Welcome

Embracing Me is an opportunity for us to connect with ourselves...learning to embrace the God within. The post that I share with you are very real. The experiences of my life (whether good, bad or indifferent) sought to develop me into a Woman who honors the God that dwells inside of me.

For over 10 years I fought against sharing my life's experiences with the world but I also neglected to fully share my gifts. You may ask why I denied myself to live and the answer is fear! After relinquishing the fear of my own thoughts as well as the thoughts of others I have decided to do and be all that God has ordained. He chose me to share my testimonies through songs, poetry, short stories and encouraging words.

I invite you to travel with me as I journey into yet another fearful place, seeking to please the Father while providing healing, restoration and inspiration as chosen. It is my hope that these words will improve your daily living.

My charge to you: Think Well. Do Well. Speak Well. Be Well. Live Well.


"For as the rain and snow come down from the heavens, and return not there again, but water the earth and make it bring forth and sprout, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." - Isaiah 55:10-11

Monday, November 28, 2011

End of the year celebration

What more could I ask for...

This year has been simply amazing!  I have loved, lost, gained new friends, my family expanded, dreams came to fruition, fears faded, faith increased, focus improved and my territory increased in ways I could not imagine it would.

The journey began with the introduction of The Embracing Me Project, starting with the 2 Embrace Me blog site in January 2011.  In February the 9th Annual "Living the Legacy of our mother" celebration yielded much fruit and healing.  March we lost one of our precious gifts, my middle sister Karen D. Jones.  April was challenging as we dealt with the prior months grief and loss while preparing for the birth of "The Whitaker Book of Poetry", a compilation of poems written by me and my family (brothers, sister and seven oldest of my mother’s grandchildren).  We did this in honor of our mother the late Barbara A. Whitaker-Jones.  In May we released "The Whitaker Book of Poetry" during our 1st Annual Family and Friends Day in conjunction with my church's (The Emmanuel Church, Bishop Durant K. Harvin III) Women's Day Celebration. June, July and August we traveled from the east to the west coast showcasing "The Whitaker Book of Poetry", book signings, book readings and workshops.  Finally for the remaining four months of the year I have been in preparation to release a second portion of The Embracing Me Project which is the first in the four book Embracing Me memoir series titled "Hell & Heaven at 8". 

Every day since January 2, 2011 I had the blessed privilege of hosting and facilitating a Women's early Morning Prayer call and sharing in monthly meet-up (fellowship) opportunities.  Sometime during the month of September the prayer call opened up and both men and women from all across the United States as well as in other countries such as Japan have called in for our time of prayer and meditation.  God has moved mightily, healing, restoring and uplifting all who share in this time of prayer.

For this final month of 2011, we will conclude our monthly fellowship as a celebration for women, men and families -- but much like the month of November, this is no ordinary celebration.  Here in December we will celebrate the birth of book I "Hell & Heaven at 8" with a private reception, book reading and book signing in my home.

 - WHEN: December 17, 2011
 - TIME:   5PM - 9PM

All other details will be emailed in a separate invitation.  If you do not have email and wish to share in this celebration please email me at GODSGIFTLLC@GMAIL.COM

May God continue to be your source, guiding light and strength as we conclude one year and EMBRACE an entirely new experience in 2012!



Thursday, November 17, 2011

NOT an ordinary monthly meet up

I'm a turkey baby -- November 24th is my Birthday and since my birthday fell on Thanksgiving this year I decided I would extend my Thanksgiving celebration into the weekend with a Day-long Open House Birthday Extravaganza.  Be prepared to enjoy breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner or after hours jazz set.
Choose a time from the schedule below and come celebrate with me. This is open to families which includes our men. (Fathers, husbands, brothers etc)
Schedule as follows:
9am – 11am – Enjoy Breakfast
11:30am – 1:30pm Enjoy Brunch (shift between breakfast & lunch)
2pm – 4pm Enjoy Lunch
5pm – 8pm Enjoy Dinner
9pm – 1am Enjoy Assorted Desserts, Coffees, Teas, Juices and Wine
The entire day will consist of a variety of foods.  Menu will not be disclosed in advance…come knowing you are in for a real treat!
This day of celebration is open to women, men, boys and girls – essentially FAMILY & FRIENDS (except the afterhours 9pm – 1am portion of the celebration - no children allowed)

For those interested in bringing gifts please consider bringing desserts, juice, soda or wine.  Other than that, YOU are my gift. 
It's just around the corner and I apologize if you have not received your invitation or if I inadvertently left you off the guest list but as you can imagine...I LOVE SOOOO many...that's everybody including YOU!
For more information email me: stacie.jharris@yahoo.com

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

I am the tree

Jeremiah 17:8 – For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, that spreadeth out its roots by the river, and shall not fear when heat cometh, but its leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall close from yielding fruit.

Psalm 1:3 reads it this way – And he shall be like a tree planted by the streams of water, that bringeth forth its fruit in its season.  Whose leaf also doth not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Have you ever taken a moment, I mean a real opportunity to stare at, to study, to mull over the design, structure, stature, shape and size, colors and strength of tress.  If you studied them you will notice no matter the season they are always in the same upright position.  I believe we could stand to learn a lesson from the trees today and always.

No matter how hard the winds blow, some trees bend but they keep their branches (I like to call them arms), they keep their branches in one of the most vulnerable positions – raised, giving honor and reverence to the Creator of all.  They always provide the example of how we ought stand – in submission, humbled before God.  Jeremiah says the trees stand, unafraid of heat when it comes — the trees remain upright and resolute with no care for the season of drought.  And Psalms says it brings forth fruit in ITS season, its leaves do NOT wither and all that the tree does prospers. 

Here is how I see us as trees and I pray that every eye that reads this post also visualizes and sees themselves as trees:

No matter the season, winter, spring, summer or fall, the tree is fixed and unyielding.  The tree remains humble, faithful and submitted always giving God His just do—Reverence.  The wind blows, torrential rains pour, ice, sleet snow, the branches may even grow heavy and weak but it is assured that the season will change.  The tree is assured the sun will shine again.  Leaves blow off at one time of year but still the tree remains unmovable – it is grounded and does not fear its loss because of certainty that it will again prosper and grow.  Again it bends but it does not break and always stands again honoring God.

So I say to you today, be the tree.  Stay grounded and rooted in God, with the spirit of God, in the word of God with your arms raised in submission giving reverence to the Lord of the Heavens and earth remembering that in YOUR SEASON you shall prosper – you shall bear fruit.  You will shed and lose something’s but there is much to gain in being like the tree:
-         Grounded & Rooted
-         Raised arms Worshipping
-         Prosperous bearing fruit
Notice this; it’s rare to see a tree uprooted right?  When it is unearthed, that happens as a result of the roots getting weak – NOT being grounded/stable.  But for the trees that are rooted and are not afraid to bend (be flexible) with each change in seasons, they always rise again more vibrant than before, unwavering.
So again I say stay rooted in your faith.  Remain steadfast in your trust and hope in the miraculous wonders of God.  Stand your ground.  Don’t be afraid when the enemy comes knocking.  God always shields and protects His trees so yield to the move of God.  Be flexible, humble and submitted knowing that in YOUR season you will bear fruit again.  Say, “I am the tree”.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Reflection of the Morning

Here we are on the 14th day of the eleventh month.  Five days ago we celebrated my baby brothers 33rd birthday.  In three days my oldest daughter will be 19 and in seven days my baby, my cousin Derek, will celebrate another year of life.  Eight days from now my baby sister will turn 32, while I am just ten days away from my 36th birthday.  My how time flies!

With the hustle and bustle of everyday life it’s easy to get so wrapped up in monotonous routines that we miss just plain old living.  This morning’s meditation given by Makini Henson came from Ecclesiastes 8:15 during our 7am prayer call which said that we should take time to eat, drink and be merry!  In other words, enjoy the air you breath – actually think about the breath – feel it – immerse yourself in the breath as it engages with your soul.  Go out and enjoy the earths beautiful landscape with all its vibrant colors and the array of shapes and sizes.  Smile just as much on the inside as you do on the outside allowing your body to accept and let loose your inner child.  Run, jump and skip.  Play ring-around-the-rosey or duck, duck goose.  Go dancing, skating or grab your hoola-hoop.  When you eat, don't inhale your food as you are accustomed to doing – as most of us eat but never take time to savor every flavorful bite.  Do not gulp your water, apple juice or soda but take slow sips allowing your tongue to absorb the liquids particle by particle.

Whether you sit still, go for a walk, play video games or read your favorite book, just for a moment do it not as ritual or task but see the beauty and satisfaction in it.  Make time to enjoy absolutely nothing sometimes and everything at the same time.  It’s the smallest things that we miss when we are always rushing about to and from as time escapes us!  Life is for the living so enjoy every moment and all the things within it with deep robust, hearty laughter bringing you to a place of sheer fulfillment and contentment!

Happy Monday!