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PRECIOUS<br />

MAGAZINE<br />

MAIDEN EDITION<br />

52<br />

IS THE NEW MOST<br />

GRATEFUL AGE<br />

SEVEN<br />

SECRETES<br />

TO KEEP<br />

YOUR JOY<br />

EVERY AGE<br />

I HAVE BEEN<br />

GRATEFUL<br />

MISTAKES ARE<br />

LEARNING<br />

OPPORTUNITIES<br />

SHOUT OUT<br />

FROM THE BUDDIES<br />

FOREVER<br />

YOURS<br />

I AM A<br />

BLESSED ME<br />

PURPOSE-FILLED<br />

WOMAN<br />

ARE YOU DREAMING<br />

BIG ENOUGH


Contents<br />

PUBLISHER’S LETTER, 3<br />

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE 5<br />

52 IS THE NEW MOST<br />

GRATEFUL AGE 6<br />

MISTAKES ARE LEARNING<br />

OPPORTUNITIES 8<br />

MR. PRESIDENT 10<br />

I AM A BLESSED ME 11<br />

PRECIOUS VEGETABLES 12<br />

STOP BEING A COPY,<br />

WHEN GOD MADE YOU AN<br />

ORIGINAL! 17<br />

SHOUT OUT FROM THE<br />

BUDDIES 18<br />

7 SECRETS TO KEEPING<br />

YOUR JOY 24<br />

FOREVER YOURS 28<br />

DEDICATION TO OUR DEAR<br />

MOTHER 31<br />

DEDICATION TO MY DEAR<br />

MOTHER 32<br />

ARE YOU DREAMING BIG<br />

ENOUGH? 34<br />

DEDICATION TO MY LATE<br />

FATHER 39<br />

EVERY AGE I HAVE BEEN<br />

GRATEFUL 40<br />

TIPS FOR ENHANCING YOUR<br />

NATURAL BEAUTY 42<br />

TO HILLARY CLINTON,<br />

THANK YOU 44<br />

SPICE UP YOUR MARRIAGE 47<br />

Publisher's Letter,<br />

Greetings and a warm<br />

welcome to our<br />

very Maiden Edition<br />

of PreciousOne<br />

<strong>eMagazine</strong>! Let<br />

me introduce<br />

myself: I am Peace<br />

and the Publisher<br />

of <strong>PreciouOne</strong><br />

<strong>eMagazine</strong>. You are stack with us till end of<br />

time, because we know you're going to be<br />

looking forward to every Edition. It's a bi-monthly<br />

magazine featuring everyday Godly living and<br />

lifestyle in a very fun way. We want it to educate,<br />

entertain, inform, inspire, be useful and very<br />

interesting.<br />

And our name? Every single soul on earth is a PreciousOne in<br />

the sight of God and loved ones. We want you to find yourself<br />

right in there. There is certainly an article that would impact and<br />

enhance your life. It is aimed at readers of all ages, who wish<br />

to think, ponder and cherish life the Godly way. PreciousOne<br />

represents us all, each of us living by the Grace of God.<br />

Having conceived the <strong>eMagazine</strong> for over five or more years<br />

now, am humbled and grateful, it has been birthed on my 52nd<br />

birthday. Wow, what a blessed way to celebrate 18980 days on<br />

earth.<br />

I am incredibly thankful to God for the ability to be able to<br />

finally publish this <strong>eMagazine</strong>. And to you, our first readers, we<br />

appreciate your support and are happy you have joined the<br />

PreciousOne Family. Stay with us, and expect more.<br />

I hope you enjoy this maiden edition. Do let us know if there are<br />

any topics you would like to see covered in future. This is an<br />

opportunity to have influence over your preferred <strong>eMagazine</strong>,<br />

please feel free to relay your comments and suggestions to the<br />

publisher at preciousonemagazine@gmail.com.<br />

So, this is your <strong>eMagazine</strong>, PreciousOne.<br />

May you have the gift of Faith, the blessing of Hope, and the<br />

Peace of His Love at Christmas and always.<br />

Peace aKu Bennett<br />

Publisher, PreciousOne <strong>eMagazine</strong><br />

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3


Christmas<br />

Message<br />

A Blessed Christmas<br />

to you and to your<br />

family. May the birth<br />

of our Savior Jesus<br />

Christ bring you and<br />

your family endless<br />

prosperity, blessings<br />

and peace of mind that<br />

you truly deserve.<br />

Merry<br />

Christmas!<br />

4 PRECIOUS ONE MAGAZINE<br />

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5


52<br />

is the new most<br />

Grateful Age.<br />

18,980 Days Blessed On Earth...<br />

Unbelievable!! The calendar<br />

tells me I’m a year older. I find<br />

it hard to believe I’ve clocked<br />

18,980 days on earth. Where have<br />

the days, months and years gone?<br />

Seriously, have I really lived that<br />

long?<br />

Wow, I am so overwhelmed with massive Joy and fulfillment!<br />

As I turn a year older I want to thank God for my wonderful<br />

journey and life. “Feeling GRATITUDE and not expressing it<br />

is like wrapping a gift.. and not giving it” I am Grateful to you<br />

Lord. I have always been grateful, not only on this special<br />

day, but every day am granted another opportunity to breath,<br />

I have said THANK YOU JESUS. Thanking and appreciating<br />

God should be 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, 60 minutes an<br />

hour, and 60 seconds a minute thing we should all do. With<br />

every tick of the clock, with every breath we breathe, there<br />

should be thanksgiving in our hearts! And that is just how I am<br />

feeling right now.<br />

Life feels more rewarding as I am growing older. My mirror<br />

tells me am growing but inside me am energized and full of<br />

life and purpose.<br />

I may not be rich in the world’s standards, yet I am wealthy in<br />

the things that matter most in this life, many of which money<br />

could never buy. I am rich in God’s blessings of family and<br />

friends. I am rich in His mercy. I am rich with his grace and forgiveness.<br />

I am rich in the goodness He’s given so freely to me.<br />

No matter how hard life has treated me, I have always kept a<br />

positive outlook on life.<br />

My life may not be perfect, but I am blessed, and will forever<br />

remain grateful to God who has never forsaken me. Every<br />

mistake I have made is a progress towards my success. At<br />

every stage of my life, I TRUST IN JESUS my great deliverer<br />

and my strong defender. Let us always remember that; Life<br />

is full of ups and downs, without the downs, the ups would<br />

mean nothing.<br />

I am always inspired and reminded by the words of Cristy<br />

Lane’s ONE DAY AT A TIME...<br />

I’m only human, I’m just a woman.<br />

Help me believe in what I could be<br />

And all that I am.<br />

Show me the stairway, I have to climb.<br />

Lord for my sake, teach me to take<br />

One day at a time.<br />

One day at a time sweet Jesus<br />

That’s all I’m asking from you.<br />

Just give me the strength<br />

To do everyday what I have to do.<br />

Yesterday’s gone sweet Jesus<br />

And tomorrow may never be mine.<br />

Lord help me today, show me the way<br />

One day at a time.<br />

I would like to take this opportunity to thank and bless all who<br />

have touched my life, past and present; the ones I know closely,<br />

the ones that I know casually and those virtual souls I met<br />

through the computer screen. Thank you all for contributing<br />

and adding interest to my life.<br />

Indeed 52 is the new most grateful age, and I am rocking it<br />

focusing on my passion and purpose and not my problems.<br />

Peace aKu Bennett @ 52<br />

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7


Mistakes<br />

are<br />

LEARNING<br />

OPPORTUNITIES<br />

We have all heard the<br />

sayings "To err is<br />

human" and "you live<br />

and you learn". We make<br />

mistakes every day, large and small,<br />

failures and faux pas. But failure<br />

and mistakes still don't feel like an<br />

awesome learning opportunity. I know<br />

it is my shortcomings that make me<br />

unique and that I should embrace<br />

the stumbles and screw ups. But it is<br />

a challenge for me and a challenge<br />

for many of us. We live and act in<br />

ways to prevent mistakes -- not taking<br />

risks, expanding our comfort zones<br />

or jumping outside the boxes we hide<br />

in. But our mistakes and failures are<br />

gifts, gems, guideposts in our learning<br />

and growth as people. So embrace<br />

failures, mistakes, screw ups and<br />

shortcomings because they not only<br />

make us uniquely who we are, but also<br />

teach us powerful lessons like the nine<br />

below.<br />

8<br />

Mistakes teach us to clarify what we really want and<br />

1.<br />

how we want to live. The word mistake derives meaning<br />

only by comparison to what we desire, what we see as<br />

success. Noticing and admitting our mistakes helps us<br />

get in touch with our commitments--what we really want<br />

to be, do, and have. Mistakes wake us up and focus<br />

our attention like a flashing sign that says "fix this". The<br />

urgency created causes us to focus on issues or problems<br />

that make us feel off track. Working on possible solutions,<br />

redefining what we want or expect, or reexamining our<br />

values or goals can lead us to more clarity about our path.<br />

Mistakes teach us to accept ourselves and that we can be<br />

2.<br />

flawed and be loved. We can fully appreciate ourselves,<br />

even while acknowledging our screw ups. It is possible<br />

to laugh at our mistakes and then work hard to correct<br />

them. Most of us have a long history of putting ourselves<br />

down when we blow it. But it's a self-defeating habit we<br />

must break so that we can start appreciating ourselves,<br />

mistakes and all. People who love and care about us will<br />

stick with us through all our flaws and floundering. Our<br />

not so perfectness is what makes us unique and we are<br />

loved for it. So we should give ourselves a break.<br />

Mistakes teach us to accept our fallibility and face our<br />

3.<br />

fear. Sometimes even our best efforts just don't work out.<br />

We might do everything possible to achieve a certain<br />

result and still fail, again and again. When this happens<br />

PRECIOUS ONE MAGAZINE<br />

we can admit that we're stuck.<br />

Facing mistakes often takes<br />

us straight to the heart of our<br />

fears. And when we experience<br />

and face those fears, they can<br />

disappear. When we are stuck<br />

and admit that we can't do<br />

it alone it sends a signal and<br />

opens the door for help to show<br />

up. People, resources, and<br />

solutions will appear, especially<br />

when we ask for help.<br />

Mistakes teach us about<br />

4.<br />

ourselves and how to tell our<br />

truth. It is natural to want to<br />

cover up our mistakes or be<br />

embarrassed by them. To feel<br />

like we wish we had a handy<br />

mistake eraser or remover.<br />

But being honest about our<br />

failures and limitations offer us<br />

opportunities to practice telling<br />

the truth.<br />

Admitting the truth allows us<br />

to expand our knowledge of<br />

self-to know who we are. And<br />

thus, increases our capacity to<br />

change. It is like holding up a<br />

mirror to ourselves and really<br />

seeing. When we tell others<br />

about our mistakes, to let them<br />

really see us, it allows us to<br />

let go of the embarrassment,<br />

shame and blame we may feel<br />

so that we can concentrate on<br />

learning and growing.<br />

Mistakes teach us, through<br />

5.<br />

analysis and feedback, about<br />

what works, and what doesn't.<br />

It's a reality check. When we<br />

experience the consequences<br />

of mistakes, we get a clear<br />

message about which of our<br />

efforts are working--and which<br />

are not. The feedback we get<br />

from our mistakes can be the<br />

most specific, pointed, and<br />

powerful feedback we'll ever<br />

get. Many times we can trace<br />

mistakes to recurring patterns<br />

of belief or behavior--things<br />

we do, say, and think over and<br />

over again. When we spot and<br />

change a habit we may find that<br />

other areas of our lives change<br />

for the better.<br />

One way to gain maximum<br />

benefit from mistakes is to<br />

examine them through the filter<br />

of powerful questions:<br />

"How can I use this experience?";<br />

"What will I do differently next<br />

time?"; "How will I be different in<br />

the future?" Questions like these<br />

lead to an inquiry that invites<br />

solutions.<br />

Mistakes teach us to take<br />

6.<br />

responsibility. Sometimes our<br />

instinctive reaction to a mistake<br />

is to shift blame elsewhere:<br />

"It's not my fault." "You never<br />

told me about that," Or the<br />

classic "I don't see how this has<br />

anything to do with me." It is<br />

more empowering to look for<br />

our role in the mistake. Taking<br />

responsibility for a failure<br />

may not be fun. But the act of<br />

doing so points out what we<br />

can do differently next time.<br />

Investigating our role reminds<br />

us that our choices and our<br />

actions have a huge influence<br />

on the quality of our lives.<br />

Mistakes teach us about<br />

7.<br />

integrity. Mistakes often happen<br />

when we break promises,<br />

over-commit, agree to avoid<br />

conflict or fail to listen fully. Big<br />

mistakes often start as small<br />

errors. Over time, tiny choices<br />

that run counter to our values<br />

or goals can accumulate into<br />

breakdowns. Even our smallest<br />

choices have power, so it is<br />

important we pay attention to<br />

the integrity of the choices we<br />

make every day. Mistakes can<br />

be a signal that our words and<br />

our actions are out of alignment.<br />

In that case, we can re-examine<br />

our intentions, reconsider our<br />

commitments, and adjust our<br />

actions.<br />

Mistakes teach us to engage in<br />

8.<br />

our lives -- to live fully. We are<br />

not our behaviors and we are<br />

more than our mistakes. We<br />

can remember that our history<br />

does not have to predict our<br />

future. And then remember that<br />

we have an opportunity to go<br />

all in--to participate fully. Many<br />

people, when faced with a big<br />

mistake, begin to pull back--to<br />

retreat. Instead, we can use<br />

the failure as evidence that<br />

we are growing, risking, and<br />

stretching to meet our potential.<br />

Mistakes help us to remember<br />

that we are not content to play<br />

it safe. That we understand that<br />

without risk there is sometimes<br />

no reward.<br />

Mistakes allow us to inspire<br />

9.<br />

others. They may be inspired<br />

when we are courageous and<br />

make our private struggles<br />

public. They might decide<br />

to live differently. When a<br />

lifelong smoker who's dying<br />

of emphysema talks about the<br />

value of being smoke-free, we're<br />

apt to listen. The same kind of<br />

contribution also occurs when<br />

we speak candidly about less<br />

serious mistakes. As parents<br />

we can teach our children<br />

that it is OK to fail because we<br />

are willing to let them see our<br />

failures and mistakes. This gives<br />

us opportunities to talk through<br />

what we could or would have<br />

done differently. These are<br />

powerful lessons for those<br />

around us.<br />

PRECIOUS ONE MAGAZINE 9


I AM A<br />

BLESSED<br />

ME<br />

MR. PRESIDENT<br />

Dear President Barack Obama and Mrs Michelle Obama,<br />

Thank You For The 8 Wonderful Years.<br />

Thank you for your respect for other nations, and by so doing, bringing<br />

back respect for our country and for the office of the presidency from<br />

people and leaders worldwide. You have always led us by respect.<br />

Thank you for your leadership qualities that truly brought change into<br />

many lives. Thank you for your humor and your tendency never to<br />

take yourself too seriously, and your ability to roast yourself when the<br />

occasion calls for it.<br />

I keep hearing the words you spoke the other day; “If you’re walking<br />

down the right path and you’re willing to keep walking, eventually<br />

you’ll make progress.” “The future rewards those who press on. I don’t<br />

have time to feel sorry for myself. I don’t have time to complain. I’m<br />

going to press on.” What an inspiration you are to the world. Know that<br />

you are loved and truly admired by a great many people around the<br />

world. May the good Lord order your steps clearly and directly to your<br />

next assignment on earth. Indeed and of a truth, “we will remember to<br />

go high when they go low”<br />

I doff off my hat to you; may the rest of your life be the best of your life.<br />

Press on my president and first lady.<br />

Peace Bennett<br />

I am a blessed me.<br />

If He knew me before I was formed,<br />

Then He has a plan and a purpose for me to be formed.<br />

He designed me to be me for a purpose.<br />

I am wonderfully designed and precious in His sight.<br />

Because He designed me in His own image.<br />

God makes no mistakes with His designs.<br />

Yes, He took His time and did an excellent design.<br />

I call it custom made master piece design.<br />

I have walked on the surface of the earth 365days x 52<br />

18,980 days.<br />

Some days were better than others.<br />

There were days of laughter and there were days of tears.<br />

Days of conception and days of delivery.<br />

I was discouraged and hopeless on some days.<br />

That was when He came and reminded me;<br />

There is Hope for the future Peace.<br />

I remember the days He wiped my tears.<br />

On some days He carried me out of the pit.<br />

The days I went wondering, He came looking for me.<br />

No matter where I have been all these days, months,<br />

And years, God never forsake me, He never left my<br />

side.<br />

Now I remember something within His purpose for<br />

me;<br />

He never promised all days will be great and<br />

beautiful.<br />

But He did asked me to be of Good Cheer<br />

Because He has overcome the world.<br />

Every single day counts and adds up to spice my<br />

purpose on earth.<br />

And I am a blessed me because I serve a Living<br />

God.<br />

10<br />

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Celery<br />

1<br />

PRECIOUS<br />

VEGETABLES<br />

7 UNDERRATED VEGETABLES<br />

WITH EXTRAORDINARY HEALTH BENEFITS<br />

Eat your vegetables!<br />

Your grandmother probably told you the same thing you tell<br />

your own grandchildren: Eat your vegetables; they’re good for<br />

you. And there are always certain veggies we focus on—leafy<br />

greens like spinach, broccoli, and the like. But scientific research<br />

shows that some veggies that we all write off (celery and mushrooms,<br />

anyone?) are actually nutritional all-stars, too. Read on to learn about the<br />

nutritional power—from helping reduce the risk of cancer to boosting your<br />

immune system—of these seemingly ordinary vegetables.<br />

Mushrooms<br />

2One of nature’s most powerful tools for fighting<br />

breast cancer may already be sitting in your<br />

refrigerator. Mushrooms—from humble, button<br />

mushrooms to more exotic shitakes—have been shown<br />

to improve the body’s immune system and reduce risk<br />

of colon, stomach, and prostate cancer. In one study,<br />

eating mushrooms cut the risk of Chinese women getting<br />

breast cancer by 64%.<br />

Mushrooms also contain vitamin D and long-chain<br />

polysaccharides that can help boost your immune<br />

system to help you fight the common cold. To access<br />

all the nutritional goodness of mushrooms, be sure to<br />

cook them, rather than eat them raw.<br />

If you associate celery with diets, or think the stalks are<br />

nothing more than sturdy swizzle sticks for your Bloody<br />

Mary, think again. Evidence suggests there’s a world of<br />

health benefits in every crunch. Dieters count on celery<br />

because it’s low in calories—only 10 calories in a large<br />

stalk—but it also delivers phthalides, which are thought<br />

to act as a natural diuretic. Those same phtalides support<br />

the circulatory system, and can help to reduce high blood<br />

pressure.<br />

But the best reason to add celery to the grocery list: it just<br />

might rev up your sex life. According to Alan Hirsch, M.D.,<br />

Director of the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research<br />

Foundation, celery contains pheromones, airborne sex<br />

chemicals, that are released when you chew on a stalk of<br />

the green stuff. It’s rumored that Casanova ate celery every<br />

day to keep his libido strong and if it worked for<br />

Casanova, we say pass the crudite.<br />

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13


3<br />

Brussels<br />

5<br />

Sprouts<br />

The Brussels sprout may be small, but<br />

don’t be deceived. Whether or not you’re a<br />

fan, the Brussels sprout is a cancer-fighting<br />

Jedi. Brussels sprouts contain more<br />

anti-carcinogenic compounds called<br />

glucosinolates, than any other cruciferous<br />

vegetable. One of these compounds,<br />

called sinigrin, causes cancer cells to<br />

self-destruct.<br />

More good news? Using a Brussels<br />

sprout extract, researchers at the<br />

National Institute for Health showed<br />

that the glucosinolates also are able<br />

to stabilize DNA in white blood cells<br />

by blocking offending enzymes.<br />

Onions<br />

If you slice an onion, and it makes you cry, rejoice! Those<br />

compounds that are bringing tears to your eyes are called<br />

thiosulfinates and they could keep you from having a stroke,<br />

according to some studies. Thiosulfinates act as a natural<br />

blood thinner and can keep blood platelets from<br />

clumping. In addition, the quercitin in onions has<br />

been shown to relax and dilate blood vessels,<br />

which also aids in stroke prevention.<br />

Onions are high in vitamin C, provide calcium,<br />

iron, folic acid, and dietary fiber. And,<br />

because they can kill the H pylori bacteria,<br />

they may also help to prevent—but not<br />

treat—stomach ulcers.<br />

Carrots<br />

You know that carrots are good for your eyesight. The betacarotene<br />

that makes them orange is converted to vitamin A<br />

by your body and that can help protect you from macular<br />

degeneration, as well as glaucoma. Eating carrots can<br />

even help to improve night vision, which is important when<br />

driving after dark.<br />

What most of us don't know is that carrots are<br />

almost as good for our outsides as they are for our<br />

insides. According to research, carrots contain a<br />

powerful antiseptic compound that kills germs and<br />

can prevent infection and help wounds to heal more<br />

quickly. Shred them raw, cook them and mash them, or<br />

soak a cloth in carrot juice and apply it to the affected<br />

area. An NIH study found that peeled, shredded<br />

carrots inhibit food spoilage bacteria, which supports<br />

the theory that carrots have beneficial antiseptic<br />

powers.<br />

6<br />

Bell<br />

Peppers<br />

Crunchy, sweet, and delicious, bell peppers<br />

are also one of the most healthful foods you<br />

can eat. One red bell pepper will provide almost<br />

twice your daily allowance for vitamin C. Bell peppers<br />

also are an excellent source of vitamin B6, which is used<br />

by your body to help regulate metabolism and to enable the<br />

cells in your brain to communicate with one another.<br />

Bell peppers also contain minerals, including potassium, zinc,<br />

and manganese. According to The Linus Pauling<br />

Institute, their high levels of manganese may<br />

help to prevent osteoporosis.<br />

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15


7 Garlic<br />

Garlic has been credited with warding off<br />

everything from vampires to the plague. One whiff, and you<br />

know it’s powerful. It’s antibacterial and antiviral and<br />

fresh garlic may help to prevent some cases of<br />

food poisoning by killing E coli and salmonella<br />

bacteria. It’s been credited in studies with<br />

lowering blood pressure and cholesterol,<br />

protecting the heart, boosting the immune<br />

system, and regulating blood sugar levels.<br />

But what really pushed garlic onto our list is<br />

that according to research garlic may help<br />

protect against breast, colon and other<br />

cancers. And according to research<br />

done at the Mayo Clinic, garlic can kill<br />

the rogue cells that cause prostate<br />

cancer. Maybe that’s part of the<br />

reason the Mayo Clinic suggests that<br />

men with enlarged prostate—which<br />

includes 50% of men over the age of<br />

60—use garlic to season their food.<br />

I<br />

wanted to encourage those<br />

who are too unique to be fully<br />

accepted, but too significant to<br />

be fully rejected… those often<br />

appreciated, yet rarely understood…<br />

those like the last few<br />

unplaceable puzzle pieces that<br />

rack your brain but you know they<br />

fit somewhere… those who have the<br />

keys but don’t particularly care for<br />

driving… those who are often discussed,<br />

yet rarely truly known… those<br />

who somehow make one effortlessly<br />

comfortable and also unintentionally<br />

uncomfortable… those who have<br />

remained unable to be programmed,<br />

boxed, or duplicated… those who<br />

don’t need to be right, but do love<br />

being understood… those who sometimes<br />

feel like an island in the midst<br />

of a strong city…<br />

…but most of all those who in every<br />

way are committed to becoming<br />

okay with both the simplicity and<br />

complexity of who they are and<br />

choose to embrace, love, learn, grow,<br />

and BE ALL Christ desires, knowing<br />

that you ARE for a reason!<br />

STOP<br />

Being a Copy,<br />

When God made you an<br />

Original!<br />

You are admired by the King of Glory<br />

just as King Solomon admired his<br />

bride stating, “You are all fair, my love,<br />

and there is no spot in you”. (Song of<br />

Solomon 4:7)<br />

Here is are some”peaces” of advice:<br />

1. Stop trying to remove what God<br />

put in you to uniquely shine, just<br />

because of the discomfort that<br />

comes with not fitting into everyone’s<br />

puzzle! Being original is not easy, but<br />

it is the only way in authentic living.<br />

2. Stop trying to fix what’s not broken!<br />

Embrace your uniqueness and operate<br />

in your gifts, WHILE working on<br />

your issues, and SHINE! Sometimes<br />

our “issues” back us into a stagnate<br />

corner. Remember the bible says we<br />

are to ”work out” our soul’s salvation<br />

and issues, not sit in a corner<br />

defeated!<br />

3. Remember in the big picture there<br />

are places you fit perfectly and if<br />

you change your shape or become<br />

a copy of someone else, you will be<br />

incapable of fitting into the places<br />

predestined for your unique design!<br />

There is a divine time and place of<br />

convergence where the bible declares<br />

ALL things will work together<br />

for the good of them who love the<br />

Lord and are the called according<br />

to His purposes! Don’t be discouraged,<br />

eventually the puzzle pieces of<br />

your life will fit, as long as you don’t<br />

change the shape of any!<br />

I Peter 2:9,10 says you are a chosen<br />

generation, a royal priesthood, a holy<br />

nation, God’s own special people,<br />

that you may proclaim the praises of<br />

Him who called you out of darkness<br />

into His marvelous light; who once<br />

were not a people but are now the<br />

people of God, who had not obtained<br />

mercy but now have obtained<br />

mercy….<br />

Purposed Woman arise in your<br />

unique purpose remembering no<br />

matter how marred the original looks,<br />

it is the only one that is truly valid!<br />

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Shout Out<br />

from the buddies<br />

Special<br />

Birthday Messages<br />

I<br />

need to write a whole book about the fabulous<br />

Peace. She has been my personal Counselor,<br />

Encourager and a Prayer Warrior going to 10<br />

years. She definitely would give me every reason<br />

to laugh before I get off the phone with her. Very<br />

committed to her family and friends. She is an<br />

instrument of encouragement. Problem solver<br />

and she can be tough sometimes. I wish you<br />

many more years of good health and prosperity.<br />

Christine D... Ohio<br />

She is gorgeous, talented, selfless and humble<br />

from hair to toe. Her humility is so naturally.<br />

The best giver I’ve ever known. She gives her<br />

time, her talent, her money and love. Happy Birthday<br />

Peace, you make life look so simple. Love you Sis.<br />

Betty K... Chicago<br />

Cheers to a Phenomenal woman. Very<br />

Purposeful and Passionate. You are a<br />

huge inspiration to many, including me.<br />

Super incredible all round. I love it when she<br />

would call and say; “Is everything okay? Just<br />

checking up on you, and know that am just a call<br />

away...” Happy Birthday my confidant. Nana Yaa<br />

B... New Jersey<br />

Special day, special person and special<br />

celebration. Wishing a very special person<br />

a very special day. Because I have a best<br />

friend like you, every day feels like a special day.<br />

Your Devotion, Dedication, Loyalty and your<br />

heart of giving are just a few of the many things I<br />

cherish about you, but your sense of humour and<br />

simplicity tops them all. Congratulations on your<br />

special day!<br />

S.W.... Omaha, Nebraska<br />

I<br />

know I don’t say it enough but you’re the<br />

best friend I’ve ever had. Never forget that.<br />

Seriously, everyone deserves a friend<br />

like you. But I’m the blessed one to call<br />

you my very best friend. Happy Birthday<br />

Davi Aku. Stella... Ohio<br />

You are my source of laughter and sanity. You<br />

are a godsend in my life. No one is perfect.<br />

I’ve seen many friends come and go, but you<br />

are by far the most loyal friend I’ve ever had. Very<br />

prayerful and never forget anything you tell her.<br />

Memory shark... lol. Thanks for always being there.<br />

Hope your birthday brings you many blessings.<br />

Vicky... Cali<br />

Guess who made me got my first Traffic<br />

Ticket? Interesting enough she asked the<br />

police officer if it could be written in her<br />

name. That really got us all laughing. Aku is sweet,<br />

intelligent, super passionate, caring, an incredible<br />

giver, God fearing, creative and very hardworking.<br />

Such a sweet mother to her boys and what have<br />

you. An advice to all her friends; “if this beautiful<br />

soul is your friend, make sure you keep her<br />

FOREVER”. Wishing you all the great things in life.<br />

Emilohi… New Jersey<br />

Am here wondering how I can sum up<br />

everything in just 4 sentences. That’s just not<br />

fair to some of us who want to write chapters<br />

about this wonderful human being. She is my sister<br />

from another mother and a very dependable one.<br />

If you annoy her and she wouldn’t answer your<br />

calls or respond to your text messages, hay, don’t<br />

stress yourself, she will call you back in two days...<br />

Hahahahahhahaha. She is Honest, Courageous,<br />

Creative, Giving, Caring and Humble. Happy Birthday<br />

Buddy.<br />

Ben Jay... Alabama<br />

She is freaking Hot at 52!! My bosom friend<br />

for decades. Smart and super fabulous.<br />

One of the most delightful ladies of all time.<br />

She is rocking 52 years like she just turned 25.<br />

Thanks for being part of my life.<br />

Congratulations!! I see Preciousone<br />

<strong>eMagazine</strong> becoming a household name.<br />

Ebow K... Florida<br />

Lord Jesus, thank you for giving us an<br />

angel on earth. One that is not perfect but<br />

beautiful, faithful, smart, respectful, selfless,<br />

dedicated and devoted. You always touch my<br />

heart with your angelic ways of doing things.<br />

HAPPY BIRTHDAY and CONGRATULATIONS!!<br />

PreciousOne <strong>eMagazine</strong> has finally been<br />

birthed. You are indeed blessed and favored.<br />

Dr. Pearl... Omaha<br />

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Peazo, as we affectionately call her<br />

sometimes, is a smart, multi-talented lady<br />

with intriguing qualities. I have known her<br />

for decades and she's always been her collective<br />

self. Her high driven spirit manifests itself<br />

whenever she's dedicated to any project; making<br />

sure it yields results exceeding everyone's<br />

expectations. That's the 'Peazo' I have known<br />

all these years. However, I would appreciate<br />

it if she doesn't expect the same kind of vim<br />

from others when she delegates any duties.<br />

Alberta A... New Jersey<br />

I've always been inspired by your Kind Heart,<br />

Humble Soul, Beauty, Generosity to all,<br />

Calmness, Transparency and Strong even<br />

in the most difficult circumstances. You are<br />

my big sister from another mother and I just<br />

adore you for who you are. You are truly a<br />

blessing from God and I've always admired<br />

you. BLESSED BIRTHDAY TO YOU. YOU SHALL<br />

NEVER LACK IN ANY AREA OF YOUR LIFE.<br />

Vivian aka BabyGirl - Ghana<br />

I<br />

need to see her birth certificate to be sure she is<br />

hitting 52. Investigators continue to search for<br />

proof that you could be getting older because<br />

there is no evidence since you look as young<br />

for ever. I like your humor, looks, the selfless you<br />

inside out. Your love for the things of God and<br />

how sweet you are. But most of all, your praying<br />

heart. She will just belt the prayer on the phone<br />

and release some blessings and end it with, in<br />

the name of God the Father, God the Son and<br />

God the Holy Spirit... Amen. Happy Birthday<br />

my boss woman Peace. Kelly N... Omaha,<br />

Nebraska<br />

I<br />

definitely have something to boast about. My<br />

buddy is cool, trendy, awesome and beautiful.<br />

No one competes with that. I always have<br />

something to laugh about anytime we get to<br />

talk. For me, it’s truly exciting to celebrate an<br />

extraordinary friend like you. She is always filled<br />

with joy no matter what is going on in her life. She<br />

taught me to never let go of my JOY. I love you<br />

like the Sister I never had. Happy Birthday Peace...<br />

Prince J... UK<br />

I<br />

know I don’t say it enough but you’re the<br />

best friend I’ve ever had. Never forget that.<br />

Seriously, everyone deserves a friend<br />

like you. But I’m the blessed one to call<br />

you my very best friend. Happy Birthday<br />

Davi Aku. Stella... Ohio<br />

My Dear Peace, Putting together a few words<br />

as you celebrate your birthday and launch<br />

your e-magazine is done with pride - I am<br />

very proud of your achievement, and pleasure - in<br />

capturing a few words about my sister and friend.<br />

I have nicknamed you and privately address you<br />

as “Bishop” and these are my reasons: You have<br />

a positive aggression that makes you seek to<br />

produce results, whilst serving at the same time.<br />

Your beliefs and interests combine and work<br />

together so that you are constantly driven by the<br />

will to win, desire to succeed and the urge to reach<br />

your full potential.<br />

This unique approach that is simply YOU,<br />

unlocks the key of excellence both in the<br />

physical and spiritual dynamics of your life. I<br />

will always call you “Bishop”, my unique and<br />

amazing Lady who serves all. Ayeeko!!! Lady<br />

Pastor Delidah - Italy<br />

Peace is there when you need her. She is a<br />

REAL sister and a wonderful touchstone in my<br />

life. You are my source of laughter and sanity.<br />

No one is perfect. I've seen many friends come<br />

and go, but you're by far the most loyal sister and<br />

friend I've ever had. Very prayerful and never forget<br />

anything you tell her. Memory shark... lol. As for<br />

your love and commitment to the things of God, I<br />

just don't know how to spell it all out. The awesome<br />

prayer warrior I have known. STOP RUNNING AWAY<br />

FROM YOUR CALLING AS A PREACHER!! For years<br />

we have stood by each other through the good as<br />

well as difficult, challenging times. Sometimes we<br />

fumble; sometimes we get knocked down or even<br />

knocked out. But at the end of the day, we come out<br />

victorious. I value the way we can agree to disagree<br />

and still count each other as sisters. I admire your<br />

humor and humility. Then there's your persistence<br />

which some might call stubbornness; hopefully at<br />

52 and with the Preciousone <strong>eMagazine</strong>, you will<br />

change that aspect of you. Yes I have said it. And if<br />

I don't see it in the magazine, then I will call it THE<br />

VOIDED MISSING MESSAGE. Lol..<br />

I<br />

wish I would be given the opportunity to just write<br />

my heart out. I will never forget February 21, 2011<br />

when we met at our former work place. God still<br />

send human angels to people and Peace, you are<br />

one of those angels. You saved me from alcoholism<br />

and alcohol abuse. Those days of counseling,<br />

holding my hands and praying with me. Giving me<br />

ride home because I couldn't afford a car; they are<br />

days I call THE REDEMPTION DAYS. You helped me<br />

work on my marriage from heading to divorce. You<br />

led me to Christ and bought me my first ever owned<br />

Bible. You did all these out of love and compassion<br />

and I just can't stop thanking God for you. Today,<br />

am still happily married, have my own business,<br />

strong in the Lord and have a daughter<br />

I named Peace Rossy. On your special<br />

day, together with my wife and your God<br />

daughter, we say; YOU ARE A GORGEOUS<br />

ANGEL walking on earth. Happy Birthday.<br />

Carl J, South Dakota<br />

Peace ooo Peace ..but chaii I prefer to call<br />

you Dj.<br />

In January of 2015 I first got to know<br />

you through the Royals and wow..ooo..<br />

wow little did I envisage that this friendship<br />

would develop into sisterhood. It's been<br />

great knowing you. I thought my association<br />

with you would be limited to only our noble<br />

group, the Royals, but I was wrong. We built<br />

a very good relationship beyond that. We<br />

talked, laughed, cried, shared ideas, (fought<br />

small) ooo and the small small KKS....chaii.<br />

You have been the big sis I always yearned<br />

for. We discussed issues without any<br />

exhibition and that has healthily helped our<br />

friendship. Your commitment to the APGP<br />

Royal Ladies is second to none and we say<br />

"thank you". You love God so much and that<br />

shows in everything you do. We thank God<br />

so much for your life. Sis, continue to be<br />

yourself, enjoy life, love God as always and<br />

I pray that you live up to the expectations of<br />

God. Happy birthday ooo may the Almighty<br />

good God continue to bless you paaaa.<br />

Hon. Rosemary H. - Ghana<br />

God bring certain people into our lives<br />

for various reasons, and Peace is<br />

indeed one of those. I have known<br />

Peace for over 25 years and she is super<br />

incredible. If you don't know her, please don't<br />

judge her till you get to know her. She is my<br />

sister and the friend I will never let go. The one<br />

I run to after God. The friend who would call<br />

you back if she says I will call you back. The<br />

kind of best friend who would stay with you<br />

from the beginning of your trouble to end,<br />

regardless of what it takes. The hope and faith<br />

preacher. Yes, she is a seasoned preacher.<br />

Anything she sets her mind on to do, she does<br />

it passionately. Biggie - France<br />

A<br />

committed and a dedicated woman of<br />

God who never stops dreaming. And<br />

that one thing I love about her, her<br />

devotion to GOD and the things of GOD. She<br />

is a storm calmer, she is able to calm down<br />

any storms with her I CAN DO ALL THINGS<br />

SPIRIT. Always ready to say “I AM SORRY, WE<br />

SHOULDN'T LET THIS DESTROY OUR RELATIONSHIP”<br />

Indeed she value friendship and relationships. Her<br />

giving spirit tops it all. A faithful and a beautiful woman<br />

who doesn't let her smile fade away. Even in her own<br />

storm, she would find a way to reach out to others in<br />

their storm. Very dedicated to her WORK and the super<br />

mom to her three handsome men... Thank you for all<br />

that you have done for me throughout the years. HAPPY<br />

BIRTHDAY Peecash... Sika D. New York<br />

You become more beautiful every single day.<br />

The way you carry yourself, the way you respect<br />

others. Your simplicity, love and humility, makes<br />

you the best. Your passion for anything you set your mind<br />

and heart to do is just so unbelievable. I’m so honored<br />

to call you my kid sister and best friend. I know you are<br />

aware you have touched so many lives including mine.<br />

Am grateful to God for crossing our path. There is no day<br />

I talk to you that I don't feel honored knowing you. Your<br />

sweet spirit makes you sweeter every day. And your<br />

sense of humor sets you apart from the others. Thank<br />

you for impacting my life and many others. Thank you<br />

for teaching me the importance of prayer.<br />

Happy Birthday... You're loved every single day!<br />

Keep dreaming and pushing yourself! “A little more<br />

endurance and patience will make you just perfect.”<br />

Lydia K - Canada<br />

I<br />

have known Dj, mainly by whatsapp, for just<br />

over a year, having briefly met several years ago<br />

and then again just over a year ago when she<br />

visited Ghana. Dj is creative and hugely talented,<br />

evident in the emagazine she has just launched.<br />

She is passionate about what she does and remains<br />

fully committed through execution. Dj is strong willed,<br />

determined and fearless. Meeting dj comes as a bit<br />

of a surprise if you first become acquainted with her<br />

writing style. You expect to see effervescence and a<br />

bubbly person but find a cool, calm and almost reserved<br />

personality. Clearly, she most comes alive through her<br />

work and written expression.<br />

On the downside, if I can call it that, being strong willed<br />

can lead to her being fixed and unyielding when she<br />

takes a position. Congratulations Dj! Once again you<br />

had a dream and it has seen reality. God bless and guide<br />

you. Hon Emma A... Ghana<br />

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22<br />

PRECIOUS ONE MAGAZINE


7 Secrets<br />

to<br />

Keeping<br />

Your Joy<br />

Are you enjoying your life? If not, God wants you to. Jesus said in<br />

John 10:10 (The Amplified Bible) that Satan comes to steal, kill<br />

and destroy, but He came that we "may have and enjoy life, and<br />

have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)." I believe this<br />

means God wants us to enjoy every part of our lives-not just little bits and<br />

pieces here and there.<br />

Many people today live their lives in<br />

a constant state of stress and turmoil.<br />

But as Christians, we don't have to<br />

live that way. Why? Because God's<br />

Spirit lives in us, and a fruit of His<br />

Spirit is joy.<br />

Now this joy is not just a "happy<br />

feeling" based on our circumstances<br />

or on the things we possess - it is an<br />

unshakable stability in our inner man<br />

(spirit). Joy can range anywhere from<br />

a calm delight to extreme hilarity,<br />

and it is the joy of the Lord that is our<br />

strength (see Neh. 8:10)<br />

Many years ago, I spent most of<br />

my time uptight and upset about<br />

something. The reason for this was<br />

because my happiness was based<br />

entirely on circumstances. If things<br />

were going my way, I was happy.<br />

If we had money in the bank, I was<br />

happy.<br />

If it was Friday night, a holiday, or<br />

if we were on vacation, I had joy.<br />

But since these things accounted<br />

for only a small part of my life, the<br />

majority of the time I was sad and<br />

discontented.<br />

As my relationship with God grew, I<br />

got tired of being happy only if and<br />

when things were going my way. I<br />

was weary and worn out from the<br />

constant mood swings, and I just<br />

wanted to be happy.<br />

God's Word said that I could live my<br />

life with joy, and I finally decided that<br />

I was going to do whatever it took to<br />

have it. As I really started to seek God<br />

about this issue, He began to reveal<br />

to me several important principles<br />

that are critical to receiving and<br />

keeping our joy. Following are seven<br />

of these life-changing essentials:<br />

1 Be led by the Spirit. One of the<br />

most dynamic ways to keep our joy<br />

is to allow the Holy Spirit to lead us in<br />

the way we should go. Proverbs 16:9<br />

says, "A man's mind plans his way,<br />

but the Lord directs his steps and<br />

makes them sure."<br />

Probably one of the hardest things in<br />

the world for people is to walk away<br />

from doing something they have<br />

done for a long time. In many ways,<br />

I can't stand to do the same thing for<br />

too long. For example, I have several<br />

pairs of pajamas because I just don't<br />

like to look at the same ones all the<br />

time. But in certain areas I'm not like<br />

that-I would probably be happy with<br />

the same hairstyle until Jesus comes!<br />

If we do the same thing the same<br />

way too long, it just becomes old and<br />

stale, and it means nothing. But one<br />

of the things I have learned about the<br />

Holy Spirit is that if we follow Him, He<br />

keeps everything fresh. Life does not<br />

get stale when we follow the Lord.<br />

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The Holy Spirit will lead us to change<br />

things on purpose just to make us<br />

pay attention to Him. God may lead<br />

you simply to take a different route<br />

home from work. He may want to<br />

show you a new tree or something<br />

beautiful on your way home.<br />

Don't just keep doing things the<br />

same way if you are no longer joyful<br />

when you do them. You will lose your<br />

joy if you are not willing to get out of<br />

the boat.<br />

2. Simplify your life.<br />

Don't try to do too much. Satan works<br />

hard to complicate your life so he<br />

can steal your joy. If you want to live<br />

a less complicated life, you may have<br />

to simplify it by not doing so much.<br />

I used to whine and grumble about<br />

my schedule saying, "How can<br />

anybody do all this? I never have any<br />

time to rest. I never take a vacation."<br />

God finally told me one day, "You're<br />

making the schedule. If you don't<br />

want to do it all, then just don't do<br />

some of it."<br />

If you're too busy, I suggest that you<br />

take an hour or so and write down<br />

everything you are doing or want to<br />

do. Then look at which events are<br />

not bearing any fruit and mark them<br />

off your list.<br />

Before I uncomplicated my life, I<br />

never had time to enjoy my home. I<br />

never enjoyed my kids. I loved them,<br />

but I never really took time to enjoy<br />

them.<br />

I encourage you to spend time with<br />

your family and friends. Enjoy your relationship<br />

with God. Many people are<br />

too busy to even take a walk. Take a<br />

little bit of time to look at some of the<br />

things God has created.<br />

Learning how to simplify your life is<br />

possibly one of the most important<br />

principles to understand because<br />

Satan wants to steal your time. He<br />

steals your joy by making you too<br />

busy to enjoy all God has given you.<br />

Take time to laugh. Take time to<br />

enjoy your life!<br />

3. Pray with Boldness.<br />

Jesus said, "Ask and keep on asking<br />

and you will receive, so that your joy<br />

(gladness, delight) may be full and<br />

complete." (John 16:24)<br />

I believe there are people who are<br />

not receiving from God what He<br />

wants them to have because they<br />

won't ask boldly of Him. Hebrews<br />

4:16 tells us to come "boldly" before<br />

God's throne that we might receive<br />

grace and help in our time of need.<br />

Many Christians feel as if they need<br />

to "clean themselves up" before they<br />

can come to God in prayer. But our<br />

righteousness is in Christ alone, and<br />

no amount of good works will make<br />

us right with God. If we are in Christ,<br />

God sees us as righteous right now!<br />

A few years ago, I stepped out in faith<br />

and prayed, "God, I'm asking You to<br />

let me help every single person on<br />

the face of the earth." My mind said,<br />

Now that is stupid. But I kept praying<br />

that prayer anyway, and our television<br />

ministry has expanded greatly<br />

since that time.<br />

The Bible says we do not have<br />

because we do not ask (see James<br />

4:2). I would rather ask for a lot and<br />

get part of it than ask for a little and<br />

get all of it!<br />

Be bold and confident in God when<br />

you pray; don't be double-minded<br />

when you ask for His blessings. Don't<br />

think, I wonder if I have been righteous<br />

enough for God to grant my<br />

request. Just ask for what you need,<br />

boldly and in faith, without wavering,<br />

hesitating or doubting, knowing that<br />

your righteousness is in Christ.<br />

4. Be quick to forgive.<br />

Joy is restored to your life when you<br />

learn how to forgive and forget, and<br />

these two virtues go together. God<br />

tells us He forgives our sins, puts<br />

them as far as the east is from the<br />

west, and He remembers them no<br />

more (see Ps. 103:12; Is. 43:25).<br />

Frequently, we try to forgive people,<br />

but forgiveness can't do its<br />

redemptive work because we want<br />

to remember what they did to us.<br />

We continue to think and talk about<br />

them. Remembering a past offense<br />

reopens the wound and feeds anger-then<br />

anger in turn feeds unforgiveness.<br />

Why do we need to forgive other<br />

people? Because our faith won't<br />

work if we don't. Unforgiveness is like<br />

dirt and mud on our spirit. It blocks<br />

our fellowship with God, and that<br />

prevents our spiritual growth.<br />

Actually, we end up torturing ourselves<br />

when we hold grudges and<br />

don't forgive others. While we are<br />

miserable and upset, the person who<br />

hurt us is out enjoying his or her life,<br />

not even thinking about it. I often<br />

say that holding unforgiveness is<br />

like taking poison and hoping your<br />

enemy will die!<br />

Have you lost your joy because of<br />

unforgiveness? If so, I suggest that<br />

you start forgiving people right away.<br />

Make a list of people you need to<br />

forgive. Ask the Lord to give you the<br />

power to forgive these people, then<br />

let it go.<br />

5. Obey God.<br />

I can tell you from experience that<br />

walking in obedience to God is one<br />

of the best ways to have a joyful,<br />

outrageously blessed life. Psalm 37:4<br />

(NIV) says: "Delight yourself in the<br />

Lord and He will give you the desires<br />

of your heart."<br />

Every day we need to submit our<br />

will and our plans to God. We need<br />

to learn to wait on Him and listen<br />

to what He is telling us to do-then<br />

simply obey Him. God knows what is<br />

best for our lives, and He will lead us<br />

into His perfect plan if we give Him<br />

permission to do so.<br />

When we are new believers, we have<br />

our own plans and walk in our own<br />

ways. However, as we surrender to<br />

God to really follow Him, there will<br />

be things He will ask us to do that we<br />

may not want to do-at first. But if we<br />

really love Him, we will let Him have<br />

His way in our lives (see John 14:15).<br />

Are you in a position right now in<br />

which God is asking you to do something<br />

you don't want to do? I strongly<br />

urge you to submit to Him. Your joy<br />

depends on it!<br />

I believe that as we obey God more, it<br />

will bring such outrageous blessings<br />

that our love for Him will grow deeper<br />

and deeper. As our love grows, we<br />

will want to do what God wants us to<br />

do, and our obedience will give us<br />

great joy.<br />

6. Be yourself.<br />

Being satisfied and happy with<br />

yourself is a very important key to<br />

enjoying your life. It was so liberating<br />

to me when I discovered that I did<br />

not have to be like anyone else.<br />

I used to try to be easygoing like my<br />

husband, Dave. I even tried to be<br />

soft-spoken and sweet like my pastor's<br />

wife. But all of that was only making<br />

me frustrated because God didn't<br />

anoint me to be them-He anointed<br />

me to be me!<br />

Many people think they must become<br />

what another person is. That<br />

kind of thinking will steal our joy.<br />

We don't have to compare anything<br />

about our lives to another person's<br />

life. All we're required to do is be who<br />

God created us to be.<br />

God has made every one of us<br />

unique. He personally made you and<br />

gave you gifts, talents and abilities.<br />

Just think about it: Nobody else in<br />

the world is exactly like you. That<br />

means what is best for someone else<br />

may not be best for you.<br />

So, when you are tempted to say to<br />

God, "I wish I looked like someone<br />

else," or "I wish I could do this or that<br />

like them," don't say it. Be satisfied<br />

with who God made you to be.<br />

Remember that He made you exactly<br />

who He wants you to be. If you try to<br />

be like somebody else, you will miss<br />

the beautiful life God has planned<br />

specially for you.<br />

7. Let God invade every<br />

area of your life.<br />

A major change that God helped me<br />

make years ago was to stop dividing<br />

my life into what I thought was<br />

spiritual and non-spiritual. Somehow<br />

I had fallen into a religious trap<br />

of feeling like the only time I was<br />

pleasing God was when I was doing<br />

something spiritual such as praying,<br />

reading the Bible or ministering at<br />

church.<br />

But the Bible says that whatever we<br />

do, we are to do it as unto the Lord<br />

(see Col. 3:23). This means that God<br />

wants to be included when we are<br />

shopping for groceries, pumping gas<br />

and combing our hair just as much<br />

as when we are praying or reading<br />

the Word.<br />

The truth is none of us can live in a<br />

church service, a Bible study or on<br />

our knees in prayer. There are many<br />

practical aspects to our lives, and<br />

God expects us to take care of them<br />

too. In fact, I believe He anoints us to<br />

live ordinary, everyday lives in victory<br />

and with joy.<br />

When we decide to let God out of<br />

our "Sunday morning box" and into<br />

every area of our lives, we'll begin to<br />

experience His joy and peace more<br />

than ever before.<br />

Remember, enjoying the abundant<br />

life Jesus died to give you is based<br />

on a decision you make-not on your<br />

circumstances (see John 10:10).<br />

Joy is God's gift to us, but some of us<br />

have never even opened the package!<br />

God is just waiting for you to do<br />

so. He is the glory and the lifter of our<br />

heads (see Ps. 3:3). Satan wants to<br />

pull us down, but Jesus came to lift<br />

us up!<br />

Start celebrating your life. Don't just<br />

endure your days-enjoy your days.<br />

Smile. It will give your face and your<br />

spirit a lift.<br />

Find some good, clean entertainment<br />

or get with some Christian<br />

friends and cut loose and laugh. "A<br />

happy heart is good medicine and a<br />

cheerful mind works healing." (Prov.<br />

17:22, The Amplified Bible)<br />

Every morning when you wake up,<br />

before you even get out of bed, I<br />

encourage you to declare out loud, "I<br />

am going to enjoy this day!" Decide<br />

to be happy right where you are and<br />

to enjoy the life you have right now -<br />

on the way to where you are going.<br />

Make a firm decision to enjoy your<br />

journey. When you do, you will begin<br />

to experience the abundant, joy-filled<br />

life that Jesus died to give you.<br />

God's Word said<br />

that I could live<br />

my life with joy,<br />

and I finally<br />

decided that I<br />

was going to do<br />

whatever it took<br />

to have it<br />

26 PRECIOUS ONE MAGAZINE<br />

PRECIOUS ONE MAGAZINE<br />

27


Forever<br />

Yours<br />

A Letter for Every Single Christian Woman<br />

Who Just Wants To Find Mr. Right<br />

by MidoriLei<br />

Dear Miss Right,<br />

I could ask you the same question.<br />

None of us were created<br />

to be alone, we thrive off of love<br />

and relationship, so I think it’d<br />

be mutually beneficial for us<br />

to find each other quickly. The<br />

truth is, and this is where most<br />

guys won’t admit it, I need you<br />

as much as you need me. I’ve<br />

tried to be one of those super<br />

macho guys, but in all honesty,<br />

in my heart, nothing could be<br />

more satisfying than to be your<br />

sensitive and loving provider,<br />

your husband. My plans and<br />

ideas are everywhere. I ask God<br />

daily for direction and confirmation.<br />

God’s the only one with<br />

the big picture, because I’m as<br />

lost as you are. I know that there<br />

are wonderful things out there<br />

for us to discover together, God<br />

will reveal them to each of us<br />

in time. There IS a reason we’re<br />

still not together. Logically it’s<br />

because we haven’t met… or if<br />

we have, we haven’t gotten to<br />

know each other. You’re not the<br />

only one without a line of ducks,<br />

I think some of mine might actually<br />

be geese, in which case, I<br />

have to be rid of them and find<br />

the ducks to fill their spots.<br />

I agree with you wholeheartedly<br />

about the right woman<br />

and the wrong time being the<br />

wrong woman. The same can<br />

be said for guys. And truthfully,<br />

God’s been dealing with me on<br />

issues that would only bring our<br />

relationship down. I struggle<br />

with the idea of being forgiven<br />

without cause, and I need to<br />

learn to be more accepting of<br />

grace. Until I am, please don’t<br />

give up on me. Truthfully, the<br />

reason we’re not together is that<br />

I’ve asked God to hold off on<br />

our introduction until I’m ready<br />

to be the man you deserve. I<br />

have some of the same fears.<br />

Trust me, nothing’s scarier for<br />

a guy than to think that he’ll be<br />

the emotional head over heels<br />

in love one, while you look on<br />

in disdain. I want to get lightheaded<br />

when you walk into a<br />

room, and I want you to melt at<br />

my smile. Don’t be afraid, you<br />

can never ask too much of God.<br />

Nothing is beyond His capacity.<br />

The very reason you feel like I<br />

should be these things for you,<br />

is because God has created a<br />

desire in you specifically for me<br />

and only me, who will be these<br />

things, and you won’t be happy<br />

with any other guy.<br />

And believe me, I’m far from<br />

perfect. My heart aches at the<br />

very thought of you getting me.<br />

I’m the undeserving one. It’s not<br />

fair that someone with a past<br />

like mine gets coupled with the<br />

woman of his dreams. But the<br />

beauty of grace, is that it makes<br />

life not fair. I AM looking for you,<br />

and I’m waiting for God to deem<br />

the time right for us to meet. The<br />

fact that I know you’re out there<br />

doing the same, only strengthens<br />

me further. I hate to disappoint<br />

you, but I’m very much into<br />

movies and TV… Luckily, to have<br />

an interest in something does<br />

not necessarily mean to believe<br />

it. Love is not a feeling or emotion<br />

that coincides with “Happily<br />

Ever After”, it’s a choice. And I’ve<br />

decided to love you unconditionally<br />

into eternity.<br />

Admittedly, a good appearance<br />

is nice, but appearances can be<br />

deceiving. Don’t worry about it;<br />

be yourself. My eyes were made<br />

with you in mind, so I’d say you<br />

have an advantage over other<br />

women. And besides, if you<br />

make yourself look too good,<br />

you’ll run the risk of attracting<br />

more than just me… I don’t want<br />

to have to fend the hounds off<br />

my woman! Your imperfections<br />

are what make you you, and<br />

I can put you just as easily on<br />

my screensaver or wall, as any<br />

of those other women. And the<br />

best part is, then I’ll have the<br />

real thing right by my side to<br />

keep me warm. Good luck with<br />

the cover snatching, you’ll need<br />

it. (lol) While there are a lot of<br />

pretty women out there, there’s<br />

only one for me. I would never<br />

settle for someone I could live<br />

with, and you shouldn’t either.<br />

Where’s the fun in that? I’m the<br />

one you could never imagine life<br />

without.<br />

I’m the guy you might notice at<br />

first, but only in that, vague sort<br />

of way, but if you got to know<br />

me, you’d find a soul that yearns<br />

after God, and that’s what will<br />

help you understand the plan<br />

God has laid out for the both<br />

of us. If I only saw beauty from<br />

the world’s perspective, I’d be a<br />

rather lonely individual, wouldn’t<br />

I? There is none more beautiful<br />

than a beautiful soul. I can’t wait<br />

to be captivated by yours. I’d<br />

take on all the pain the world<br />

could throw at you, and you’d be<br />

the heaven that helped me bare<br />

it. I’ll be the first to admit, I struggle<br />

with taking a passive role. It’s<br />

hard to be a leader with no one<br />

to lead. Your point is valid, however,<br />

I find it ironic that you were<br />

the one to initiate this conversation,<br />

to which I am responding.<br />

I have difficulty knowing who to<br />

pursue, I guess my biggest fear is<br />

accidentally getting in too deep<br />

with someone that’s not you. I<br />

have been hurt and rejected, and<br />

mostly because I’ve pursued…<br />

In fact, most of the stupid things<br />

I’ve done have come from “the<br />

hunt.” Maybe I should learn<br />

to do less shooting and more<br />

tracking. I can’t just fire into the<br />

crowds and hope for a hit. God<br />

has directed me on how to set<br />

my sights to find you. And you’ll<br />

be my trophy wife. (lol, couldn’t<br />

help myself with that one.) I’ll<br />

have you know, if you think<br />

I’d get married for the sake of<br />

getting married, maybe it’s you<br />

that’s looking in the wrong places.<br />

Marriage is a commitment for<br />

life, and that’s a commitment I’d<br />

be miserable to make to anyone<br />

but you. That and I want my rib<br />

back. I’ll tell you what, my rib for<br />

the covers, sound like a deal?<br />

There is no one I’d rather build<br />

my life with.<br />

We’ll have our pitfalls, but we’ll<br />

also have our mountain tops,<br />

and there’s no one I’d rather share<br />

my adventure with because I<br />

know that there’s no way I can<br />

grow to be the man God wants me<br />

to be without you by my side.<br />

I’m getting kinda tired myself. It’s<br />

58 days after New Year’s Eve, and<br />

I kissed no one… I was actually<br />

oblivious to the clock altogether<br />

as I was watching Monty Python’s<br />

Flying Circus (but that’s another<br />

story). Believe me, I’d rather have<br />

been in your arms. I wasn’t truly<br />

alone, but I was as good as. I’m<br />

one of the ones that feels lonely<br />

in a crowd, because I just don’t fit<br />

in. I’m not of this world, and that’s<br />

how you’ll be able to pick me out.<br />

I can’t wait till I can hold you as we<br />

usher in our first New Year together.<br />

It’ll be my happiest moment…<br />

until the next time you smile.<br />

Good night to you, my love! God’s<br />

time is His own, but I pray daily<br />

that He take into consideration<br />

our time not spent together is<br />

time lost. I’ll search for you until I<br />

die, but I trust God to make sure<br />

it doesn’t take that long. Don’t<br />

settle for Mister Sorta Charming,<br />

because trust me, when you meet<br />

me, he’s going to look like the<br />

frog. I know not what form you’ll<br />

take, but I know you’ll be the<br />

woman God’s formed for and from<br />

me. I know you will have honesty,<br />

faith, tenderness, and a pure<br />

heart: each a beauty in and of its<br />

own. Even one of these is worth<br />

waiting an eternity for. I’ve loved<br />

you as long as you have me, and<br />

for the same reason. Don’t give up<br />

waiting for me, I’m searching for<br />

you. When we do finally meet, you<br />

can be sure God will have orchestrated<br />

it to bring out the both in<br />

best of us and to glorify Him in the<br />

greatest means possible. God’s<br />

been moving in both of our lives,<br />

and He’s been moving us together.<br />

It’s only a matter of time before<br />

that finally happens.<br />

Forever Yours,<br />

Mister Right<br />

28 PRECIOUS ONE MAGAZINE<br />

PRECIOUS ONE MAGAZINE<br />

29


Dedication<br />

to our<br />

Dear Mother<br />

Dear Mother,<br />

Words would never in a million years be able to explain<br />

how much you mean to us mom. You are indeed a warrior,<br />

a strong and industrious mother. A woman of faith<br />

and great substance! We SALUTE YOU! In this world<br />

only a few mothers like you thrive to give their children<br />

the best of life and comfort. You have strive and worked<br />

so hard to make things great. You have put food on the<br />

table for years, and have made ends meet and struggled<br />

through the night to find shelter for your children! We<br />

SALUTE YOU MOTHER! You are indeed a warrior! The<br />

warrior who never gives up. A faithful servant of God<br />

and a unique creature. There is absolutely none like you!<br />

You deserve the world and We promise that one day you<br />

shall have it! You are a great woman and we are entirely<br />

grateful for all you have done and continue to do for us.<br />

Congratulations on launching PreciousOne <strong>eMagazine</strong>. It<br />

is a dream come true.<br />

Mom, no one can ever take your place in our heart. We<br />

love you forever and ever. No matter where we go or<br />

whom we meet, you will always be Number One to us.<br />

Every mom is special, but trust me there is no other<br />

mom who can be compared to your qualities and abilities.<br />

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our mom… the woman who sacrificed<br />

many a precious moments in her life, so that we<br />

could have them in ours. WE LOVE YOU MOM.<br />

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31


Reflection of the times...<br />

Dear Mom,<br />

I appreciate and love you.<br />

It is rather impossible to put into words everything I appreciate<br />

and love about you. From the wonderful woman you are,<br />

to the woman you raise me to be, you are simply amazing. Your<br />

loving touch is like no other, your smile is brightest of all.<br />

Your heart beats love and care, makes you a real SUPER MOM<br />

of all time. If I needed you, you always made time for me. I<br />

know you’ve always got my back. You have no idea how comforting<br />

that has been in my life. You taught me how to love<br />

unconditionally and have an open heart. I have seen further<br />

evidence of this unconditional love in the way that you show<br />

such love, patience and commitment. As I turn 52 on December<br />

18, 2016, I say:<br />

Dedication<br />

to my mother<br />

Thank you for always believing in me.<br />

Thank you for teaching me that I can rise above every circumstance.<br />

Thank you for teaching me to give my very best at everything I<br />

do.<br />

Thank you for teaching me how to be strong and independent.<br />

Thank you for teaching me the importance of hard work.<br />

Thank you for showing me what love, commitment and family<br />

is all about.<br />

Thank you for loving my kids as much as I do and always being<br />

there for them…this is truly one of the BEST gifts you have<br />

given me. Finally;<br />

Thank you for leading me to Jesus Christ at a very young age.<br />

I’m a better person because of you and all that you instilled<br />

in me. I believe I wouldn’t be the woman I am today if it<br />

weren’t for you. Thank you for loving me in all the ways you<br />

do. You are more than just a mother to me; you are my teacher,<br />

my strength, my guidance and my best friend. Thank you for<br />

giving me every part of yourself. I LOVE YOU MOM.<br />

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PRECIOUS ONE MAGAZINE<br />

33


34<br />

Are You<br />

Dreaming<br />

BIG<br />

Enough?<br />

Dreams are not merely the nightly thoughts you<br />

experience as the brain sorts out the day's<br />

events. They are the goals and visions that fire<br />

your heart and saturate your soul with joy<br />

at the very thought of them. They are those continuing<br />

visions of what you want your life to be at its highest<br />

level of fulfillment--what you want to do, how you want<br />

to do it, what kind of person you want to become in the<br />

process.<br />

Your destiny and reason for living are wrapped up tightly in your dreams and desires,<br />

like the genetic information inside a seed. That dream in your heart contains your spiritual<br />

"DNA," the very blueprint for who you are. Your dream is that idea, that vision for<br />

your life that burns inside of you--something you can't ignore for long. It keeps coming<br />

back to your mind because it is part of who you are; it will never leave you alone.<br />

A dream doesn't drive you; it draws you. It is like a big magnet that pulls you toward<br />

itself. I don't believe that there is a man or woman without a dream, because God designed<br />

every member of the human race to have dreams. Without a dream, a person<br />

will be frustrated in the present and will miss his or her future.<br />

Your dream did not even originate with you. It resides within you, but God put it there.<br />

He is the source of your dream. When people dream without God, they find it hollow<br />

and unsatisfying. Every person must come to Jesus for his or her dream to make<br />

sense. In fact, without Jesus, you might follow a dream for your life that God never put<br />

in your heart.<br />

PRECIOUS ONE MAGAZINE<br />

Not every dream is from God. There is<br />

such a thing as godless dreams. But<br />

when your dream is God's dream, it's<br />

unstoppable.<br />

Jesus said that apart from Him we<br />

can't do anything and that all our<br />

dreams will be frustrated. The power,<br />

energy and creativity needed to fulfill<br />

our dreams must flow from Jesus.<br />

The most common and most crucial<br />

question is, "How do I know which<br />

dreams in my heart are from God?"<br />

Here is the answer. You will know it's<br />

God's dream if:<br />

1. It is bigger than you.<br />

2. You can't let it go.<br />

3. You would be willing to give everything<br />

for it.<br />

4. It will last forever.<br />

5. It meets a need nobody else has<br />

met.<br />

6. It brings glory to God.<br />

Let's unpack each of these. First, any<br />

dream God put in your heart will be<br />

much bigger than you. Most children<br />

start out with big dreams of being a<br />

major league baseball player or the<br />

first woman president of the United<br />

States. But people and circumstances<br />

whittle those dreams down to size. We<br />

reach adulthood, and we voluntarily<br />

trim our dreams to manageable proportions<br />

so we won't be disappointed.<br />

That's the opposite of what we should<br />

do. We should set higher goals, not<br />

lower ones. God is the author of<br />

bigness, not smallness. We may not<br />

reach the highest dream, but we will<br />

go a lot farther by aiming high than<br />

aiming low.<br />

The first test you can apply to your<br />

dream is: "Is it too big for me to fulfill<br />

without God's help?" If you can do it<br />

without His help, you are not dreaming<br />

big enough. If it's much bigger<br />

than you, you are on the right track.<br />

The Bible promises that all things are<br />

possible with God. Is your dream impossible<br />

enough? Does it go beyond<br />

you enough to qualify for God's help?<br />

Your dream should be so big that it<br />

takes your breath away, makes you<br />

temporarily weak in the knees, and<br />

makes you cry out to God for help and<br />

guidance.<br />

Next, are you able to let this dream<br />

go, or does it keep bugging you? A<br />

God-given dream is a bothersome<br />

thing: it won't leave you alone! It<br />

keeps bobbing to the surface of your<br />

heart, clamoring for your mind's attention.<br />

If that's how your dream behaves,<br />

then it is probably from God. You also<br />

know it's a God-given dream if you are<br />

willing to devote every ounce of energy<br />

and every minute of your days to<br />

it. A dream inspires devotion like the<br />

devotion a parent has for a child: you<br />

would give your very life just to see it<br />

grow and find fulfillment.<br />

Will your dream last forever? Many<br />

people pursue dreams built on things<br />

that will fade away. They dream of<br />

fame, but fame never lasts. Others<br />

build dreams on wealth, health or<br />

power, but none of these last more<br />

than a few decades at most. A dream<br />

cannot be built on ego. It cannot be<br />

built on tradition--because the company<br />

expects it or your family expects<br />

it. None of these foundations will<br />

support your dream.<br />

You must build your dreams on something<br />

that will last. Only two things<br />

in the entire world will last forever:<br />

truth and people. Heaven and earth<br />

will pass away, but God's Word will<br />

never pass away. You have to build<br />

your dream on that never-changing<br />

foundation.<br />

The second thing that lasts forever<br />

is people. God made human beings<br />

to last forever. Jesus came to seek<br />

and save that which was lost, to die<br />

for people. That's how we should<br />

spend our lives, too. If God Himself<br />

thought people were worth dying for,<br />

shouldn't we follow His example? In<br />

fact, the only way to minister to God<br />

is to minister to people, as He said,<br />

"When you've done it to the least of<br />

them, you've done it to Me" (see Matt.<br />

25:40).<br />

Your dream must be built on human<br />

need. Will it help people? Improve<br />

lives? Alleviate human suffering? Does<br />

it fill a need nobody else is filling? If<br />

so, you can be sure that dream is from<br />

God. The secret to happiness in life<br />

is pouring into other people, giving<br />

without expecting anything in return.<br />

Finally, your dream should bring glory<br />

to God. The most horrible thing in life<br />

is to realize you have wasted months,<br />

years or decades following the wrong<br />

dream. Life is too precious to fritter<br />

away by building on a crumbling<br />

foundation. Many people lose their<br />

lives, not by dying, but by squandering<br />

their time.<br />

So, you've identified your dream. If<br />

fills all the criteria of a dream from God<br />

Himself. How do you bring that dream<br />

to fruition? It's not about brute force,<br />

mindless energy or human calculation.<br />

Here are some steps that I have<br />

noticed people take on the road to<br />

reaching their dreams:<br />

1. Get alone with God.<br />

One reason people never discover<br />

their dream and purpose in life is that<br />

they never stop long enough to listen.<br />

They are like the World War II pilot<br />

who became lost over the ocean and<br />

radioed back, "I have no idea where I<br />

am or where I'm heading, but I'm making<br />

record time." Someone else said,<br />

"It's an ironic habit of the human race<br />

that we double our speed when we've<br />

lost our way."<br />

We have to get alone with God and<br />

listen. Psalm 46:10 says, "Be still, and<br />

know that I am God." To get a vision<br />

from God, turn off the television. Get<br />

quiet. Let God talk to you. An Indian<br />

tribe in Oregon used to send young<br />

men out, when they came of age, with<br />

the instruction, "Don't come back until<br />

you have a vision." Those who got<br />

discouraged came back early. Those<br />

who stayed until they had a vision<br />

became the leaders of the tribe.<br />

Paul spent three years in the desert<br />

PRECIOUS ONE MAGAZINE 35


listening to God before he began<br />

his ministry. That was his seminary<br />

education. He said: "God, what is the<br />

overarching, all-consuming passion<br />

of my life? What will I do until I die?"<br />

Once he discovered his dream, he<br />

lived an extraordinary life.<br />

2. Review your gifts and talents.<br />

Romans 12:6 says we each have<br />

gifts. God gave you the gifts you<br />

have; you didn't choose them. Fulfillment<br />

comes when you use those<br />

gifts for Him in service of your dream.<br />

Your gifts are the key to discovering<br />

God's will in your life.<br />

Desire points us to our dreams. God<br />

uses desire to accomplish what<br />

He wants on this earth. How did<br />

He make sure the world was populated?<br />

He gave men and women<br />

a desire for each other to produce<br />

children. How did He make sure<br />

we cared for our bodies? He made<br />

us thirsty and made two-thirds<br />

of the planet water. He made us<br />

hungry and caused food to grow<br />

all around us.<br />

God speaks to us through desires.<br />

Many Christians have come<br />

to think that their motives and<br />

desires are corrupt and untrustworthy,<br />

but the Bible says that if<br />

any man is in Christ Jesus, he is<br />

a new creature. Old things pass<br />

away, and all things become new<br />

(see 2 Cor. 5:17). That includes<br />

our desires! The Bible says you<br />

can have the mind of Christ within<br />

you. So what does it say about your<br />

desires? It says your desires, when<br />

you become a new creature, are<br />

changed. That's why God can say, "I<br />

want to give you the desires of your<br />

heart."<br />

3. Review your experience.<br />

We pay attention not only to our<br />

desires and talents, but also to our<br />

past history. This is a powerful thing.<br />

Romans 8:28 says, " ... All things work<br />

together for good. ... " God uses all<br />

things.<br />

God can use your desires and talents<br />

36<br />

to serve your larger goals. Even<br />

if it's a skill you don't particularly<br />

enjoy, you may find it opens doors<br />

for you at key times. Not everything<br />

in our past is bound to be good.<br />

Some people reading this may have<br />

lingering pain in their lives. Some<br />

went through a divorce, grew up<br />

with angry parents or struggled<br />

with alcohol. Some had abortions,<br />

filed for bankruptcy or endured<br />

hurts that cannot be easily explained.<br />

But each of these problems falls<br />

into the category of "all things." God<br />

wants to integrate your hurts and<br />

difficulties into your life message.<br />

He never wastes circumstances,<br />

even bad ones. Before you became<br />

a believer, God was working to redeem<br />

the problems you faced. Not<br />

all things are good, but all things<br />

will work for the good of those who<br />

love Him and are called according<br />

to His purpose (see Rom. 8:28).<br />

Second Corinthians 1:4 says God<br />

helps us in our troubles so we can<br />

help others who have troubles,<br />

using the same help we ourselves<br />

have received from God. When you<br />

grasp that, it will change the way<br />

you view your life circumstances, and<br />

it will help you discover your dream.<br />

4. Decide what's really important in life.<br />

Paul wrote, "All things are lawful for<br />

me, but not all things are helpful ... "<br />

(1 Cor. 10:23). Some things are not<br />

wrong, but they're just not necessary.<br />

They waste time. We might not have<br />

time to pursue every dream, so we<br />

must choose to spend time on what's<br />

important. Successful people learn to<br />

eliminate nonessentials, those things<br />

that won't matter 10 years from now.<br />

Invest your life in those things that will<br />

outlast you.<br />

5. Begin to explore different avenues.<br />

6. Journal your dream.<br />

Once you are able to define your<br />

dream, write it down. Habakkuk 2:2<br />

says, "Then the Lord answered me<br />

and said: 'Write the vision and make it<br />

plain on tablets, that he may run who<br />

reads it.'" If you want to move ahead in<br />

your dream, you must write it down--<br />

inscribe it indelibly.<br />

That shows resolve, definition and<br />

form. It is not enough to have an idea<br />

of what you want to do; you must have<br />

a plan for implementing it. Dreams<br />

do not come true by fantasizing--you<br />

have to write them down and let them<br />

become a guiding force in your life.<br />

It has been said, "No individual has<br />

the right to come into the world and<br />

go out of it without leaving behind<br />

him distinct and legitimate reasons for<br />

having passed through it." But most<br />

people have lost their dream.<br />

It seems impractical in this world to<br />

believe you were born for something<br />

great. Somehow it becomes more<br />

important to have a steady job, pay the<br />

mortgage, keep things moving forward<br />

with the least amount of disruption<br />

and the highest possibility for what our<br />

society calls "success." But the fulfillment<br />

of your dream has little to do with<br />

what our society considers success-<br />

-it's much bigger than that. Are you<br />

dreaming big enough?<br />

PRECIOUS ONE MAGAZINE<br />

To us its love,<br />

Care and dedication<br />

Tel: 402-813-3444<br />

www.preciousoneathome.com<br />

PRECIOUS ONE MAGAZINE 37


that touches others goes on forever.<br />

DEDICATION TO MY LATE FATHER<br />

FRANK AGBEMADZO<br />

“The Exclusive First Edition of PreciousOne<br />

Magazine is for you, Dada. You thought me how<br />

to be a firm, strong, responsible and a respectful<br />

woman.<br />

In all the world there could never be another dad<br />

quite like you. No one else has your looks, firmness<br />

and your persistent and purposeful spirit. Your jokes<br />

and laugh that shows how happy you are.<br />

I<br />

saw the many lives you touched, whether a kind word spoken out of love, or the<br />

harsh truth spoken out of wisdom and living life. You still never cease to amaze me,<br />

because dada, you're always right.<br />

You were well-loved everywhere you went and your selfless spirit of giving your<br />

time, resources, advice and money is second to none.<br />

I think and look back on the years and the love you've shown, some where hard to take<br />

and swallow and others where easy to chew on and swallow without water. Which<br />

ever way I took them, you always loved and cared.<br />

That is why am thankful to God for giving me the perfect father, just the kind of father<br />

anyone would want.<br />

As you look down from heaven, I hope you’re proud of your first girl Peace and your<br />

grand children, Frank whom I named after you, Fred and Francis.<br />

There are special people in our lives who never leave us .... even after they are gone<br />

and you are certainly one of them.<br />

38 PRECIOUS ONE MAGAZINE<br />

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39


Every Age<br />

Grateful<br />

I HAVE BEEN<br />

There Lived A Truly Beautiful<br />

Talented American<br />

Woman...<br />

On an episode of “Super<br />

Soul Sunday,” Oprah sat<br />

down with the woman<br />

she calls her mentor, Dr.<br />

Maya Angelou, to talk about the<br />

legendary poet’s life and career —<br />

including how she’s handled the<br />

aging process.<br />

“As you’re 85, what can you say about the 80s?” Oprah<br />

asks in the video. “Are they still hot?”<br />

“Oh my goodness,” Dr. Angelou says. “Do it if you can.<br />

If you have a choice, choose the 80s.”<br />

Dr. Angelou echoes the philosophy of Oscar Wilde<br />

when she says, “moderation in all things, and even<br />

moderation in moderation. Don’t get too much moderation.”<br />

As Oprah laughs, Dr. Angelou continues, “But<br />

when you get in to your 80s, and you find that you’re<br />

still looking kinda alright, and people still say, ‘Hello,<br />

hello, hello,’ you think, ‘Hmm, I’m glad I got this far.’”<br />

With many women trying to fight against the aging<br />

process, Oprah asks Dr. Angelou how she’s managed<br />

to embrace it. “I can’t remember ever being anxious<br />

about [aging],” Dr. Angelou says. “Every age, I’ve been<br />

grateful.”<br />

Each morning, Dr. Angelou says she takes a moment<br />

to feel grateful. “Thank you, Lord,” she says. “Thank<br />

you for this day. Thank you for the light coming<br />

through that window. Thank you. Thank you that I’m<br />

breathing. Thank you. Thank you for everything. Thank<br />

you for the phone call that told me that I have the job.<br />

Thank you even for the phone call that told me I’m not<br />

wanted anymore. Thank you because I know you have<br />

something better for me lined up.”<br />

In the video, Oprah brings up a phone call she had with<br />

Dr. Angelou years ago. “I was crying hysterically about<br />

something, I don’t recall what it was,” Oprah says. “I<br />

was calling for your open, empathetic, loving embrace.<br />

And you said, ‘Stop it. Stop it right now. I want you to<br />

say thank you.’”<br />

At first, Oprah says she didn’t understand what Dr.<br />

Angelou wanted her to be thankful for. “And you said,<br />

‘Because you know God has put a rainbow in the<br />

clouds for you,’” Oprah says. “That was life changing<br />

for me.” May her beautiful soul rest in perfect peace.<br />

Source of the story:<br />

http://www.huffingtonpost.com<br />

40<br />

PRECIOUS ONE MAGAZINE<br />

Maya Angelou:<br />

PRECIOUS ONE MAGAZINE 41


We’ve all had one of those days where we just feel blah about our<br />

appearance—maybe your hair isn’t falling the right way and those<br />

dark circles under your eyes just seem a little, well, darker. Luckily,<br />

we’ve found news that will help break the funk next time you’re<br />

having an “ugly day.” Studies show that beauty isn’t about the perfect body,<br />

long blonde curls or the latest designer fashions; in fact, your outward appeal<br />

is largely influenced by surprising factors such as how you treat others, spatial<br />

clutter and even the company you keep. We’ve researched 10 unexpected ways<br />

to enhance your looks—naturally. Read on for the beauty secrets!<br />

Tips for<br />

Your<br />

Natural<br />

Beauty<br />

Remember the Golden Rule<br />

Being dishonest or disrespectful<br />

changes your appearance, for the<br />

worse. According to character<br />

coach Susanne Alexander, acting<br />

ungraciously “makes you more likely<br />

to frown or raise your eyebrows<br />

in arrogance, causing forehead<br />

lines,” while lying “causes tightness<br />

around the mouth and lines<br />

around the eyes.” Even prolonged<br />

resentment or unforgivingness can<br />

cause unhappy facial lines, such as<br />

a downturned mouth. To enhance<br />

your natural beauty, act graciously<br />

whenever possible. Practice acceptance,<br />

gentleness and patience—all<br />

of which reduce facial tension and<br />

can increase your natural beauty.<br />

Stay Engaged<br />

“People are flattered when you find<br />

them appealing—and they naturally<br />

reciprocate,” says Ann Demarais,<br />

PhD, psychologist and coauthor of<br />

First Impressions: What You Don’t<br />

Know About How Others See You.<br />

One of the easiest ways to increase<br />

your natural beauty is to accept<br />

and be interested in other people.<br />

“Showing interest in others is a component<br />

of confidence,” says Dr. Demarais.<br />

“And when you’re confident,<br />

you appear more attractive.” To feel<br />

more confident and appear that way<br />

to others, make an effort to smile<br />

often, make frequent eye contact<br />

and maintain a positive aura.<br />

Do The Work You Love<br />

Debra Condren, PhD, business psychologist<br />

and author of Ambition Is<br />

Not a Dirty Word, says, “Loving your<br />

work and unapologetically following<br />

your dreams is the secret beauty<br />

elixir women never hear about.<br />

Doing meaningful, challenging work<br />

will make you glow with an inner<br />

and outer beauty that no cosmetic<br />

or surgery or makeup can imitate.”<br />

Dr. Condren advises checking in<br />

with yourself daily to stay in touch<br />

with your ambitions and desires. The<br />

more tuned in you are to what you<br />

really want out of work and life, the<br />

more beautiful you’ll be—inside and<br />

out.<br />

Focus on your personality<br />

Feel bloated, blotchy and blah?<br />

Don’t fret. As it turns out, Mom was<br />

right: Your personality counts more<br />

than your looks. Research shows<br />

that if you’re cooperative, dependable,<br />

hardworking or intelligent, people<br />

will think positively of you—and<br />

perceive you as beautiful.<br />

On the flip side, in a study conducted<br />

by evolutionary biologist David<br />

Sloan Wilson, rude or unfair people<br />

were rated less attractive than those<br />

who were kind and cooperative—no<br />

matter their appearance. Next time<br />

you feel like you’re having a bad hair<br />

day, just remember: Minding your p’s<br />

and q’s will keep you looking lovely.<br />

Surround yourself with supportive<br />

people<br />

One recent study revealed that<br />

if you’re worried about rejection<br />

because of how you look, you’ll feel<br />

anxious, neurotic and insecure—<br />

making you appear less attractive to<br />

others. “[In our study], a reminder of<br />

one’s strengths or close relationships<br />

was enough to reduce the damaging<br />

effects of thinking about negative<br />

aspects of one’s appearance,” says<br />

Lora Park, PhD, assistant professor<br />

at the University of Buffalo. “These<br />

findings emphasize the power of…<br />

close relationships to help people<br />

cope with insecurities regarding their<br />

appearance.” Surround yourself with<br />

the people who know and love you<br />

best to instantly feel more beautiful.<br />

Free your inner "Iman”<br />

Have you ever daydreamed about<br />

striking a pose, Heidi Klum–style? As<br />

it turns out, a modeling session with<br />

a professional photographer can be<br />

liberating, enlightening and just plain<br />

fun! “I see women transform and step<br />

into their natural beauty on a daily basis,”<br />

says photographer Lone Mørch,<br />

whose sessions help women express<br />

their sensuality. One of her plus-size<br />

clients shared this about the effects<br />

of her recent photo shoot: “I recently<br />

attended two big parties, and I was<br />

on the dance floor the whole time. It<br />

was fantastic, and there’s no doubt<br />

the photo experience put an extra<br />

sway in my gait and a glint in my<br />

eye.”<br />

Establish your personal definition of<br />

beauty<br />

What do you think makes a woman<br />

beautiful? If you don't establish your<br />

own definition of beauty, you're more<br />

likely to waste precious time, money<br />

and energy chasing other people's<br />

ideas of beauty. Instead, focus on the<br />

activities, though.<br />

42 PRECIOUS ONE MAGAZINE<br />

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43


To Hillary Clinton<br />

Thank you<br />

for your dignity, your<br />

perseverance and your service<br />

Dear Secretary Clinton,<br />

Though everything<br />

in your personal<br />

history suggests that<br />

Tuesday’s defeat<br />

will not mark the<br />

end of your work in<br />

American public life, I<br />

can imagine that this will be a moment<br />

of reflection and recovery for you.<br />

And though we have some profound<br />

disagreements, on the occasion of this<br />

transition, I wanted to take a moment to<br />

thank you for some of the contributions<br />

you’ve made in the past quarter-century<br />

as one of the most prominent women in<br />

American politics.<br />

In the two and a half decades that Americans<br />

have used you to work out our complex and<br />

contradictory ideas about women, work and<br />

marriage, I have been moved by your dignity<br />

and resilience.<br />

I don’t envy you the compromises — the<br />

enforced cookie-baking, the meeting with a<br />

group of female journalists to ask for advice on<br />

how to present yourself — or what must have<br />

been moments of agony in your marriage. But<br />

as I’ve watched you from a very great distance,<br />

I have been grateful to you for bearing some of<br />

the slings and arrows of the outrageous fortune<br />

that is the lot, in different degrees and forms, of<br />

all the women of this country. Every insult that<br />

didn’t level you, and every moment of absurdity<br />

you absorbed without staggering, helped start<br />

conversations about the expectations and<br />

standards women face.<br />

You didn’t have a solution for this conundrum.<br />

None of us do. But if you couldn’t solve<br />

American gender politics in the span of a life, or<br />

act as a shield against the harshness directed at<br />

other women, you created space for the rest of<br />

us. We won’t surrender it.<br />

Thank you for your commitment to service.<br />

Defeat is not easy to accept with grace, and there<br />

is always a temptation in the days that follow to<br />

choose a different course or to withdraw entirely<br />

from the fray. After President Bill Clinton’s plans for<br />

comprehensive health-care reform failed during<br />

his first term, you became one of the champions<br />

of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program.<br />

After you lost to then-Sen. Barack Obama in the<br />

2008 primary, you campaigned for him and served<br />

as his secretary of state. You’ve demonstrated over<br />

and over again that you are truly committed to your<br />

pledge to “Do all the good you can,” even if the<br />

gains are smaller than you might have hoped, or<br />

if doing that good requires you to put aside hurt<br />

feelings. This is an exhortation and a model that we<br />

all ought to emulate in the weeks and months to<br />

come.<br />

In the days since the election, I have thought<br />

frequently of the example you set in reaching out to<br />

others and forming life-long friendships with them.<br />

Hearing from Ryan Moore, Aleatha Williams and<br />

Janelle Turner about your correspondence with<br />

them, and your care and attention during both<br />

painful and proud moments in their lives, has been<br />

a reminder to me to be more diligent in my efforts to<br />

stay in touch with the most important people in my<br />

own life. Listening to the Mothers of the Movement<br />

talk about how you listened to them is a testament<br />

to the simple power of presence. It’s precisely<br />

because time is in such short supply that offering it<br />

to others is a valuable gesture.<br />

Thank you for laughing in the face of absurdity.<br />

Thank you for apologizing about occasions when<br />

you were wrong, and keeping alive the idea that<br />

politicians ought to educate themselves and<br />

to grow, rather than intellectually immobilizing<br />

themselves as the world changes. Thank you<br />

for your dedication to the Constitution and to<br />

the peaceful transfer of power in our democratic<br />

system; among many other things, your opponents<br />

will be measured by whether they show the same<br />

measure of allegiance to our most valuable norms<br />

and institutions.<br />

I can only begin to imagine how painful it must be to<br />

feel that you are exiting one public arena with your<br />

work undone. I hope you take some measure of<br />

comfort from the idea that, though you may not see<br />

the garden in bloom, many of us will be tending the<br />

seeds you planted.<br />

With respect and gratitude,<br />

Alyssa Rosenberg<br />

Soutce:ww.washingpost.com<br />

44 PRECIOUS ONE MAGAZINE<br />

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45


Spice up<br />

your<br />

Marriage<br />

Hot. Thrilling. When was the last time you used words like that to<br />

describe your relationship? "Once you move out of the infatuation<br />

phase, the spice usually starts to fade," says author and sex therapist<br />

Ian Kerner, PhD. In a recent Woman's Day poll, 38 percent of you<br />

said the thrill has fizzled from your relationship. So what can you do<br />

to bring back that strong, intense connection? Read on for great tips<br />

from relationship experts and real women on how to ignite the spark<br />

again. Grab your pen and pad of paper—you'll want to take notes.<br />

Share a 20 Second Hug<br />

When you embrace your man, how long do you usually<br />

stay entwined? A few seconds? Next time, hold on<br />

a bit longer. "When you hug for at least 20 seconds,<br />

it increases levels of [the hormone] oxytocin in both<br />

men and women and makes you feel closer," says Dr.<br />

Kerner.<br />

Clean Out your bedroom<br />

It's the place where you time spend alone with your<br />

partner, but there may be roadblocks to seduction.<br />

Get rid of the family pictures on the dresser. Sexologist<br />

and relationship expert Logan Levkoff explains that<br />

seeing a picture of your children or mother-in-law<br />

could definitely ruin the moment—or prevent you<br />

from getting in the mood in the first place. Also, consider<br />

saying goodbye to the television. "If you have<br />

700 channels, it gives you 700 excuses to avoid being<br />

intimate," says Logan.<br />

Send a Love Note<br />

Handwritten love letters may be a thing of the past,<br />

but that doesn't mean you shouldn't express your love<br />

via written communication. Sometimes it's easier than<br />

saying it aloud. “Make it a priority to send a sweet<br />

email, sexy text message or some other little gesture<br />

on a weekly basis, “says sexologist and author Yvonne<br />

Fulbright, PhD.<br />

Tell Him Exactly What You Want<br />

You can't be upset that your husband never gives you<br />

a massage if you don't tell him you want one. “A reason<br />

men don't do things is because they fear getting it<br />

wrong,” says Logan. “Women have to understand that<br />

men feel pressured.” Make it easier by sharing with<br />

your significant other the things you like, and dislike.<br />

Be Unpredictable<br />

"Long-term relationships are based on trust, dependability<br />

and predictability," says Dr. Kerner. That's great<br />

when it comes to finances and raising a family, but in<br />

the bedroom—not so much. Mystery can create the<br />

romance you're missing. "Sometimes I tell my husband<br />

to expect a 'surprise' after the kids go to bed. The anticipation<br />

alone keeps him excited all day long," says<br />

Eunice Carreira of Kaneohe, Hawaii.<br />

Schedule a Date<br />

Hire a babysitter and pencil in dinner with your man<br />

just as you would for a client or old college friend. Staci<br />

Christmas of Avon Park, Florida, and her husband<br />

frequently go out on date nights. "You need time to be<br />

away from kids, family and work to relax and reconnect,"<br />

she says.<br />

Have Sex Without the "Sex"<br />

Part<br />

Sometimes too much emphasis is placed on the<br />

actual act of sex. "Sex happens not just in the body,<br />

but also in the mind," says Dr. Kerner. "Not actually<br />

having intercourse can make the experience more<br />

creative and fun." Kissing, touching and fooling<br />

around can sometimes be just as enjoyable.<br />

Leave Arguments Outside<br />

"What happens outside the bedroom usually affects<br />

what happens inside the bedroom," says Dr. Kerner.<br />

If you and your mate have a spat, it may be wise<br />

to repair the argument before you go to bed. Dr.<br />

Kerner also suggests making a joke or giving your<br />

partner a kiss if you feel a conversation is headed<br />

toward a disagreement.<br />

Stroke His Ego<br />

“Find out what your man wants and do it for him,”<br />

says Logan. Affirm his self-esteem with a compliment<br />

or by doing something special. “I tell my<br />

husband that he is the sexiest man I know as often<br />

as possible. I want him to know that he is still that<br />

hot guy I thought he was when we first met,” says<br />

Beth Pisano of Hutchinson, Kansas.<br />

Indulge in Yourself<br />

“Women tend to place everyone else before them,<br />

often putting their self-care on a back burner,” says<br />

Dr. Fulbright. “The more a woman looks after her<br />

health and welfare, for example, the more she exercises,<br />

the better she will feel and the more she will<br />

be in the mood for sex.” Dr. Kerner suggests that<br />

women dress up for themselves: Once you like the<br />

way you look, you'll feel sexy and confident. And<br />

that alone will get your heart pumping.<br />

Revisit the Honeymoon Days<br />

No, you don't have to start pulling out the old wedding<br />

albums and get all teary-eyed. Instead recall<br />

the fun times you and your mate had incorporate<br />

them into your relationship today. What made you<br />

laugh? What did the two of you enjoy doing the<br />

most? “My husband and I go to sci-fi and comic<br />

conventions together, which gives us plenty of<br />

fodder for being geeky together,” says Shari Lipkin<br />

of Watertown, Massachusetts. “His silliness is what<br />

attracted me in the first place!”<br />

46 PRECIOUS ONE MAGAZINE<br />

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47

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