This Has Been One Helluva Week!

Hi, Everyone!

This has truly been one heck of a week, hasn’t it? Let me tell y’all: A rollercoaster ride at Six Flags can’t possibly compare to events that I have gone through this week. I mean, it started with a pop quiz in Geometry & Trig, followed by a sweet letter from Ray, and then it took an abrupt turn with my fellow Class of 2016 alumna Judy Gibson.

By the way, Judy left last night to go see about her mom. I’ve already sent up another prayer that everything will be alright—that’s actually about all I can do.

And yes, I did in fact call my own mother. She was rather concerned, considering that we talked on Wednesday evening. I only told Mom a little bit about Judy’s situation with her mother, and with the little that I only mentioned, Mom knew the whole story. It amazes me how I can say three words, and Mom will crack the code, per se.

“For that girl’s sake, her mama better make it through this, do it’s gonna be hell to tell the captain!” Mom declared emphatically. “And I mean it’s gonna be hell for that girl. She’s gonna be walkin’ around feelin’ guilty for the rest of her life, and that ain’t what she wants. Now, I’m gonna pray for her, but that girl needs to do some prayin’ of her own. It’s like that, and that’s the way it is!”

Well, I won’t know anything until perhaps Monday, but this much I do know: Judy and her mother are in my prayers, and I’m gonna keep on believing that it is already done in the name of Jesus!

And in case you’re wondering why I have a picture of me and my mom posted to today’s blog, it is my way of showing my love and support to Judy.

And for the record: Yes, my mom still has that gawdy-lookin’ hat!

I recognize that Monday is Martin Luther King Day, so whether I holla at y’all on Monday or Tuesday, the bottom is that I’ll holla at y’all!

Have a good rest-of-the-weekend, everybody!

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha

Still Keeping Judy's Mom In Prayer

Hi, Everyone!

After yesterday afternoon’s impromptu but very much needed prayer meeting with fellow future Rust alum Judy Gibson, my mind has taken a serious detour. As you know from yesterday’s blog, I was compelled to console my fellow Bearcat, after learning that her mother had been admitted to the hospital.

Last night, Judy paid me and Ruby a surprise visit and gave us the latest update. Out of respect for Judy and her family, I will keep the news clandestine, but I will say this: It’s really not looking good for Judy’s mother. In addition, Judy believes that she is the reason for her mother’s hospitalization. She explained that she got into a heated argument with her mother this past Monday. “I never meant what I said—I was just frustrated,” she sobbed. “And now, my mom is lyin’ up in a hospital bed because of me. I never should have said what I said. I should be the one lyin’ in that hospital bed, not my mom!”

All I could do was gather Ruby and start another prayer circle. Not only did I pray for Judy’s mother, but I also prayed that The Lord would give Judy another chance to ask for her mother’s forgiveness. After believing that it was already done, Judy hugged me and Ruby and said that she appreciated us praying for her. And perhaps because Ruby and I were feeling altruistic, we told Judy that she could stay with us if she felt like it.

Listening to Judy’s testimony made me think about the battles that I’ve had with my own mom—yes, it’s true that my mom and I have had some arguments, but in the end, I knew my limitations; I am still my mother’s child! Besides, after cooler heads have prevailed, Mom and I would have a calm discussion, then we would make up and say those three special words: I love you.

I cannot imagine what Judy is going through, yet my heart goes out to her. It makes me that much grateful to God for the close relationship that I have with my mother, Danielle Renee Stewart. I could not imagine life without her, and I’m not talking about me being in Holly Springs, Mississippi and her being back in Los Angeles. Nonetheless, Judy’s testimony has convinced me to call my mom this evening, if for nothing but to say that I was thinking about her.

I ask that you all continue to pray for Judy and her mother—I know I will.

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha

My Call To Duty

Hi, Everyone!

 

There is a reason why this blog is so late.

 

Ruby and I had just left the cafeteria after lunch, and we were heading to our dorm. As soon as we walked in, we noticed this girl sitting in the lobby of E.L. Rust, crying something serious. Something compelled me to talk to the girl, so I told Ruby not to wait for me. Ruby nodded and said that she would leave the door of our room unlocked, seeing as how I didn't have my keys on me anyway.

 

I sat next to the girl and asked her if everything was okay. She looked up at me, her eyes terribly swollen from crying. She was about to speak, but then she broke down and sobbed some more. I gave her a hug, then I said: “Hon, I don’t know what you’re goin’ through, nor do I need to know, but can’t nothin’ be that bad. And even if it is that bad, you gotta learn to put it all in The Father’s Hands.”

 

The girl explained to me that she had received a disturbing call from back home in Memphis. Her mother was admitted in the hospital just last night, in critical condition. Instantly, I caught the girl’s hand and prayed for her right then and there. The girl gave me a hug and thanked me for being “so genuinely concerned.”

 

I remember my pastor talking about how everything is providentially planned. It could be that it was meant for me to be there and comfort my fellow Rustite, and I did all I could to make sure that she received some form of encouragement.

 

I also noticed something else: That soft, comforting voice, that undeniable altruism, and that powerful prayer—I had instantly turned into my Gramma Jewel!

 

As I close this blog, I just have one simple request: Say a prayer for my fellow Rustite—her name is Judy Gibson—and also say a special prayer for her mom.


Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha

Responding To Ray's Letter

Hi, Everyone!

I was up until almost midnight last night. I was writing a response to Ray’s sweet letter. Check this out, if you will:

Dear Ray,

I trust that this letter finds you in high hopes and great spirits. I want you to know that while I was writing this letter to you, I had my Amy Grant’s “House of Love” CD playing. Amazingly enough, it was playing the third track entitled “Whatever It Takes.” That song is so apropos to me, because as you know, we won’t see each other until I come back in late May or early June. However, if that’s what it takes, then so be it.

Also, thank you for the copy of our picture that we took up at the Observatory, and thank you for your compliment about me being a helluva kisser. You’re not so bad yourself… LOL!

I did write more, but I’d much rather keep that clandestine (that’s my new word for the year). And that reminds me: I need to go Valentine’s Day shopping for my sweetie pie… Oh my God—I’ve got a sweetie pie, albeit long distance!

Well, I had best get going—matter of fact, I’m gonna ask Ruby if she can run me up to Wal-Mart real quick. I may as well take care of Ray’s present while it’s fresh on my mind, don’tcha know.

Until tomorrow, y’all take care!

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha

Ray Is Still Thinkin' About Me!

Hi, Everyone!

So, check this out: I got a letter from Ray. Just listen to what my sweetie pie has to say:

Dear Natasha:

I trust that this letter finds your first week of this New Year 2013 doing well, and I pray that your second semester at Rust is just as successful as your first.

In this letter, I enclosed a copy of the picture we had taken up at the Griffith Park Observatory—you know, right before you caught a hold of me and kissed me.

By the way, you’re a damn good kisser, Natasha… and I’m not sayin’—I’m just sayin’!

Also, I realize that your birthday is coming up, so I’m working on “a lil’ sumpthin-sumpthin” for you. I cannot promise you that it will be worth a million dollars, but you will know that it came straight from this ol’ heart of mine. Here’s the only clue I’m gonna give you: By any other name would it smell so sweet!

Oh, yeah! I forgot to tell you: I got my grades back for the first semester, and I am happy to report that just like you, I am holdin’ down a 3.8 grade point average. This semester is pretty challenging, though, but you know what they say: When the going gets tough, the tough gets going… and I’m gonna go ahead and maintain this GPA.

Well, that’s it on my end. I hope to hear from you soon, but until then, just know that this heart of mine continues to beat for you.

Missin’ You,

Ray

It’s nice to know that Ray is still thinking about me—and I’ve got chills runnin’ all over me right now. I know what I’ve gotta do now: I gotta write him back, if for nothing but to say that I’m thinking about him as well.

Talk to y’all tomorrow!

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha

A Miracle in Geometry & Trig!

Hi, Everyone!

Today was one of those days where I know for a fact somebody prayed for me!

This morning in my Geometry & Trigonometry class, we had a pop quiz. Naturally, I was worried, because when I studied over the weekend, it took me three hours to figure out one geometric problem. I just knew that I was gonna fail this pop quiz, but yet and still, I went ahead and took it like a champ. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that the questions on the pop quiz were definitions of geometric terms.

For instance, “Geometry is the study of…” and of course, the answer is: “angles and triangles, perimeter, area and volume.”

Can y’all believe that I aced that damn pop quiz? I mean, I ain’t miss not nann-one! Much like what happened in my College Algebra class last semester, I totally forgot that I was in class, and I just shouted: “Thank You, Jesus!”

And of course, everyone looked at me strange, but I didn’t care—I was thrilled to have aced the pop quiz, albeit the questions were all definitions.

Now, I realize that not every test will have that same concept. There will come a time where I’m gonna have to work out some geometric shapes—and if that’s the case, then so be it. I mean, I’ve got to take the bitter with the sweet. It all goes back to that conversation I had with Ruby and Theo about being tough enough. And now that I think about it, Gramma Jewel always taught us to appreciate the lazy mule before getting the beautiful horse. It could very well be that Geometry & Trigonometry is my mule; I already know that my teaching dream represents the beautiful horse… and a lightbulb just went off in my head!

I believe there is a verse in the Bible that says: “The race is not given to the swift nor the strong, but to the one that endures to the end.” Well, Geometry & Trigonometry may not be my forte, but I betcha one thing: Just as sure as my name is Natasha Renee Stewart, I will endure this class to the very, very end!

The doors of the church are now open. Will there be one today? Hahahaha!

Until tomorrow, y’all be good!


Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha

Congratulations, Becky!

Hi, Everyone!

I want to dedicate today’s blog to my honorary big sister Rebecca Ann Morgan, who accomplished something grandtastical this week.

Yesterday evening, I had a good hour conversation with Rebecca, and I was happy to learn that she received an A+ on her U.S. Government final, and an A- on her Economics final. I could hear the joy and excitement in her voice when she gave me the good news. Rebecca also told me that she has four more classes to complete, and she will officially earn her high school diploma in five months.

“Natasha, this has been a long time coming, but finally, I’m gonna get my high school diploma,” she said excitedly. “I tell you—after everything I’ve been through, I was not about to let two of the most difficult classes take me under. I’ve survived an abusive mother and a negligent father, and I survived a bout with depression after the only family that I knew passed away suddenly. I was almost assaulted, I was in a car accident, and I passed out in the middle of a performance, not knowing if I would make it, but here I stand today. I’ve been given another chance, and I’ll be damned before I let it slip by. I’m tellin’ you, Tasha—that U.S. Government and that Economics was damn near a cakewalk compared to the hell that I had been through.”

As Rebecca continued to talk, it got me to thinking: If she can overcome all that she went through—thanks to God’s Help, of course… and by the way, I took U.S. Government and Economics in my senior year of high school, so she ain’t lyin’ about the difficulty of those two classes. However, just like she overcame her personal adversities, she overcame those two classes. Once again, Rebecca has inspired me to press on. Granted, I may not have gone through what Rebecca went through, but she has still encouraged me to tackle this Geometry & Trigonometry. Besides, I survived my very first semester away from home, and I’m back for a second go-round. If Rebecca can overcome the obstacles in her life, then I sure as hell can overcome a trivial Geometry class.

All I gotta say is: Thanks for the encouraging words, Becky—keep on doin’ the damn thing!

And as for Geometry & Trig, I’ve got three words for you: JUST BRING IT!!!

Hugs & Kisses,
Natasha