Aimy's Thoughts

Welcome to the world, MAYA!

2009-08-03T15:50:00.005-04:00

On Saturday, July 18, 2009 at 2:01pm, little Maya-Shantell Da'Nae Steele came into the world and we welcomed her by the grace of God. She was 7 lbs, 3 oz. To date, she is 8lbs, 3 oz and continues to amaze us. Thank you Lord for our bundle of joy.

Life is GREAT!

2009-08-03T15:48:00.002-04:00

Despite what satan tries to throw your way or mine, remember that if we are still alive and our loved ones are too, Life is Great. If you still have your marriage, Life is Great. If you still have a cell phone, a car, a house, and food in this recession for the world and recess for the Saints, Life is Great. If life has dealt you an evil blow all at one time, if you are reading this, Life is Still Great. If the bank account balance is low, but you still have a bank account, Life is Great. Most importantly, if you have Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, LIFE IS GREAT. God bless.

One Birth at a Time!

2009-05-26T10:17:00.003-04:00

Habakkuk 2:2-3

2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

My father-in-law preached a message this past weekend that really spoke to my heart. Do you ever question why you may know what you are supposed to do with your life by you may lack the focus, will power, or persistence to do it?

Well, this happens to me and is currently my story.

The Pastor said in his message that God births dreams, visions, goals inside of us, similar to a pregnancy miracle. Just like the real life birth of a child, women find out that they're pregnant with an indication of some signs such as discomfort, morning sickness, and fatigue. When a woman notices these things, she figures that she needs to take a test to confirm the results. The morning sickness continues and she grows and grows until it's time for delivery. One of the most unique things about this birth is that a woman can only birth one child/set of children at one time. She cannot get pregnant simultaneously while one birth is pending. It was something that I knew but was really enlightened by when I heard it in context of Sunday's message.

Once the woman is prepared for delivery, the labor starts. After all the months of growth, pain, discomfort, and change, the woman has one final battle to undertake. The unborn child has to pass thru the birth canal which is the most traumatic part of the birthing process. When the baby or babies finally come out, everyone rejoices over the miracle set before them. All is well and the pain is soon forgotten.

This is what he compared to a vision that God gives you. Not only does it mirror the real birth process, but it's important to remember, you are only able to bear one vision or dream at a time. In a rare event that you produce multiples, the miracles are multiplied and are harder to achieve due to varied focus. However, most people are only able to have one at a time. The reason this was so awesome to me was because I often find myself without a focus on the current birth or vision I am to carry. God has told me specifically what I should currently be doing-writing a book on Understanding Generational Diversity-but I have dragged the process on much longer than I should have. I should be much further along than I am and when I look back on why I am not further along, I realize it's because of my lack of focus. I have not "written the vision, made it plain...that others may run with it." I hadn't done that so that I may run with it myself and that has caused me to consistently end up at a stand still.

I am now prepared to not give up the vision that God has implanted in my life. I will pursue it to the end and continue to go through this birthing process. Currently, I am in the 8th month of my real pregnancy and in the 5th month of my book pregnancy. May God continue to give me the grace and persistence to finish this project because I can only bear one birth at a time.

My friend Renee from P31 with Tyler Perry's The BROWN's

2009-04-01T18:41:00.002-04:00

Look at my friend who took this picture becuase I was a big fan. She took the picture recently on her way to Dallas, TX for a Christian Book Conference. She just ran into "The Brown's" and took this fabulous pic. Thanks Renee. Aimy

PS-Check out her blog at http://www.reneeswope.com/

Article: From a White Reporter about Racial Status in the USA

2009-04-01T11:33:00.002-04:00

Copied from a recent email I received.

Andrew M. Manis is associate professor of history at Macon State College in Georgia and wrote this for an editorial in the Macon Telegraph.

Andrew M. Manis: When Are WE Going to Get Over It?

For much of the last forty years, ever since America "fixed" its race problem in the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts, we white people have been impatient with African Americans who continued to blame race for their difficulties. Often we have heard whites ask, "When are African Americans finally going to get over it? Now I want to ask: "When are we White Americans going to get over our ridiculous obsession with skin color?
Recent reports that "Election Spurs Hundreds' of Race Threats, Crimes" should frighten and infuriate every one of us.

Having grown up in "Bombingham," Alabama in the 1960s, I remember overhearing an avalanche of comments about what many white classmates and their parents wanted to do to John and Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King. Eventually, as you may recall, in all three cases, someone decided to do more than "talk the talk."

Since our recent presidential election, to our eternal shame we are once again hearing the same reprehensible talk I remember from my boyhood.

We white people have controlled political life in the disunited colonies and United States for some 400 years on this continent. Conservative whites have been in power 28 of the last 40 years. Even during the eight Clinton years, conservatives in Congress blocked most of his agenda and pulled him to the right. Yet never in that period did I read any headlines suggesting that anyone was calling for the assassinations of presidents Nixon, Ford, Reagan, or either of the Bushes. Criticize them, yes. Call for their impeachment, perhaps. But there were no bounties on their heads. And even when someone did try to kill Ronald Reagan, the perpetrator was non-political mental case who wanted merely to impress Jody Foster.

But elect a liberal who happens to be Black and we're back in the sixties again. At this point in our history, we should be proud that we've proven what conservatives are always saying -- that in America anything is possible, EVEN electing a black man as president. But instead we now hear that school children from Maine to California are talking about wanting to "assassinate Obama."

Fighting the urge to throw up, I can only ask, "How long?" How long before we white people realize we can't make our nation, much less the whole world, look like us? How long until we white people can - once and for all - get over this hell-conceived preoccupation with skin color? How long until we white people get over the demonic conviction that white skin makes us superior? How long before we white people get over our bitter resentments about being demoted to the status of equality with non-whites?

How long before we get over our expectations that we should be at the head of the line merely because of our white skin? How long until we white people end our silence and call out our peers when they share the latest racist jokes in the privacy of our white-only conversations?

I believe in free speech, but how long until we white people start making racist loudmouths as socially uncomfortable as we do flag burners? How long until we white people will stop insisting that blacks exercise personal responsibility, build strong families, educate themselves enough to edit the Harvard Law Review, and work hard enough to become President of the United States, only to threaten to assassinate them when they do?
How long before we starting "living out the true meaning" of our creeds, both civil and religious, that all men and women are created equal and that "red and yellow, black and white" all are precious in God's sight?

Until this past November 4, I didn't believe this country would ever elect an African American to the presidency. I still don't believe I'll live long enough to see us white people get over our racism problem. But here's my three-point plan: First, everyday that Barack Obama lives in the White House that Black Slaves Built, I'm going to pray that God (and the Secret Service) will protect him and his family from us white people.

Second, I'm going to report to the FBI any white person I overhear saying, in seriousness or in jest, anything of a threatening nature about President Obama. Third, I'm going to pray to live long enough to see America surprise the world once again, when white people can "in spirit and in truth" sing of our damnable color prejudice, "We HAVE overcome."
**************************************
It takes a Village to protect our President!!!

***Think about that!

The Children of the World Choir Rocks!!!

2009-03-30T16:47:00.002-04:00

Praise God for the time we were able to spend with the Children of the World Choir this past weekend. The kids were such a blessing. None of the six host families wanted their kids to leave. Not only were the children kind, spunky, and well behaved, but they each had a story that touched the hearts of their host families. We were so blessed to have this opportunity and count it an honor and a privilege to be used in God's service. Check out their blog and please consider sponsoring a child.

www.cotwtour.blogspot.com

I'm back

2009-03-03T18:27:00.001-05:00

Hello readers,
I've been absent for awhile. I've been discovering Facebook, writing for my new book, and teaching my heart out. It's been great. But, I'm back so let's go. SO, here are some changes. First, this blog will be for my thoughts, ministry items, financial info as we are on the Dave Ramsey Total Money Makeover plan, teaching stuff and other miscellaneous things. I have created two other blogs that are still in their infancy. One is just for my thoughts on Real Estate items, the market, property management, etc. The other is just for my thoughts on Generation things and will be a sounding board for any and all research related to Generations as God births this book and ministry of addressing Generations out of my spirit. So, let's get ready for an awesome journey together. Won't you come with me? Love ya. Aimy

My fourth father!

2008-11-16T16:52:00.002-05:00

So, I have many dads. John is my biological father. Love him. Archie is my step dad but full time daddy for more than 20 years. Love him. JESUS CHRIST is my Heavenly Father since before the beginning of time. But Uncle Don is like my fourth dad. He is John's (my biological dad) brother. He works for the City of Houston Fire Department and he totally rocks. He has always been there for me whether it be for advice, money, or a shoulder. This is us at Grandma Bette's surprise birthday party in Houston. Love you Uncle Don. Aimy

Grandma Bette's Surprise 70th Birthday Party

2008-11-13T06:20:00.000-05:00

Wow, we had a great time in my hometown of Houston, Texas. This is my Grandma Bette who actually will turn 70 on the 13th but we had a surprise party for her a little early. Check it out.

Flashback Day at School and My Pet Peeve

2008-10-09T06:50:00.001-04:00

And she flashed back for homecoming...

BEFORE

AFTER

What was I thinking? And here, my friends, is my biggest pet peeve!

Why do people actually do this?

Dark colored stockings and pantyhose with light colored shoes is a fashion faux pas. DON'T DO THIS PLEASE. If you wear this to church, you will get talked about. All in fun of course. Much Love.

And my husband spoiled me...

2008-10-07T15:36:00.000-04:00

As I sit here helping my kids with their homework, my mind wonders back to yesterday when I arrived home with a splitting headache.

The day had been long and exhausting. It started out at 6am when I made my way out of the door and to my school to begin an exciting day of teaching. I made it thru the day with minimal incident and put on my real estate hat as I headed to the office in Charlotte.

I arrived at the office and completed an intense two hours there while I prepared deposits for monthly rents that had been received, met with one of my business partners, and talked with a few people I hadn't seen in a while. As I made my way out the door heading to the bank, I began developing a huge headache. I called my husband and let him know that as soon as I was done at the bank, I would be coming home instead of going to the rest of my evening appointments. He said, no problem and that I should just come home and he would take care of the rest.

As I walked in the door, I passed by the dining room and there he was in the kitchen preparing a salad. I sat my things down and began to reach for a bottled water to drink. He placed his hand in front of the water, gently swayed my hand away from the water and said in a nice, sweet voice, "Go lay down, you have bottled water in the bed already."

He motioned me to go lie down and get ready for bed.

I mentioned that I should shower first and he said, "No, I have something else planned for you."

Clueless and puzzled, I didn't know what he had in store for me until I peeped in the bathroom and saw the bathtub. He had water drawn for me already and proceeded to help me prepare for bed.

He brought me in the salad he had prepared along with the rest of dinner and some drink. I felt so special and so carefree. My headache began to subside and as the evening progressed, I began to thank the Lord for my WONDERFUL husband.

The Bible says in Proverbs 18:22 , "Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD." Well, when God brought me my husband, He brought me an EXCELLENT thing. Sure, we argue sometimes and have our less than beautiful moments, but overall, God has richly blessed our almost 10 blissful years of marriage and for that I am so thankful. See my man!!!! The Lord's man!!!!!!Amen!

Confession is Good for the Soul

2008-09-22T21:34:00.000-04:00

The Bible says that if a man confesses his sin, the Lord is faithful and just to forgive him of his sin and to cleanse him from all unrighteousness. WOW, how freeing are these words. The Lord wants us to realize that regardless of what sin we fall or walk into, He will provide a pathway toward grace that will bring forgiveness and peace that will surpass all understanding. That's why I'm glad I'm a Christian saved by grace. I'm also glad that when we do have sin in our lives and we recognize it as sin, then God welcomes us with open arms to confession and redemption.

Friends, I have sinned. Nothing that will have you writing to the Enquirer about but I enough to realize that I needed to recognize it, confess it, forsake it, and move on in holiness. I think too often we don't realize that not only are we called to repentance but also to confession. Now, we are not required to confess our sins to the whole world but to one or two or just to even God is sufficient. Really as long as God knows that we know and call it what it is, then we have met our criteria for confession.

Many times, people don't even understand that their ill behavior is sin. They don't think it could ever be sin for that matter. Then, what goes unconfessed ends up eating away at us or lingering in our minds as something perhaps that has never been dealt with. Then it winds up coming back up in our lives over and over again. It probably lurks because we never really dealt with the issues to begin with. Well, my friends, I'm here to tell you-Deal with your ISSUES head on and face on. Talk to someone, talk to this blog, tell your pillow or the wall if you have to. If you want to tell just God, then do that. Just don't keep it to yourself in your mind because it surely will eat at you little by litle and who knows, you may find yourself in the same sin once again. Confession is good for the soul!

My First Cup of Coffee from a Student! WoW!

2008-09-04T07:21:00.000-04:00

WOW, I'm impressed. My first cup of coffee arrived from a student today.

Let's call him PJ. PJ asked me yesterday what kind of Starbuck's coffee I drank and I told him just to answer his question. Now, sometimes people say they are going to do something and they may really mean it. Other times, they say it and don't mean it. In this case, PJ meant it and did it. He brought me a Venti Coffee from Starbucks. You heard it right, a Venti. I don't even buy venti size because it's a little pricey for me. However, my student thought enough of me to bring me a coffee and keep his word.

You know God tells us in His word that we are to honor our name as a valuable asset. If we say we are going to do something, we need to do it. All we have is our name. If your name is tarnished, it's very hard to regain your name status. Thank God for redemption thru the BLOOD of Jesus. I am also thankful for a good name. I have found that PJ is well on his way to establishing a good name. Thanks PJ.

*PJ is a fictitious name as I cannot use the real name of the student.

Teaching WHAT? (Part 2)

2008-08-29T10:27:00.000-04:00

So back to what I was saying yesterday. I am now a High School Spanish Teacher in my town. It's a very noble, but high calling that I take very seriously. I am so honored to have the opportunity to impart knowledge to today's youth-better known as GENERATION Y. These youngsters born between the years of 1979 (according to most recorded data) and 1996 are affectionately known as Generation Y. They come highly digitized and extremely savvy with regard to current trends, current events, and technology in general.

More will be coming about this fascinating generation Y as I will be embarking upon an intense study of this practical and smart generation that consist of 29 year olds to 12 year olds. I am the oldest of this generation. Look out for more on generational characteristics as promised from before. Until then, God Bless. Take a look at my empty classroom.

Teaching WHAT!

2008-08-28T12:49:00.000-04:00

Well it's been a while since my last post. I know, I promised consistency and I didn't deliver. Sorry about that. Anyway, now onto what I want to tell you. I am a TEACHER again. I know I know, a little different than what I was doing before but God has an impeccable sense of humor. More a little later--after school. Aimy

So What Has God Been Doing in My Life?

2008-08-01T20:32:00.000-04:00

This is my mentor, Renee. Recently, the Lord has had us on a journey together with Proverbs 31 Ministries and I truly believe that God united us for many purposes and one of them is what has recently occurred in my life.

God has impressed on my life for many years to speak. I love speaking and it's definitely what God has given me in my heart to do for Him.

Renee and I had the unique opportunity over the last 2 years to work together in P31 and to share life together. She has taught me many things that have become priceless lessons. One of which is to be comfortable with life and the things God is teaching you at the moment in which you find yourself. She identifies these teachable moments in Christ as "God Prints." These are the situations that God uses to show us Himself while we are in the middle of problems or situations. She has taught me how to feel and love on a deeper level instead of on the surface. This allowed me to go deeper in friendships, my marriage, and my relationship with Christ because I saw the value in exploring life on another level that proved to be both beneficial and emotionally fulfilling.

Well, I could name many more things I learned from my mentor but I want to get to what I have been wanting to tell you for awhile. God has used a combination of God Prints and things to reveal to me His purpose and calling for my life.

I think God has called me to speak passionately about Generations that live today. When I say Generations, I mean diving into all the information that is available about all generations in our society and how they interact with one another. God wants me to learn all there is to know about this topic and teach it to others through mediums such as lectures, seminars, workshops, and books.

The various generations include Builders, World War II-ers, Baby Boomers, Generation X and Generation Y. (More info forthcoming so watch for it on my blog)

I love talking about these generations and how they mesh together and form our society because I think understanding one another's differences is a common issue that is faced by many in schools, civic organizations, corporations, synagogues, churches, and the community at hand in general.

After meeting with a Marketing Guru and talking through some desires, goals, gifts that God has given me, and recognizing how the experiences in my life have been shaping me, I was able to see that this is what God has been calling me to all along. Then Renee helped confirm that same thing with me after a recent pow wow in our office. I am so excited.

So, as I write this, I encourage you all to get a mentor to help guide you, stay close to the Lord if you know Him by reading His word and praying faithfully that He will reveal to you what you are to do, and then trust your guts as to what you believe you are to be doing with your life that God has entrusted to you. God is so faithful and He will show you in due time what He wills for your life.

Renee, thank you for your patience with me on this journey of discovery. You mean a lot to me and I love you my sweet sister in Christ. Aimy

Visit Renee's Blog at: www.reneeswope.com

Checking back in and getting ready for Consistency!

2008-08-01T20:06:00.000-04:00

Hey all,

Let's Get Started!

Wow, I didn't realize that blogging was a commitment I wanted to make until recently. Well, I have decided to become consistent with my blogging and with relaying my thoughts, concerns, questions about life that others may have, and many other random thoughts. I am part of Generation X and Generation Y (varies according to the expert you are following) and that is where a lot of my thoughts will be based. I hope you will participate on the journey and I look forward to embarking upon this road with you all. Stay tuned. Aimy

Introduction to Aimy & Aimy's Thoughts

2007-11-28T16:34:00.000-05:00

Well, welcome. I'm Aimy. I live in NC and I'm a:
-Child of God
-Wife to Michael
-Mother of Three
-Daughter of Archie & Priscilla
-Sister to Sheena & Starlet & Simeon
-Realtor/Broker
-Church Member of New Life
-Radio Assistant for Proverbs 31.

I welcome you to my blog. We can talk about life in general, issues in society, politics, religion, faith, the housing market, finances, marriage, etc. You name it, we can discuss it but keep it clean. Talk to you all so soon. Aimy