Fortitudine Vincimus

For Aunti Carol , Aunt Geneva, Kelly G. and anyone else battling cancer:

We want to encourage you as you are on this journey. When you heard the doctor say the word "cancer", the fears were overwhelming. In a single moment, everything changed. You may have been numb at first or shocked and bewildered. How could this happen? Fearful thoughts crashed down like torrential rain. "How can I deal with the inconvenience, the pain ... the unknowns ?

Thankfully, there is a place of sweet peace and quiet assurance that is in the FATHER's bosom that we want you to experience even more of. We desire to join you in this challenging time ... to pray and fast through cancer with you and to walk with you through it. Our greatest desire is that you will receive all ABBA's blessings now and in the month's ahead as you cast all your cares on HIM.

The GOD of the universe wants you to "Cast all your anxiety on HIM because HE cares for you" ( 1 Peter 5:7). The Greek word translated "cast" in this verse indicates the idea of throwing upon. Sometimes we can't gently give GOD our requests; we need to throw them at HIM ! Honestly, we've been there, especially in great pain and disappointment. Thankfully, our LORD wants us to come and cast our cares on HIM.

For those of us who are fasting and praying ... THANK YOU !!! GOD sees and knows and you will be blessed above and beyond what you can imagine. For the next few days search your hearts for any doubts or fears you may have and anything that may be hampering a deeper relationship with GOD. Like the father in Mark chapter 9, cast/throw any unbelief's or hindrances you may have on JESUS ... HE knows just what to do with them ! TRUST ME !!!

Elta, thank you so very much for putting the prayer and fast request in the church bulletin !!! I know I haven't thanked you properly for that wonderful gesture. I have gotten so much positive feedback for this venture. If there are any other names to be added to the list, please don't hesitate to let me know.

Follow your Bliss,

COACH BLISS

PS ~ Fortitudine vincimus ... Latin for " ... By endurance, we conquer." Thank you Delmas !

PPS ~ Has everyone decided as to how they are going to fast ? I have decided to do the Master Cleanse. You know that lemon, maple syrup and cayenne pepper fast ? I will also be fasting from TV. Let me know what your doing.

TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY ROLLED INTO ONE DAY mAYBE THURSDAY TOO.

Hey Family,

i know that yesterday i was supposed to post Tuesday~ Time Saving Tips. i had a mammogram and ultrasound appointment. Back in November i found a lump in my left breast but was too scared to go take care of it. After seeing all that my great friend Kelly Golliday is going thru with her breast cancer battle. i decided to take care of this matter. Kelly has truly been a warrior & an inspiration to all of us that know and love her. Just seeing how she has depended upon GOD has increased my faith. You can follow her journey at www.myspace.com/kgolliday . And please keep her in prayer.

So, i got my boobies squished and mushed and photographed. It wasn't bad just a little discomfort. But what is discomfort compared to living a long prosperous life ?

So my Time Saving Tips and What in the World article for today is ...

Take care of yourself. Make your health a top priority so you can be around to enjoy all that life has to offer you. Life is too precious to live in fear or not to live to the fullest. Make peace while it's still possible.

Finally, NEVER GIVE UP !

Blessings of,

BLISS

PS ~ i might not post tomorrow until late. i must go to NY to fight a traffic ticket i unjustly received. i'll explain afterward just incase the judge happens to be a subscriber. LOL ... No really.

MONDAY MOTIVATION ~ Sharing Some birthday Love

Hello Family, I hope your weekend was a great one. I want to share a beautiful Birthday card that I received from my Mommi :

HOW TO MAKE A BEAUTIFUL LIFE

Love yourself.

MAKE PEACE with who you are

and where you are

at this moment in time.

Listen to your heart.

If you can't hear what it is saying

in this noisy world,

MAKE TIME for yourself.

Enjoy your own company.

Let your mind wander among the stars.

TRY.

Take chances.

MAKE MISTAKES.

Life can be messy

and confusing at times,

but it's also full of surprises.

The next rock in your path

might be a stepping-stone.

Be happy.

When you don't have what you want,

want what you have.

MAKE DO.

That's a well-kept secret of contentment.

There aren't any shortcuts to tomorrow.

you have to MAKE YOUR OWN WAY.

To know where you're going

is only part of it.

You need to know where you've been, too.

And if you ever get lost, don't worry.

The people who love you will find you.

COUNT ON IT.

Life isn't days and years.

It's what you do with time

and with all the goodness and grace

that's inside you.

MAKE A BEAUTIFUL LIFE ...

The kind of life you deserve.

Thanx Mommi ! I love you much !

Have a very blessed day today family. I want to thank all of you who sent me a lot of E`Blast Birthday blessings ~ Kelly G., Carolyn, Auntie Gen.,Gina, Charlene, Ruth-Ann, Nozizwe, Sissi and Crystal. If I have forgotten anyone please charge it to my head and not my heart.

Blessings of,

BLISS

SUNDAE'S RECIPE ~ NO-BAKE CHERRY CRISPS * I love this recipe ... it's sooo easy !

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 1/3 cups crisp rice cereal
• 1/2 cup maraschino cherries, drained, dried and nicely chopped
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons mini semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans
• 1 to 2 cups flaked coconut
• * pinch of cinnamon (optional)

1. Beat butter, powdered sugar and peanut butter in large bowl. Stir in cereal, cherries, chocolate chips and pecans. Mix well
2. Shape teaspoonfuls of mixture into 1-inch balls. Roll in coconut. Place on cookie sheets and sprinkle cinnamon on tops of balls. Refrigerate for 1 hour. Store in refrigerator.
3. Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

~ Enjoy

BLISS

5/15 ~ HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME !!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOOO ... ME !

I LOVE ME AND WISH ME A VERY BLESSED AND PROSPEROUS YEAR. MAY MY DAY BE FULL OF LOVE AND WELL WISHES FROM LOVED ONES, FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

GOD BLESS ME !

LOVE,

BLISS

Wednesday ~ W.O.W !

Hey Family. With all the disasters that are being played all over the news, I wanted to share something funny and lighthearted.

Enjoy,

Bliss

TUESDAY TESTIMONIAL ~ YES, i AM MY BROTHER'S KEEPER

Hi Family, i hope all is well. As for me ... well i am a little bit shaken up. Last night the hubby and i watched "The Kite Runner". The cinematography was outstanding. It was amazing to see the Afghanistan people and life before the Russian invasion. Oh, the trees (no, i am not a tree hugger) ... just watch the movie and you will understand. Hassan is so innocent, beautiful and so very loyal, maybe to a fault I thought. But, after chasing this movie around in my head all night, I have come to the conclusion that i am the one at fault. i mean as Christians aren't we taught/told to love our brothers and to turn the other cheek with you enemies ... actually we as Christians should not have any enemies. But we fight our brothers, kill them with our words, laugh at them behind their backs thinking no one hears or sees us but SOMEONE does. We are the enemies.

I recently overheard someone whom my mother took for a close friend talking, no mocking her behind her back with another person. After this person and her friend walked past me, I hurried to the room that my mother was in only to find my mother with tears in her eyes and pain in her heart. She too heard every single word. We prayed; if i can be very honest with you our prayers were very different - i inwardly prayed for fire and brimstone to rain down from heaven as it did in old BIBLE times. Mommi outwardly and inwardly prayed for peace and forgiveness. GOD granted this to Mommi. i think we all can learn from Hassan and Mommi the meaning of having a true servants heart and genuine love for your fellow man/woman. JESUS came to teach us these things, learn them while there is still time.

BLISS.

Delicious Ambiguity

Some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next. Delicious ambiguity ...

~ Gilda Radner

MONDAY MOTIVATION FOR 5/12/08

First and foremost I would like to offer all of the Mother's out there a very blessed Mother's Day again. Mother is a title that is not for wimps/faint of heart. I especially want to acknowledge all of the single Mother's who are doing their part to raise well rounded CHRIST centered children. You amaze me, I truly admire you ! I am married with one child and sometimes find it difficult. I remember when I just had my beloved Nina. As I was in the hospital packing to go home after spending 6 days there, I began to sob uncontrollably at the thought of taking full responsiblilty for this little person. I was OK as long as I was in the hospital where I had nurses and doctors and all kinds of staff to help me, sooth me and answer any questions I may have. But once I left to comfy confines of the hospital ... ALL THE RESPONSIBILITY FELL ON ME ! ME ! ME !!! Yes, my hubby was there and he was wonderful and I had a GREAT support system(still do !) ... Mommi moved in with us, my other mother June was there EVERYDAY without fail, and my sister was the best. But I still felt all alone. I lost it again when my Daddy came. He came with bags and bags of stuff. Daddy was away on business so he rushed back and went thru Wal-Mart like a tornado picking up everything from booties to wipes. So as we are organizing the cases of diapers and wipes, I see regular wipes, hypo-allergenic wipes and fragrance-free wipes. Oh, the choices ! I can't even decide which wipe to use yet alone raise a child !!!! HELP !

Nina is 9 now and fine. Needless to say ... We survived. You will face all kinds of challenges as long as you live. Some known and some unknown. Just remember that as a person you count and as a mother someone is counting on you ! Be Blessed ~ BLISS

M akes boo boos better

O verflowing with LOVE

T eacher of BEAUTY

H and holder

E ntertainer

R elies on GOD for strength

MOTHER'S DAY CHOCO ESPRESSO BROWNIES

4 squares (1 ounce each) unsweetened chocolate

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup Dried Plum Pure'e (recipe follows) or prepared dried plum butter

3 egg whites

1 to 2 tablespoons instant espresso coffee powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

Powdered sugar (optional)

Preheat oven to 350*F. Coat 8-inch square baking pan with vegetable cooking spray. In small heavy saucepan, melt chocolate over very low heat, stirring until melted and smooth. Remove from heat; cool. In mixer bowl, beat chocolate and remaining ingredients except flour and powdered sugar at medium speed until well blended; mix in flour. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake in center of oven about 30 minutes until pick inserted into center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar. Cut into 1 1/3-inch squares. ~YIELDS 36 Brownies

DRIED PLUM PURE'E: Combine 1 1/3 cups (8 ounces) pitted dried plums and 6 tablespoons hot water in container of food processor or blender. Pulse on and off until dried plums are finely chopped and smooth. Store leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to two months. MAKES 1 cup.