"...with God all things are possible..."
WELCOME TO
"STEPPIN' OUT WITH FLORENCE"
Why I am inviting you to Step Out with me?
New!
Please
encourage our Troops by writing a message which will be posted here. All you have to do
is click on "Heart2Heart," in the side menu and start
typing. We can never say "Thank You"
enough! God Bless!
The oldest 2010 posting is at the bottom
For 2008 and 2009 Postings, see Blog Archives
Note: the views expressed in the letters are not necessarily those of anyone associated with the Web Site or its backers. We provide a place for the writers to sound off.
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Chilly, the one at the far right, is the first soldier God gave me in Dijubiti, Africa in 2005. He is now in the Middle East. |
I was "called" into the Gospel Ministry in 1979. Following the example set by my parents, I live and "walk" what I believe. I thank God because my son and daughter serve Jesus Christ as well as my five grandchildren, Michael, Anthony James, Krissy and Lauren. The youngest, my little Joshua, is still an infant. My son Michael is a Deacon and his wife Marybeth a Deaconess in the Church where I grew up, and my daughter, Eboni, co-writes music with me for our troops and others.
I "step out in faith" on the Promises of God daily. I gave this blog the title "Steppin' out with Florence" because this is what exercising our faith requires. No, I didn't misspell the word by leaving the "g" off of "steppin"; it is slang and we said it that way "back in the day." (I know I just dated myself....:) We must "step out" in faith in order to appropriate the Promises of God into our lives. Faith is an "action" word, and as God's Word teaches us,
"...faith without works is dead..." AND "...we walk by faith not by sight...." I desire to encourage some and teach others how to exercise their faith and dare to believe God for all that they can ask. Our desires must always be in line with God's Will for our lives, without exception!
We are living in some of the most trying times known to mankind and must remember that "...faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God...." There are no shortcuts for fulfilling our purpose, and we must spend quality time with God. Throughout the years, I have been involved in various ministries, such as Prison and Nursing Home. The Street Ministry afforded me an opportunity to minister to the Homeless. These experiences tested my faith because they allowed me to see, first hand, "man's inhumanity to man," and to conclude that we truly do live in a selfish world where some of us put ourselves before others. This is contrary to the teachings of Jesus Christ! At any rate, it is about spiritual growth and each one of us is in a different place. I am not where I was nor am I where I am going to be. None of us were born mature!
In 2004, God blessed me with a "personalized" tape ministry for our troops. This has been one of the most gratifying experiences of my life! To hear about the sacrifices our Soldiers are willing to make in order to honor an oath they made before God and man blows my mind! To see how their faith is tested has helped me grow in mine. I am more convinced now than ever that there is no such thing as an atheist, particularly in light of some of the war stories some of my Soldiers have shared with me. My inspirational stories are not just from the battlefield, but from every day people like you and me who are "tried by fire" in our daily lives. This blog is not just for Soldiers who are serving our Great Nation, but for those who are or want to be Soldiers for Christ!
We are all in this together and should not be afraid to be transparent. God requires that "...the strong bear the infirmities of the weak...." Together we can dig deeply for the TRUTH as we share how God is blessing us through it all. God's Word teaches us that the Holy Spirit "...will lead us to ALL truth...." I believe this -- how about you? At every opportunity I will saySo, come get close to the fire where we can laugh and cry together! By the way, the dress code is casual, and casual is relative.....:)
Yours in Christ,
Florence
2010
1/18/2010
Dear Sister Soldiers Family, Friends, Hosts, Posse Members, Volunteers, and Supporters:
Happy 2010! And may it be a happy, healthy, and prosperous year for each and every one of you.
The Sister Soldier Project finished 2009 with a flourish in December by shipping 164 Hair Care packages to our Sisters. See article about the Toyota African American Collaborative Packing Party. http://www.diversityinc.com/content/1757/article/7035/
Thanks to generous donations from Michelle B, Bettie L, Barbara C, Eryn, Dr. O, Allison S, Jean W., and Nichole E, we have already sent off 18 boxes in the New Year.
However, dose of reality, we still have 73 Sister Soldiers on our waiting list, and (boo) the USPS has just raised their fee for flat rate boxes again, the new rate is $10.70 per box. As you know from last month’s newsletter, our next big Packing Party event is not scheduled until mid-March so, as always, we are in need of individual donor support to keep the flow of shipments going to the Sisters. Donations of any amount are most welcome, please visit www.sistersoldierproject.com and contribute or send a check to Sister Soldier Project, PO Box 1311, Grover Beach, CA 93483.
In the meantime, I’m going to have “much fun” on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 7:00PM. As part of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s Black History Month celebration, I will be speaking before the students, faculty and staff at a screening of Chris Rock’s 2009 theatrical release documentary film “Good Hair”. Thanks to the cooperation of its Producer Kevin O’Donnell, I will have some good behind-the-scene stories of its filming. Any of you in the San Luis Obispo area who would care to join us, you are most welcome. The flyer is attached.
In Los Angeles the Sister Soldier Project will be honored by the Lambda Kappa Mu Sorority, Inc., Affiliated with the National Council of Negro Women. The big day is Saturday, March 20, 2010 at the Courtyard by Marriott in Culver City. More details to follow.
Our generous hair care manufacturer sponsors, Dr. Miracle’s, and Dudley’s Q have been extra kind and is now promoting its association with the Project on their official blog sites, on Twitter and Facebook, http://drmiracles.com/blog/, http://www.facebook.com/dudleyq/posts/189660103494
Lots of women peruse these Black Hair Care sites, so hopefully this exposure will help attract some new Friends and Supporters to our Project.
We continue to receive the most heart-warming notes from the Sister Soldiers, here’s merely one example from the Toyota African American Collaborative Packing Party. Our website’s “Thank You” page contains many more.
“I received the box today WOW!!!!!! Thank you so much! You and your team are the best. I really and truly appreciate everything you sent. You made my Christmas. Thanks again and have a wonderful and Happy Holiday.
God Bless You!
Luv Ya,
Sister Soldier
Donnet
I just love it when they sign off... Sister Soldier.
2010 Calendar Update
Monday, March 15th, Sororities at Morgan State University, MD. 200 care packages, product sponsor—Organic Root Stimulator
Saturday, April 17th, Sistahs Book Clubbing, Shreveport, LA, 150 packages, product sponsor—Dr. Miracle’s
Saturday, April 24th, St Matthews United Methodist Church, Greensboro, NC. 100 packages
Friday, August 6th, Sims Family Reunion, Aberdeen, MS, 200 packages
Saturday, August 7th, Bethel AME Church, Greensboro, NC, 150 packages
Saturday, Oct 16th, Cal Poly University, San Luis Obispo, CA, 70 Packages
December 2010, date TBD, Bethel AME Church, Greensboro, NC, 200 packages
And, continued thanks to each and every one of you for your critical involvement and support.
All the best,
Myraline
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