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Issue 2 The Newsletter

Welcome to the Second edition of the iChoose Newsletter! We are so excited to create a

communication to let you know about the organization and also be a resource in your everyday lives.

The goals of this communication is to quarterly:

Communicate the happenings of the organization

Get you acquainted with the members of the sisterhood

Provide encouragement to your soul

Share editorials on current events in our community

WHO IS We are a faith-based organization with a mission to encourage and

promote an open forum and dialogue to discuss and provide solutions

to issues and circumstances that hinder women. We strive to grow as

individuals, raise our children with passion, keep our communities alive,

and be a source of strength to our men. We must also work diligently to

enlighten ourselves, families, communities and the world of our

magnificent identities and obtain absolution from the

stereotypes. Happiness is a choice, so we choose to embrace

the hindrance and overcome together.

OUR VALUES

Sisterhood

Accountability

Positive Self Image

Respect

Prayer

Community Involvement

Introduction

Getting To KnowRobin

Armstrong

Money Minute

The Encouragement Corner

Our Current Events

IN THIS ISSUE

WHEN SISTERS STAND SHOULDER TO SHOULDER,

WHO STANDS A CHANCE AGAINST US?

-PAM BROWN

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GETTING TO KNOW ROBIN ARMSTRONG ROBIN ARMSTRONG is the Vice President and Secretary of . . In this issue, we would like to

spotlight Robin and give you a chance to learn a little more about her. She keeps us organized and on

task!

WHATICHOOSE

MEANS TOYOU

It means having a core group of women that I know will encourage, support, and pray for me when needed.

ONE OFYOUR

FAVORITEQUOTES

Life is grand and then you die! Live to the fullest!"

FAMILYAfter God, my family is number two, no matter what.

DREAMCAREER/JOB

Successful Event Planning Business

GREATESTACCOMPLIS

HMENT

SO FAR

Nothing has brought me greater joy than having my children. It is my greatest accomplishment thus far.

HOW DOYOU

HANDLEADVERSITY

Head On! Taking the bull by the horn and finding soultions through simplicity.

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GETTING TO KNOW ROBIN ARMSTRONG ROBIN ARMSTRONG IS THE VICE PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY OF . IN THIS ISSUE, WE WOULD LIKE TO SPOTLIGHT

ROBIN AND GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO LEARN A LITTLE MORE ABOUT HER. SHE KEEPS US ORGANIZED AND ON TASK!

WHAT DO YOUNOT LIKE TO

DO BOWLING

WHAT SONGSARE INCLUDED

ON YOUR LIFE

SOUNDTRACK?

Indescribable - Kierra Shephard

Golden Jill Scott

If This World Were Mine - Luther Vandross

WHAT WAS THELAST EXPERIENCE

THAT MADE YOU

A STRONGER

PERSON?

My husband's displacement. I realized I was stronger than I thought. I had to carry my family while continuing to build my husband up. It was tough but with God's help, we made it.

IF YOU COULDWITNESS ANY

EVENT PAST, PRESENT OR

FUTURE, WHATWOULD IT BE?

My youngest son graduating from high school...at that point I drop the mic! I will have successfully raised all four of my children.

IF YOU COULDKNOW THE

ANSWER TO

ANY QUESTION, BESIDES WHATIS THE MEANING

OF LIFE? WHATWOULD IT BE?

Will my children be more successful than my husband and I?

SELECT 1 ICHOOSE

MEMBER WHOHAS A QUALITY

THAT YOU

ADMIRE AND

WHY?

Kia Bailey. She is a business woman that puts family first but has her own individuality. I would say she is selflessly confident.

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MONEY MINUTE Managing money is one of the most challenging aspects of

being an adult. Think back to when your parents would

give you allowance for the chores that you had to complete

around the house. Did you ever take the time to save,

spend or invest any of it? If you are anything like me, you

did ONE of the threeSPEND! In order to manage our

money properly, we have to think about money in a

different way. Here are a few reminders as you make

decisions with your hard earned money.

Spend less money than you earn!

Choose a mate that is financially responsible.

Prepare a list when you shop (i.e. groceries, household)

Start a retirement plan early.

Pay yourself often.

Overestimate the budget.

Use Coupons.

PLAN a vacation

Author

~LaWanda Thomas

THE WASTE OF MONEY CURES

ITSELF, FOR SOON THERE IS NO

MORE TO WASTE.

~M.W. HARRISON

-Pam Brown

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THE ENCOURAGEMENT CORNER When something bad happens, you have three choices. You can either let it define you, let it destroy

you, or you can let it strengthen you.

Have you ever felt like giving up on life? Like your best just isnt good enough? You ever feel so alone so

afraid that you dont know if you have the strength to make it another day? I know Im not the only one

who has felt like throwing in the towel like its just not worth it anymore, I will never get that new job,

that new car that new home I will never have enough money.

Man is the creator of his own misery our words and our thoughts become the blueprint for our lives.

We have to stop claiming defeat before we even try. We have to remember to always put our best into

whatever it is we are doing, to never give up on ourselves, that its not always about our timing but Gods

master plan for us. We have to learn to get out of our own way.

I am currently going through one of lifes many storms. Many nights I feel defeated by what the day has

thrown my way. One night I was up doing some soul searching and the following article found its way to

me it was exactly what I needed. I want to share this with you all in hopes that it will encourage you as it

did me and in some cases be that extra push you may need to get through your storm.

TRUSTING GOD DURING YOUR STORM

~Danielle Wallace Memoirs of a virtuous woman

http://memoirsofavirtuouswoman.blogspot.com / Life's storms toss us and for some it shakes your faith.

You're doubting God and giving into the

enemy. You're only stuck in the storms of today,

whether than having faith for your tomorrow. Or

maybe you only praise God when things are going right

in your life but as soon as things turn left you abandon

him, simply because you think he's abandoned you.

Lets stop right there. He hasn't abandoned you.

His unchanging hand is always near, he's only waiting for you to reach for it through all situations and remain

content. Yes content. Sounds easier said than done but its something I always pray for before facing the day.

As I write this I'm reminded of Mark 4:38 where the apostles were in fear as the storm tossed them around,

"They awoke Jesus crying, "Master carest thou not that we perish?"

Just as then, the Lord remains the same, telling winds, "Peace be still" and asking the apostles "Where is your

faith? Now where is your faith? You're worried about so much that's going on around you right now. Maybe

there's very little money in your bank account? So you're worried about bills, worried about food.

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THE ENCOURAGEMENT CORNER Maybe you feel alone, abandoned by others that you thought were friends? Maybe you're in a summer

semester of classes that just aren't going right for you? Maybe you're in a toxic relationship? You're worrying

when you should be leaving. Remember what love is...God is love in your case. All of these require faith. Stop

settling for the storms of today and have faith in your tomorrow.

"Take therefore no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take thought for itself. Sufficient unto the

day is the evil thereof."~ Matthew 6:34

Before I leave you with these words, I'll share with you briefly one situation of many from the

past that strengthened me. I've always been a strong person. So small physically, but so strong mentally.

When I was hired at my current job after college-at a news station I was excited and driven, driven so much

that I didn't mind driving an hour to and from work each day. I didn't have a choice so I did it. The drive was

soothing to my soul because there was more time spent with Jesus but it was draining to my wallet. Despite

my wallet I managed to keep a smile on my face and do what I needed to do. I won't lie and say it wasn't hard

doing this same thing for an entire year, because it was. There were times when I would leave my apartment

thinking literally what am I going to eat the rest of the day. It was either a choice of food or gas to make it

home that night- which I did so at 12:30 a.m. There's no doubt in my mind that I lost weight during that year

but I gained more strength. I made the most of that storm because I knew blessings were around the corner.

How could I not praise him, when the car I was driving each day to my hour away job was a blessing right

before I started my internships? If he blessed me to get that far, I knew he would never leave me. To wrap

this up:

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being

content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."~

Philippians 4:12

Trust me when I say this, your storms are preparing you for something greater than you never imagined. Your

job is to remain faithful to God Almighty and remain content.

Author

~Monique S. Bradley

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CURRENT EVENTS SERENA WILLIAMS WINS HER 6TH WIMBLEDON TITLE!! This was her 21st Grand Slam singles trophy overall and

4th consecutive major title. At 33, she is the oldest woman to win a Grand Slam tournament in the Open

era of professional tennis. This title comes 16 years after her first win, at the 1999 U.S. Open. Her serve

was a little off, and her supporters thought she may have forgotten when it was championship point,

however, you can do whatever you want when youre arguably the most dominant tennis player ever!

This win is even greater because Serena is practically at the end of her career rather than the beginning..

Serena is a role model to most and continues to show the

world that Yes a sistah can play tennis. It feels good to know

that a black woman is living her dreams and its even greater

to watch her consistent brilliance on the court. Sisters, if

Serena can achieve greatness, so can we and our children.

Lets continue to speak greatness, cover our children, and

watch the Lord work!

IN OTHER NEWS

SAME SEX COUPLES WON THE RIGHT TO MARRY NATIONWIDE. The Supreme Court handed a crowning victory to

the gay rights movement, setting off a jubilant cascade of long delayed weddings in states where they

had been forbidden. People now have the right to marry whomever they love no matter their

gender. This is a very sensitive topic.

Genesis 1: 27-28 states God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them;

male and female he created them; God blessed them and said to them, Be fruitful and increase in

number; fill the earth with subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea the birds in the sky and over every living

creature that moves on the ground.

So it says in his word that men and women should be together and shall be fruitful. I trust in the word

and I feel that people should be with whomever makes them happy. Who am I to judge?

We are in trying times and so many things are happening in this world

that we never thought we would see happen. Who would have

thought that we would have a Black president and such an awesome

first Lady? In my opinion, both have been more involved in our country

than any president that has resided in the White House. With all thats

going on in the world I know one thing for sure, good or bad, the Lord

doesnt make any mistakes. Things happen according to his will and I

trust God!

Author

~Kia Bailey

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Mission Statement

From this day forward, every day will be my own, being free of the past

and living to improve my future. iChoose to be free of guilt, let go of

pain, negativity, and focus on accomplishments to inspire me when I

feel weak. iChoose to conquer lifes challenges with prayer and

courage, while gaining wisdom along the way to help strengthen my

sisters in their time of need. Through Gods grace, I am regaining my

strength, getting closer to my goals and inspiring the change for a

better me. I understand that this life is not mine alone, but iChoose to

start living life for me.

EMAIL: [email protected]

WEBSITE: www.ichoosenfp.org

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/iChoose2

INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/ichoosew

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/iChoosew

DESIGNED BY THE MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS TEAM

JULY 2015

issue 2

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