Book Review: Me My Man and his Music

Hello lovelies,
Happy Holidays! Happy Kwanzaa! Today is Kujichagulia - self- determination. There are so many things to reflect upon in this past year.  I have been recently blessed to sing and lead praise and worship at my local church, Word of Life Christian Community Center.  It has been a chance to grow in ministry and also given me an ability to grow in God like never before.  In the spirit of Kujichagulia I am determined to follow the will of God in this area of Worship, and prayerfully submit to his leading as He forms and reveals His plan for my life.

This Holiday season, I've been relaxing and just finished a great book aimed for gals like me "Musicians' wives" It is called "Me, My Man, and his Music."  As a newlywed wife of a musician, Tim Green, I have always looked for support and resources and there seemed to be a lack of books for my particular type of marriage.

I love this book by Kim Mcquitty, because she gets really honest about what worked and what didn't work. She explained how a wife of a musician is going to have an untraditional marriage and to see the beauty of that as well as try to understand the complexities of it.   It was really eye opening and increased my faith in God and also my appreciation for my husband and the calling that is on his life!

If you are the wife of a musician get yourself a copy of this book, if you know anyone who would be interested go to her blog and amazon and support Kim McQuitty.
http://kimmcquitty.com/

Buy her book here

Thankful for another year of freedom in marriage,
AGFreed

mother wort updates and more

Hey all,
Thanks for following and reading.  I do appreciate your visits and hope that my posts are helpful.  So I've discovered that after a couple weeks of taking mother wort, that it is NOT for me. It might be for you, but not for me.  I had some side effects(inbox for details) that were not cool, but I've found that Passion Flower works for me. I've found, after a month of passion flower, that I have been calmer, less defensive, and had better clarity of thought.  I feel much happier, better able to deal with conflicts and also better able to move beyond conflicts when they occur.  So thankful!

I also have learned to get off that cafe mocha, cappucino, caramel macchiato, and onto some chamomile tea! It has calmed my nerves to the point that I sometimes think, am I different person/ personality?

Here's what the beautiful flower looks like: The history is beautiful! and has to do with the sacrifice of Jesus!

I will keep you posted but this has helped me tremedously to really live free!



Love and Blessing,
AGFREED!

Mother Wort works for me!

Hello all,
I don't know if I've made this known before, but I suffer from anxiety on a pretty regular basis. I can't say I've had panic attacks, but I certainly have an active mind that dreads normal everyday things.  Crazyiness!
Now I know that it is genetic, but I didn't know what my parents used to call "nervous energy" until I've experienced it as an adult.  I realized that the bad thoughts I have on a daily basis are a condition of the mind and that its not that I don't love, trust or believe in Jesus, its because I'm human.

The moment I realized this was when after having a sustained episode of anxiety, nervousness. I was sick and tired! Wondering, what was wrong with me! Praying "Peace be still' to my nerves that just wouldn't calm.  I searched on youtube for an answer, and a natural remedy showed up.... two actually.

The first, Passionflower, it is an herb that when taken calms the nerves and eases blood pressure, but may make you drowsy.
The second, Mother Wort, is also an herb and has a calming effect on the smooth muscles, including the heart.

I tried the Passionflower first, and definitely had relief in 5 minutes of taking it!!!! Thank you Lord.  The background of passionflower is amazing, it has been a symbol to some of Christ.  Because of this I felt like the Lord was with me helping me find relief.

The next day the things that I normally dread were no big deal, and even when I did have accelerated nerves or had to yell at a kid at school, my nerves did not stay there!  Hallelujah.  Now its only been 3 days, but I will keep you posted as to if this will be a normal part of my regimen.  I feel like myself again, I finally feel free!!!


Living Freed,
AGfreed!

What is there to lose?

"He is no fool, to lose what he can not keep, to gain what he can not lose."
Jim Elliot, Christian martyr and husband of Elisabeth Elliot.

I've been thinking about God's plan and purpose of course for my life, but also with 9/11 being  today. Thinking about all the suffering and hurt that we experience in this life.  No one knows this kind of pain more intimately than Elisabeth Eliot, wife of the Christian Martyr, Jim Elliot, who gave his life to share the gospel to a people in remote Ecuador.  Putting her own pain aside, she remained in Ecuador to minister to the people who eventually came to believe in Jesus Christ.  

The following is a song by Twila Paris, but with clips from the movie Through Gates of Splendor, which is an account of the Jim and Elisabeth Elliot's mission trip to Ecuador. 

What an awesome testimony, the same sacrifice that Jim and Elisabeth gave, is that of Jesus. He too gave up His physical life, that we might have eternal life! God asks us to do the same, to give our lives away that others might live through our "death".  

"He is no fool, to lose that which he can not keep, to gain that which he can not lose." In giving our lives God gives us the eternal life.  Amen.

Answering the Call

I hate to only post when things are going good for me. But we are encouraged by one another's testimonies. 

I believe God has done amazing things through simple spending time with Him and seeking my purpose and calling. I've been reading some and trying to get to the bottom of my "calling"/  my purpose.

What I have discovered over the past couple of months, as I've been "filling in" for my pastor's wife as praise and worship leader (first timer) is that I am called to do this!  Although it hasn't been easy or flowed every time.  I've noticed that God speaks to me about which songs to do, my personality is really well suited to giving adoration praise and glory to the Lord.

I've also noticed that my urge to make a big deal about "what is beautiful" is fulfilled in leading and worshiping the Lord.  I am so thankful! So grateful for this news, because I have a level of faith and confidence that God is with me and has placed His gracious hand on me to do this! Thank you Lord!



Sincerely,
AGFREED! for real y'all!

Movin' Mondays

Allow this to bless you and minister to your heart if you were like I was before this morning.  Its amazing how something so simple can have such a huge impact

The words very simple
 I'm trading my sorrow
I'm trading my shame
I'm laying them down
 For the Joy of the Lord!


 What a life altering thought!


Continuing to move forward,
AGFREED

I'll be back

Such a busy couple of months here and its already April, but I'm determined to get back to writing.  I've been moving forward down a clear path and I'm excited about all the growth I've been experiencing.
 God is good all the time and all the time God is good.

Bye for now, look out for some upcoming posts.

Love,
AG Freed 

Sound of melodies

Hey there,
Its been a while, and I've been up to http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/Warfield2.htmlsome great reflection and some walking in my truth :-)
I played a recital on Monday, and it was such a great experience! I felt like I was really getting some of my music out! Even the rehearsal process was super interesting and revelatory.
I also discovered that my temperament is a Melancholic according to Aristotle's four temperaments.  This has made my life significantly more interesting and I understand a great deal more about myself and about my relationship with others and with God.
Portrait of a Melancholic temperament.

•  Melancholy
  1. Conscientious, SJ - Guardian - The melancholy is an introverted temperament type. His natural style is analytical and perfectionist. He is the most moody of types ranging from highly "up" to gloomy and depressed. During his low periods he can be very antagonistic and does not make friends easily. He is the most dependable of the temperaments due to his perfectionist tendencies. His analytical ability allows him to accurately diagnose obstacles and problems, which often keep him from making changes - he prefers the status quo and may seem overly pessimistic.
  He may choose a difficult life vocation involving personal sacrifice. Many melancholies become doctors or scientists or artists. Their interpersonal style can be critical and negative. He tends to be more indecisive than other types. They have difficulty giving praise and approval because they cannot bring themselves to say something that is not 100% true. They also are usually dissatisfied with themselves being highly self-critical.
  Other weaknesses include being "thin skinned" or touchy and easily offended. He often feels persecuted and may seek revenge for real or imagined insults. He tends to be "all or nothing" in his evaluation of things; everything must be black or white and no shades of gray. He is least likely to consider mitigating circumstances when evaluating a person or situation. No temperament is more likely to be legalistic and rigid. He can be intolerant and impatient with those who do not see things his way.

taken from  http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/Warfield2.html

This is amazing to me because it describes me to a tee.  Anyway I've decided some things about my true gifts and strengths and I plan on putting myself behind those things, I know that I should be playing my instrument more to assuage the title wave that beats upon the shores of my heart from time to time.   Thank God for understanding, clarity, and the enjoyment of life! 

AGFREED!

new cut

Been doing more self discovery, and have decided to go with a new cut too! Here it is!

29th bday is right around the corner! Loving me, living me.

AGFREED

For Peace

The Serenity Prayer goes like this --
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next. Amen.

Sometimes I get so caught up on having things my way; forgetting that we are not always supposed to be in control. God reminds us of that with this person and that, this situation, or circumstance, that is not as faviorable as we'd like.  We wrestle with our loss of control, I wrestle.... But where does all that wishing and hoping and worrying get me... absolutely nowhere. Well, thats not actually true. It gets me to place of constant unsubsiding--straight up anxiety, to the point where peace is no where to be found in me.  

God lets us go through these emotions-- waiting for us to pray and request His ultimate intervention.  What then is next? But complete and total surrender. We can not always change the way some one feels about us, or how a situation is turning out. Acceptance,  at times, is wisdom.

Agfreed

Hair Clinic update

Still on my hair rehab. tip.   I tried a new product, well two new products that I"ve been eyeing.

1) Giovanni - xtreme protein infusion  - its on the same wave length as Aphogee keratin 2 minute 

Review- Felt really soft but strong, without the mineral oil and chemicals that aphogee has in it

I think I might prefer it, but it'll take some time to really see if it helps with the breakage

2) Shea moisture african blk soap scalp elixir- good for anti dandruff or itchy scalp.

I sprayed and massaged it in after washing, so we'll see but my scalp feels wonderful after the acv rinse i did and all the massaging.  More on this one later

3) one more- I used Oyins- whipped shea butter to retain moisture this time for my twist out.... I have to say, my hair feels really soft and awesome. I'm attributing this to the shea butter I usually use olive oil which is good too, i actually did one twist with evoo and it does feel a tad bit softer (oops)  again we'll see. 

What are your favorite sealers and oils, how do you care for you scalp, esp during winter? 

toodles,

agfreed!

Confronting

OOOO, I hate that word, it just brings bad feelings up just thinking about it. And yet,  I must confront the issue of confronting anyway.
Everyday we have a choice to confront or repress.  In reading "THe Confident Woman" by Joyce Meyer, I have been "confronted" by the need to confront.  She mentions that a woman of courage must feel the fear and do it anyway. I'm sure you've heard that tune before, but it is so true.
 Often times I shrink away from moments of confrontation, this is a double disservice to myself and the other person(s) involved.  For me progress happens when someone confronts me with a gripe or issue--True growth occurs! I mean if I offend someone or my attitude is wrong, I need someone to tell me in love.

On the other hand, if you are the person with a secret problem with someone, but you don't want to confront, that thing will eat you up. You'll be thinking minute to minute about what you should say, everytime you think of that person.  Why not just speak up? Call it out! Say the truth! even if it causes shame or a little pain or anger.  Let God speak through your conversation and your confrontation! 

AGFreed

(perfected in Him alone)

hair update 1.11.11

Hair experiment! 

My hair was feeling reaally parched after the cold dry winter and an aphogee 2 minute reconstructor I did the other day.  So today, it was deep condition time!!!! YAY!!!!!

A natural curlygirls heaven! 

on the right :  Giovanni Smooth as silk conditioner

on the left: Oyin Handmade Honey Hemp conditioner.....

all natural, but Giovanni has some light protein 

RESULTS 

Hair is still wet but the right side was more bouncy and springy, yet smooth and soft!!! 

Left side (oyin) felt yummy soft! looser curls and more elongation.. maybe more moisturizing

The jury is still out on which I like better, we'll see if the breakage stops after all the protein i've been doing. Pray saints :-) 

love ,

agfreed

I'm a hairlista!

So to nourish my newest passion, Hair Care.  I've joined a great site thats a really supportive community too, its  hairlista.com I love it because all the ladies are super supportive and you feel free to share and receive all the help you need on this hair journey.  

some goals I have surrounding this

1) Grow my hair to  full BSL or below

2) Develop personal regimen

3) Use more protein for my 3c/4a colored hair

4) Care for my scalp better - i hate oils on my scalp... thats another story 

5) Consult with anyone who may need some hair care guidance no matter how small or large. inbox me :-)  

Shea moisture Deep treatment masque - My rating?  2 stars out of 5

I dont' really care for it. Its a very light texture, with little to no slip. I'd rather use Giovanni Smooth as Silk. and I just bought some Oyin Handmade= Honey Hemp Conditioner which is awesome!!!! More on that later.

Love you all Happy NEW Year, HAppy HAIR YEAR!

AGFREED

Getting Free

My friend suggested a great read that i've been reaping some real benefits from already.  Its called The  Confident Woman by Joyce Meyer. I am not finished yet, but the lessons have been marinating in my spirit for the past week or so, and I'm really happy for this type of divine intervention, thanks LH!
One thing I want to share with you about the book is a saying that is my new mantra "If God brought me to it, then he'll bring me through it!" There are moments of anxiety and being uncomfortable, but God has given us a way out! Its through our trust and belief in His word and also His involvement on all levels of our lives.  I love it, because its so easy to forget this if you let the world consume you.  Confidence is very close by, it is in our view and knowledge of God our father and friend.

So again    IF GOD BROUGHT YOU TO IT, HE WILL BRING YOU THROUGH IT!
Lets trust his purpose and plan in all things.

Living Freely one step at a time
AGfreed