LindarInsights: April 2015

This weekend Indiana Hoosiers InouGsio, Class of 2024 and 2025, traveled to Akron, Ohio to play in the King James Shooting Stars Classic.

Hyre Community Learning Center

Both teams were undefeated in Pool Play placing them in the Gold Division. At 1p.m. this afternoon both teams met Nightrydas Elite (Florida and Texas) for the championship game at Hyre Community Learning Center. In the end the 2nd Grade team would become 1st place champions and the 3rd grade be would be Runner Up after a 13 points loss.

Both teams played their hearts out to become undefeated up until the championship game. Although the 3rd grade team didn't come in first place one has to note how well they played and displayed good sportmanship throughout the entire tournament.

Way to go InouGsio!!!!!!!

Creflo Dollar Respond About The $65 Million Dollar Private Jet Fundraising

Down 10 More Pounds For A Total Of Forty Pounds Lost- #BePatientWithSelf

It's 9:36 on April 16 and I am about 2lbs shy of my next weight loss goal, of 10lbs, that really should have happened sooner. No, for real. I slacked.

I'm learning to be patient with myself. I'm learning to understand my cravings and really pay attention to the days that I mess up. After I veer off track I sit and say "Really, Arlinda?" Lol The month of March was supposed to be so much better and it wasn't but it's gone and April is here. I am a bit more focused and determined to make this goal. Mainly because it's a challenge to my mind. I'm changing a lot of my views on food. One thing that I notice is how I feel after eating things that are not on my plan. I feel really tired and sometimes my stomach cramps up. I begin each day anew and just put yesterday behind me.

There is one weekend that I messed up big time. It was Resurrection Weekend. I know that is a time for family and food. I had planned on the proteins and the green vegatables. I go to my parents' refrigerator and my father had made banana pudding. I think in my last post I may have mentioned, if slightly that this dessert is a weakness for me.

When my father makes banana pudding the world kind of stops for me. I want the corner section and I want to sit down and just, just enjoy it. I ate the last of it because he had prepared it earlier in the week and there wasn't much left. Now this was on a Sunday. I called my mother on Tuesday to inquire what her and my father were doing and she said, "Your father is preparing another pan of banana pudding." Jesus take the wheel please!!!! Did I go to my parents on Wednesday? Yep! Before and after my meeting. Please keep me in prayer. #Smile

On the day that I post this message I will have reached my goal and I'll be even more excited to keep moving to lose the next 5, 10 or 15 pounds. I have even found a Hip Hop Aerobic class that I simply love!!! This last class had me dancing like I was in my living room listening to the Heavy D Pandora station.

Previously, I had made some real serious plans to lose so much weight each month. It didn't go as planned. I guess I didn't factor in the banana pudding sightings. Smh. But still I keep moving, I still keep striving.

Be blessed. Be encouraged. Be patient with self.

God Makes No Mistakes ~ Honoring The Lives of Kelsie Crow and LaurenHill

Today is a very somber day in Cincinnati, Ohio. At Purcell Marian High School and on the campus of Xavier University family and friends have come together today to mourn the loss of two young ladies whose light was dimmed too soon. On April 4 Kelsie Crow, a 17-year-old junior at Purcell Marian, was killed after attending a Sweet 16 party and on April 10 we learned of the passing of the courageous 19-year-old Lauren Hill who capitivated our attention and stole our hearts with her battle with terminal brain cancer.

This weekend I sat and I thought, "God, I need to write something. I need to say something to honor them." In my readings about Kelsie and Lauren there are some reoccurring themes; laughter, athletic, friendliness and kindness. They had so much to look forward to yet now all their loved ones have are memories.

When I became stuck in writing this piece I went to my mother. She told me to write about how with Kelsie's death we have a long way to go with raising our children to not hurt or kill each other. We have to combat the thought of "No Snitching". Write about how Kelsie was hanging out at her friend's birthday party yet she won't see another one of her own. Talk about how Lauren in 19 years accomplished more than some people two or three times her age. That she persevered in spite of, until she couldn't fight any longer. Lauren raised money, she raised awareness. She showed us that dreams can and will come true.

I'm 45 and my mother is 67. I can't help but think about the mothers of these young women. The moments wished for that will never happen; marriage, pregnancies, and graduations. Though I'm sure at some point in their lives Kelsie and Lauren went to their moms for an important talk, just as I did with mine yesterday, and I pray that those moments are forever treasured. I pray that their mothers know that they birthed greatness.

So, why was it so important for me to write about these two young ladies? I needed for people to know that they impacted me. They were old enough to be my daughters or my nieces. They could have been my students. When I think about them I have to continue to say to myself, "God makes no mistakes." I take comfort in that.

I don't find it a coincidence that their lives were celebrated today in neighboring communties. There is a closeness in this sadness that is connecting people and bringing them together. How awesome is our God!!

Kelsie and Lauren you two were called on earth for purpose and to be light. I know it's hard for your family and friends right now and there are many people lifting them up in prayer. I pray that your deaths will bring about conversations and changes in several different areas. Justice will be served and lives will be saved because of two beautiful teenage girls who are now angels.

Kelsie Crow and Lauren Hill will never be forgotten. For those of us still here on earth I pray that we all realize that we are called on earth for purpose and to be light in dark places. Even in the sorrow of death and trying to make sense of things that don't make sense, we have to hold onto God for He makes no mistakes.