Born & Raised - #1

Like Esther, I was born for such a time as this...

Or, more specifically - I was raised for such a time as this.  I am a child of God and He is my Father.  He has raised me, guided me, protected me, sheltered me, nurtured me and shaped me - all during a time when I did not know he knew me - and I did not know Him.

He named me "Delaileona."  But I could not step into the revelation of that name because I did not understand the full significance of it... until just recently.  But I must have been named Delaileona by the heart of God since the beginning of my days...

Two worlds were pursuing me since the beginning, but it seems I could not see the light... the kingdom of darkness was too bright, but Light was there, always vying for my heart.

*****
Recently, my Father showed me a copy of my original baptismal certificate from the Methodist church.  It was really a baby dedication from my infancy, but the wording has clearly dedicated me to the service and teaching of the Lord and His Word.

His hand was upon me from the start, but darkness tried to pull it apart.
*****

I think I must have been 8 or so, maybe younger, when a neighbor lady asked me, "Are you a Christian?"

I told her "I was baptized Methodist."  She was unhappy with my response, twisting up her face at me, and I was perturbed.  How dare she question my baptism?  I knew for a fact I was baptized as a Methodist!"

Clearly I had no understanding of what she was asking.
*****

Recently, I was asked by a Lutheran Pastor if I was baptized.  I told him of seeing my baptismal certificate not long ago, and it's wording binding me into the work of God.  

And I told him of my baptism once receiving my Salvation and being baptized unto Jesus' death and brought up as a representation of the newness of the life of Christ within me.  

And, I told him about the very significant and spiritual experience of my 3rd baptism that I only did to support my son, but that ended up being a powerful and overwhelming confirmation of the anointing of God confirming my entrance into my ministry calling.

The pastor twisted His face much like that old neighbor lady and commenced to scrutinize, analyze and re-teach me on his doctrine regarding my baptism.

How dare he question my baptism! Some things never change!

... or do they?  They most certainly do!


4Love & Life -
~Pastor D

NEW DIRECTION; OLD PATHS...

This blog has been evolved several times since its inception.

• It started as a platform for a writer's musings
• Then it became a witness of my spiritual journey toward supernatural maturity
• And, as I began to mature it then has been a journal for my "prophetic notions"
• It has been scattered about with a few teachings and open letters on various subjects
• And now...

This past weekend was the 3rd Anniversary of The House of His Glory and it has been an extraordinary process of being the "Senior" Pastor of this unique ministry.

In the past several months, Father has been exposing my to a new facet of the calling and mandate over my life.  It's not new in the sense of not knowing this was the Father's will for me, but instead there has been a whole new aspect of this mandate that I've been experiencing.

And, because of it, I feel led to chronicle the spiritual path my life has always followed even and before I ever knew about following Jesus.

I am a follower of Jesus, but I did not choose Him, He chose me from before I was...

Living Visions

If you were to peruse the many lengthy posts, past the even lengthier permanent post and were able to some how piece together a chronology of truth, you might begin in April of 2008.

For two days I attended a Loral Langemeier business conference in Dallas, TX. NO ONE wanted to hear about my business choices: neither the business directory nor the "public speaking". They were steering me towards Graphic Design or some such thing.

Then upon meeting Loral I blurted out that I was going to be the Loral Langemeier of Christian Education. Good Lord! And my angst was more over saying such a dumb thing to Ms. Langemeier rather than where the heck did that come from?

But on the plane ride home I had my first ever vision and indeed did see myself speaking to masses of women. Women? Check out my non-profit and you'll see I've been primarily focused on teens! Where the heck did that come from?

So yes, I started that directory anyway and began researching the "public speaking" because I was going to do both, daggone it! And the directory led me to the Bishop who agreed immediately to be my mentor in "public speaking".

But still the vision persisted - and it grew! The details became clearer and crazier in my mind - but certainly clearer. And I kept them under wraps convinced I was nuts.

Then a prophet read my nutty thoughts and told them all back to me. Then the Bishop confirmed all those nutty thoughts and told them all back to me. Where the heck did all of that come from?

And so yes, I did my first speaking engagement at the Bishop's church - what a rush! I knew the Spirit of God had anointed me that night but still it was as if I was still saying, where the heck did that come from?

And I spoke again, and did a little something else, and I began teaching at the Bible College and I began pursuing a licence in ministry... hold up... yes, I did say minister's license. Now where the heck did THAT come from?

Somewhere along the way I had to admit that this was not just a career path and a really cool job - finally. Somewhere along the line I had answered and acknowledge just exactly where this was all coming from: God Himself.

I had been called. I had finally recognized the sound I had heard for so many, many years. Finally, every experience, every pain, every joy and every heart ache made sense - this was why: so that that I may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith I have been comforted of God. (2 Cor 1:4)

And I have had to transform myself through the renewing of my thoughts: I would like to be a minister; I am called to be a minister; I am working on becoming a minister; I am a minister elect; I AM A MINISTER of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

And now I must admit I am still being transformed by the renewing of my thinking: The Vision.
Yeah, that one - way back in April.

It's time ya'll... it's 'bout time to begin. It's time to be about my Father's business. Just as prophecies are meant to be told, visions are meant to be lived...

SIGNIFICANT SIGNIFICANCE

Here are my hopes for my family, my friends and indeed all of mankind in the midst of today’s significance:

Whether you voted for “the guy” or not… No matter what your political party… No matter what your ethnicity or economic status or religious beliefs are… There is a particular and extremely significant significance to the events of today: The inauguration of our 44th President, Barack Obama.

And yes, part of it has to do with ethnicity – but only a part. And part of it has to do with economic status – but only a part. And again, some of it does have to do with religious belief – but only a part, and only perhaps for those who believe in God and in His Holy Word. And finally another small part does indeed have to do with our political parties.

I will start at the latter. You see, no matter whether you consider yourself Republican or Democrat, conservative or liberal, Independent, Moderate or other – there is no way Barack Obama could have been voted into office by just the Democrats alone. And with an 80+% approval rating – or some such thing – there is no way he could reach a number like that through just the Democrats alone. And so it seems his message of unifying the parties has already begun to come to fruition – and that is a fact that is significant. My hope is that it continues.

And you see, no matter what your ethnicity, race or nationality – there is no way Barack Obama could have been voted into office by just the African Americans, Hawaiians and citizens of Illinois all by themselves. And with that 80+% approval rating – or whatever it is – there is now way he could have reached those kinds of numbers with just the African Americans, Hawaiians and Illinois residents. And so it seems as if his message of unifying the American people regardless of ethnicity, race or nationality has already begun to come to fruition – and that is a fact that is extremely significant. My hope is that it continues.

And so, you see, no matter how much money you do or do not make, no matter how affected you are or are not by the current economic crisis, and no matter whether you might or might not be affected by any taxation changes Barack Obama may or may not make, approximately 80+% of Americans (no matter what their economic status is) have a hope that he will make significant changes to the current economy. And there is no way that number of 80+% - or something like that – could have been reached by just poor people with hope, unemployed people with hope or people who hope they won’t lose their houses. And since it seems that hope is very good for the economy – for example; hope can make the stock market soar and fear can make the stock market plummet – it seems as if his message of economic hope has already begun to come to fruition (at least if only in the hearts of the American people) – and that is very significant indeed. My hope is that his actions in office match the hope in many of our hearts.

And finally, you see, (for those of us who believe) that God does indeed ordain and/or choose the worlds leaders, that would have to include the “good” ones and the “bad” ones. The “bad” ones pave the way for the “good” ones and the “good” ones provide a foundation for the “bad” ones. One cannot be without the other preceding or following. And so whether you think the former administration was good or bad, and whether you think the new and current administration will be good or bad – the truth of the matter (to those of us who chose to believe) is that “ALL things work to the greater good of they that love the Lord.” And that is significantly significant indeed. My hope is that in all things – or at least 80+% (or somewhere around there) – Barack Obama (through the will of God) will succeed in all he hopes to do.

So whether he does or not, the significant significance of today is that I am included in about 80+% of the American people whose hope extends towards all mankind – whether you voted for the guy or not; no matter what your political party; no matter what your economic status; no matter what your ethnicity and no matter what your religious beliefs are or are not.

I wish you all happiness and hope and better days ahead for us all.

God bless you and may God continue to richly bless America.

© 2008 Deidre Campbell-Jones (aka – “Min. Dez”)

New Year Update

So since my last post, announcing that I have accepted the call to preach, and teach and make disciples, the Lord has kept on calling...

- As of September 16 I began teaching at Union University Bible College each Tuesday evening.

- I will be in charge of the newsletter at the Family Church International, Pasadena CA - I will work on them naming and Editorial Department and me as director. :D

- I am also attending classes at the Bible College and, each class I teach; each message I give and all of my past ministry experience works towards the expediting of my ministers license to be administered this year.

- I have officially published my first booklet entitled "The Limitless Power of Faith" and expect to complete others soon. And the second (and far more beautiful) 2009 Destination "Limitless Faith" Calendar is now available!

My new Bishop and mentor has given me the "green light" to pursue speaking engagements outside of the church and I am diligently and passionately pursuing any and all ventures.

This endeavor works toward the goal and vision of my larger speaking engagement and book tour. So yes, it's time to get started on that first full book and get it published!

And, most importantly - the Lord has blessed me with spiritual gifts I did not expect and am so thrilled and overwhelmed by. Any day the Lord speaks is a very good day indeed!

With all that being said, I have also had the visions that I will pastor a church and that the ongoing and ultimate goals of my current ministry (destinationchristianservices.net) will also come to fruition.

As a minister on the roster at the Family Church International, Bishop Donnie Williams has given all of us the assignment to begin a home bible study. I, of course (and for now), have started a "To Your Home" Email Bible Study and will post the messages on a new blog entitled: getliferightnow.blogspot.com. To receive those bible studies and to become a part of the fellowshipping community of GetLifeRightNow, join our online congregation at: getliferightnow.ning.com. My hope and prayer is that these sites will be the forerunner for a future church as per my vision and a prophet's word from the Lord for my life.

Speaking schedules, events and to book an engagement will be found at: GetLifeRightNow.com

Until then, His Love & Your Blessings,
~ Minister Dez

Birth Announcement

Well - the post below entitled "Gestation" states I would be giving birth soon - and indeed, I did.

I personally have never actually been pregnant, although I do have a young son that came to us when he was just a few weeks old, so I cannot say how accurate this analogy is...

However, since the birth of my new "baby" it has been as if I'd forgotten I was pregnant and forgotten the labor as I struggle to get a acquainted with this new "infant" and the joys and process of nurturing this new addition to my life. And, I'd forgotten I'd written "Gestation".

Well - the post below says I'd scheduled a cesarean section which implies a fairly immediate birth and scheduled arrival. So, if I'm keeping with the analogy, I would say perhaps labor started on the day I was to have surgery and instead of going ahead with the cesarean, the doctor in charge (God Himself) said, "No surgery, you will go through labor no matter how long it takes."

I think I had a false labor in June - the date of my scheduled cesarean. And I had another false labor in August - but the birth of my baby actually was September 12, 2008!

And - the post below says I would upload not only the birth announcement, but pictures also. Ha! Pictures have been taken, but I don't have them so instead I will give you the standard statistical information required for each true birth announcement.

Name of Baby: My call from the Lord to teach, preach and make disciples "for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." Ephesians 4:12

Birthdate: September 12, 2008

Weight: Matthew 11:28: "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Because I am "like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth fruit in due season; my leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever I do shall prosper."

Length: Matthew 28:20: "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

Gestation...

Here is a snippet of truth...

Our God given purpose is like an egg cell in the ovary of a woman. When a female is born it is said that we already have all the eggs we'll ever have. Some will ripen to ovulation, most will not.

And just like that egg cell, I believe we are born with the seed of God's given purpose for our lives - lying dormant until ripened into fruition. Sometimes it does... most times it does not.

And like a little girl who dreams of getting married and having babies, we often dream of growing up and fulfilling some grand purpose for our lives. And even though girls dream of a life with children - they almost never dream of pregnancy, morning sickness, labor pains and cesareans. And they absolutely cannot envision exactly what day those children will be born, what they will look like, how they will act or what grades they'll get in school.

And so we grow dreaming of a purpose but cannot actually, truly know what that purpose will be. We must wait for and hope for the implantation of thought that gestates into an idea, that labors into activity and finally is birthed into reality.

Here's some "womanly" information you may not want to know the details of: Some women can "tell" when they are ovulating. They experience some aching, some cramping, moodiness and maybe some spotting. Yuck.

But I say, there is the same kind of discomfort when the seed of purpose is ripening as well.

I was going through this pre-cycle discomfort for a while prior to attending a business seminar in Dallas, TX this past April. And without knowing it - my formerly barren womb of opportunity was actually ovulating my seed of purpose. One thing led to another and wham, bam thank you ma'am - two weeks later I'm waiting on a phone call like waiting on a pregnancy test. Let me back up a moment.

I must confess that when in Dallas I did not fall in love with my future - I did not get a quickie marriage to my purpose. No... instead it was as if I had an illicit one-night-stand weekend! Truth be told, it was as if I had to sneak around whenever I mentioned this possible purpose. It was frowned upon as a no-no and if I am to continue with the analogy, it was as if the leaders of this conference were arranging a marriage for me and were suggesting adoption for my barren womb of purpose. Oh, but the weekend was filled with such passion and emotion and excitement that I could not be lured away from my two-night affair with destiny.

Like an adoptive mother waiting to be matched, I waited for two-weeks for that call that would confirm my marriage and adoption. But admittedly, while I waited... I took care, and continued to do all the right things... just in case I was truly "pregnant" with truth.

Sure enough, days before the call my purpose test turned positive - the seed of truth had ripened, been fertilized, implanted and had begun it's quiet gestation. Weeks later, like a trip to the doctor, a local prophet whom I had only met a few times confirmed my "pregnancy" by confirming my purpose with such accuracy there was no more denying my truth.

It has been a short gestation, but it has not been without it's morning sickness, anticipation, anxiety, excitement and glorious joy at the mere thought of my future.

And now I am proud to say that on this Friday I am scheduled for a Cesarean - a forced birth of purpose, if you will. And I cannot wait! Trust me, I know that after this purpose is born there will still be all the ups and downs of parenting responsibility to contend with. My new "baby" will get sick and will have growth spurts. My new "baby" will grow and get stronger, maybe get ornery, will try to give me trouble and will always be a joy.

It is impossible to envision exactly what my new purpose will look like, but I have a pretty good idea and I am already in love! But come this Friday all things will change as I finally give birth and am able to properly parent my Presidential purpose.

I will upload a birth announcement with pictures of my new baby...

Just Shy; Not Shy!

Can you believe it!?

It is just shy of 6 months since my last post.

And boy, oh boy! So much has happened, so much has changed, so much is going on!

First let me say, what you are about to read is the manifestation of God at work! It is the realization of answered prayer and it is the premonition of FANTASTIC things to come!

So, I finished T.D. Jake's "Reposition Yourself" and it was the impetus for everything that has happened since then. It is also the reason you can disregard everything else written in my post 6 months ago!

1) On Nov. 17 the DCS, Inc. auxiliary company Jubilation! Weddings & Events did a 30/50 birthday party for a miserable client and her niece who both got drunk, got mean, got violent and passed out. Consequently the client did not pay the balance of her bill - $1000 - for 3 months, until I excused her of her debt and prayed for the unhappiness in her and her family's lives. Subsequently I have laid to rest that business venture. Not because of the client but because working during the prime hours I want to spend with my son is not the direction I want to move in.

2) During December my interim business with "Baby Signs, Inc." held a class of 3 adorable infants. One (who paid by check) dropped out inexplicably and the Destination Christian Services, Inc. merchant account would not accept payments from the other two who did complete* the class. Consequently I lost money on this class because of the rent I was paying for the facility and all the money spent on marketing (education) efforts. (*) One of my 2 students missed a class and car trouble, missing equipment and scheduling would not allow us to get a make up class rescheduled. Subsequently I have laid this business venture to rest. Not because of the clients, but because teaching infants to sign is definitely not the career I want to be known for at the end of my life.

3) Finally, the inherited 4-plex I was suffering with for almost 2 years, was sold! Praise God, hallelujah! We were able to refinance and afford our new house and set aside money for our retirement, J-man's college fund and make some investments as well. Consequently this also meant no more rent money coming in each month. And with no lucrative businesses desperation set in.

4) Just prior to finishing "Reposition Yourself" (after all of these circumstances had transpired) a girlfriend gave me Loral Langemeier's The Millionaire Maker's Guide to Building a Cash Machine for Life. Now this was what I had been repositioning myself for!

5) Long story short I devoured that book; devoured her 6 CD series "Expression of Your Power; devoured her first book "The Millionaire Maker"; attended her 2-day seminar in Dallas Texas and devoured 2 more of her CD series!

6) Since then I have changed! No more fear! Oh, trust me, it is GONE! I have a new mind-set, a new belief system, new goals, and a new plan for reaching those goals. I also have one less best friend; one new business partner, a husband who doesn't recognize nor understand his wife any longer; a toddler who is challenging the new me and is now in a new preschool, and a new professional mentor from The Family International Church in Pasadena, CA.

7) I also have new business ventures and activities. I have a new monthly column in The Family International Church newsletter - even though I do not attend the church! I have a new local business directory for minority & women owned businesses. I have a new speaking career in the works and I have a host of new literature I am currently finishing up and will be publishing between now and December of 2008 so I can launch a book tour and women's summit in 2009!

8) I have new websites coming - stay tuned. Right now you can check out www.hip2give.ning.com and soon there will be www.hipgiver.com and www.books4yourdestiny.com as well as the site for my inspirational speaking and women's summits: www.getliferightnow.com. Get ready world... big things are coming.

9) I have no limit thinking and a new joy in my life and a message that will renew and transform the hearts and minds of women everywhere. Believers shall not be deceived so long as I can help it! I have a message; I have hope and I have a vision. "Man devises his plan, but God directs his steps" Proverbs 16:3

10) Get ready world... big things are coming and I am no longer shy to say it!

Absence; The Absence

I've been absent far too long.

From this blog. From my life. From the Source.
From connecting with anyone outside of me.
From connecting with the power of the spirit within me.

Busy.
So busy.
Too busy connecting with fear.

Again.
And again I say, "Fear not."

Yesterday I awoke and determined I was tired. Emotionally and physically tired.
And I felt I had so many things I wanted to do; should do; and needed to do and had no time, nor the energy in which to do anything. And yet, hadn't I been busy doing something?

Then came a deeper dawning of a previous revelation: not only had some of the old fears crept subconsciously back in, but I instantly identified another aspect of my fear. And it suddenly seemed so pointless, useless, and an insult to the God who created me to be and do all the things I want to; should do and need to do.

My life is going to end one day just like everyone else's. And when it does, what will I have to account for before my Lord? And what will my son have to remember me by when I'm gone? He will not know my efforts; my desires or my dreams. He will only know the things I left behind - finished or not.

And so why shouldn't I boldly claim the power the Lord promises to me? Why shouldn't I step madly into the world, open my mouth and profess with out fear of recrimination, reproof or disdain, the purposes so dear to me?

Let them recriminate, reprove or disdain... what? My favor is in the eyes of the Lord.

And that evening a non-believing friend told me I was "glowing." Ha! Go figure! I boldly told him why. And he openly agreed that was probably a good reason for the glow.

And so, now continues the beginning of the daily transformation of what has always been.

I am a 41 year old wife, mother of a 2 year-old son and struggling entrepreneur.
I have two businesses that are barely active; I have two other businesses that are sadly inactive; I am a writer, attempting to become an author and I still manage to come up with at least one new idea or project every single day.

And, I am the President and Founder of a God-gifted vision.

Pray for me that I will soon be able to say - I am connected, confident and fearless too. Absent no more.

Black Butterfly

Today I saw the biggest butterfly I have ever seen. And of course, since I've not really seen a multitude of butterflies in my life, the size ratio of what I have seen compared to this one is extreme.

I can truly say that I have seen average sized butterflies and small butterflies and up until now, I would have said I had seen a large one (or two) as well. And that the larger ones were not necessarily that much larger than most, nor were they particularly more difficult to find than the others.

This gorgeous creature was probably 3 1/2 maybe even 4 inches tall with her wings fairly straight up and the width of her wings was about 3 inches at their widest.

And she had landed before me. And she didn't move. And she was all black with golden yellow markings and a yellow body.

And it was significant to me in an instant.

In the midst of a dirty street, on a not particularly bright and "beautiful" day, surrounded by (of all things) horse droppings - there was beauty. God's big, magnanimous beauty - in quiet, inconsequential peace, waiting to be enjoyed.

And I saw this butterfly as my blessings - my unfulfilled blessings and my yet as unanswered prayers.

She was as big as all my hopes and as extraordinary as all my dreams. And she had no fear. And she was joy and hope and beauty in the midst of all that was dirty and ugly.

And I took her as a sign - a sign I pray is true - I sign I pray I can hold on to...

That today is the beginning of all my biggest blessings come true.

Today is the beginning of all my biggest dreams come to fruition.

Today may have started in a very insignificant manner, and the mundane of today's activities may see the sun set equally as insignificant. But somewhere, somehow I am holding dear that today is the beginning of completion.

Today I saw the biggest butterfly I have ever seen.

Destiny's Journey

Thank you for taking the time to comment.

Many blessings,
~Dez

Scriptures

For the past five years now I have been living on scriptures like air to breathe, water to thrive and a floatation device to survive.

Sustaining me; engaging me; pertaining specifically to me.

Reminding me, denying me, aligning me with hope.

For five years now I've been living on scriptures: like air, like water, like floating...

For GOD has not given the SPIRIT of Fear, but of POWER and of LOVE and of a SOUND MIND. Leaving behind the same old doubts and boughts of uncertainty.

Pushing myself with power, loving my self anew - each and every hour, reminding my mind it's Ok. Everything will be OK.

For five years now I've been living on scriptures: breathing, thriving, surviving...

A [Woman's] heart devises [her] plan: but the LORD directs [her] steps. All bets are off, though I may be off in thinking I'll pull this off, I'm pushing on and on and on to the end.

Make plain my plan, don't stray my steps: adhere, revere, sincerely refraining from fear.

For five years now and hope for five more - No Fear, FEAR NOT. Love me, Love me NOT, strength like a boy scout square knot, I'll NOT give into to the knots within my stomach from fear, FEAR NOT.

For five years now and hope for five more - the plan, the steps, like a staircase up; baby steps, step up, step it up a notch; the goal, the dream, that seems undoable: undone; the way and the plan to final completion.

(II Timothy 1: 7/Proverbs 16:9)

In The Beginning...

In the beginning... more than just the words to the beginning of the Bible, these are also the words to the beginning of one of my favorite songs. A song I performed back in the heyday of my life - like a has-been who dredges up stories of high school and that great pass, that great shot or that great prom as the highlight of their life.

I started out a singer, you see. The beginning of a me I'm still destined to be.

Back then the plan was to become a famous singer and then "they" would let me write and star in and do the soundtrack for my own movies.

I was multi-talented, multi-tasking and creative even then, but it was labeled as flaky, irresponsible, indecisive and flighty.

I began to buy the hype, believe the lies and diminish myself - striving or actually settling for security, safety and the slightest portion possible of what I was really capable.

You would have thought my environment breathed a sigh, finally I fit their box, stuck to their rules and maybe would now amount to something, anything really, because, as they acknowledged, I had so much talent, so much potential - I could do anything I wanted. Really?

That's not what I wanted! And like the opposite ends of a magnet - the friction, discord and dissatisfaction was too much for me; too much for them; and simply just too much.

And so I finally accepted me; learned to love me and re-prioritized the me I wanted me to be. I accepted my purpose and set out on the path toward my destiny. On the path to Destiny. The me, I was concealing was now a me living out loud. A me they refuse to acknowledge or understand.

I gathered up all my talents, abilities and skills and carried them into the core of me - straight into the very depths of Destiny to discover just what was my true destiny.

To be me. To give others all my missed opportunities. To teach teens how to live their own destinies. To recreate reality. To build an academy. To wake up a DREAM.

Like Noah and his arc I was given details, a design, specifications and goals. Given or got, made up or not, I had a plan. A wildly inconceivable, impossible plan.

Like Moses I was given a people with a task and a place and a message to lead them out. Given or got, made up or not, I could see a promised land. A wildly inconceivable, impossible to get to Promised Land.

And all by myself without one helping hand I've got to be strong and stand: on faith, on principle, on belief, on hope, on God - the way, the truth, the life. My foundation, my truth, my way and my life - that I can provide these kids with a foundation for their own truth and an ability to find a way to live their true purpose, their abundantly best life.

It started with an adamant joke of an idea for a small growing community. Don't build a library I thought at each sign for support on the corner posts. There's one so nearby that all the kids already utilize. Build instead a center, where kids can really commune and do the things they really like instead of just what adults decide is right.

This seed took root and grew deep and strong, drawing nourishment from the wellspring of life until finally the first leaves have appeared. It grows ever still and if this sapling can survive the coming storms, the trunk will then be strong enough to sustain and withhold. And the branches will spread and shed more seed, more shade, safety and protection. If only I can see it through to completion.