Hi, I'm Dr. Kim Logan
Nowlin. I'm Arthur Nowlin.
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And welcome to Making it Work.
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Triumphant Over Adversity,
that's the topic today.
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Arthur, what kind of adversities
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have you experienced?
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You know, just
give me one as a child.
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I have a-- I had a
major adversity at age 7,
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which was the loss
of my mother, you know.
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And I had adversity, you know,
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when my parents were
divorced at the age of 12.
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But I don't think that
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you and I have ever had
to experience a birth defect.
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And a challenge of being born
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with your hands
not quite looking
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as other children
and losing a foot.
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Well, today our
guest is Miss Anisa Jones,
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and she is here to
tell her testimony,
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and how she has
overcome adversity.
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Major adversity, triumphant.
God bless you, sweetie.
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God bless you, too, Dr. Kim.
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I love you. I love you, too.
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I remember when you were
born. My goodness, my goodness.
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That's right, that's
right. And how old are you?
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Oh, my goodness, well,
you look wonderful, you know.
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When I look at you, you
know, completing college,
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you were crowned Miss
Oakwood at the UNCF pageant.
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Is that right? Yes, she was.
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beautiful voice and I hope
I get a little sample tonight
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and serving as a elder
of you church, praise team.
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Really, that's great.
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I mean, you know,
being a loving daughter,
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a sibling, you know.
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How have you come to say,
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"I'm not going to
allow this to stop me?"
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Why don't you tell us your story
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from when you were born?
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Well, let's see, when I was born
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there was a
difficulty with amniotic bands,
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and that created
various differences
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and deformities with my hands
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and that
actually limited mobility
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where I had to have surgery.
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They were similar,
they were together,
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like this, the
fingers were together.
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All together.
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Yeah, and so I
had to have surgery
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to be able to
allow them to be mobile.
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It also created a situation
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where one foot was
not quite developed like
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the other one was and one
leg was shorter than the other.
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So at--
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early on I had to
have multiple surgeries
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to have my hands mobile.
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And at the age of 7,
if I recall correctly,
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I had to have--
opted to have a surgery
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where they amputated
the foot on my right leg
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to allow me to be able to
wear a prosthesis as I grew.
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And that will
create more even mobility
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in walking versus wearing
leverage shoes or braces.
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Now this was your
decision at seven?
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It was me-- it
was a decision we,
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of course,
discussed as a family,
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but I can clearly
remember my mother coming to me,
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you know, wanting to
know, well, here it is.
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You know, this
is what's going on.
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And there's a
decision that has to be made
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and, you know, I
don't think she would,
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you know, just leave me
alone to make the decision,
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but the choice was mine to
make because it's a lifetime.
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It's a life
changing option to take.
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I heard earlier
where we were talking that
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you were thinking, you know,
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did you make the
right decision or not.
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Yeah. Tell us about that.
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Oh, wow, I remember working
with the current prosthetist
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that I had and asking him,
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I said, you know, for
the longest I wondered
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whether I made the right choice.
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And he said, "Oh, yeah,
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this was the best of the options
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to keep you as
ambulatory as possible.
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And just to allow you to have
as much freedom as you could.
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And I wish that I could have
reached that a long time ago,
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but I'm thankful that
he was able to help take
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that provided
relief, I should say.
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When you say,
"reach that," you mean,
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come to that
peace with yourself?
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Yes, yes.
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So right now
you're at peace with it?
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Well, yeah. A
lot more than before.
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I mean, you do come to
some different revelations
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and epiphanies regardless,
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but that
particular peace sometimes,
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you know, as far as wondering
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what would it-- what
would have happened if.
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That I think,
yes, he did help me.
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Well, let me ask you, what has
been some of the difficulties,
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not just
challenges, but difficulties?
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Were you home schooled?
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Initially, my mom
did stay home with us,
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and then I attended Davidson.
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Davidson.
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Davidson Elementary. Yeah.
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And I distinctly
remember in kindergarten,
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my mom had us--
had me learn a song,
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how do you spell
relief, J-E-S-U-S.
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So I mean she did
do a lot of reading,
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you know, when we were younger,
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to the point
that she couldn't tell
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whether I was
actually picking up the words,
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if I had memorized the page.
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Because she was
reading so much I knew exactly,
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I could read the
book and know exactly
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when to flip and
turn, you know, so...
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So, okay, now as
far as you were seven,
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you know,
learning to dress yourself,
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learning to, you know,
take care of your hygiene,
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I mean, you know,
just everyday things,
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playing jump-rope,
playing jacks, you know,
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did the children
tease you at school?
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Or were they kind?
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You know, they
were kind actually.
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I think being in a
Christian environment
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and having a
large family support
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system was very helpful.
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I look back at
that and I realize
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I wasn't
treated any differently.
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No special allowances were made.
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You were just
one of the children
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in that classroom.
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On of the
children in that classroom.
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To the point I
remember one particular teacher
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who was one of my
favorites, Mr. Jessup.
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And I remember--
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I mean he would
find something to,
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you know, be teasing or
have special interaction
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with all of his students.
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But I remember I
used to make curly fries.
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And it was, you
know, no big deal,
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but, you know, we had to solve
the problem in math whatever.
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And so, you know, he would
kind of tease me like that,
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but that was just
his way of finding a way
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to have rapport
with all of his students,
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and I was no
different than anyone else.
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Oh, I see.
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Now you went through
Davidson, and went on to--
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What did you attend
after Davidson Academy?
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I went to Chenal's
Elementary in the fourth grade.
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Fifth.
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Great, so did you go to
Seventh-day Adventist school
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and Detroit public schools.
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That was-- Yes, it was a
middle school in Southfield.
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All right, and then that
took you on to high school.
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And where did you
attend high school?
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High school was Detroit.
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Okay.
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For a portion, and then went--
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graduated from Oak Park
High School, public school.
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Okay, and then
you made a decision
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to attend Oakwood University
in Huntsville, Alabama.
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Correct. All right.
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Was that something that
you always wanted to do?
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Attend Oakwood?
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You wanted to go to Oakwood?
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I have to be honest,
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there was a
struggle at one point.
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And I remember my
mother finally just saying,
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"Okay, just try
it for one year."
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I'm telling you, you go
for one year, you're hooked.
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That's it, and
that's all. You are hooked.
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Yes.
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So that was a good
thing for you then?
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It was a good thing. Yeah.
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Then you became, I
mean, in your junior
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or senior year, Miss
Oakwood for the UNCF,
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United Negro College Fund.
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Was that your
junior or senior year?
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I didn't know that.
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That was senior year.
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Senior year. That's amazing.
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That was major, we were
so proud here at Detroit.
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That was great, you
know. How did you feel?
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Oh, it was a little
overwhelming at first.
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But happy-- I was thankful.
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Because I remember just
praying about some things
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and I remember asking,
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just asking God for
some things and He showed up.
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You know, not that He
hadn't been in my life
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because He had been,
but that particular thing
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He just chose to say, "Here.
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I'm just gonna
bless you with that."
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So you have adapted
to, you know, cooking.
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You know, is it difficult
when you cook, you know,
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or you're able
to just get in there
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and do like anyone else?
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Four burners no problem.
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Are you a good
cook? Are you a good cook?
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I am a good cook.
People enjoy my food.
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Amen, praise the Lord.
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That's great.
00:10:04.36\00:10:05.42
Now as far as your work,
00:10:05.45\00:10:07.68
you earned your
bachelors degree in what area?
00:10:07.71\00:10:09.96
In business administration.
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Okay, and now
you're currently working
00:10:11.35\00:10:13.21
on your Masters degree in
the same field or human...
00:10:13.24\00:10:16.13
In human
services with the emphasis
00:10:16.16\00:10:18.11
in nonprofit management.
00:10:18.14\00:10:19.30
Okay, all right. Now
you have a beautiful voice.
00:10:19.33\00:10:23.29
God has blessed you, you know.
00:10:23.32\00:10:25.71
And when people
call on you to serve,
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have you ever said no?
00:10:30.78\00:10:33.23
Have you ever just
said, "I can't do it?
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I'm tired today."
00:10:36.19\00:10:37.86
Definitely not
because I was tired.
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I can't recall where I have--
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I'm sure it's
probably one or two occasions.
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I mean, we all--
we think it, you know.
00:10:45.59\00:10:48.05
Now you served as a
elder of the church.
00:10:48.08\00:10:51.63
I'm sure that
was very interesting.
00:10:51.66\00:10:53.66
Tell us about that.
00:10:53.69\00:10:56.76
Because you're one of
the first females elected
00:10:56.79\00:10:59.58
as serving elder
at your local church.
00:10:59.61\00:11:03.53
I look at that as
definitely training ground
00:11:03.56\00:11:09.70
for wherever the Lord
wants to continue to take me,
00:11:09.73\00:11:12.76
whether that's
going back into that
00:11:12.79\00:11:14.56
particular office
or on to other things.
00:11:14.59\00:11:19.42
I can definitely say
that there have been some--
00:11:19.45\00:11:26.31
it's taught me greater patience.
00:11:26.34\00:11:28.74
And given me even a greater
00:11:28.77\00:11:30.53
and broader
scope of appreciation
00:11:30.56\00:11:35.17
for what everyone
brings to the table.
00:11:35.20\00:11:37.99
For what everyone
brings to the table,
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regardless of age or background
00:11:40.98\00:11:43.42
and experience,
everyone brings something.
00:11:43.45\00:11:45.45
Oh, yes.
00:11:45.48\00:11:47.39
And I can see where clearly
00:11:47.42\00:11:50.23
God had a hand in
watching me there.
00:11:50.26\00:11:54.67
That's a excellent point.
00:11:54.70\00:11:58.40
You feel that and
you see that, you know.
00:11:58.43\00:12:03.12
That's something that's special
00:12:03.15\00:12:04.59
because everybody can't feel it.
00:12:04.62\00:12:06.20
That discernment.
00:12:06.23\00:12:07.42
Yeah, you know, and for
you to be patient enough
00:12:07.45\00:12:11.88
to allow God to do His
work is really meaningful
00:12:11.91\00:12:15.94
because sometimes we
want to hurry God up.
00:12:15.97\00:12:18.35
Oh, yes. Push God.
00:12:18.38\00:12:20.49
Now what about when you were--
00:12:20.52\00:12:21.69
when you date, you know,
00:12:21.72\00:12:22.93
because I know you're
single right now, you know.
00:12:22.96\00:12:25.65
I'm ready to cut
my cake, but no hurry.
00:12:25.68\00:12:27.51
I'm not putting any
pressure on you, you know.
00:12:27.54\00:12:30.27
But what do you say
when you meet young men?
00:12:30.30\00:12:33.11
They say, you know,
00:12:33.14\00:12:34.22
"What's going on with your
foot or your leg or your hands?"
00:12:34.25\00:12:36.92
Does it even come up in
the conversation, you know?
00:12:36.95\00:12:39.56
How do you handle that?
00:12:39.59\00:12:41.36
It does sometimes.
00:12:41.39\00:12:42.62
I think it's-- I
mean, it's more noticeable
00:12:42.65\00:12:44.33
if I have a
skirt or something on.
00:12:44.36\00:12:47.63
But the, I guess,
ironic thing is that
00:12:47.66\00:12:52.35
they're usually saying
something to me of positivity.
00:12:52.38\00:12:56.47
Some things like,
"Don't ever let anyone tell you
00:12:56.50\00:12:59.04
that you're not beautiful.
00:12:59.07\00:13:00.10
Don't ever let anyone--"
00:13:00.13\00:13:01.20
And I'm not asking for that,
00:13:01.23\00:13:02.87
or necessarily even thinking
that in guys' eyes that I'm not
00:13:02.90\00:13:07.83
just that he always sensed that.
00:13:07.86\00:13:11.33
Well, you are.
00:13:11.36\00:13:12.84
You know, you're a
very beautiful young lady.
00:13:12.87\00:13:14.78
You know, and God
has truly blessed you.
00:13:14.81\00:13:18.67
Being a elder opens the
door for a tremendous ministry.
00:13:18.70\00:13:25.12
Had you ever anticipated
that you will be at this point,
00:13:25.15\00:13:29.36
being an elder of your church?
00:13:29.39\00:13:30.98
You know, the story that I
have behind that briefly is that
00:13:31.01\00:13:36.16
I remember
seeing a friend of mine,
00:13:36.19\00:13:39.87
a colleague from school, female,
00:13:39.90\00:13:42.78
serving at another church
in Alabama in that capacity
00:13:42.81\00:13:47.26
and had a
fleeting thought to myself,
00:13:47.29\00:13:49.58
never told anyone to say that,
00:13:49.61\00:13:52.67
"Hmm, that might
be an interesting
00:13:52.70\00:13:54.86
capacity to make a difference."
00:13:54.89\00:13:56.51
Wow.
00:13:56.54\00:13:57.69
Never said it out
loud, never told anyone.
00:13:57.72\00:14:00.42
Came back home to Detroit.
00:14:00.45\00:14:03.12
Came back home, was actually
at a ladies day function
00:14:03.15\00:14:07.79
at City Temple,
Seventh-day Adventist church.
00:14:07.82\00:14:11.48
And in the
afternoon I felt impressed
00:14:11.51\00:14:15.76
to meet the speaker,
I just had this urge.
00:14:15.79\00:14:17.15
I didn't know her,
but I felt this unction
00:14:17.18\00:14:20.49
just to go and introduce myself.
00:14:20.52\00:14:22.74
And as I went
to introduce myself
00:14:22.77\00:14:24.23
and reached out
my hand, she said--
00:14:24.26\00:14:27.44
I said, "Hi, my name is..."
00:14:27.47\00:14:28.76
She said, "I
already know who you are."
00:14:28.79\00:14:31.57
And I said, "You do?"
00:14:31.60\00:14:33.32
And she said,
"Yes, you are the one
00:14:33.35\00:14:35.05
they're going to make an elder."
00:14:35.08\00:14:39.07
Within months, weeks
and months following that,
00:14:39.10\00:14:42.31
I mean, it still didn't click.
00:14:42.34\00:14:44.18
I said, "Okay." And
we had a little chat.
00:14:44.21\00:14:46.67
And it still
didn't totally click
00:14:46.70\00:14:47.91
until a few weeks or
months following that
00:14:47.94\00:14:51.38
the pastor at the time
that was serving at Barns,
00:14:51.41\00:14:54.03
came and indicated to me that
00:14:54.06\00:14:56.02
they were considering
me for that position.
00:14:56.05\00:14:59.31
And by that time I was like, oh,
00:14:59.34\00:15:00.99
light bulb started to go off.
00:15:01.02\00:15:02.07
I started making connections.
00:15:02.10\00:15:03.83
You know, God was
talking to me saying,
00:15:03.86\00:15:05.38
"Hello, do you see?
00:15:05.41\00:15:07.34
I'm trying to show you,
00:15:07.37\00:15:08.79
you know, where
I want you to be."
00:15:08.82\00:15:09.90
And it was a
challenge of some things that
00:15:09.93\00:15:11.59
God still wanted me to grow in.
00:15:11.62\00:15:15.92
And I learned that
00:15:15.95\00:15:17.59
sometimes God calls
you to certain things.
00:15:17.62\00:15:19.31
Really, all the
time God calls you
00:15:19.34\00:15:21.25
not just because of
what you bring to the table,
00:15:21.28\00:15:23.35
but because of where
He wants you to grow,
00:15:23.38\00:15:25.37
where He's asking you to expand
00:15:25.40\00:15:26.96
and just develop
more of His character,
00:15:26.99\00:15:30.84
embrace more of who He is
00:15:30.87\00:15:33.03
and what He wants
to do through you.
00:15:33.06\00:15:34.70
Are you looking forward to,
00:15:34.73\00:15:36.85
you know-- Just
tell us your goals,
00:15:36.88\00:15:38.73
short term, long term.
00:15:38.76\00:15:40.89
Where do you see yourself?
00:15:40.92\00:15:42.67
I'm working on a
CD, to put that out.
00:15:42.70\00:15:48.33
Yeah.
00:15:48.36\00:15:49.44
And so far the
response to the music
00:15:49.47\00:15:52.01
that has been produced has been
very positive and encouraging.
00:15:52.04\00:15:56.81
So I'm very excited
and happy about that
00:15:56.84\00:15:59.91
and just glad that it
will touch lives for Christ.
00:15:59.94\00:16:06.42
I look to finish school soon.
00:16:06.45\00:16:07.97
Okay.
00:16:08.00\00:16:10.75
No particular special
someone at the moment.
00:16:10.78\00:16:13.40
No one at the moment.
00:16:13.43\00:16:14.82
You never know
how that may change.
00:16:14.85\00:16:17.43
God has a way of flipping
destiny, so you never know.
00:16:17.46\00:16:19.84
When you least expect it.
00:16:19.87\00:16:21.87
What about ministry,
00:16:21.90\00:16:24.04
you know, what does
that really mean to you,
00:16:24.07\00:16:28.60
when we talk about ministry?
00:16:28.63\00:16:31.38
Practically meeting
the need of the person,
00:16:31.41\00:16:35.63
whether that is,
that could be something
00:16:35.66\00:16:38.75
as simple as an encouraging word
00:16:38.78\00:16:40.57
and a smile to
making sure that they--
00:16:40.60\00:16:43.74
you walk with them to
get them upon their feet.
00:16:43.77\00:16:47.19
Whether that's giving them food,
00:16:47.22\00:16:49.60
giving them clothes, all the way
00:16:49.63\00:16:50.93
you're still talking about,
00:16:50.96\00:16:52.40
Christ is still
ministering to them.
00:16:52.43\00:16:54.22
I had the opportunity
to meet a lady at a store,
00:16:54.25\00:16:59.33
and while I was at the store,
00:16:59.36\00:17:02.36
she was talking with
some of her other co-workers,
00:17:02.39\00:17:04.04
and I just happened to overhear
a just bit of the conversation,
00:17:04.07\00:17:07.23
where she was explaining
her emergency to make sure
00:17:07.26\00:17:12.16
that her son's insulin
could be kept refrigerated.
00:17:12.19\00:17:15.89
And she didn't have a way,
00:17:15.92\00:17:17.28
and I happened
to just be blessed
00:17:17.31\00:17:18.84
with a couple of things
that will be able to help her.
00:17:18.87\00:17:21.27
So I went back home,
got them, brought them back,
00:17:21.30\00:17:25.08
and she, you know--
that's just what we do.
00:17:25.11\00:17:28.38
That's what we do.
00:17:28.41\00:17:29.47
But she found that to
be, you know, I guess,
00:17:29.50\00:17:34.23
and she didn't think anyone
would be able to help her.
00:17:34.26\00:17:37.02
And, you know, I praised
God that I was able to do that,
00:17:37.05\00:17:38.64
but the reason I tell the
story is because even as I was--
00:17:38.67\00:17:42.98
I have a text mailing list that
00:17:43.01\00:17:45.44
I send out
messages through that.
00:17:45.47\00:17:46.86
As I receive
them I pass them on.
00:17:46.89\00:17:48.70
So she's on that list,
00:17:48.73\00:17:49.83
and then I happened to see her
in the store again another day.
00:17:49.86\00:17:52.67
And she mentioned
that she'd been doing
00:17:52.70\00:17:54.37
her own research
about Seventh-day Adventism.
00:17:54.40\00:17:57.58
Really?
00:17:57.61\00:17:58.82
And I tell you, she
could leave her on the Bible.
00:17:58.85\00:18:01.58
Mercy.
00:18:01.61\00:18:02.68
She knew information,
you know they don't.
00:18:02.71\00:18:05.19
You know, this is what she
knew about the institutions
00:18:05.22\00:18:07.42
and different things
that had been changed.
00:18:07.45\00:18:10.80
And how Sunday was changed,
00:18:10.83\00:18:12.13
you know, from
Sabbath to Sundays.
00:18:12.16\00:18:14.25
So she talked to you about that?
00:18:14.28\00:18:15.82
She did, and she was interested.
00:18:15.85\00:18:17.86
She said to the point
that she was interested
00:18:17.89\00:18:19.84
and not working
anymore on Saturday.
00:18:19.87\00:18:24.43
Wanted to attend a
Seventh-day Adventist church,
00:18:24.46\00:18:27.56
and so, you know, I'm
trying to keep a calm face,
00:18:27.59\00:18:29.43
when inside I'm
doing cartwheels, you know.
00:18:29.46\00:18:31.96
My mouth dropping
open, that's right,
00:18:31.99\00:18:33.69
everything she
said was totally true.
00:18:33.72\00:18:35.90
And I just--
00:18:35.93\00:18:37.02
All I could do
was just praise God
00:18:37.05\00:18:38.08
because you don't never know
how doing something so simple--
00:18:38.11\00:18:40.94
Simple can lead
someone to Christ.
00:18:40.97\00:18:42.70
I know, Arthur
said on another program,
00:18:42.73\00:18:45.98
if we can show or
people can see Christ in us,
00:18:46.01\00:18:50.15
they'll be so
intrigued about what is it,
00:18:50.18\00:18:53.96
you know, where do you worship?
00:18:53.99\00:18:55.02
What is that you have?
00:18:55.05\00:18:57.01
I want some of that.
Can it rub off on me?
00:18:57.04\00:18:59.89
And so that's what she saw.
00:18:59.92\00:19:01.15
'Cause the smallest thing,
you know, God can use anything
00:19:01.18\00:19:05.47
and anyone to
bring someone to Christ
00:19:05.50\00:19:08.59
if we're willing and we're open.
00:19:08.62\00:19:10.46
And, sweetheart, that has
been you all of your life,
00:19:10.49\00:19:13.28
you know, since a
baby, always smiling.
00:19:13.31\00:19:15.50
I was your cradle roll teacher.
00:19:15.53\00:19:17.64
Were you? I was her
cradle roll teacher.
00:19:17.67\00:19:19.16
I can see that.
00:19:19.19\00:19:20.83
Did you see that?
Yeah, I can see that.
00:19:20.86\00:19:22.23
Cradle roll is the young program
00:19:22.26\00:19:24.44
we have in our
church for the babies.
00:19:24.47\00:19:26.65
And we teach our
Sabbath school nice songs,
00:19:26.68\00:19:29.17
and I taught her
"Jesus loves me."
00:19:29.20\00:19:32.06
She can sing it better.
00:19:32.09\00:19:34.51
But she would come
in, "Hi, Sister Logan."
00:19:34.54\00:19:39.18
And when she graduated on
to kindergarten, I was so sad.
00:19:39.21\00:19:42.66
You were still there? Yes.
00:19:42.69\00:19:44.84
Okay. Are you kidding me?
00:19:44.87\00:19:46.37
I was one of those
favorite cradle roll teachers.
00:19:46.40\00:19:49.09
And the thing about it,
when you talk about people
00:19:49.12\00:19:50.87
influencing
something very simple,
00:19:50.90\00:19:52.67
I can remember
times when you would give
00:19:52.70\00:19:56.50
your testimony as
far as your education.
00:19:56.53\00:19:59.01
And you would say,
despite adversities
00:19:59.04\00:20:02.39
you might have
faced, you would say,
00:20:02.42\00:20:04.09
first give honor to God.
00:20:04.12\00:20:05.70
Always honor to God.
00:20:05.73\00:20:06.90
And you'd say that without fail.
00:20:06.93\00:20:09.08
Giving all honor to God.
00:20:09.11\00:20:10.63
And that stuck with
me, when you say that.
00:20:10.66\00:20:12.93
I remember though
when Brother Nowlin
00:20:12.96\00:20:15.85
was the federation president.
00:20:15.88\00:20:18.16
And you were our speaker,
and your dad came in from Ohio,
00:20:18.19\00:20:23.94
everyone was there.
00:20:23.97\00:20:25.94
We were so-- I mean
you preached that word.
00:20:25.97\00:20:28.94
You gave a word.
And it was truly--
00:20:28.97\00:20:31.40
She was my first female speaker.
00:20:31.43\00:20:35.34
Wow. Yes, I came second.
00:20:35.37\00:20:37.40
Well, I was a back-up, girl.
00:20:37.43\00:20:39.71
I was a
back-up, let me tell you.
00:20:39.74\00:20:41.50
His speaker got
cancelled at the last minute,
00:20:41.53\00:20:44.36
and we are literally
laying in bed asleep,
00:20:44.39\00:20:47.44
and he says, "Kim--"
00:20:47.47\00:20:48.68
I said, "Don't
even think about it.
00:20:48.71\00:20:50.30
Don't think about it. I'm not."
00:20:50.33\00:20:52.41
"I need a
speaker. I need a speaker."
00:20:52.44\00:20:53.86
I said, "No."
00:20:53.89\00:20:54.95
And then I had to leave
00:20:54.98\00:20:56.51
and go to our
daughter's program in Ohio,
00:20:56.54\00:20:59.62
and some of the
children went with me.
00:20:59.65\00:21:01.57
But I could not tell God no
00:21:01.60\00:21:03.29
and so-- I was your back-up.
00:21:03.32\00:21:05.79
And you couldn't
tell me no either.
00:21:05.82\00:21:07.60
I couldn't tell the
president no, you know.
00:21:07.63\00:21:10.24
How would I have been
able to live with myself?
00:21:10.27\00:21:12.03
But I thoroughly appreciated
00:21:12.06\00:21:14.50
the way your family rallied
around you and they still do.
00:21:14.53\00:21:18.01
Very supportive,
you have a huge family,
00:21:18.04\00:21:20.92
the Jones family
is huge, you know.
00:21:20.95\00:21:23.57
Now let me ask you this,
what are some of the things,
00:21:23.60\00:21:26.74
you are young,
you are in the church,
00:21:26.77\00:21:28.99
you are, you know, you are
always dressed appropriately
00:21:29.02\00:21:32.88
as a young lady
for God, you know.
00:21:32.91\00:21:35.13
And all the things that society
00:21:35.16\00:21:36.90
is sending messages out
to us, "Dress this way."
00:21:36.93\00:21:40.12
You know, what can you
say to young ladies today
00:21:40.15\00:21:42.22
and young men, you
know, about how it's okay
00:21:42.25\00:21:46.14
to be covered up
and still be beautiful.
00:21:46.17\00:21:50.37
Well, I think, one
thing is about inner beauty,
00:21:50.40\00:21:53.25
that's the first thing--
00:21:53.28\00:21:56.44
You know, there is--
00:21:56.47\00:22:00.36
Even someone who is
not necessarily churched
00:22:00.39\00:22:03.64
or saved will tell you
that there is something about
00:22:03.67\00:22:09.07
a male or a
female that has substance
00:22:09.10\00:22:11.21
and character to
them that shines through.
00:22:11.24\00:22:14.66
Just the outer
appearance is a facade.
00:22:14.69\00:22:18.84
There's nothing wrong
with carrying yourself
00:22:18.87\00:22:20.09
in a polished way
and, you know, putting
00:22:20.12\00:22:22.64
your best foot forward,
00:22:22.67\00:22:24.21
but if there's
nothing going on in the inside
00:22:24.24\00:22:27.21
that's striving to grow, eh.
00:22:27.24\00:22:31.50
And you got to water it. Yeah.
00:22:31.53\00:22:33.51
If you don't water it,
00:22:33.54\00:22:34.61
and that's what
happens I think to the--
00:22:34.64\00:22:38.36
not just
Seventh-day Adventist church
00:22:38.39\00:22:39.98
but the churches at
large, they need to water,
00:22:40.01\00:22:44.95
they need to nurture,
00:22:44.98\00:22:46.02
that's one of
your words, nurturing.
00:22:46.05\00:22:48.26
You know, and so that our people
00:22:48.29\00:22:50.02
and our youth can blossom.
00:22:50.05\00:22:52.16
And so that they can grow
00:22:52.19\00:22:53.96
and that's what
happened to you, Anisa.
00:22:53.99\00:22:55.22
I think our leaders
need to be patient, you know.
00:22:55.25\00:22:58.31
I mean we're dealing
with some real trying times.
00:22:58.34\00:23:02.07
Young people are
really, really invalid decision.
00:23:02.10\00:23:05.20
I think more
now than ever before
00:23:05.23\00:23:07.37
because my
rationalization for that is that
00:23:07.40\00:23:10.88
there's a
information system out here.
00:23:10.91\00:23:13.23
We're talking about media,
00:23:13.26\00:23:15.53
that is really in so many
directions that's pulling.
00:23:15.56\00:23:21.22
And people are readily
going in to the emails,
00:23:21.25\00:23:26.23
going into Facebook,
I mean not say Facebook
00:23:26.26\00:23:28.99
there's something wrong with it.
00:23:29.02\00:23:30.38
I'm on Facebook myself,
00:23:30.41\00:23:32.30
but we have to
look at the material
00:23:32.33\00:23:35.43
that they're
getting involved with.
00:23:35.46\00:23:37.60
We have to look at the fact,
00:23:37.63\00:23:38.82
you know, with the
movies that come on in TV
00:23:38.85\00:23:42.19
and the ones that
are given this build up
00:23:42.22\00:23:46.93
of how this is a
extraordinary thing.
00:23:46.96\00:23:51.14
And, yeah, it's
something that is really against
00:23:51.17\00:23:54.90
what Christians believe,
00:23:54.93\00:23:56.83
and that's a dilemma
for most of us right now.
00:23:56.86\00:23:59.70
I think another aspect would be
00:23:59.73\00:24:02.17
when you talk about
how to present yourself.
00:24:02.20\00:24:09.97
Well, two aspects come to mind,
00:24:10.00\00:24:11.91
one is I was just always taught,
00:24:11.94\00:24:14.06
you know, don't
falsely advertise, don't.
00:24:14.09\00:24:17.06
So if that's not,
you know, the life
00:24:17.09\00:24:19.53
that you want to purport
00:24:19.56\00:24:23.12
or if that's not
the type of person
00:24:23.15\00:24:24.76
you want to attract,
just don't dress like that.
00:24:24.79\00:24:27.33
But if I'm not supportive,
00:24:27.36\00:24:29.83
if I'm not--
00:24:29.86\00:24:30.89
if I don't have
the support system
00:24:30.92\00:24:32.80
or the awareness
to recognize that,
00:24:32.83\00:24:35.48
you know, this may be something
that's really unacceptable.
00:24:35.51\00:24:39.69
And I think a lot of our youth
00:24:39.72\00:24:42.59
are being
influenced by what they see.
00:24:42.62\00:24:45.97
And unfortunately, they
may not have that mentor
00:24:46.00\00:24:49.70
or may not have
that support that
00:24:49.73\00:24:51.35
you had it with your family
00:24:51.38\00:24:53.18
to say this is
something that's inappropriate.
00:24:53.21\00:24:55.98
And what make--
00:24:56.01\00:24:57.60
That's interesting
for you to say that
00:24:57.63\00:24:58.69
because one of the things
that I tried to pass along
00:24:58.72\00:25:00.78
whenever I have the opportunity
to work with young people
00:25:00.81\00:25:03.81
or just with anyone to say that,
00:25:03.84\00:25:07.95
it's okay to find--
it's okay to appreciate
00:25:07.98\00:25:10.01
what you have, just be careful
how you wield your sword.
00:25:10.04\00:25:15.02
It's okay to have esteem,
00:25:15.05\00:25:18.36
as long as you know
who you are esteemed in,
00:25:18.39\00:25:20.20
as long as you
know who you belong to.
00:25:20.23\00:25:21.62
That's right.
00:25:21.65\00:25:22.73
And know who you represent,
00:25:22.76\00:25:24.23
and that person
you're representing
00:25:24.26\00:25:26.46
has your best interest at heart.
00:25:26.49\00:25:28.00
You have more
freedom than limitations.
00:25:28.03\00:25:30.60
And a lot of times I think,
00:25:30.63\00:25:32.62
youths tend to feel
a sense of limitation.
00:25:32.65\00:25:35.86
And it's a sense of saying,
00:25:35.89\00:25:37.74
no, there's freedom in a
certain way of operation,
00:25:37.77\00:25:41.67
you know, you avoid
all this other mess.
00:25:41.70\00:25:45.18
And when people
have a certain esteem,
00:25:45.21\00:25:48.50
you avoid a lot of problems.
00:25:48.53\00:25:51.02
You don't tend to find
substitutes for a real issue.
00:25:51.05\00:25:56.05
Come on now.
00:25:56.08\00:25:57.14
That's a real issue to
know that you are valuable,
00:25:57.17\00:25:59.98
to know your worth, to
know that your daddy's girl
00:26:00.01\00:26:02.76
or, you know,
you belong to someone
00:26:02.79\00:26:05.09
and that you are
precious in their sight,
00:26:05.12\00:26:08.68
you know, whether
that's your Heavenly Father
00:26:08.71\00:26:10.83
or your earthly,
however that came about.
00:26:10.86\00:26:13.48
And to know that
you are fearfully
00:26:13.51\00:26:16.23
and wonderfully made
just the way that you are.
00:26:16.26\00:26:18.66
And we're now
just talking to women
00:26:18.69\00:26:20.82
and young ladies,
men and young men.
00:26:20.85\00:26:22.86
Absolutely. Exactly.
00:26:22.89\00:26:23.99
You are beautifully
made in Jesus Christ.
00:26:24.02\00:26:26.95
And that's why God
has to be your one factor.
00:26:26.98\00:26:30.45
God has to be first
so that you do not make
00:26:30.48\00:26:33.83
other people your
gods, things your god.
00:26:33.86\00:26:37.25
And I have to say, Anisa,
00:26:37.28\00:26:38.46
your mother, your grandmother--
00:26:38.49\00:26:39.76
Oh, rest her soul,
bless Sister Slaton.
00:26:39.79\00:26:42.61
You recently, you just lost
00:26:42.64\00:26:43.99
your
grandfather, Brother Slaton.
00:26:44.02\00:26:46.63
You know, we loved
him dearly, you know.
00:26:46.66\00:26:49.66
That was my buddy you know.
00:26:49.69\00:26:51.18
And he was such
a wonderful person.
00:26:51.21\00:26:53.43
He loved Arthur and I.
00:26:53.46\00:26:55.29
He's always treated us
with respect and kindness.
00:26:55.32\00:27:00.27
And that showed his character.
00:27:00.30\00:27:02.67
Oh, yes.
00:27:02.70\00:27:03.74
You know, I think
one of the final notes
00:27:03.77\00:27:05.85
that I would like to
make is the fact that
00:27:05.88\00:27:08.68
we need to have people like you,
00:27:08.71\00:27:11.14
you know, that's motivated,
00:27:11.17\00:27:13.03
that's there to
extend themselves,
00:27:13.06\00:27:16.20
that's been through
trials and tribulations,
00:27:16.23\00:27:18.52
but yet you still
give honor to God.
00:27:18.55\00:27:21.58
And that's really important.
00:27:21.61\00:27:23.36
People need to see that,
and they need to hear that,
00:27:23.39\00:27:26.44
and they need to feel that.
00:27:26.47\00:27:28.48
Well, I've got 32 seconds.
00:27:28.51\00:27:30.05
I need a little bit of
something, a little song.
00:27:30.08\00:27:32.84
Give me about 28 seconds.
00:27:32.87\00:27:34.57
We're gonna say,
listen, I'm Dr. Kim.
00:27:34.60\00:27:37.25
And I'm Arthur Nowlin.
00:27:37.28\00:27:38.45
Take us out, Anisa.
00:27:38.48\00:27:39.65
Amazing grace
00:27:39.68\00:27:43.18
shall always be
my song of praise
00:27:43.21\00:27:48.14
For it was grace
that bought my liberty
00:27:48.17\00:27:54.83
I'll never know
00:27:54.86\00:27:58.39
just why He came to love me so
00:27:58.42\00:28:03.45
He looked beyond all of my fault
00:28:03.48\00:28:09.65
And saw my need
00:28:09.68\00:28:12.75
Amen. That was great.
00:28:12.78\00:28:16.25
We love you. God
bless you, Anisa.
00:28:16.28\00:28:18.55
Thank you, thank
you. God bless you, too.
00:28:18.58\00:28:19.61
Thank you for coming.
00:28:19.64\00:28:22.41