YEAH Spa Day

Update: God GAVE IT ALL BACK!!!!! Those hackers could not win against my God. Jesus is the best thing that ever happened to me. All of my money was returned to me. So I must take a moment to praise HIM. JOIN ME!!!!!!!!!




On to the news!

YEAH!!!!

The 2010 Winter Retreat Spa Day is underway. I must admit that I did get a little discouraged because I hadn't solidified everything and everyone but God is still on the Throne.

I know within that God is moving and orchestrating my life and has great things for me, but I must also admit that I am a little bit of an eager beaver. I try with all of my might to help the Lord do His will in my life. But He keeps telling me, "I Got This!"

So, I am forging forth by the grace of God and moving me out of the way. FaithWithHeels always endeavors to help others. Although we are new, small and learning our way, we are still strong in the Lord and in the power of HIS might. We are able to do what He is calling us to do because He is why we are doing what we do.

There are times when I feel like Brother Moses (no I am not leading people to the promised land)but I do feel that if He is not with me I will not go. I know that I must trust that He is leading and anytime that I feel afraid or anxious, I must go to the Rock that is higher than I. I must be still to hear clearly, however, as my friend pointed out to me today, sometimes He won't say a word.

My mother said something to me this month, that I must share with you. As we were talking, I kept saying, "I believe this, I believe that", finally my mother said, "MiVida, it is time for you to STOP believing and KNOW God is going to do it for you." Enuf said.

Even though I believe that FaithWithHeels is going to grow, I know that it will blossom suddenly as God waters and increases. Even though I believe that my situation is temporary, I know that God has an abundance for me in due time. Even though I believe that I am the head and not the tail, I know that the enemy is totally under my feet. Even though I believe that I am prosperous, I know that He supplies all of my needs according to His riches in glory. Even though I believe that I am on the right track, I know that I couldn't do anything without any of you.

I understand that believing is half of the battle, but knowing places me in the realm of victory. I AM AN OVERCOMER AND SO ARE YOU!!!!!

FaithWithHeels is a statement of my faith. It is a level of faith that we all achieve when we get out of the comfort of the boat, walk on water, just to follow Jesus. So today I encourage each of you to....

Keep Walking,

MiVida ~ FaithWithHeels.

Please join us for this Spa Day January 30, 2010 as we help others through our encouraging, empowering and enlightening events. Tickets will be available November 25, 2009 for morning and afternoon appointments. Proceeds will be used to help L.I.F.T. Women's Resource Center (http://www.lift-wrc.org/) And as always thanks for listening.

I Still Have My Joy

This week I found that I was a victim of theft. Someone hacked into my account and took all of the money out of my bank account. I didn't find out about it until after they had done their damage. It wasn't my main account but my business account and I have orders outstanding for the T-Shirts and some other things I wanted to accomplish this week.

I was soooooo devastated on Friday when I went to pay some bills and there was no money there. I couldn't think or see straight. I was not a happy camper. I did what any daughter of the King would do. I contacted Jesus, the company and the bank immediately. Jesus told me to be still and the company and bank said that they are investigating this activity. Of course, they assured me that I will get my money back. But inside it didn't do me any good. I had plenty of things planned for my life over the weekend and I didn't know how I would make it. I had written checks to suppliers and didn't have a dime to pay them. So I had to call everyone and let them know what was going on. I didn't even have gas in my car because all of my money was spoken for. (However, I did honor my commitments that were previously written.)

This unfortunate incident shows me that bad things can happen when you are not fully protected. When you put yourself out on the Internet, anything can happen, so beware. One thing I am learning that in all things I must protect myself. While I am on the Internet often, I still know that I don't know everything about it and the wily ways of the predators that send the bogus emails and scams everyday.

The Lord has kept me over the weekend and has given me peace in the midst of this mess. I know that the enemy comes to kill, steal and destroy and that he is always on his job. So I must also be as vigilant in my actions. I refused to let it get me down. I have been without cash before. I have owed money before, I have had to believe before and I am still here. I drew from the Faith that in dwelling within me. I know that the Lord is with me and will guide me through this situation. But I was still sooooo mad with the devil because I know that he is mad at me and trying to keep me from progressing in my own Faith Walk. I also have some fabulous friends who had my back. Thanks y'all. Never woulda made it (without Jesus and you).

But I am strong than that because I know that "thou O Lord are a shield for me, my Glory and the lifter of my head." (Psalms 3:3) I am going to make it through, because He always makes a way of escape. I shall not worry about it because it is supposed to happen at this time.

It is now Wednesday of the following week and the company is saying that they didn't get my paperwork yet, which I faxed, and they need me to fax it again, which will probably take another week to process. I can feel the pressure boiling up but God is still speaking peace in my ear. I know He will hear when I call. (Psalms 4:3)

This minor setback is not going to stop the favor of the Lord. Nothing can stop the favor of the Lord. What the devil meant for evil, God has always worked out for my good. I am even more excited because for some reason, I know I am on the verge of a huge breakthrough and I am telling the devil, I am going to be "even more vile than this and base in my own sight". (2 Sam. 6:22) I am going to spread the Word of God even more than before. I am going to be excited about what you are doing to my bank account because now I have a great testimony of God's goodness and grace in my life. My shirts will sell all the more because I have FAITH that I am on the right track. I will be a help to God's people and FaithWithHeels will do exploits in Jesus' Name.

I still have my joy because I still have Jesus who is the center of it all. (I do caution and warn all the Internet users to watch your accounts, change your passwords often and be diligent and vigilant about getting back what the devil stole.)

Keep FaithWithHeels in prayer as we bust down the walls the enemy is trying to build and WALK in FAITH toward our destiny. We shall surely live and not die, been there and got that T-shirt too.

Love ya and Keep Walking,

MiVida

Shoes by Christian Louboutin/Anemone

I call them "TAKE THAT's" These are fighting shoes.

To Be Loved

In my lifetime, I have met so many people who have played a pivotal role in who I have become. Things that have transpired among us, good or bad have taught me so much about life and myself. Some things just happened and I couldn't control them, but some things I allowed because I didn't value me so much. The lessons of self worth are priceless but come at a cost.

I can recall my early years where I had teachers in elementary school, who nurtured me and encouraged me to enter the school play or recite a poem (In the Mornin' by Paul Lawrence Dunbar). During these years of my life my grandmother, Malteen and our family were my world. Everything centered around grandma's house. She was a lady's lady. She cooked every meal from scratch (until someone brought her that microwave, I think I know who that was), was always there when we needed her and was a very impressive dresser, which is a trait she passed to her daughters. Grandma was the confidant of everyone and she knew all the stories and even our truths. I spent many hours of my life in her house and especially at her snack bar, whether she was teaching us how to make something or clipping coupons for the next grocery trip. Now that I am grown, I see I need her more.

In middle school, independence began to kick in and I started to stretch my wings. I didn't need the advice of the grown-ups in the past, because I knew everything of course. Thank God even then, I had a well rounded support group. People who I knew would listen to the ramblings of a teenager and still give advice that would be beneficial. One of my teachers, Mrs. Howard, was very down to earth in her approach to us as young women. She would "tell it, like it is", which didn't go over too well at the time. But I do remember her saying to me privately, "You have to stand above the crowd, because there will always be a crowd to stand in." Back then, I was like, "What?", but she was telling me to be me, even in the crowd, I can still be me.

High School. Wow. There are so many things that can be said about my teens. I was not an angel but even broken angels have still have wings. During this time, I needed an attitude adjustment. Although I had a good time in high school, it came with a high level of low self esteem. My misunderstandings about who I was and who I belonged to, kept me trapped in a vicious cycle of the wrong thing at the wrong time. This baggage was so hard to let go. I let others determine my worth because I couldn't see that I was indeed worth a lot more. I don't blame anyone for my life experiences because now I can truly say, been there, done that, got the T-shirt and burned it. I can help someone to see that 10, 20, 30 years from now, you won't recognize yourself, if you make a change today. I made it through this period with the help of my friends. Some just told me like it was, and some shielded me from vicious attacks. Some were there when everyone else was gone and stood with me because they understood and loved me. (Don't get me wrong no one was killed during high school but many were injured.)

Adulthood is a whole 'nuther story. I now see why people said, "You'll understand when you get older," and why older people speak their minds. They have earned the right. As I reflect, I see that I have made a lot of mistakes in Mi Vida that seemed good at the moment but as time is progressing I am learning that I decide what I choose to accept. I can put my foot down at any moment because "I am not afraid of, what I got to pay for." (J.Scott). During my growing season in young adulthood, I became a lot more responsible. I thought that the number one priority was taking care of business. All business, everybody's business. It burned me out. Too much too do and so little time. Then one day a friend look me in the eyes and said, "But what about you?" I began to prioritize myself into the plan. Instead of Jesus, family, job, school, bills, house, men, women, cat, dog, fish, then me, it became Jesus, me, family, friends, etc. (Get in where you fit in but nothing is separating me from the Love of Jesus Christ.)

Throughout my life, I have been comforted by the support of people who love me, seen more in me than I have in myself, and who also have my back. This has been so valuable to me. You have been the ones who say the hard stuff and mean it. The ones who listen to me vent and then tell me to repent. The ones who laugh with me and make me laugh. The ones I am not afraid to cry in front of. The ones who pick me up when I am down and remember MY Birthday (that is huge). The ones I haven't talked to in months but we pick right up where we left off. The ones I see everyday and am glad to see. The ones who stick by my side and keep encouraging me to walk in Faith.

This is to you! It is great to be loved and to know that you are loved as well. In words we don't always express what we mean but today is my day to thank you for your support, love and help, for xx years of life.

Heels off to you!

Keep Walking,

MiVida

Patience

Good Morning,

I know I haven't posted anything in the last week or so because, so much has been happening to me that I was trying to absorb it all. I am so excited that through the Lord, I have seen some doors opening, that I had not even thought could exist for FaithWithHeels or myself.

I am finding that I am trying to rush the Lord as He is trying to perfect me in this area. What I would choose may not always be best. In evaluating myself, I know that I am a person of action. If I say I am going to do something, I stick to that and follow it through. Sometimes I forge ahead without truly seeking Him for direction. Sometimes, He pushes me because that would not have been an area I would have chosen.

The Lord has also been teaching throughout the process "Patience". Wait upon the Lord and be of good courage" Ps. 27:14

Waiting is not one of my best qualities. Because I am a "doer", I do not hesitate to move forward with my plans. But sometimes, the Lord has to pull in the reins so that I do not go overboard. Waiting is hard. Waiting is uncomfortable. Waiting is necessary. Understanding this means that the I must possess the characteristic of patience. WOW!!!

Brother James lets me know that my faith must be tested through patience and when patience is done I will be perfected, complete and lacking nothing (James 1:1-4). That is where I want to be.

For many years I prayed that the Lord would complete me so that I would not be in a place where my emotions were unchecked, my life was out of order and I was still severely hurting from the past. I just wanted to be made whole. I just wanted to touch the hem of His garment. I prayed and asked that He complete me so that I could do His will in Joy. I asked Him to really show me, me. He is constantly doing this daily and I am studying to me more quiet and sure of my direction. He is giving me a peace about being me.

I am now seeing that I must pray for all three: perfection, completion and abundance (no lack).

The Lord is the guide of my life and He deposits people within it to give me comfort, friendship, love and support. Yet it is to him that I must return for the refilling and the renewal. Everything that He deposits within me, I am using to bless, encourage and inspire someone else. I am sure it is the Lord that Keeps me Walking in these Heels. I give Him the praise and glory because this is not about me but about Him. I am excited (sometimes) to be a vessel He uses.

Today I encourage each of you to allow God to do what He do (smile). The process takes some time, instruction and faith (action). You will have some ups and downs but you will learn a lot about yourself, be able to teach others what you have learned, and you will be perfected, completed and lacking nothing in Him.

Everyday, pray for God's will to overtake you as you go about your day and listen to His direction through the Word.

Keep Walking,

MiVida es de Oro!!!!

My Life is Golden!!!!

When I am tried in the fire, I shall come out as pure Gold.

Shoes by RSVP - Ricci