June
TEXTIMONY
Written by: Sistah Bebe
June 5, 2008
Greetings from LYLAS for 4 Life Ministries:
I've
been asked to share my testimony. So here is my journey with my deep
reconnection with God. Last summer, I went for my annual mammogram.
I thought nothing out of the ordinary until my doctor called on 9-26-07 and
told me he had good news and bad news. I remember the day clearly, I was
driving home as my doctor said the bad news was I had Breast Cancer however,
the good news was it was Stage one. My first thoughts where, I have cancer
at 38yrs old what's good about that???? I was in shock and did
all could to research everything on the internet. I called a few close friends
with the initial news and thought am I going to loose my hair?? What the
heck is happening to me??? I'm too busy and young for cancer.
I have a social life, good job, family and friends and believe in
God.
After
my first visit (the first of many) with my doctor he gave me my initial
diagnosis and told me that I needed additional biopsies, surgery,
and radiation. In total, I had three biopsies in one month and was
told by oncologist the biopsies showed I had a fifty percent chance the cancer
had spread. The worst news came when my oncologist said "you may
need a double mastectomy, have your ovaries removed, radiation and chemotherapy".
At that point, I told my oncologist I understand medical science but in the
name of God I reject your diagnosis and I will have all my additional test
results show up negative". It was at that moment, I
declared Victory by God and refused to be a victim. I prayed like I
never prayed before and had asked God to heal me and to give me the best case
scenario. I asked God to help me and give me inner peace during this time
of extreme chaos and uncertainty. News of my cancer spread quickly, I had
an outpouring showing of God's love through my family, work and friends.
I had people praying for me, dedicating masses to me, calling me and offering
their support in various ways.
God
gave me the strength to put each foot forward and to continue on with a
positive attitude. I knew I had God's armor all around me, protecting me,
and shielding me from the negativity. I surrounded myself with God's
word, fellow Christians, and reconnected with the church after many years of
being absent as a parishioner. It wasn't until two months after my
initial diagnosis, I was told the cancer had not spread and would
only need surgery and radiation. I felt humbled, got down on my
knees and cried from relief that I would live and God had spared me any
additional anguish. I knew I would be fine.
I
actually wrote down the pros and cons to having the big "C".
Believe it or not, I had several pro's listed and the first thing on my list
was reconnecting to God.. I trusted him and gave
up all control which I have to admit was not easy. I'll admit my
journey was/is difficult, after the surgery I was diagnosed with neuropathy
(which is very painful) and cried out to God to help me with the pain and
fatigue of the radiation. God answered my prayers yet again and this
month, I've felt relief from my neuropathy and feel my energy level
returning. I had my first post-operative mammogram and it came back clean and
clear of cancer. I've had nine months of craziness, and at the same
time intense feelings God’s presence all around me. I was never
alone physically, and spiritually. When I felt weak, God carried me and
lifted me to new heights of love.
I
have to admit I still have tough days and “get stuck” spiritually, &
emotionally but I know my best days are yet ahead of me. I refused to let
this Cancer beat me and declared that I will live and be a walking testimony to
God's love. God is and was my physician. “Praise the Lord, O my
soul, and forget not all his benefits-who forgives all your sins and heals all
your diseases” (Psalms 103:2-3). And by his strips we are healed
(Isaiah 53:5). Remember when you are facing your darkest
moments to "be sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit for he will
constantly remind you of his plan, and show you how to carry it out."
Thank you Keisha, the lovely ladies of Lylas, my family,
friends, and co-workers for all your love, prayers and support. “Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good; his
love is eternal". Psalm 107
Ms.
Bebe
Lady of
LYLAS
May
TEXTIMONY
Written by: Vashanti Taylor
May 27, 2008
Greetings from LYLAS for 4 Life Ministries:
You might want to view the pictures before you read the
story! God is good.
The 1st picture is the car after the accident and the 2nd is after they flipped it over.
~~Just wanted to let you all know that God is in the blessing
biz!!~~
My husband was in a car accident on May
20, 2008 in which his car ended up on the side of the road, he hit a
ditch which made it flip over and when it was all over the car was upside
down. He was able to walk away, ambulance came and checked him out he was
ok. No bruises or cuts, he went home from there.
Later on we went to
hospital to get Cat Scan and x-rays and make sure that all was well, he
was complaining of head and hand pains now. When the Dr came back they told him something we could not
believe. He said that Tony's neck was fractured, his 3rd vertebrate to be
exact!! Now were both like , WHAT!
Now he had to be rushed to another hospital to
be treated for Trauma, an hour and half away!!
In the meantime I'm calling family and they are devastated
at the news. All the time I was saying he's ok. He was not
complaining of neck pains and he was up walking and talking just
fine. The Dr showed me the X-Ray, it
looked like a piece of hair in the bone, that's where it was cracked.
To make a long story short we arrived to the other hospital they ran there own tests and guess what? They
did not find a thing, that was after 2 different
surgeons. Once again we were stunned.. I could
not do anything but THANK GOD! That was no one but HIM..
I saw it for myself the fracture, but the Dr's said that it was a blood vessel
that happened to be in that spot at the time of the x-ray!!..
All I know is that God is a
Dr, a Miracle worker and a Healer. Nobody can
tell me different.. Prayer works, Thank you for all your prayers and
texts and phone calls everyone. Ladies of Lylas you guys were on point.
As of this afternoon we have returned home, Tony is doing
fine and resting no aches or pains. Just continue to keep us in your prayers!
Mrs.
Vashanti
Lady of
LYLAS
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September
TEXTIMONY
Written by: Tracye Frazier
September 24, 2007
Greetings from LYLAS for 4 Life Ministries:
This really blessed me today. I am in woe mode, because I had a movie premier and no one showed up. I had emailed all of my friends and colleagues and no one came. I was feeling like I support everyone I know in everything that they do and no one could take 1 hour to come see me. (Kind of like Jesus asking the disciples to pray and stand watch). I was feeling very under appreciated and alone. When I read your email, I realized that I was looking in the mirror instead of out of the window. Then God spoke to my spirit. I did not make the movie or write the book for people to suport me, I did it because God told me to do it. Then God told me that he was there and he enjoyed the movie. In fact, he sat right next to me, but I didn't even notice him, because I was busy looking for someone else.
Ms. Tracye
Lady of LYLAS
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JULY
TEXTIMONY
Written by: Ms. Erica
Greetings from LYLAS for 4 Life Ministries:
Recently,
while at my family retreat, my aunts announced that we were doing a foot
washing. Ladies, I almost fainted! I told my mother that there is no way on
God's green earth that I was going to stick my hand in that water and wash
someone else's feet. To my satisfaction, my aunts washed MY feet, and prayed
over my feet as they washed them. It was quite an experience, but I still know
that I need some deliverance in order to be the one initiating the foot
washing. However, for now, I am content with me and my issues with feet.
Ms. Erica
Lady of LYLAS
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JUNE
TEXTIMONY
Written by: Audrey
Greetings from LYLAS for 4 Life Ministries:
The pain from my divorce sent me reeling in a circle
of self abuse, promiscuity and low self esteem. The idea that I would be a
single parent, and the family life I wanted no longer being something I could
rely on, was disheartening and I could not see the bigger picture. For almost
two years, my soul was neglected and although I never neglected my children, I
neglected myself. I neglected going through the pain I needed to go through,
and crying the tears I needed to cry in order to heal. The behavior I have seen
coming out of my ex-husband now, and since the separation has been an example
of how incompatible we were. I thank the Most High for allowing me to see this
and using this experience as a way for me to grow.
At this point in my life, I am learning how to
love myself, learning who I am and recognizing that through pain there are
lessons to learn and opportunities to grow.
Eventually, I may meet my soul mate and marry
again, but right now, I am growing and appreciating maintaining a strong
spiritual relationship and a strong personal relationship with myself… and
there is no place I would rather be.
Audrey
Lady of LYLAS
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TEXTIMONY
Written by: Vashanti AKA Shugafoot, Lady
of LYLAS
My, My, My...
God is so good! This last week has been so busy. I know that summer is here. Graduations, Birthdays, Barbecues, and a host of other things.
It seems as if sometimes I run myself to a point where I can't run any more.. I've come to realize that busy is good, but not all the
time.
Being a person that loves to be involved in
everything, I have to remember that I can't do it all. Of course I have my own
problems and matters that I must deal with, but often I get wrapped up in helping
others with their problems and then there is no one to help me.....
Today after a very full weekend, I read this
in my daily inspiration.
"When you begin a new day does it seem like
the concerns that were on your mind when you went to sleep are still there,
with no apparent solution? Do you dread going to your place of employment but
know that you must? Are these and other worries starting to feel like a heavy
load-so heavy that you can hardly bear it?"
I realized at that point that God is speaking.
That Word that I fought so hard to hear yesterday.
I was 15 minutes late for church but I made it in time to hear the Preacher
saying that 'God Speaks.' I'm ready to listen with both ears now. He has my
attention. Ask the Lord to speak to your heart! I know that I will make it no
matter what the problem is. My GOD IS BIGGER THAN THEM
Be Blessed
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TEXTIMONY
Written by: Reba James, Lady of LYLAS
I'm a single mother
of four sons ranging from the age of 3 to 12. It seems that since my children
have started school I have had problems. All of my sons have attended
My oldest son was
transferred to a
Last fall I had
enough of Howe, because I felt my children were not being challenged with the
outdated lessons they were being taught. A friend of my Mom has grandchildren
that attend a Charter school called Galapagos. I learned that prior to her
grandchildren attending Galapagos they were having the same problem as my
children. She told me how her grandchildren were doing better at the charter
school.
After doing research
I learned about the different charter schools and the curriculum that they use
which includes learning a second language. I was so impressed that I wanted my
kids to attend one of the charter schools. Before sending out applications for
charter schools I prayed that God would bless my sons to be accepted to one
nearby.
Once the Lottery
took place I received a letter and learned that my 7 years old was accepted to one,
but that my 9 year old was still on the waiting list for that particular
school. I was excited and I praised God for the acceptance letter, but I needed
God to make a way for both of them to be accepted at the same school. I prayed
for that request and about a week later I received a letter stating that they
were both accepted to a brand new campus for the 2007-2008 school year. All I could do is praise God and thank him that my
prayers were answered.
Ladies I said all of
this to say, "He may not come when you want him,but
he's always on time." We just have to humble ourselves. His time is not
our time & our time is not his. We just have to be patient & wait
on
GOD.
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TEXTIMONY
Written by: Tolanda Linton
Greetings from LYLAS for 4 Life Ministries:
‘The
desire to want something so bad’…
To
want something so badly that you can feel, see, taste, hear or smell it. You will do anything to get it, even if it
means going into more debt, right? Well, we do it all the time. We say to
ourselves, “God said he will give me the desires of my heart,” (ps.37:4b). So we go into debt and add to our
heartache. Uh, uh sistah girl, that’s
not God’s way. The thing that we must learn to do is pray first, listen, and
wait on God in order to know when it’s His will.
Over
the weekend I had a strong desire to get a digital camera. I was tempted to
order
a new camera on credit, along with a very nice and updated
laptop. But then, that little voice
inside me said, “now you’ve just prayed about paying all your bills off this
month in full, and you aren’t going to purchase anything else until then.” In
obedience, I waited.
After
speaking to my sistah about wanting a digital camera for three different events
happening just this weekend, my other sistah called and said she had something
for me.
Lo
and behold, there it was the brand new digital camera that I desired. After
thanking God and my sistah, the word came to me, “I will make you the lender
and not the borrower.” (Duet 28:12b).
Oh, how God’s word is so true.
My
sistahs, I assure you that God wants us out of the hands of the enemy and into
His precious, loving hands. Will you trust Him?
Tolanda
Linton
Lady
of LYLAS
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TEXTIMONY
Written by: Tonia Dew
Greetings from LYLAS for 4 Life Ministries:
I
am a Wounded Child...But God is Sooooo Very Good! When the enemy would try to
creep in and tell me that my past transgressions were too unfavorable for me to
ever rise up, the Word of the Lord bound him up, cleaned up my mind, and
allowed me to forgive myself and be the best person I could be. The Spirit also urged me to Step out of Shame
& Guilt and Share! You see, as long as we hide the Enemy still has
power!
I've
learned over the past 35 & 3/4 years that by opening up and sharing the
experiences of my life, I have really blessed, empowered, and uplifted people
during some very traumatic times. My
Mother always cautioned, <span>"Don't be putting your business out
in the street!" </span> But I always believed that if I could,
through sharing a word with another sister or brother, help mend their wounds
or prevent them from bumping their heads...It was my DUTY to do so! I used to joke that on certain days it felt
like I was rolling out the awning and opening up shop, dusting off the couch to
hear the heartfelt expressions of friends and associates. At times I felt like
I was carrying their weight around, but I was reminded by the Holy Spirit that
by sharing I was healing. You never know how you can bless another by sharing
your experiences, no matter how shameful you thought they were. By you sharing,
you become a witness to the Greatness of God! There would be no testimony
without a test.
"To
be blessed, You must be a blessing!"
Tonia
Dew
Loving
You Like A Sistah (LYLAS)
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TEXTIMONY
Written by: Jenine Cotrice
I have no desire for sex right now, THANK GOD! I
am so focused on what GOD is working out for me right now that I have to get my
life together and grow up. I saw an old friend who I have admired for the
longest - and he has been married for 5 years now...he told me he wished we had
the chance back in the day, yet, the timing has proved to be what it is,
putting us where we are now. I've never regretted this, for he is a good man,
and she, a blessed woman to be his chosen one. God knows what he is doing,
and I love his orchestration. I could never do it myself. It would be a big mess.
I let him know how happy I was for him and his wife's success professionally,
for they make a great team. God knew what he was doing. I probably would not
have been ready had I had the chance back then. I will be patient as GOD does
HIS thing for me...in time.
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