Oh my God you have to go back to move forward, that was the best...
That was a behind the scene's laugh at all that you see now, how would you know a Prophet if you did not know what one looked like... Let me find my emai when I prayed for Steve to GET back on the air, go ahead read the book from cover to cover! I dare you.
8:38 am Steve you are Welcome, thank you forthe thank you but a HDTV would be really nice, or a fur you know:)
EXCLUSIVE: I found the Diary Entry: Dinner with a King:
It has been a long time...
Since I have been able to dress up and be a princess. Well last week I got a very special treat, I had dinner with a King. Now you might say to yourself, yeah right a King but truthfully, I had dinner with a King, the humble, gracious and beautiful Mrs. Coretta Scott King; widow of one of my heroes and teachers the late Dr. Martin Luther King. I cannot tell you how much of a honor, privilege and how "special" this brief treat was. It kinda tops those events in my life that makes my life so unique and unusual.
It started last Tuesday February 25, 2003. I was sitting at home and God clearly spoke to me to investigate prospects for business networking. I have recently started a little hobby business and look for any/all opportunities to grow and develop my business skills and savvy. Networking is the key to the success of any business and I love to learn anything I can to improve my communication and presentation skills in this ever-changing business world.
Well, while surfing the net I came across the Christian Business Network in Detroit, they were having a banquet dinner for the most recently completed graduation class. I looked further and learned that my Bishop Eddie L. Long would be the keynote speaker for the evening. Okay Lord, now you know that I do not have the resources and finance to sponsor such a retreat so if this is You telling me something, then You are obligated to make it happen.
Who knows that you cannot put that kind of proposition before God. It was almost as if I had dared Him to make it happen. Suggestion...never challenge God, for by the next day I had been blessed with the finance to not only make the trip, but detour in Chicago for a quick Glam-slam emergency stop.
Now if you do not know what a Glam-slam stop is, basically it's a last minute beautification stop, hair, and nails you know a Glam (glamorous) girl stop. I have God to thank for that but for hair and nails that goes to a dear and loving sister in Christ Lynette Jenkins. I called Lynette on a last minute binge trying to accomplish a whole lot with very little. I tell you her hands are anointed of God for she truly turned this rag and tagged common girl into your present day Cinderella. Between her and Sharon (my other gracious sister who sponsored the finance for my blessing, made sure that every detail was in place and that things were where they needed to be and when I needed it. I thank you two so very much, without you the night would have not been the same Thank you.
I was scheduled to leave Arkansas on Friday morning but in being faithful to the spirit of God that I serve who advised me that I better leave a night early. Weather was bad in Memphis, they had their first snow in years and traffic and travel was delayed due to road conditions. So being obedient as I always TRY to do I left a day early to avoid rushing and time restrictions that may conflict with my schedule.
As I arrived to greyhound in West Memphis I had just missed my bus and getting back and forth in my remote area of living is tough, God spoke and said press on, so I did just that pressed forth. I caught a quick ride from a friend and made it across that bridge. After waiting for three hours for a driver to come we finally boarded and were on our way. One of the best drivers in the world came on board and got us "across that Jordan" safe, sound and get this, even hours off schedule ON TIME to Chicago. Boy do I have a new respect for Greyhound.
Got to Chicago and my first stop was to see this fine young man, he's fine y'all take my word. He's kinda short but has a smile that lights up the darkest night. My niece and nephew Lorenzo and Maya we hung out and had some fun before I started my day of runs and errands.
My first stop was to Hollywood nails 6248 S. Western in Chicago where God treated me to a manicure and a pedicure that left me sleep in the chair moments into the treatment. Having four children does not allow me the luxury of pampering myself on a regular basis so this really was a treat from God.
After that I was really drained from my travel needing to get some sleep and feeling really funky. I got back to the house and took time to treat myself to a wonderful soak that relaxed, relieved and rejuvenated this worn body. I could not resist a chance to hang out with my babies so I got my niece and nephew and we hung out playing together. Later that night my only and baby brother Benji came home and treated his family (less his beautiful wife; my sister Tonya, who had to work) to dinner out at Pizzeria Uno. We had a ball! I did not eat much for my heart was captivated by the appetite my nephew (9 months old y'all) who gobbled up four chicken fingers and ample fries. We got the chance to celebrate my sister Vanessa who earlier that day enlisted in the armed forces; the air force (she just turned 18 on February 17th , she will be leaving July 15) with a cake and a song compliments of the restaurant. We had a wonderful time.
Next to my daddy's house for a night of small talk and loving on my pops. He had some friends over for their regular Friday night card party. I was able to crash the party long enough to say hello, catch up on old memories and show how much I have grown over the years. Many who have not seen me since my childhood years were amazed at how much of a woman I have become, well what did you expect right? I got to see my Uncle Archie, Auntie Dorothy and many of their friends. I did not see my sister but did talk to her via phone family is so important, never take the one you have for granted.
The next morning, I was on my way to hair, one of my best friend/sister and stylist Lynette Jenkins has relocated her shop Hair Biz to Bellwood, 413 S. Mannheim Road (ommitted) or email her for an appointment (ommitted). They just recently moved there and boy are they busy. I got there at 10:30 and did not leave until 7:00 that night (I elected to stay to chat with my friend, normal customers were in and out much quicker). Sharon stopped by and "hooked a sister up" on footgear, she brought me about 10 different pairs of designer sandals, shoes, I mean the sister showed some love. Sharon has her own shoe and footwear business, and though she KNOWS I do not really care about fancy shoes, she poured out a blessing on me that was beyond words. Gucci and Fendi and other designer sandals to make my feet feel neat. Thank you so much baby girl that too is my friend/sister and pal. You can contact Sharon and she will come to you with some of her newest styles and fashions for the feet. Contact her at (omitted)" If you are not networking...you are not working"
After hair and nails it was almost time to go, I had to get ready to depart for my bus left that night at 12:45a.m. I could not be late. My brother headed out to a friend's house to view the Ruiz/Jones fight and was that a fight or what. Roy Jones Jr. tore it up, glad I got that one, it made up for he flash fight with Tyson a week before. A good knock out, knock down, 12 round bout. Lynette called me and told me to come and pick up some extra travelling cash, just to make sure I had enough on me "just in case" I love you so much for that girly, God bless you. Just as we were getting ready to leave she caught me and told me to meet her at her mom's house, said God put it on her heart to bless me so she did. For her obiedience, I ask God to pour out blessings from heaven on her.
After the fight it was time to go, back on the road again. Got to the bus station and as if they were waiting for me to arrive we got to the gate and it was time to depart, back on the road again. We arrived in Detroit about 10:30 that morning, I was a bit disappointed because our last stop before getting to downtown Detroit would have left me only miles from the hotel where I was staying. All the way there I prayed Lord, how am I going to get from here to there? As if I had just asked God Himself and He was ready to answer, I began to ask the driver how far we were from the airport. He acknowledged that if I had gotten off at the last stop I would have been minutes from my hotel, without another word, he put me back on the bus with a driver who was going back that direction and got me back on track.
While riding back I met a woman (Lord, please forgive me but I never got her name or forgot it) who told me of the stories of homelessness that she and her family were facing. I could not help but pray at that time in that moment for this woman who did not appear to be distressed but her spirit cried out for someone to "just listen", so I listened and I prayed. Before getting to my stop I gave her one of the pairs of shoes Sharon had given me, I felt as if I could do nothing but sow that blessing in her life, I wanted to do so. I know personally how it feels to be in that kind of situation, with children not knowing how to make it or even if anyone cares. It was my responsibility to just love her, not asking wanting or needing to know any more than I already knew. I called myself blessing her and she in returned blessed me.
Confessing that she was once an atheist, she confessed her faith in God and belief in His power, we prayed and I asked God to cover, protect and guide her into her destiny. In return she sowed a seed into me, no I did not ask for anything, I never do, I am just obedient as God tells me to be. She in turned sowed a $20.00 gift into me and said that God told her to give it to me, would you like to guess how much my cab cost from the bus station to the hotel. God is so awesome. I accepted and blessed her. The driver who could not help but hear what was going on (I sat next to him) did something so unreal. He drove around that little town until he found a safe place to let me out to call a cab. I am not joking, the driver was so touched by the prayers he heard he literally drove around about 15 minutes trying to find a safe spot because of the cold and the station was closed. God is so awesome.
I stopped in a gas station long enough to call a cab and grab some juice and energy boosters and on my way I went. We arrived at the hotel a little after 11a.m. Check in was quick, easy and fast. After spending over 20 hours on a bus all I wanted to see was a hot tub and a big bed. (Can I tell you about the bed people...okay, okay, that's later). The banquet was at the Westin Detroit Metro Airport. It is a beautiful new hotel that was being completed even as I was a guest. It is attached to the Northwestern Terminal at the airport, the beautiful thing is I could not tell I was even near an airport. At several moments during my stay I sat I the big beautiful, lounge chair overlooking the planes coming in and out of the airport, it was so peaceful.
After a Heavenly © bath in the marble bathtub, and slipping into the Heavenly © robe, (Heavenly is a trademark of the Westin's Bath & Body Product line). I found the Heavenly © bed (can we talk about this bed y'all?) This bed had a 5-inch deep thick down comforter and pillow bed on it. I thought I died and went to heaven. No kids, no phone and no t.v. just me and the bed. It was heaven on earth. (I believe that night I may have put on a study tape and listened for 10 good minutes before knocking out).
It was a angel from heaven, her name was Sharon Washington, she worked for the hotel in the Service Express Department, shortly after I got out of the tub I started to iron the wrinkles out of my dress. The hotel provided a fancy iron that cuts off if you leave it standing for too long. After resetting the iron it scorched my dress in the from and burnt a hole in it, you might think what did she do?
I prayed and said: "Father I know that You did not bring me this far to drop me now, so You be God and handle this for me. I picked up the phone ready to ask for a sewing kit to hit it and not a good 5 minutes after hanging up the phone there was a knock at my door. It was Sharon, not only did she bring a sewing kit but she came and retreated my dress to the in house laundry (by 4:30 my dress was mended beautifully without notice and I was on my way to the banquet).
After my dress was sent off I was ready to eat, now if you do not come prepared to spend cash always keep your local pizza directory close, but sometimes that is not quick enough. Dipped into my blessing pot and God said, girl stop playing go downstairs and get something to eat, stop tripping, tonight you will eat with King's. So I went down to the lobby and low and behold I found guest dining in the resturaunt enjoying colorful and hearty meals. My eye especially caught grip on a Rueben sandwich that called me by name, so that is what I ordered.
While waiting, I walked around and admired all of the extra amenities this beautiful new hospice had to offer. Outside of it's marvelous convince being adjoined to the airport, but it's heated pool, Jacuzzi, copy room, in house room service and so many more things to add that I cannot name them all. By this time I was too tired to wait I asked them to deliver my meal to my room so I could get a head start on sleep, just winding down was a task, but 10-15 minutes after returning to my room, calling home to check on family and brag to my son about the in room detached keyboard internet service and the huge bed they could not share for that night my food arrived. I ate and passed OUT!
About 4:15-4:30 Sharon was knocking at the door again, I confess had she not come I would have made this trip just to sleep in that bed. A saint was in heaven and not about to move. I quickly jumped into my dress and put on face and fixed hair. Final touches and I was on my way to the banquet. You know it is funny, every event in my life has had some relevant or significant meaning to it but this was different, something shifted. I can't really explain it. I mean anyone who knows me knows that my life reads like a
Whoopie Goldberg's version of Forrest Gump meets Color Purple, that I have witnessed some of THE most historical events of my time, but this event, this night...
Upon arriving down to the banquet area, I saw one of my sister's in the spirit Charmain, she and I have studied together and as a matter a fact the last birthday party I had before leaving Atlanta, she and her children attended. She was giving me high lights from the conference and sharing details about other speakers that were there. When God directed me to a woman and asked me to speak into her about a book she was writing, the Holy Spirit always looking for a chance to display His glory. She received the word and confirmed that that could have been no one but God, for we had never met before it was beautiful.
At 5:30 the doors opened and would you not guess, Ms. Cherita Edmondson the beautiful and graceful daughter of Jerome and Alena Edmondson was running the show and had come to escort me to my table.
I was the first guest escorted to a table, the Lord spoke at that moment and said "The first shall be last and the last shall be first", who knew. Many of the guests were coming down from thew VIP reception party with Mother Coretta and my Bishop Eddie L. Long who was the keynote speaker for the evening. By 6:30 the room was filled and guest tables were gathered.
I could not tell the time but based on the fact that all events happened as planned that there was n delay in the program. Protocol was in order from the introductions of the honored guest, to the seating of the honorees and a formal welcome from the host and hostess. I have no problem in telling you that I had a wonderful time. This will sound strange to some but again those of you who know me it should not. For years I have served for my Bishop and the New Birth Family, to actually sit and be served, I did not know how to enjoy the evening without at least stacking the butter plates for the server.
But that is not the gist of it. I sat at one brief moment and had a moment of reflection within myself with God. First I took immediate not to the significance of this event. We were there to honor and give tribute to a woman who's husband died for the right for me to eat that comfortably. It was his life that paved the way for people like me to enjoy such lavished comforts in a place that was once banned from people of color. Then ask I was being served realized that the meal I enjoyed was being served to me by a white sister (Jackie) who's face lit from the excitement of serving such a gala. We confided trade secrets and shared brief laughter before the night began. I never did get that cup of tea J
We were served fresh spinach salad with strawberries ( I prayed for them I swear I did). Our main dish was chicken served with a mushroom brown gravy and fluffed potatoes, they even did something with purple potatoes. Dessert was Chocolate rasbery cheesecake. I cannot talk about it anymore I am reminded of the cheesecaker I left on the plate ( I regretted that later thsat night when I wantd to eat it).
Shortly after that the ceremony began and it was even a greater pleasure when my big brother (in the body of Christ) Elder Vincent Harrison graduated wit the highest honors avalible. I wanted to woof and whistle but I could not, (Daddy might have rebuked his child) I was too cute to go there J Later after the dinner, I came down after getting out of my dress to purchase the tape to study, I saw Elder Harrison and we shared a laugh about the silent cheers (he laughed about the whistle part).
There was a brief honor ceremony, a presentation of the graduates and speech by several panel guest. We were foramlly introduced to Mr & Mrs Edmondson and Mrs. King spoke. I could not help but notice her natural beauty and stamina, amazed by her strength and peace within herself. I remember looking at her as she read her speech saying to myself and she doesn't evern needs glasses. Her whole motivativation was to pass the torch to the next generation to live the life that her husband died for. I remember wanting to cry thinking to myself the sacrifices this woman and her family has made and all I could offer was a mere $15.00. There was a special offering moved by Mr. Edmondson and folks were pulling out hundreds and checks and all I could offer was $15.00 and I had to run upstairs to get that after I changed because I carred no money to the banquert hall.
It gave me a new desire to find my purpose in life, For some reason God wanted to reignite that fire, that desire to succeed, that passion again. The Father promised me a child care center and this is where He gave new life to that vision He instilled in me so long ago.
Mrs. King spoke about 30 minutes and then came Bishop Eddie L. Long. If you have neve seen him in person please y'all catch him on t.v. or try to catch him in Church before he has eaten, before it is warm and surely before he is supposed to get in a bed. If his bed was anything like mines, I know why his speech was short (my bed was calling me too).
Bishop spoke on the topic Leadership in Crisis. He gave his personal perspective of what it would take for us as a generation to become more effective as the body of Christ to fulfill the mandate that God has called the Church to be. To no longer settle for the routine of things but to take grab of the horns of the enemy and give him hell. That the generatiuon coming behind us is ill prepared to handle the challenges of tomorrow and that we are no to limit ourselves by the statues or boundaries others put on us, but by the measure that God has preordained "before" the foundations of the earth. That we are to rule anf rein, to live as God called for us to as Kings and Queens.
He challenged us to embrace our destiny and not let anyoneor anything stand in the way. He closed telling the story of how his counselor in high school ruled him out of college, said that he was "not smart enough", well I don't have to tell you what God thought about that. He is now the Senior Pastor of a Cathdral that houses ten thousand and.... members, has an international ministry, owns several prosperous businesses and is doing pretty good for himself, for a man one woman called a dummy.
I wish I could find her now.
Well I really did not intend to tell all of this hopefully I did not say too much. Many of you know I am writing a book and this will actually be an except from it. Entitled Diary of Esther, who knows when God will release me to release it. Just do me one favor, if I am sending it to you, please do not send it to anyone else.
Thank you and God Bless.
To all of my brothers and sisters out there who are desring to start a business and do not know how, here is my advice or tip for the day, please pay very close attention...okay here is the secret.
If you:
Want to start a business, but don't know how
Desire to own a business don't know where to start
Have been thinking about a business but don't know what to do
Own a business but want to make it better, to expand or to grow
Whatever, you are tired of working for someone else and you want to make your own money
Please write this information down or contact them today:
Alena Edmondsonor Gladys Johnson you may reach them in Detroit at the Christian Business Network
Akedmondson@aol.com
(248)-357-9485 phone (248) 357-9488 fax.
They offer a 16 wek training course fro writing business plans and properly preaparing for business. If you are in Chicago it is a quick 1 hour flight once a week, a true investment for the SERIOUS business mind.
As the case with Elder Harrison, he flew every week back and forth from Atlanta to Detroit to attend these courses, they are that valuble). I believe that they have a program that guarenteess funding foir your business upon completeion. So has God been dropping something in your spirit, these are the people you should talk to.
Invest in yourself make the call and ask the questions. I promise they have the answer or will direct you to who can. Tell them God sent you.
I don't know about you but it has made me pull out my old plans. God bless!
Commercial:
I decided to add this part not to be too detailish but mainly to point out that family time is so important. Life is so funny now and days that you never know if your last visit with someone is going to be your last. So to me every moment counts and means something.
