Editor's Corner

Be still, and know that I am God; 

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!  

~Psalm 46:10 

 

There's Light In Our Darkness 

Author, Sharon R. Wells

 

Sharon R. Wells

This past weekend, many New Jersey residents, including myself, experienced a snow storm that caused some surprising damage. Not only was it a shock to get snow in October, but the aftermath left many families without power. The power outage seized all movement and we were left in the dark. It was in that moment I realized how blessed we are for little things, like flicking on a light switch.  

 

The power outage forced me to be still, but not willingly, and had me doing a lot of thinking, which could be quite dangerous!

I experienced thoughts of what it could be like if the world was coming to an end, it was very un-nerving. I've always said that God knows how to get our attention, and on Saturday He had mine! I missed all of the little things such as turning on the television, lighting the stove or being able to charge my cell phone that I don't normally think twice about.

 

However, what meant the most to me were the invitations that my friends extended to stay in their homes.  It's a blessing to have people who care about you, and to also have somewhere to go in case of an emergency.  It saddens me to know that there are people who don't have those options. They have no family or friends whom they can rely on in times of need.  I am thankful for my family and friends and will be here for them in their times of need. Subconsciously, we sometimes forget to cherish our most precious gifts, which are life, health, family and friends.
  

Unfortunate circumstances shouldn't have to occur in order to make us mindful of what's important. My power was restored just this morning, and I am sincerely grateful for the awakening I experienced this past weekend. Life is so short and just a flick of a switch can instantly change everything. 

 

I wish you all a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving! I pray that you will take a moment to appreciate all the goodness and
 people in your lives. 

 

Peace and Blessings!

 

Ki Mani Prays  
 

"Giving thanks always for all things unto God....."  Ephesians 5:20
 

Beloved and Holy Father, Mother God the presence of the Spirit that I AM is gratitude. It fills my heart and makes me whole. I am grateful for the simple pleasures in life; a smile from a stranger, a child that arrives home safely, the sun, the snow, the microwave, the dime I found on the street, running water. God, I thank you for indoor plumbing, a remote control for my TV and for gas stoves, electric hot plates and open fires. God, I thank you that I have a shovel to dig, and two hands to do it with. Yes, God, thank you for a car and for public transportation, sanitation workers, and heat in the winter and air-conditioners in the summer. Thank you God for the butcher the baker, and yes, God the candle stick maker, especially the candle stick maker when the power goes out. God, I am so grateful for just the ability to breathe, to think and move about even if it's on a "hover round," thank you God that I can bathe in a tub with hot water or stand in a shower. Thank you to have a leg if not two to stand on. God, thank you for the can of potted meat, the frozen dinner, five star meals and left-over's from friends. God, I thank you for everything, this includes the bills and the bill collectors reminding me that I still owe, thank you God for the landlord who accepts section 8 and the mansion on the hill, the boarding house with a room for rent, and the shelter for the homeless. God, I thank you for your Son Jesus, His mother Mary and for all my brothers and sisters in Christ, and of all faiths and all nationalities. With an attitude of gratitude, I find thanks in everything and for everything. 

 Amen.   

The holidays, Thanksgiving in particular, is supposed to be a great time to reflect on your life and its impact (or lack there of) on the world. As I reflect on this past year and the journey I have embarked on, I am marveled at myself. It has truly been a time of transition. In one year I have had transition in my location; transition in my relationship status; transition in my children's EVERYTHING (LOL), and also transition in my PURPOSE.

I believe that God gave me a gift to be able to connect with other women in transition on a level that is true, direct and empathic. This may be because I too battle some of the same issues, but I am able to use different tools, thus having different outcomes.

If I'm able to impart one principal in the women I work with, it would be to EMBRACE YOUR JOURNEY. I have had to remind you to do just that in order to live your life's true purpose.

It is very hard for some of the women I work with to understand what I mean when I say, "EMBRACE YOUR JOURNEY." It is HOW you embrace your journey that will have a direct impact of how these transitions will affect everything else in your life. Transitions are merely "circumstances in flux".

I am learning more and more each day that it is how those "circumstances in flux" will affect you, your mood, your demeanor, your attitude, your family and everything else around you. I am grateful to have people in my life who love me enough to call me out when I allow those things to affect me negatively.

I am often asked, "Ms. Fitch, how can I embrace being homeless, how can I embrace being broke, how can I embrace being on welfare, how can I embrace loosing my job, how can I embrace my 14yr old daughter being pregnant," the list of how can I goes on and on.

First I offer you this to ponder...What is your PURPOSE? It is imperative to keep your eye on the prize. I know for me my mission is greater than any circumstance that life throws at me. Then quite frankly it can be a matter of creativity, positive attitude, and a mustard seed of faith that this too shall pass. (And I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me!)

I also want to offer that if we are so busy worrying about the "circumstances in flux" we miss the lessons. Learning what steps didn't work; and which person in our lives truly do not have our best interest at heart; and more importantly, taking note of what truly gives us joy. Transitions are necessary. They bring us to our true selves. Granted some don't feel good as we go through them, but labor is the final process you must go through to get that wonderful bundle of sweetness we have been baking for almost ten months.

So Happy Thanksgiving, take a little time to enjoy your journey....

Kiwan is also the founder of the Kiwan N. Fitch Foundation.

Visit The Kiwan N. Fitch Foundation  

Confessions Of A Welfare Mom
 Author, Kiwan Fitch
  

Confessions of a Welfare Mom is a book that spotlights women who are currently or have at one point in their life time been on any form of public assistance. The book will be a composite of the many faces of welfare. I'm honored that so many women were able to search within their lives and decide to share their stories. It is the hope of this project that women will read the stories and get hope.  Hope for a future, hope for success, and that they will know that there is always hope.

This project was also designed with a business model in mind. I wanted women who submit to the project to be able to share in the profits. All contributors are invited to purchase the book at wholesale price in order to sell it at retail price, thus keep the difference for their own profit. 

Click link to purchase your copy today!

Mary's Easy Bake Holiday Bundt Cake Recipe 

1 Box of Duncan Hines yellow cake mix

1 can of icing of your choice

1/3 cup of vegetable oil

1 1/3 cup of water

3 large eggs

1 box of instant vanilla pudding

1/2 can of sweet & condensed milk

1/2 cup of chopped pecans and/or raisins

Mix all the ingrediants together and pour into a greased bundt cake pan

Bake in oven for 35-45 minutes at 325 degrees

Microwave icing  for 7-14 seconds or until it melts

Stream the melted icing over the cake 

Enjoy!