T

1

Issue 3 The Newsletter

Welcome to the third edition of the iChoose Newsletter! We are so excited to create a communication to let you know about the organization and also be a resource in your everyday lives. The goals of this communication is to quarterly:

Communicate the happenings of the organization Get you acquainted with the members of the sisterhood Provide encouragement to your soul Share editorials on current events in our community

WHO IS We are a faith-based organization with a mission to encourage and promote an open forum and dialogue to discuss and provide solutions to issues and circumstances that hinder women. We strive to grow as individuals, raise our children with passion, keep our communities alive, and be a source of strength to our men. We must also work diligently to enlighten ourselves, families, communities and the world of our magnificent identities and obtain absolution from the stereotypes. Happiness is a choice, so we choose to embrace the hindrance and overcome together.

OUR VALUES

SISTERHOOD ACCOUNTABILITY POSITIVE SELF IMAGE RESPECT PRAYER COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Introduction

Getting To KnowLakena Kelly-Young

Meeting Rewind

The Encouragement Corner

Our Current Events

YOU CAN TELL WHO THE STRONG WOMEN ARE, THEY ARE THE ONES YOU SEE BUILDING ONE ANOTHER UP INSTEAD OF TEARING EACH OTHER DOWN.

-ANONYMOUS

T

2

Issue 3 The Newsletter

GETTING TO KNOW LAKENA KELLY-YOUNG LAKENA KELLY-YOUNG is the Chaplin of . In this issue, we would like to spotlight Kena and give you a chance to learn a little more about her. She keeps us constantly covered in prayer!

It is a group of unselfish, educated and loving women that uplifts, encourages, builds up and looks out for each others well - being. A group that goes out into the community to help those that are in need. This group helps you reach inside of yourself and pull out qualities you never knew you had or wake up some things that you allowed to lie dormant. I love you and you all have truly added to my life in a positive way.

WHAT ICHOOSE MEANS TO YOU

My Past Does Not Dictate My Future!"

ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE QUOTES

I have been blessed to have a wonderful husband (Mark), four wonderful children (Kyana, Amber, Zhevon and Tyjah) and four beautiful grandchildren (Ziyah, Makenzie, Zhari and Davion Jr.)

FAMILY

Owning a spa that includes etiquette and parenting classes for young women.

DREAM CAREER/JOB

One of my greatest accomplishments was completing my first EP. It was written and sung by me.

GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT SO FAR

l don't always handle adversity as well as I would like because sometimes I get emotional. I pray to get an answer from God to see how he would like me to handle the situation.

HOW DO YOU HANDLE ADVERSITY

T

3

Issue 3 The Newsletter

GETTING TO KNOW LAKENA KELLY-YOUNG LAKENA KELLY-YOUNG is the Chaplin of . In this issue, we would like to spotlight Kena and give you a chance to learn a little more about her. She keeps us constantly covered in prayer!

I DO NOT like heights so roller coasters are out of the

question!

WHAT DO YOU NOT LIKE TO DO

VideoBrokenMore Than A Conqueror, Free, I Made it, Changed and Smile

WHAT SONGS ARE INCLUDED ON YOUR LIFESOUNDTRACK?

Wow...I would have to say it was 2014. It began with my surgery when I had to be on a catheter for a little over a week. After my surgery, I was in a situation at home that I thought I would never be in BUT GOD allowed me and my family to get through it and it allowed me to trust God through the process.

WHAT WAS THE LAST EXPERIENCE THAT MADE YOU ASTRONGER PERSON?

I would have loved to heard Dr. Martin Luther King speak live and soak up his wisdom.

IF YOU COULD WITNESS ANY EVENT PAST, PRESENT ORFUTURE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

How can we effectively reach our youth to prevent the violence that is occurring in our city?

IF YOU COULD KNOW THE ANSWER TO ANY QUESTION, BESIDES WHAT IS THE MEANING OF LIFE? WHATWOULD IT BE?

Nerissa Smith. I love her go get it attitude! She has went to school and received multiple degrees and now has started her own business. She lets nothing stop her from accomplishing her goals.

SELECT 1 ICHOOSE MEMBER WHO HAS A QUALITYTHAT YOU ADMIRE AND WHY?

T

4

Issue 3 The Newsletter

MEETING REWIND Each month The Ladies of come together for our monthly meetings. Each meeting has a topic selected by the hosting member. We come together to discuss and fellowship with one another. If you are interested in learning more about these topics, reach out to an iChoose member for details. Here is a recap of July November 2015.

Let's Roll

July 2015 Outing It Takes A Village

Back to School Jam

August 2015What's Unique

About You?

September 2015

Women on the Front Line

October 2015Sugar Brown

Burlesque Show

November 2015 OutingHappy Holidays from

iChoose!

December 2015

THE QUESTION ISNT WHOS GOING TO LET ME; ITS WHOS GOING TO STOP ME!

-AYN RAND

T

5

Issue 3 The Newsletter

THE ENCOURAGEMENT CORNER Be Encouraged No Matter What Going On He Will Make It Alright But You Got To Stay Strong When I first started to write this issue of the encouragement corner, I had so many things I wanted to talk about, so many different ideas and directions I wanted to go in. I was in a good space and things, although not the greatest, were pretty sound. The holidays were on their way, there would be family, good food, music, games and conversation. We would celebrate togetherness, how wonderful God has been to us, and how he managed to keep us from hurt, harm or danger seen and unseen.

In the mist of me preparing for the holidays things began to take a slow drastic turn in the wrong direction. My family and others along with their families would be tested with illness and death. The devil was trying to steal our joy, I mean snatch it right out of our hearts. For those who know me, you know my family is everything to me. By family I mean blood family and friends people I have known for years or even a short period of time and we just seemed to click. What I have realized over the past few weeks is life doesnt get any easier. It is so important to express your love while you can. So this holiday season I would like to just encourage you all to spend a little extra time with your loved ones. Kiss on them, hug them a little longer, say thank you, let them know they are appreciated we never know if its the last time.

CHRISTMAS WITHOUT THEM

The Night Is Clear and the Air Is Crisp, Snow Falls Gently On the Ground. Tonight Is Christmas Eve. Off In The Distance I Hear The Voice Of Approaching Carolers. They Are Too Far Away To Hear The Song They Sing. I Quickly Close The Door Shutting Out The Sights And Sounds Of Christmas. Tonight Is Just Too Painful As I Think Of "Christmas Without Them". Is Christmas Ever The Same When We Are Without Our Loved Ones?

The Traditions I Have Cherished Since Childhood Have Changed Into Something New And Unexpected. As An Adult, I Find Myself With Feelings Of A Five Year Old, Scared And Alone. I Have No Mother Or Father To Comfort Me. Tears Flow And I Feel My Heart Breaking. Sometimes, I Find Myself Standing In The Midst Of Strangers With Tears Running Down My Cheeks. Why Is It So Difficult To Purchase Candy Canes And Beautiful Red Bows?

I Catch The Glimpse Of The Shoppers, As They Try Not To Stare, While Others, Forgetting They Are Strangers, Stop To Offer A Knowing Smile Of Understanding. I Begin To Realize I Am Not Alone With These Types Of Feelings. All Of A Sudden The Memories Come Flooding In.

How Fortunate I Am To Have Such Wonderful Memories Of My Wonderful Parents And The Times We Shared. Just As Quickly As The Memories Brought Tears The Same Memories Resurfaced To Spread Joy. Memories Have A Way Of Making The Emptiness Bearable. I Remember. I Smile. My Thoughts Are Once Again Returned To The Children. Their Sounds Of Singing Grow Closer. I Open My Door To Find Their Half- Frozen Faces, Smiling Brightly At Me.

Christmas Without Them May Never Be The Same, But, From Out Of The Darkness Pleasant Memories Flood My Heart. I Can Almost Hear My Parents Voices Telling Me the Story of This Most Holy Night. Like A Message From Above, I Listen As The Children Sing, "Sleep In Heavenly Peace".

--- Copyright 1999 Corky Ferguson --- Ohio

Author ~Monique S. Bradley

T

6

Issue 3 The Newsletter

CURRENT EVENTS Im sure many of you have heard about the horrible events that occurred in Paris and Nigeria.

PARIS- On a night when thousands of fans were enjoying a soccer match, a horror struck in an unprecedented manner. It was reported that terrorist with bombs strapped to their bodies attacked sites throughout the French capital and at the stadium where the soccer game was underway. It was also reported that eight extremists were dead after the attacks and seven of them were killed in suicide bombing. Six locations were attacked in and outside of the capital. The final count for the victims was 128 people killed. How did the place known for love, end up being a place of a horrific attack?

NIGERIA- This blast took place at a fruit and vegetable market near a main road. It has been reported that two female suicide bombers killed at least thirty two people and dozens more were wounded. People cant go to the market without being targeted. Terrorism is real! These incidents show us that no place is truly safe. We must come together and not only pray for our city but also pray for our nation.

When I think about whats happening in the world one of my favorite songs comes to mind; Break Every Chain By Tasha Cobbs. One of the lyrics says There is Power in the Name of Jesus; Theres an Army rising up We have to come together on one accord as an Army for God and break all these chains from the enemy.

Lord We Need You To Break The Chains Of Terrorism!

Lord We Need You To Break The Chains Of Hatred.

Lord Please Break The Chains!

Author ~Kia Bailey

T

7

Issue 3 The Newsletter

Mission Statement From this day forward, every day will be my own, being free of the past

and living to improve my future. iChoose to be free of guilt, let go of pain, negativity, and focus on accomplishments to inspire me when I

feel weak. iChoose to conquer lifes challenges with prayer and courage, while gaining wisdom along the way to help strengthen my sisters in their time of need. Through Gods grace, I am regaining my

strength, getting closer to my goals and inspiring the change for a better me. I understand that this life is not mine alone, but iChoose to

start living life for me.

EMAIL: info@ichoosenfp.org WEBSITE: www.ichoosenfp.org FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/iChoose2 INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/ichoosew TWITTER: https://twitter.com/iChoosew

DESIGNED BY THE MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS TEAM DECEMBER 2015