From the desk of Ella

This is different than the one that I was going to post a few months ago, but because of the RELEASE we have been going through at Faithworld and at Without Walls Lakeland, I had to modify this to share with others that may have the same struggle.  Out of privacy to the two little ladies in my life, I won't go into too much detail, but I can say that the STRUGGLE IS OVER! As posted on my Facebook page, here it is... Here I am awakened at 2 am by a sore foot... I have to make a confession that I have an addiction... Um, not going to tell you what it is because you don't need to know. However, I will draw your attention to the fact from the day that I made a declaration that this addition would not overtake my life again it has been a struggle. It is a very private struggle that only my twin (Zan) knows about. Since Pastor Paula White spoke last Sunday, there have been moments when it would have been easy to be drawn back into it but God has shown me other ways to remove the ...

It dawned on me today that some people have recognized that I look totally different and want to ask. So, for those that did not know how to ask, let me clear this up. I am one of many people that have keloid scars. The medical definition of a keloid scar is:  Keloids are the excess growth of scar tissue at the site of a healed skin injury. In my family there were a few that had/have keloid scars. It was never determined why mine grew at such great lengths. The only conclusion that I have been able to draw is that I am allergic to milk. I am sure that may sound surprising but with the amount of hours that I have spent researching scars I have found that acne can cause keloid scarring. That was the only thing that made sense to me. My physicians I have never gone into the extent to do some major resarching and extensive lab work because I can handle the ones that are on my chest, shoulders, and my back. I have had some serious pain from these scars, but since relocating to Orlando...

Over a year ago, I made a personal choice to stop settling for less than I deserved. I was working a job that required me to travel 45 minutes both ways. I loved my job and what I was doing, but one day I woke up and realized that I was settling just because I needed a job. I chose to start looking at postings for places that were closer to home. Now that I have changed jobs and getting acclimated to the environment and people, I realized that my past has prepared me for this level. As long as you know that you have been prepared for the new level, just walk in it.  Do not let someone make you second guess why you are there.  God knows that you are ready for it and HE sure will not give you more than you can handle. Just continue to PRAISE HIM for your new level. For me, it started with a choice that what I was doing was not enough.  There had to be more to life than working the job I had at the time. I went and enrolled in a certificate program to e...

For the past few years I have had some anxiety about Valentine's Day. All of the advertising and marketing is meant for couples...well that didn't apply to me and I really didn't even want to hear about it. I wouldn't even go down the aisle with all of the candy, balloons, etc.  Friday night, there was a Sweetheart Banquet at my church and I volunteered to work the event.  I served as check-in and t-shirt/dvd sales. It was great to see all of the couples as they walked in the door to see how they were dressed.  Some couples coordinated their outfits and it was so cute. Every girl is crazy about a sharp dressed man and it was good to see them all dressed up in their suits and ties.  As they were getting their pictures taken, I was thinking to myself, how in the world am I going to survive being surrounded by all of these happy people when inside my heart is longing for someone to share my life with. I know that I am a complete person and don't need a man to complet...

My friend calls me Information Resources because I have a knack for finding the answers to questions that she asks me. I figured that there's some information that is stored in my brain (no laughing) that might help someone else. So if you are unemployed or under employed, this blog is for you. After relocating in 2004, I did not have a job but two young children to feed, so I turned my job search into a job. I started with researching the top companies in Orlando and narrowing that list down to employers that were my top 10 choices. I had already done some preliminary research before I moved, but I was able to discover more information once I was in Orlando. Next I created an Excel spreadsheet that listed my top 10 along with all of their information. I also included the name of the HR Manager or the Hiring Manager for creating my customized cover letters to submit with my resume when applying online. Plus, if you have to keep track of the jobs that you are applying for, this is ...

I have struggled with topics for a few days now and found it tough to just sit and focus on one. I am the type of person who reads many articles, stories, and books and just to find one topic is hard. I was having a conversation with a friend the other day and we were discussing black female role models and the lack of women who are there for todays young black girls. Then our conversation shifted to what working black women have to go through on a daily basis. I was laughing becuse it is so true. We have one persona when we are in the office, one persona when we are with our friend, and a truly different one with our children. We have to shift who we are based on the environment that we are in. Does it change who I am that you cannot distinguish my race based on my telphone voice? No, it just means that I can adapt. Does it change who I am that I am stern with my children when I need to be? No, just means that my children will grow up with the example that I have set and will be able ...

Last month there were some news stories that were rather disturbing. Rape is never an easy subject, but to hear claims of rape that were later retracted in an attempt to maintain a relationship were upsetting. Ladies, please know your value. Realize that God closed the door to that relationship for a reason. Why put yourself through the trouble of being arrested on a misdemeanor charge that you may have to explain when you are applying for a job? Is the man really worth that much trouble because he doesn't want to be with you anymore? I don't believe so. Let it go and say thank you God for removing that distraction to your plan for my life. I can attest to this because there were times when I questioned why a relationship ended. Now, I just say that wasn't the one for me. I have learned that some men don't mean what they are saying and they are only saying it because they want to make you happy.