My church has been blessed tremendously by the Church Builders. Approximately 300 people from Texas and beyond volunteered their time and resources to help build our church.  Sunday it was only a slab, the pictures below is what the volunteers did on Monday by high noon. 

I’ll also share some pictures of the ladies who are part of the volunteer crew who work hard to make sure the workers eat well during break time (my mom’s in one of the pics).

God is awesome and the love and kindness shown by strangers to my church family has my heart overflowing with joy.  I just couldn’t keep this news to myself.  God can bypass a bad economy–we’re living proof.

I wanted to start the week off celebrating love. Congratulations to Victoria Rowell (author/actress) on her recent nuptials to Radcliffe Bailey. 

Excerpt from NY Times:

Ms. Richardson Jackson, an actress (“Joe Turner’s Come and Gone”), recalled: “Vicki had been talking to me about her despair, and I told her that I was going to introduce her to someone special. The words came out of my mouth, and the minute they did, I knew they weren’t mine, that they’d come from above.”

Ms. Richardson Jackson had also been telling Mr. Bailey, who had an exhibition at the festival and whose art she and her husband collect, that he, too, would find love. “He had kids and was divorced and I said, ‘It’ll come again, don’t despair.’ ”

To read the entire article, click here.

Do you have your own real life love story to share? 

A few days ago my friend Kem sent me an article about NBA player Richard Jefferson decision to call off his wedding to his now ex-fiancee Kesha Ni’Cole Nichols. (To read the article, click here).

Their wedding is estimated at costing $2 million dollars but money talk aside, I know it probably hurt her emotionally, but she should look at it as a a blessing in disguise. 

After reading the article, it got me to thinking.  I thought back to years ago and I do mean years ago when my now ex-fiance decided he wasn’t ready to get married. Fortunately for me I had not bought my dress nor sent out any invitations. I was probably weeks away from doing those things when we broke up. Grant it, at the time I didn’t care about the material stuff. I was only concerned about my broken heart.

If I could talk to Kesha Ni’Cole Nichols, I would let her know that she will bounce back. She will do better without him.  That there’s a man out there who will appreciate the total package.  During the time we’re going through things we don’t see the bigger picture, but it’s a blessing he walked away. Now she’s available to receive what God wants for her–something or someone who is much more suitable to her. If he tries to come back, no matter how much he begs, let him know–Love don’t live here anymore. (I think I’ll go put that song on just for old times sake).

If you were told days before your wedding or on the day of your wedding that your fiance didn’t want to marry you, how do you think you would react?

A taste of CHOCOLATE

By Shelia M. Goss

Can I have a piece of that Chocolate?

Not in the sense of what you might think,

But beneath the layer is what I seek.

No I’m not looking for a Sugar Daddy;

Just a man who can keep me Happy.

Yes I like  my almond joy,

But it’s you I want to know.

So open up and let me in;

Take time to know me as your friend.

Just turn me into your Chocoholic

Make me feel like I can’t do without it.

So again I ask you,

Can I have a piece of that Chocolate?

  You have a chance to win a copy of Karrine Steffans new book – The Vixen Manual: How To Find, Seduce & Keep the Man You Want.

If you’re already signed up to my mailing list, I just need you to leave a comment on this blog post.

If you’re not on my mailing list, to enter, just sign up AND leave a comment on this post to let me know you’re interested in the Vixen Manual contest. To sign up, click or paste the following link: http://www.feedblitz.com/f/?Sub=498262

All entries must be in between now and 11:59 p.m est 08/05/09.

Several winners will be chosen at random.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Since she exploded on the scene with her two juicy and impossible-to-put-down tell-alls, readers have wanted to know even more about what makes Karrine Steffans tick. How was she able to meet all the high profile politicians, movie stars, and other celebrities that are her close acquaintances? What skills does she possess to keep men wanting more? Finally, Karrine lays it all out and explains exactly what a woman must do to win over the man of her dreams. With chapters like “Never Let Him See You Sweat,” “Flirting,” “Encouraging His Manhood,” and “Give Him What He Wants,” this hot and sexy manual is a must-have for every woman’s bookshelf.

Shelia’s note:  I didn’t know what to expect when I opened up Karrine Steffan’s latest – The Vixen Manual.  I will admit I had some preconceived notions and was like, “What could she possibly tell me that I don’t aleady know?” I was pleasantly surprised that there were some good tips in the book. There are some things within the pages that I don’t agree with, but I still found the book insightful.  Warning:  The Vixen Manual is for the grown and sexy.

Contest open to US residents only. Contest ends at 11:59 p.m.  August 5,  2009. Void where prohibited by law. The winners will be notified via email. If the winner hasn’t responded within 48 hours of the initial email with their shipping address, the next name pulled will be the winner.