her God-given passion produces clear-eyed purpose, deep compassion and a bold spirit that has the power to transform her marriage. But even a strong-willed woman runs into issues along her journey. Sometimes her determination and strong will leads to misunderstandings and breakdowns in her relationships and the only one that can help her overcome them is God. Like the Proverbs 31 woman, a good Christian wife is a woman of noble character, wisdom and strength which she uses to lift up her marriage. love and joy. He will make us like Himself. True love can keep a couple together for a lifetime if you put God at the center. Titus 2:4 calls for wives “to love their husbands.” A wife is called to accept her husband as he is – an imperfect person. Another responsibility of a Christian wife is to be an honorable woman of God and also a woman of character in marriage. Proverbs 31:10-31, we read about the wife of noble character. Being a woman of strength and dignity is an important responsibility of a Christian wife.
Pride and self-respect are important qualities and it’s important that this is reflected in our marriages. A Christian wife imitates Christ in their daily life. She brings honor and glory to God and her marriage. A Christian wife is responsible for caring for her family. Proverbs 31 makes it clear that the home is the woman’s primary areas of influence and responsibility. A Christian wife is called to be her husband’s best friend. We often think about romance first when it comes to finding a partner, but we really should be focusing on friendship because there is a lot of good that comes from being close with your husband. A good Christian wife turns to God’s Word for insight and tunes into God’s plan for marriage. A Christian wife is a woman of strength and purpose who lives a life of integrity. If you’re living your life for God, your motivations and actions will be in line with His Word. If you’re a wife and reflect these qualities, you have the foundation for a rock solid marriage. Take inventory of the strength God has given you. The Lord has clothed you with strength and you can use it for good in your marriage. © Lesli White https://www.beliefnet.com/lovefamily/relationships/marriage/7-important-responsibilitiesof-a-christian-wife.aspx
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ON THE COVER: DR. MISSY JOHNSON, FOUNDER & CEO OF FEARLESS WOMEN ROCK, LLC
Dr. Missy overcame a severe COVID-19 diagnosis last year and says that it’s God’s grace in her life that helps her overcome and be the motivation she is today. “Someone told (me) I don’t look like what I’ve been through — I got papers,” she said of her scars on her body and constant physical pain that tells her story. “Every day I am in pain; I don’t complain.”
Dr. Missy has an organization called Fearless Women Rock (which she started in 2017) is a women-empowerment organization that is helping her share her story, which she said is not about her. “(It may) be for somebody else,” she said, adding that people don’t have to have gone through near-death experiences like she did to tell their own stories. ”If you overcame anything in your life and could help somebody make a difference, your story needs to be told. Keep crafting your stories… whatever (is) the thing you overcame is the thing you got to teach.” More than ever, she believes your stories matter and plans. Dr. Missy had this to share with SISTAH Talk:
Dr. Missy didn’t know if she would live or die, so she took to social media to show women the power of faith and trusting the process when you can't see it. She took women on the journey through social media, press releases, and interviews. Her resilience to fight moved a nation and elevated her business to the next level but, unknowingly it encouraged women to never give up or underestimated their story's power.
SISTAH TALK: Dr. Missy, what is your story?
Dr. Missy's only mission was to live life on her own terms and give women hope in the face of adversity. During her cancer diagnosis and treatment, she continued coaching one client at a time, wrote a book one sentence at a time, and showed the world that their story matters.
Wow, that's a loaded question, and no one answers. It's a soul search. It is success and failure. It is a spiritual journey where you lean not to what you understand but what you believe you will become.
Dr. Missy, now a professional Screenwriter, is also a Speaker, Author, and Coach. She has a women’s empowerment organization called Fearless Women Rock LLC.
There are so many stories about Dr. Missy and my journey. One theme that resonates is the story of the power of your voice and how it shapes the narrative of who you are and who you desire to become. SISTAH TALK: How did you find your authentic voice?
SISTAH TALK: How do you encourage other women to find their voice? One principle I show women is their inner peace, and that is where you find their voice. | 15
DR. MISSY JOHNSON
DR. MISSY JOHNSON is affectionately known as “Miracle Missy“ after having survived three near-death experiences, forty-seven days in a coma, and Stage 3 breast cancer. Dr. Missy likes to remind people, “Tomorrow is not promised. Live life to the fullest as the best version of who you are. You don’t need acceptance or approval of anyone.”
SISTAH TALK: What do you believe is one's biggest fear in sharing their story? A fear for anyone sharing their story is validation. You matter, and your story matters. SISTAH TALK: How does telling your story to connect to building your brand? We live in a society where people want the truth. Fearless Women Rock LLC is a trademark brand, and one of the philosophies is truth. Being honest and telling the truth is a vital part of my brand. Does that make me perfect? No, but at least you get the truth. SISTAH TALK: What would you say to those who struggle to build their brand? So many answers, but I will share one. They are being consistent. If you are not consistent, people will know. SISTAH TALK: Please share any other motivational thoughts or encouragement you would like to our readers to be empowered by. Never give up on your dreams, goals, mission, or vision. Whatever you do, keep moving. Please invest in yourself and know that your story matters. SISTAH TALK: How can our readers contact you? www.iamdrmissy.com @Askdrmissy on all social media platforms and hello@askdrmissy.com
©2021 SISTAH Talk eMagazine – All Rights Reserved.
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PAMPERRYPR.COM
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November is National Family Caregivers Month… Let’s Recognize, Celebrate, and Support Our Sister-Caregivers Many sisters are, or have been, caregivers. Caregiving, on the one hand is rewarding, but on the other hand, it is challenging. Caregivers are likely to be female, and research (Administration for Community Living, 2021) suggests that nearly 15 million Americans provide “unpaid” care to older individuals, or to someone who is physically or mentally challenged. So, our mothers, sisters, aunts, cousins and sister-friends are providing most of the “unpaid” care. However, paid, or unpaid, our sisters are loyal and are providing loving care to others while also trying to have some sense of selfcare and life outside of caregiving. The reality of all this through the lens of mental health is that caregivers who provide constant care are likely to experience challenges to their own physical and emotional health. Different emotions may likely emerge like frustration and even anger. Frustration may lead to anger, and anger is a major sign that a sister is overwhelmed – in overload. So, what can she do? The first thing I want to encourage her to do is to try her best not to allow feelings of guilt overpower her. Why? This question brings me to the second thing. I want to encourage her to remember that she is doing the best that she can. The following are more tips for sister-caregivers, and I hope they may be helpful in bringing balance to their lives:
• Ask for help when you need help. • Spend time with friends. • Connect with a support group. • Try to take short breaks throughout the day. • Try to do things you like to do (e.g., hobbies; walking; journaling; listening to your favorite music). • Practice mindfulness (e.g., deep breathing; grounding; body scan). So, let’s recognize and celebrate our sistercaregivers who give so much of themselves to help maintain the well-being of others. Give her a call. Give her a shout-out on social media. Send her flowers. Send her a ‘thinking of you’ card. Just do something thoughtful to let her know you care. More Tips from Caregivers Action Network (CAN) https://www.caregiveraction.org/resources/ 10-tips-family-caregivers 2 of 2 References Administration for Community Living. (2021, October 21). National Family Caregivers Month: About the Observance. Retrieved from https://acl.gov/news-andevents/downloads-andmultimedia/NFCM Caregivers Action Network. (n.d.). 10 tips for family caregivers. Retrieved from https://www.caregiveraction.org/resources/ 10-tips-family-caregivers ©2021 Dr. Cheryl Merchant – All Rights Reserved.
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For any inquiries, prayer, motivation or mentoring and for bulk books orders of over 10 or more copies please contact us via email or fill out the form on the website. Email: laticia@laticianicole.com Tel: (919) 407-8528 www.laticianicole.com
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Relentless Execution by Yolanda Spearman
Today more than two thirds of the working population feel disengaged at work. While a study in an issue of the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin indicates that about 90% of the adult population lives with regrets. No person is born with regrets, many die with them. The day we allow ourselves to stop dreaming is the day we begin to live with our very first regret. Relentless Execution is about accomplishing your dreams. This book gives you a foundation to help you understand how you can set up internal systems that will allow you to finish more of what you start. This is a light-hearted fun read. It is relatable and will bring a smile to your face and a pen to your hand. Yolanda poses thought provoking questions throughout the book to keep you engaged and to encourage you to act. Many self-help books offer traditional plans to successful living. Relentless Execution uses testimonials to peel back the emotional layers that may be holding you back from achieving optimal results. Relentless Execution pushes you to: •
Do what makes you happy
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Find your focus
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Follow through on your goals and aspirations
The Author makes it easy and fun to connect the dots and find your personal path to success however that may look for you.
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