Gustava Fradue, Momma, Grandma, Great Grandma, Great-great Grandma

Losing a loved-one sometimes reminds people to "stop and smell the coffee, or the roses," if you would. To "live life to its fullest." As of late, I have been thinking quite differently - It is not time to smell the proverbial roses but rather time to go to work. Yes there is work to be done. We can 'eat, drink and be merry today not knowing if we will die tomorrow' but the ultimate goal, if you do so believe, is to reserve our place in the Heavenly Father's Kingdom. In order to do so, we have been commissioned to perform certain and specific tasks. The work is neither easy nor always well-received. When commissioned, Jesus did not rest, nor had he even a place to rest. (Mt 8:20, Lu 9:58) Instead of storing up riches on earth, we must strive to store up riches in Heaven which are far greater than the treasures of the here-and-now which have a definite end date. Yes - To work we must go. Let us not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow has its own anxieties that need to be delt with tomorrow. We love you Gustava Fradue! You have taught your children and your children's children how to love and treat one another and most of all, you taught us who Jehovah is. For that, we could not ask anything more of you!

the Apple's seed has returned to earth

Love him or hate him, the world has lost a brilliant icon. He's being compared to the likes of anyone from Benjamin Franklin to John Lennon to which I agree on all accounts. He changed the way we live: listen to music...communicate through telephonic devices...watch movies...view the concept of what a 'computer' is and basically interact with electronic devices - period. Although not the only person to make prolific changes to the ways in which we interact with electric pulsations, he set the bar at the highest levels and standards in the entire world by which all other devices are measured, compared and scrutinized. Having over 300 registered patents which include the mouse, the dock (equivalent to the M$ taskbar), portable display devices (iPods), portable computers (iPads), and the electronic device which is specifically identified by what we know as the "iPhone," he has left a lasting imression on the very sphere of earth itself. The Apple seed has returned to mother earth.

Peace be to you, your family, friends and loved ones

Onward

Never stop trying to become a better person. Can't always wait for good things to happen in your life in order to do good things yourself. Exhibit strength in the face of adversity. This is when I feel stronger...

Be Thankful

I can guarantee each and everyone who reads this has at least 5 of these:

1. If you're reading this, you at least have internet
2. Smartphone
3. Laptop
4. Desktop
5. Maybe a roof over your head,
6. Refrigerator with food to eat,
7. Some kind of clothing for your body,
8. Perhaps a car to get you to different destinations,
9. Jewelry of some sort,
10. Your own things/possessions/etc.,
11. Extra 'toys',
12. Hobbies,
13. Pastimes,
14. Spending cash to go out occasionally,
15. Credit card(s),
16. Debit card with a Visa or Mastercard logo,
17. Checking account,
18. Perhaps a savings account,
19. A stock option here and there,
20. A pension,
21. Benefits,
22. A 401K,
23. Some family members...who share their love with you,
24. FRIENDS who adore you
25. Everything else you consider to be 'yours'

BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL
BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL
BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL
BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL
BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL

go to http://www.globalrichlist.com/ and enter your yearly salary to see how you rank in the entire world. [[SPOILER ALERT!!!]] Scroll Down













If you make $10,000 per year, you are in the top 13.31% on earth......

BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL
BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL
BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL
BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL
BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL BE THANKFUL

Nothing Grows in the Dark

LIGHT: –noun
"something that makes things visible or affords illumination""

The body is a vessel of energy. We chose whether or not, and, how much to do so. The simplest things can effect people in ways unimaginable. Call it the butterfly effect. I strive to become a pillar of fortitude to those I encounter. I try to touch the soul whenever possible. Many people have in fact had this effect on me as I've grown in this world. I am human, though, and not above reproach. Sometimes my light does not shine outward. Dark crevices swallow the light at times. I know I have to better quell my darkness in order to grow. As titled, Nothing Grows in the Dark. Shine your light on others. Whatever that light may be....it can be as simple as a smile (which I believe is a tremendous beacon of love and respect), the words "thank you" go a long way with many people. Respond with "yes" rather than "what" or "yeah." Pay attention to detail. Avoid confrontation and pitfall with kindness and wisdom. If I shine with you, it's only a matter of time before more shine with us. Do you go out of your way to help people out when you can? Do you live for yourself or for others? Do you feel apart of the human family?

Continue to shine. Continue to share and effect those you encounter - no matter the race, color, or creed.

A Message in the Sky

June 6 and we still have rain here in the Central Valley. Unbelievable. The clouds are so beautiful. The sound of raindrops is therapeutic. Thunder. Lightening high above. It makes me think of the delicate nature of life. How small we are.

How fragile things are. Remove a single element from the foundation and watch the temple fall. Could this all have simply just 'come to be?' in a cosmic cloud? A big bang? The arrangement of our very existence has too many finite variables to say that we are here by chance. Our human experience is undoubtedly handcrafted - designed. Rainbows in the puddles remind us of the Heavenly Father's promise to mankind never to bring disaster by water again. Will we instantiate our own disaster. Self-demise? (Well even that is foretold.) It is not for man to guide his own footsteps. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. I remember hearing the thunder in the dorms in Oklahoma. It sounded as if God Himself was beating on the ceilings. I actually thought the end had arrived. I was in such awe of the power I was witnessing. Looking out at the flatlands seeing random rays of lightening touch the earth's surface forces you to pay homage to Higher Powers.

The Hour...

"Foolishness! Insolence! The hour has arrived! They want signs. I've given them numerous signs! What better sign than the air they breathe, the food they taste...My Heavens and earth which they cast their eyes upon every day. Earthly leaders claim My allegiance while seeking their own glory! I've delivered an entire people out of bondage, charging oppressors ten plagues and then to split a sea...only to have those saved worship false gods. I have given every gift and heard every prayer and granted favor to Holy men whose teachings serve as a light to all yet most run towards the darkness. I have given them my only begotten Son and what have they done with him? Oh yes, the weeping and gnashing of teeth shall commence. It is written "No man knows the hour, not even the Son" yet myriads flock to the concept of trying to calculate my arrival! Foolishness! Archangels! To your positions! Send the Seven to pour out the Seven Bowls of Anger upon the four corners of the earth as it is written...."
and so it began....

And so the angel Valtheniache appeared to me upon awakening. In my bed I was paralyzed but was able to vaguely see what was before me. My blinds were closed so the light coming through the edges of the window was minimal at best. The being that stood before me was almost transluscent with wings spanning the entire width of the small room. At the tips of his white wings were steel spikes as he was adorned in a warrior's accoutrement with a seal of a golden lion on the chest plate. The sword he wielded contained runes inscribed on the blade which appeared to glow in a pulsating fashion as if imbued with flame. The top of his head surpassed the nine-foot ceiling and had to duck slightly. The next thing he spoke to me changed the rest of my life. He merely said, "There is work to do."

Prologue

Woman

She is DAUGHTER, FRIEND, MOTHER, LOVER, WIFE...
Stronghold and foundation - the pillar of balance. Even a towering man of
bronze skin with a six-foot-four frame will turn to her in time of need. She
is....my rib...my flesh of my flesh...molded to curvaceous and voluptuous
perfection by the hands of The Most High Himself. Long, curly locks with
enticing lashes guarding sparkling oval eyes which give insight to what the
mind is thinking. High cheekbones and, oh! The lips...the lips of a woman
are a unique aphrodisiac that serves as a key to the heart's lock. Neck to
the shoulder; shoulder to the fingertips. So delicate and fragile yet still
firm and deliberate in architecture. Curves everywhere - bosom to backside.
Hips with dips. All the way to the base of her precious frame where polish
covers the extremity of nails. She is nature....she is nurture. Babes suckle life and are coddled through fear and discomfort. Friends will cry on her shoulder..and she will cry with them...and perhaps share a laugh for closure. She tells you the truth before you lose your way in the clouds...She reassures you when you're afraid to aim for the clouds. Her passion for the little things draws you closer until your curves compliment one another in unity. She is shy and she is brave. She is strong and she is delicate. Flesh of my flesh. I am man. She is woman and I love her dearly.

To Be...

From the curvature of my upper lip to the way I push out the bottom....to the stern look on my face....voice, sometimes imposing...I usually see a reaction when a woman looks into my eyes. Always a reaction. Put your lips against my neck...the taste of a man....African...American...from the jungles of Malawi to the edifices of populous U.S. city beurocracies...a warrior nonetheless. No spear. I think with my weapon - twice as lethal as gun powder pushing lead. Intellectually satisfying and somewhat challenging. Broad shoulders wrapped around your torso embrace the overwhelming feeling of safety, comfort...and submission. Standing upright at six-foot-four inches tall with skin of bronze possessing a base which can still catapult 255 pounds of...me...through the air to push the leather through the hoop and hang on the rim screaming epithets...A man of joy and love, a man of mystery and resolve, a man of strength and endurance...I'm a man...I'm just happy to be...me....

Martin Luther King, Jr.
Today marks the 43rd anniversary of the day Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated.

Civil Rights Leader
Equal Rights Leader
Youngest Nobel Peace Prize Winner
Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient
Congressional Gold Medal Recipient
Honorary Federal Holiday Benefactor
Clergyman
Humanitarian
Role Model
Icon
Friend
Husband
Father

iPads

Free Eye Pad - Is it April 1st?????? :))))

Thank You......Amen

Thank the Heavenly Father every day for every single heartbeat....every breath of fresh air.
1) Thank Him for the sensation of a fingertip's touch to the back of the neck...the kiss on a baby's cheek....a baby's kiss on your cheek....
2) the smell of freshly cut grass...the aroma of freshly baked bread in the morning...
3) the taste of that buttered bread touching the palate...the sensation of ice tea on a summer's day...
4) the sound of a child's laughter...the sound of birds singing in the brisk wind....
5) the brilliance of the sun in the day and the glow of the moon at night...the ability to distinguish shades of green which indicates new life sprouting from the foliage.

These are but a few of the tools with which we have been blessed. Add thought and time to the human situation and identity is created.

Not everyone can enjoy all of these miraculous things bestowed....more so should we not take for granted these precious gems of life....praise HIM that perfectly constructed such a beautiful vessel and seize the day...pay it forward...use your gifts to help someone...do what is right...speak highly of one another...live life...

Show gratitude for what you have been given...

Shed So Many Tears

Lord, I've lost so many years, and shed so many tears..
I lost so many peers, and shed so many tears
Lord, I suffered through the years, and shed so many tears..
God, I lost so many peers, and shed so many tears

Ryde "Ruff"-ly

R.I.P Nate Dogg

Nate Dogg (Nathaniel Hale)
1969 - 2011

Man, that legendary golden voice is gone. I'm gonna listen to everything I can remember that he made. He kinda paved the way for Akons and T-Pains and even Lil' Waynes in the sense that everybody wanted him on their track to drop those bars. You will be missed. 

Westside 4 Life!

http://music-mix.ew.com/2011/03/16/nate-dogg-standout-collaborations/

Like Mike Came Back as Twins!

This Day in History....

Mar 14, 1879: The birth of Albert Einstein

Day 1

Man it's good to be alive...a day after a massive tsunami hit the coasts of Japan, people everywhere around the world are in mourning. Thank the Heavenly One for life today. Pray for the families of those who have lost their way and have lost loved ones. The world cries for all of its brothers and sisters..... 3-11-11 2:30 PM