Smile for Added Value

My lovely niece Ashley.

Something as simple as a smile can add value to the lives of women you meet on the street. Those of you who know me, know that my heart's desire is to encourage women to treat themselves and other women well. We could be on anothers greatest ally. And we would be if we weren't in so much pain, that causes so many issues.

Have you ever smiled at a women who responded by looking away, or completely ignoring you? Try this experiment the next time you are out and about. Smile at the women you see. Notice their responses. Some will smile back and may even start a conversation with you. Sadly, others will either ignore you or look away. Don't worry, It's not you. And it's not them. It's the pain, the issuses that keep them from accepting your well.... smile, and the wonderful feeling your warm, simple gesture brings.

What can we do to help heal are sisters, so that a smile will not intimidate or frighten them, but will allow them to receive your invitation to connect and maybe become great friends? I would love to hear your comments.

In PalaceStyle,

Victoria

Honestly?

Speaking ill of others is a dishonest way of praising ourselves.

Will Durant

Try This At Home

Last Christmas, Terry and I decided to give hope, peace, wisdom and the victory through answered prayer. Each month we prayed for the specific prayer requests of our family. This is the card we are sending out soon to challange them to look, listen and obey as God speaks to them in their circumstance.

Our Testimony

Our Testimony

For many years I have struggled with pride. Thinking I was more important to others than I actually am. In my prayer time I would use words like pompous, arrogant, and entitlement to describe my sin and beg God to deliver me from myself. I never treated others poorly, I just thought I "had it like that", believing that I was better than others.

Oddly enough those feelings of superiority grew from a lack of self worth. As I sit here pondering all of this, the Lord is revealing to me how this belief started. Right now he is showing me flashbacks of what happened and what was said that gave me a too high estimation of myself.

I will go into more detail in a later blog. It's complex and right now to painful to express. I truly believe we should be transparent with one another and share our testimonies, because we overcome the accuser (who causes us to believe lies, among other despicable acts) by the blood of The Lamb and words of our testimony

In PalaceStyle,

Victoria

My Story

My story

My story is that of a black girl, raised in the 60’s, in the south. I was told I was part of an inferior race and would not succeed. Because I never saw blacks in the media, portrayed in a positive light I believed that lie. I was not worthy. I was not valuable. As a young adult, I closed myself off from the friendships of women. Who would want to be my friend any way?

That all changed once I began to understood that I am a part of that world that God loves so much He sent His son to die for. I am valuable to God, He loves me, and He wants me to love me, so that I can love you. So that you can yourself. So that you will love others. And so on and so on. This is how all men will know that we are His disciples.

With this new understanding of who God IS in my life, I began working toward developing friendships with women. I am looking for girlfriends.

Have you, do you feel inferior, not worthy, not valuable? Through this experience, I have learned 2 things;

First, believing that you are not valuable is a lie.

The second thing I learned is that my story is your story and your story mine. It may not have been your race. It may have been your size, or your neighborhood, or the clothes you wore. Whatever it was that made you feel inferior, not worthy or not valuable, it was a lie.

Take those feelings of not measuring up and place them at the feet of Jesus. I promise you, I promise you, that if you do God your father, through His Holy Spirit will move you far away from that lie into truth.

In Palacestyle,

Victoria

Happy Birthday

HAPPY 18th BIRTHDAY TERRENCE

October 1, 2008

Jeremiah 29:11

Terrence was a sick little guy at his birth. He had inhaled Meconium, was blue and unresponsive at birth. I watched in amazement as the doctors gave my baby boy oxygen. Right before my eyes he turned pink. From the center of his chest, gradually over his entire body, he turned pink. Terry and I were in awe and overwhelmed by what we had just witnessed. I wonder is that what it looked like when God breathed life into Adam?

After 11 years of playing Little League and finally making the Varsity team at the high school , Terrence quit baseball. God requested that Terrence make room for Him. Terrence gave God immediate obedience but still has his struggles. After all 11 years is a very long time for a 17 year old.

Terrence has been standing on Jeremiah 29:11. I was reminded of that when this was one of the scriptures used in Bible study, and I reminded Terrence. His little life could have ended after only 6 minuets. The circumstances of his birth could have caused his death. But before Terrence was formed in my womb God knew him and had a plan for his life.

Thank you Father,

In PalaceStyle,

Victoria

Loving From A Distance?

How do you love someone from a distance? Should that be the goal, to love from a distance?

From time to time we may encounter a woman who's past, unresolved hurts (issues) cause us pain. It may be a women you want as a friend, but whom you feel uneasy around because she is deceptive. It may be a women who, because of her very low self esteem, has to believe you are stupid, and she treats you that way, making it difficult for you to be yourself in her presence.

We all have "issues", something in our heart that causes us to behave poorly toward others. We don't intentionally set out to hurt or offend, but end up doing so in an attempt to protect ourselves from.....whatever. If there is a woman like this in your life and you find yourself wrestling with allowing God to love her through you, because you are uncomfortable around her, consider this:

In my opinion, there is no better definition of love than that found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Can you live this scripture concerning your "sister" and do it from a distance? Let's take a look;

• Do be patience with her and do not bad mouth her.


• Do think of ways to show kindness towards her, and do them. You can send her a card via USPS or the Internet.


• Although you may have been hurt by your "sister" don't allow a root of bitterness to get in.


• Don't keep score.


• Do rejoice knowing God can set her free.


• Do believe she will one day seek freedom from the pain.


• Do have hope. The two of you could become the best of friends.
  

In PalaceStyle,

Victoria

Princes in All The Earth

The Amazing Mr. Edwards and his two sons, Terrence and Andrae'. These 3 are my favorite men in all the earth. They are wise and witty. I love them!

The Princes of the Earth Ps. 45:16

Promise of the Future

My darling daughter Danielle and her BFF Terah, on Prom night 2006. This was a special time in life for these two amazing young women. A happy time.

Since this photo was taken, they have both experienced difficulties in life, Difficulties that make the happy times so much sweeter. Both are now in college preparing for their futures. They are growing and learning and doing.

Recently, I'v been reading Discerning the Voice of God, written by Priscilla Shirer. In it Priscilla reminds us that God will deliver you and I from the guilt of our past and move us toward the promise of the future.

How many of you remember your Senior Prom? The experiences of your past have helped to shape your present self. Don't be ashamed, you are not condemned. God in His word says "Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold I will do something new." (Is. 42:18-19). God does not consult your past to determine your future, and neither should you.

In PalaceStyle,

Victoria

It's Okay to be Happy

There was a time in my life when I was afraid to be happy. The folks around me weren't happy and didn't want to be with happy people. I could have and should have moved on to my own happy little place to live my happy little life. But I didn't because I thought no one else would want me as a friend. What I failed to realize was oh, what a friend I have in Jesus. He has given me women friends who enjoy life. All of life, and are happy.

Do you wish you had friends who enjoyed being moms, being married, being single, just being. God knows you best and will lead you to the friends He has for you. Ask Him, and then be aware of the women around you. Your neighbor, a woman in Bible study, your sister, maybe even your mother. Expect God to hear you and answer you.

In PalaceStyle,

Victoria

Memories, of the way we were.

Often times, I compare my body now to the slim, fit body of then. Ugh! In all honesty, I wouldn't go back to those days. I didn't have peace, and although I may have looked nice on the outside, my heart was broken. There was some really ugly "stuff" going on inside of me. God sent me a knight in shinning armor ... my prince, Mr. Edwards, to rescue me. Thank you Father!!

The Amazing Mr. Edwards

This is the amazing Mr. Edwards. He is such a blessing to me. He is the wisdom, and the peace, and mercy God has given to me. All wrapped up in a real good looking guy. Thanks Father!!