Child Protective Services: The Monster That Reigns

The Empire State is a great place to live for those who have the resources to sustain themselves and their children.  Many people come and go as they please without a care in the world because New York is a state vast in wealth; it is a place where only the brightest and best find comfort in their shine.  For those that are impoverished or low middle income, New York is another place-a place where they find there truly is no rest for the weary.  

            Low income parents have been complaining for sometime about the power the state of New York possesses and its current public school system.  A parent can simply aggravate a teacher, to have them proceed to make a Child Protective Services report on that family.

It is said by many single parents and lower income parents that teachers will pick on the students families who simply can not participate in the weekly financial burden schools put upon parents (such as fundraisers, field trips, PTA, extra supplies not for the child but for the entire class, parties, etc…).

Whether it is an unfounded report (if the report is found inaccurate) or founded (if the report is presumed true) it is something that is NEVER removed from a person's record.  It remains for anyone conducting a careful investigation of a party to be revealed; as this is something that many companies and individuals would hold against someone, it is seemingly an unfair practice. 

A madated reporter does not need actual evidence to make a case.   The same party making the report can provide carefully documented files to Child Protective Services in New York State, which can serve as proof. 

This is a very serious and an alarming situation because that information documented does not have to be factual, it only need be written down in handwriting, dated and signed/intialed.    To prove this point, an excerpt from the Observer Newspaper in Dunkirk, NY is below this paragraph. 

"MAYVILLE - The credibility of the Chautauqua County Department of Social Services has been damaged.  Letters admitting to errors were written by Child Protective Services staff last month, apologizing for events which took place in Family Court in September.

As a closed court, Family Court records are not public. However, after obtaining two of the letters written by CPS staff, the OBSERVER sought and received confirmation of the incident's details.  Calls to Family Court Judge Judith Claire resulted in a call from a spokesperson at the state's Unified Court System in New York City, who confirmed the incident.

In short, CPS workers appeared before Judge Claire in September seeking to have a child removed from the mother's custody. Based on their testimony, the judge signed a removal order for the child. The CPS workers then returned to court the next day to inform the judge that the child had not actually been born yet" (Dean, 2010)

What is even more alarming is this article is from November 21, 2010 and it is today as this author writes November 29, 2010.  In said article, this child was taken upon birth and given back two weeks ago. 

Even more horrifing is the fact when the mother gave birth on August 3, 2010 to her sixth child, social services only removed the newborn child-leaving the rest of the children home with their parents on August 5, 2010.  Social Services and the Judge had deemed the newborn's mother a danger only to the newborn child for reasons that were not proven according to the Observer in Dunkirk, NY. 

Obviously in the case of these parents, a lawsuit is underway.  The question arises, what about the many other cases such as this one that are pending?  Just how many cases are there in New York?

Another form of Child Protective Service reporting is done on behalf of schools.  The schools in New York State are now required after 20 absences with or without notes to report the parents to CPS. 

Parents with large families and many children in school can easily get reported due to sickness that gets passed back and forth between multiple children.  If a New York State Resident has a family emergency and has to keep their child out of school for any given amount of time, they are reported to CPS. 

The Wall Street Journal stated on November 27, 2010:

"Under New York law, chronic school absence is a trigger for complaints to the Office of Children and Family Services. Referrals can lead to family court, foster care or probation-like PINS supervision.

Professor Robert Balfanz, at Johns Hopkins University, said his research has shown that about half the students just decide to skip school, a quarter are avoiding something negative such as a bully or uncomfortable class, and another quarter stay out for life issues like work or baby sitting.

Now, a new study by the Vera Institute of Justice — commissioned by the state office of Children and Family Services — backs up the agency's belief that going after parents for educational neglect isn't effective. The report says chronic absenteeism seldom means teens are abused or neglected at home but instead suggests they stay out for other reasons and schools need to find ways to re-engage them."  (Press, 2010)

Therefore, it can be deduced this system is far from flawless and a change must come withinin this system before many more children are taken from good homes.  In both articles there are instances of the children in question being ripped from their homes only to be left with total strangers?  This is something that ought not happen.  They are bounced around from stranger to stranger until brought home to the families that they were removed from. 

Unfortunately, it is not uncommon to hear of valid CPS intervenings where children are given to a family member, which almost seems unfair to the families who are innocent of crimes against children.  Just recently on the local news a man drove drunk with his small child in the car only to have the child placed with the family members of that father, where he has complete access to the child.  This is an injustice to the child and although a familiy member is the proper choice for any child-most families will not disallow a parent to see their child.

"The 27-year-old’s daughter and an open container of Heineken were observed in the vehicle, police said. Session failed sobriety tests and was found to have a blood alcohol content of .14 percent, police said.  Session was charged with driving while intoxicated with child in the vehicle under Leandra’s Law. He will be arraigned at First District Court in Hempstead.  Child Protective Services was notified and the child was turned over to a family member." (Bolger, 2010)

What an atrocity!  It is a sad thing to watch children not receive protection by the very agency we call child protection-when in actuality there is a tearing apart of good families with values.  Yet parents who are obvious offenders keep their children for years.

"In a shocking and sickening story of deprivation, neglect and abuse, a York, PA, mother, so desperate to not be found by her own family that she forced her own to live in squalor  is in jail on child endangerment charges. 

Obsessed with hiding, she gave birth to five children with no medical care and no help.  They lived on the sly, away from society in a ramshackle row house that did not even have basic creature comforts like heat, electricity or water.

The children, ages 2 to 13 had never been seen by a doctor, been immunized against life threatening diseases or schooled.  In essence, they did not exist without any birth certificates to prove they did.  How could something this awful go on for so many years undetected?  However, more important is why would a loving parent force their children to be brought up in squalor devoid of outside human contact?"  (Kendrick, 2010)

It took thirteen years for these children to be discovered, yet a mother having a child can have it ripped from her upon its second day of life.  Can you see based on these few articles where Child Protective Services is failing?  Although that last article is not in New York it is recent enough to see a pattern nationwide.  It is imperative to make a change, to call your congressmen- create a petition and change the laws regarding children and families, for their own protection. 

References

Bolger, T. (2010, 22 2010). Cops: Bay Shore Dad Was DWI With Daughter in Car. The Long Island Press . Patchogue, New York, United States of America: http://www.longislandpress.com/2010/11/22/cops-bay-shore-dad-was-dwi-with-daughter-in-car/.

Dean, N. L. (2010, November 21). Observer Today. Retrieved November 29, 2010, from www.observertoday.com: http://www.observertoday.com/page/content.detail/id/553041/CPS-admits-errors-after-court-hearing.html?nav=5047

Kendrick, N. (2010, November 28). Five Pennsylvania Children Ages 2 - 13 Forced To Live Entire Lives Without Necessities In Squalor Are Liberated To Start New Lives. News Gather . York, PA, United States of America: http://news.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978737026.

Press, A. (2010, November 27). NY Study Says Punishment Doesn't Solve Absenteeism. The Wall Street Journal . New York, New York, United States of America: http://online.wsj.com/article/AP2733dcb4938f416f997a02b17689bdcd.html.

The Single Mother Syndrome

Children and parents belong together in the family unit because it is essential for the child's mental health, care and overall well being.  People who have been married for well over twenty years or who have been married six months, divorcing since the late sixties and early seventies has become a growing trend.  Although this study is inclusive of single fathers the concentration of this thesis is about single mothers with children and their abondoment issues.  

            Statistically women raising children alone outweigh men raising children alone.  There are 82.8 million mothers in America based on the 2004 the United States Government Census.  Of that number 9.9 million are single mothers with children under the age of eighteen, compared to the 3.4 single mother homes there were during the 1970 census.  Of those mothers, 5.6 million are due child support according to the 2007 census (US Census Bureau, 2010).

            According to Grall, "Mothers accounted for the majority of custodial parents (82.6 percent) while 17.4 percent were fathers, proportions statistically unchanged from 1994."  (Grall, November 2009)  This is an astounding number, when a person stops to think about the progression of our society throughout the decades.  What happened to the days when "girls were girls and men were men?  Mister we can use a man like Herbert Hoover again, didn't need no welfare state- everybody pulled his weight," (Adams & Strauss, 1971-1979).

  These single parents are being left to "hold the bag" so to speak, while the other parent shirks their responsibilities to their children.  As stated previously, 17.4 percent of single parents are fathers who are facing what is commonly called depending what circle you travel in, "single mother's syndrome." 

            Many issues single parents face come into play once they and their children have been abandoned by their partner.  They face unemployment, for various reasons which do include the issue of child care.  When a child gets sick you cannot leave them in daycare nor can you leave them home alone on a holiday.  Some single parents attempt to "leave the children in the car while they work," unfortunately, this only causes them to lose their children for neglecting them although they are trying to do the opposite – it does not work out well. 

            "All these examples are simple snapshots of some groups which suffer from greater-than-average rates of unemployment. Unmarried women with children are more likely to be found in all those group pictures than married women because they are younger, less educated and more racially and ethnically diverse. Even if they faced no additional workplace discrimination aimed at their marital/maternal status, these factors place them at a higher risk of joblessness than other women," (Goodrich, 2010).

"That higher risk affects not only the single mothers themselves, but many of America's children. Having two adults capable of earning wages -- or at least of looking for jobs -- makes a big difference for the financial well-being of a family. Families headed by a single parent don't have that private safety-net. (This is true not only for families headed by an unmarried mother, but also for those headed by an unmarried father. Unfortunately, the BLS statistics don't provide information of the latter group.) With one-fifth of all children growing up in families headed by a single mother, and an estimated additional 5 percent in families headed by a single father, one in four of America's children are therefore affected by what happens to single-parent families,"(Goodrich, 2010).

Goodrich has laid out an element that is detrimental to a families function, economic hardship.  After a single parent cannot find employment they ususally rely on family, move in with them or end up on the welfare line.  This is a hardship to the economy and to the family now.  By a person's partner abandoning them and their children, it starts to hurt the community.  It is the role of men and women to maintain the family unit so chilidren can grow up confident, strong leaders of our nations. 

Another hardship faced for a single parent is the guilt and shame of being abandoned by their partner with the children.  The parent needs to personally deal with their feelings while dealing with their children's feelings as well.   They personally face unanswered questions they are still trying to cope with while dealing with their child's issues from that matter.  This does not promote good mental health for families or society as a whole. 

How did America get to this place?  It happened slowly starting in the days of the sexual revlolution.  Equality is a blessing that all men and women should have, however the burning of bras and promotion of switching sexual partners has changed the world.  Our forefathers, though repressed in many ways-had a good grasp of values and how to be "a family."  People stuck by one another and were willing to go the distance.   America got this way through its very own devices of self destruction and no one cared enough to lift her up.
            Now we live in a society that calls good evil and evil good.  We honor politicians that have affairs, celebritites that live alternative lifestyles and those who are well known no matter what they do.  We raise them up as our examples, and then knock them when they fall (ex. Tiger Woods, Anna Nicole Smith, Charlie Sheen).  When in fact when they fall we should be the first to rise up and encourage them to get back up.  We, as Americans-call good evil and evil good.  Archiac as thesse things sound, there is a place for it.

It's time to go back to the basics again- where family was more valuable than one's personal needs.  A family is not there nor is a spouse to meet one's needs; they are there to be there for you no matter the need or problem.  They are your support system when you face life's tribulations.  By maintaining home and hearth we keep that old fashioned healthy society we once had in America because it's the only way to cure the disease known as, "single mother's syndrome." 

References

Adams, C., Strauss, L. (Writers), & Lear, N. (Director). (1971-1979). Those Were The Days [Motion Picture].

Goodrich, J. (2010, March 2). Truthout. Retrieved November 23, 2010, from www.truth-out.org: http://www.truth-out.org/unemployment-statistics-obscure-hit-taken-by-single-moms57483

Grall, T. S. (November 2009). Custodial Mothers and Fathers and Their Child Support-Current. Unknown: US Census Bureau.

Kassay, K. (2005-2010). Mason Thomas. Retrieved November 11, 2010, from Caringbridge.com: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/masonthomas

Regional Linguist Services US Department of Justice. (2010, August 23). Justice Department Seeks Ebonics Experts. Retrieved November 5, 2010, from The Smoking Gun : http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/bizarre/justice-department-seeks-ebonics-experts

Ronadld Macdonald House. (2010). Retrieved 11 11, 2010, from RMDH: http://www.rmdh.org/RMH-Program/Partner-Hospitals

Unknown. (2010). Sloan Kettering Memorial Hospital. Retrieved November 11, 2010, from MSKCC.org: http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/2868.cfm

US Census Bureau. (2010, July 2). Retrieved November 23, 2010, from www.census.gov: http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/cb10-ff09.html

Single mom of 4 - Taxpayers Paying for Abortions My Correspondence with Senator Chuck Schumer

This week I connected with the American Family Association via their web site and learned that taxpayers are paying for abortions now with the new Obama-care package we will be utilizing as a nation.  Basically the AFA states that Obama administration lied about taxpayers paying for them.  You can find it on their site in their article entitled, " President Obama deceives public on ObamaCare funding for abortion". 


Being the person I am, I was definitely appalled at this action, because I am pro children.  So in the area where it said take action I did and Senator Charles Schumer was one of the recipients of my letter declaring my astonishment.  I received a response much to my surprise.  It was politically correct.  


Here it is:


senator@schumer.senate.gov to me
show details 4:47 PM (3 hours ago)
Dear Ms. Kassay-Asencio:

Thank you for your letter opposing taxpayer funding of abortion in health care reform.

As the father of two daughters, I share your deep respect for the sanctity of life and realize the importance of honoring one’s moral and religious heritage. I also value the freedom of all American citizens to base their personal choices on their own values and moral convictions. I also support measures that aim to reduce the number of abortions, and I believe that education and prevention are critical to achieving that.

The decision to have an abortion will never be an easy one, nor should it be. While I believe that every woman should have the right to make her own decision, in counsel with her physician, family, and religious adviser, I also believe that funding programs that aim to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies is essential.

Thank you for contacting me on this important issue. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future if I can ever be of assistance to you on this or any other matter.



Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer
United States Senator

Please do not respond to this email. To send another message please visit my website athttp://schumer.senate.gov/SchumerWebsite/contact/webform.cfm . Thank you.



My response:

Dear Senator Schumer,

Respectfully sir, I agree with a person's right to make choices. However, the difference with this choice is we do not condone murder when a baby is born. If a child is out of the womb for one second and documented - if anyone kills that child that person is arrested, tried, and convicted, then sent to prison. When a child who is living and breathing in a woman's womb is aborted it is just as bad as murder. In fact it is legalized murder.

I find you to be one of the best senators in the country, not withstanding that you are pro choice. If you would sir, I am pro choice as well. I choose life. I choose to let a child that is in the womb live.

We have all heard the cliche- the most dangerous place for a human child is in it's mothers womb etc. 
Our definition of murder is "Depravity for Human Life" in America - what are we saying when you get a 1000 dollar fine for killing an eagle's egg but we condone killing our human children that are being ripped and torn apart in the womb nothing is done, but then fining citizens of this great country for killing an unborn eagle?

I agree with you wholeheartedly if someone does choose to abort that it be for the right reasons, such as a tubal pregnancy. But in our country teenage girls now use this as a form of birth control. 

The effect abortions have had on this nation are weighing heavily on the hearts of our young people. I appreciate your stand as you do mine and I appreciate the respect you gave me and that same respect Senator I will gladly give back to you.

Have a wonderful day and God bless you.

Respectfully,

Penny Kassay 


Well I figured I'd share this.  Have a nice night!

Single Mother of Four - Mother vs. Children

There are many single moms out there, some better than I, some not as great as I am.  I've made a long hard road of mistakes that I would not though if I could change the sands of time to go back and do so I would not.  Why?  Because I love my children dearly and there is not a thing in this world outside of my faith, that I can compare with them.

It's a funny thing about being a single parent, with no male figure in the home.   I am challenged daily, even hard pressed to see who is stronger willed.  My children or myself?  I'm not quite sure myself and only time should be the judge of that.

In the deepening of my awareness as a human being largely due to my maturing age and experiences, I have come to find one never knows what is to come.  For example - years ago I said things such as I would never do that thing only to find myself doing it.  So there it goes as the aging process begins in parenting and see your firstborn grow into a young man or woman, you find yourself seeing grandchildren in the near future because after all he or she was only born yesterday.

I long for the days of whining about having to change diapers, waking up to breast and/or bottle feed or chase my toddler now that I have come to find the challenges of teen parenting of two teens as of July fourth of this year.

My younger two - of which my last is my only girl are six and five, are certainly a challenge as well that I had not experienced with my older two sons.  As each day goes on I find it harder and harder to move forward with parenting, but yet manage to do it.  I believe completely by the grace God gives a single parent.

But no matter who you are, what you believe, single parenting is one of the most difficult challenges you can face especially when you realize your once pure hearted little ones have turned into imperfect beings.  When they turn out to be who you thought they would not be nor you desired them to be and you find the mistakes you have made effected not only your life but their lives indeed and helped to shape their mold.

A few years ago and not too few, one of my largest complaints was that I had all of the responsibilities of a married woman with none of the benefits.  Being a devout Christian, I live in celibacy although many times that has been challenged as I am a human being.  I overcame and was able to come to a place of contentment in that area, and now that complaint is small potatoes when I see what the fruit can be as I see the good and bad in each child grow hand in hand.

A mirror is what I see in them.  A mirror of my past, a mirror of my future and a mirror of my present.  I also see they can be shaped no matter how old they are, still shaped into the glorious person that God intended them to be.  Just directing them into that arena is where I can be hard pressed.

Today I was reading a book, the first chapter I have read two in a half times over again because I really wanted it to sink in.  This chapter focused on how we as parents are teachers and that no matter what we do we are consistently teaching our children how and who to be.

Of course we all know this, but it really didn't sink in the way they put it.  We are so focused on teaching them a trade, about education and how to go to college and manage money- those are all well and good, however, on many occasions we fail as parents to teach them who to be.

While all those things teach them to be people of character and integrity, honest and responsible; we do not focus on the daily challenges they face as humans.  Our tendency is to focus on their character with money and responsibility issues, but we forget about character of soul.

Who wants to deal with a negative grump or just a plain old mean person?  Or how about that person who talks too much on the job and you just wish would shut up?  Maybe a cold fish one who never shows any warmth?  Or that just rotten nasty person, who only puts themselves first?

I'd like my children to be wise beyond measure and know how to treat others.  To be honest and humbly sorry when they make a mistake in that treatment of others.  I'd like them to be warm hearted givers, who know how to love on people who have never received love.  I'd like to teach them to be developed Christians.

You may not have those same desires, but those are my desires for my children and in having them there is no fault.  We all want what we think is best for our children.  My challenge is being one parent and keeping them close.  Something I have never been very good at because relationships with men, family members and others have not always been ones I could keep close.  Sometimes it was just to cover my heart - sometimes I made the mistakes and brought the disappointments and hurts.

It seems as though when you reach out to your children, they pull away as well thinking you don't know what their best interests are.  I'm learning daily how to be a better parent, and how to be a better single parent.

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Church Soul Conversion- Not many will receive this

This letter I address the Christians not so much persons of other faith or non faith.

Isaiah 41:1
Quiet down, far-flung ocean islands. Listen! Sit down and rest, everyone. Recover your strength. Gather around me. Say what's on your heart. Together let's decide what's right. 

A lot of people just don't know how to truly win a soul.  I'm not talking about witnessing that's a whole other enchilada.  But we definitely have an issue here.  People are walking in and out of your church.  Why?


John 5:41 
"I'm not interested in crowd approval. And do you know why? Because I know you and your crowds. I know that love, especially God's love, is not on your working agenda. I came with the authority of my Father, and you either dismiss me or avoid me. If another came, acting self-important, you would welcome him with open arms. How do you expect to get anywhere with God when you spend all your time jockeying for position with each other, ranking your rivals and ignoring God? 




 Wow!  That's powerful! Jesus dealt with this problem 2000 years ago and is still dealing with it now.  Those that come for a short period of time or walk in out of the churches see it too.  We loose millions that we win for this very reason.  Hypocrisy within the church.  It may not be something wrong with them, at times it is but at others times it's us.   It's so easy to fall into because the cares of this life can catch up with us or we don't really feel for others or our church experience is about how much love we receive and how important being a believer/being in the crowd makes us feel.


Proverbs 27:19 
Just as water mirrors your face, so your face mirrors your heart. 


Sometimes we perform for other people's eyesight rather than the person who is in deep need of our assistance.


Matthew 6:2 
"When you do something for someone else, don't call attention to yourself. You've seen them in action, I'm sure—'play actors' I call them— treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. They get applause, true, but that's all they get. When you help someone out, don't think about how it looks. Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out.

Matthew 23:1
[ Religious Fashion Shows ] Now Jesus turned to address his disciples, along with the crowd that had gathered with them. "The religion scholars and Pharisees are competent teachers in God's Law. You won't go wrong in following their teachings on Moses. But be careful about following them. They talk a good line, but they don't live it. They don't take it into their hearts and live it out in their behavior. It's all spit-and-polish veneer.




People they are seeing us this way and the sad part is we don't realize it!  In America we are honoring men rather than God!  Not only that we are not applying the word of God to our lives.  We need to let God get to the hidden person of our hearts and deal with it's every intent so others can be healed.

Jeremiah 17:9
 The heart is hopelessly dark and deceitful, a puzzle that no one can figure out. But I, God, search the heart and examine the mind. I get to the heart of the human. I get to the root of things. I treat them as they really are, not as they pretend to be. 

We can all agree being a disciple of Christ is a lifelong commitment and sometimes the road can get very rough.  But most people think discipleship is only for the new converts.  I say that is not true.  We must continuously disciple one another, not in a disrespectful way whether novice or 50 years of faith.  Weariness comes to the souls of man at all times.  It's up to us to encourage ourself or each other.

Proverbs 13:19 Souls who follow their hearts thrive; fools bent on evil despise matters of soul. 


Proverbs 15:11 
Even hell holds no secrets from God— do you think he can't read human hearts? 

That does not happen enough we get a mentality people should know better or don't they have that by now?  But that should never be the mentality of a Christian to a sibling in Christ.  We must have compassion that endures for a lifetime.  People stumble and fall.  It's part of being saved.

John 14:23
"Because a loveless world," said Jesus, "is a sightless world. If anyone loves me, he will carefully keep my word and my Father will love him—we'll move right into the neighborhood! Not loving me means not keeping my words. The message you are hearing isn't mine. It's the message of the Father who sent me. 


Receiving Christ is the salvation- but the conversion of the soul is discipleship.  Discipleship is something to be cherished.  What a precious thing to be able to do for one another.  Now I'm not dismissing people's levels or growth or appointments- however encouraging words can change a life.  We are so quick to point out faults of others.

2 Timothy 2:22  
Run away from infantile indulgence. Run after mature righteousness—faith, love, peace—joining those who are in honest and serious prayer before God. Refuse to get involved in inane discussions; they always end up in fights. God's servant must not be argumentative, but a gentle listener and a teacher who keeps cool, working firmly but patiently with those who refuse to obey. You never know how or when God might sober them up with a change of heart and a turning to the truth, enabling them to escape the Devil's trap, where they are caught and held captive, forced to run his errands. 

Another thing we have an issue with as a body as a whole is putting those with money in a position as if they are right with God when that's not always the case, and the poor are treated like dirt.  We treat them like they are not worth our time and God forbid they ask for help the church has a heart attack if they do that.  You can't send folks off with a prayer and a smile if they have no food, clothing or shelter and you know what?  We can't judge that they are not right with God!  God says he comes to the defense of the poor!

We need to understand them as a body, we need to reach out to them no matter how long we have been coming or if we think they did it to themselves.  God's word says that's his business not yours.

Proverbs 29:7
The good-hearted understand what it's like to be poor; the hardhearted haven't the faintest idea. 


Psalm 12:5 
Into the hovels of the poor, Into the dark streets where the homeless groan, God speaks: "I've had enough; I'm on my way To heal the ache in the heart of the wretched. 

Sometimes we are so quick to be someones "friend" in the body because they need it.  I have heard this atrocity to God, "Well if they have not gotten it by now, I'm going to have to move on to new souls.  I can't sit around helping this one who refuses to get out of their situation.  I gotta move on man."

Whoa!  The world is doing a better job than the Christian.  At this I will say something very pertinent to doing the work of an evangelist and a disciple in Christ and I make no apologies for it, Whoa be unto to you!  If they are mocking God, God says that's his problem, if something is wrong in their lives God says that's his problem.

You have been purchased with a great price and the entirety of winning of a soul is a life long process.  Did Jesus give up on you?  Where is the long-suffering patience of the Lord revealed in us?

I want to be a reflection of Christ and have really thought long and hard about this one.  If you want to be a true champion in the Lord we need to win the soul.  Look around you people are selling pieces of their soul daily and it's in the church as well as without. Why?  Because what they are receiving is critical judgement and unrighteous words!  We think we are so right we are wrong.

Psalm 51:16
Going through the motions doesn't please you, a flawless performance is nothing to you. I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered. Heart-shattered lives ready for love don't for a moment escape God's notice. 

I see something here, the church is entering into the sin of pride on many occasions, and satan entered that same trap and look where he stands.  Take heed you stand lest you fall.

God wants us to really befriend them, or really be a friend.  He does not wish for us to be skeptical in our thinking or take our negative mindsets that as Christians we many times have into discipling others or ourself. Sometimes we are just too hard on them.


Proverbs 22:11 God loves the pure-hearted and well-spoken; good leaders also delight in their friendship. 

If you find this letter angers you or you question who is she to speak such words to me, she does not have a place, she does not have a title- you should question something else.  Stephen was being persecuted by the Pharisees and Sadducees and the heavens opened up.  He had God's word but as the bible says they believed him not.  Don't start me as I bring up Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Jesus himself they did not believe and many more.  But God brought to pass what they had said.  No one placed them in "ministry" but God himself.  So please heed this warning as it will do well for the prosperity of the churches worldwide.


This letter is in no way condemnation, it's more encouragement to be yourself with people and do what God directs but don't be so quick to dismiss those that need you.  It may be one day you have the need they do.

The Furnace of Affliction – My hot like fire week

The past week has been really eye opening for me as a business woman, a mother, an aunt, a daughter, a sister, a woman of faith and a woman in general. I've come across some pretty interesting situations in the past week.

It's not a secret that for the past 4 years my sister's son, my wonderful nephew Mason Thomas has been battling stage 4 neuroblastoma. It's a really rare form of cancer that occurs in a small amount of children. Although I am shocked at how many people I've encountered in the past four years that I know who have family members that have had the disease, know about a friend's child affected by it or have known someone with the disease in general.

Before I rattle on about this disease you can check out this link about it https://www.google.com/health/ref/Neuroblastoma it should help you to have more of an understanding of the disease.

I want to thank all of my social networkers on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter who have really been there to listen to me consistently post please pray for Mason. I must have called my church at least 100 times. As the doctor at Sloan Kettering told us "he really gave us a scare this week". I truly believe in the power of prayer, it is an amazing force when people pray and God answers. If you are an atheist or agnostic I won't argue with you I still believe. I have seen the power of God in my life and the life of this little one far too long for me to deny it.

Mason developed a complication after chemotherapy, which was an infection in his port (check out Wikipedia if you do not know what one is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_(medical) ). Apparently, his port developed a yeast infection/fungal infection which spread through his entire body, causing low blood pressure, high fevers and almost cost him his life. I felt to go up and pray over him. My friend and I went last Monday and prayed over him, he got worse. I continued putting him on every prayer chain in the country and praying personally though I must admit I felt quite weak. Wednesday Mason was fighting for his life literally. I went up to the hospital that night thinking either God will do this or he's going to go home. I prayed for him when I got there and once again when we left rebuking the spirit of death off of him.

It wasn't my prayer, millions of people were praying for him. Mason got better little by little. Of course I'm not a fool and won't say his medical care had nothing to do with it. Truthfully, the medical care was not working and we prayed it would work and it did. Mason is now sitting in a chair where he could not function last week. He will be going home at the end of this week. I'm so glad.

There were times I broke down in tears at what I had seen on Wednesday night, for my family and my nephew's condition. He looked angelic sitting in that hospital bed. I believe that boy will share his miracle one day and preach the gospel.

On another note, I learned this week that though I have my own business I must prioritize and make the most of my time for business but even more so for family. You never know when you are going to breathe your last. As a sister, I learned about supporting from a distance as I could not go out there and help as my other sister helped with Mason. What a wonderful RN she is. My mom too. Great nurses.

As a mother I have learned how to fight for my children's rights because the schools did not make it easy for me, but when they became aware of what was going on then they became supportive. My eldest son Michael had an interesting week. I have learned how to support and not smother him. I have also learned how to teach him right from wrong through some very difficult situations he faced with some other students.

This was a week of joy, tears, concern, disappointment, confidence, faith, trust, and hope, support, giving and receiving. Mostly learning how to love no matter what. Although my little ones frazzled me a bit. But hey that's what being a single mom is about. I wonder what lessons the upcoming weeks will bring. I think the furnace of affliction is a great place to grow though no one likes being there. I certainly don't. So I shared with you – please share with me your stories, comments and questions. I'm looking forward to growing together professionally and personally.