Living to Be Well

Attitude of Gratitude

Three Angels Broadcasting Network

Program transcript

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Series Code: LTBW

Program Code: LTBW000009A


00:35 Hi I'm Dr. Kim and welcome to Live to be Well.
00:38 Have you ever said to yourself,
00:41 "I have an attitude of gratitude"
00:43 just to be thankful to God for everything He has done.
00:47 Well, today my special guest is Ms. Regina Gray
00:51 a recent graduate of Oakwood University
00:53 our Seventh-day Adventist University
00:56 in Huntsville, Alabama
00:58 but I've known her since she was a baby...
01:01 even from before that... in her mother's womb
01:04 and I am just so excited about what God is doing
01:07 through her attitude of gratitude.
01:09 Welcome Regina.
01:10 Thank you.
01:11 Oh, it's so good to see you.
01:13 It's so good to see you too.
01:15 I was at your graduation,
01:16 I think I was the loudest one there.
01:17 You and my parents.
01:19 All right, I was just so excited that I was there
01:23 when you graduated from the 8th Grade,
01:24 I was there when you graduated from the 12th Grade,
01:27 I was there... college...
01:29 and I'm just so excited,
01:30 so, let's talk about the attitude of a...
01:32 you know, having an attitude of gratitude.
01:34 Let's talk about your journey.
01:37 You have been a product of the
01:39 Seventh-day Adventist Church since birth.
01:41 Yes.
01:42 Your parents are Elders in the the Seventh-day Adventist Church
01:44 and they have been married over 40 years
01:48 and siblings... how many siblings?
01:50 I have two other siblings,
01:52 I have an older sister named Rosslyn
01:55 and an older brother by the name of Roderick.
01:58 Yes, and what are their professions?
01:59 My sister is a Speech Pathologist
02:01 at Children's Hospital, downtown Detroit
02:04 and my brother is a Vice Principal
02:06 in Poinciana, Florida.
02:07 Oh my goodness, so education is really important in your family.
02:12 Yes.
02:13 All right, so what did... well, we'll get to Oakwood...
02:16 so, let's talk about your journey
02:18 that led to Oakwood University.
02:20 Your formative years at Peterson-Warren Academy
02:23 and your mother was a teacher there...
02:25 She was...
02:27 All right, let's talk about that and what was that like?
02:29 Um, it was kind of different because it's like,
02:31 "Okay, I wanted to go to a Public School"
02:33 but my mother was like,
02:35 "No, you're going here, this is where I teach,
02:37 let's make life easier for the both of us...
02:39 so just... let's go on to Peterson,
02:40 let's get your education and I will help you... "
02:44 and it has been a wonderful experience
02:46 at Peterson-Warren Academy,
02:47 like the friends that I have made at Peterson...
02:49 we're still friends today,
02:51 and even when we went on to college,
02:53 we were still friends in college,
02:54 so, it's been a blessing being at Peterson.
02:57 Why did you want to go to Public School...
02:59 attend Public School?
03:00 I wanted to attend Public School
03:02 just to get off the eye of my mother
03:03 because it was like, the faculty...
03:05 if you do one thing wrong, "Go to your mother... "
03:07 and I'm just like,
03:08 "Okay, I want to be my own self here
03:11 but I can't be my own self
03:12 because here I am at Peterson-Warren Academy
03:15 where everybody knows who my mother is... "
03:17 so it was like, kind of... "I'm a teacher's pet"
03:19 and then I'd get...
03:21 people would think I get what I want when I want it,
03:23 but that wasn't true
03:24 and I wanted to make myself known somewhere else.
03:27 Wanted your own name.
03:28 Yes.
03:30 What was it like when you had to have classes with your mother
03:32 not just her being a teacher in the building
03:34 but you had classes from your mother.
03:36 I did, and my mother taught me High School Spanish so everybody
03:39 Hola...
03:41 Cómo estás?
03:42 Cómo estás there
03:44 Si, pero to
03:45 Oooh, did you all see that, I mean,
03:47 that was wonderful, okay.
03:48 So, Mom taught you Spanish all right.
03:50 And everybody was like,
03:52 you should speak Spanish fluently
03:53 because your mother's a teacher
03:55 I'm just like, "I'm here to learn Spanish...
03:56 just like you're here to learn Spanish as well. "
03:59 Hmmm...
04:00 So my Mom, she never really talked Spanish in the home,
04:02 so I learned in High School how to speak Spanish.
04:06 All right, how did you do in her classes?
04:09 I did well, I always got an "A"
04:10 picking up foreign languages is very easy for me.
04:13 Is that right, so let me ask you this,
04:14 when you would go home, Mom would also help tutor you
04:18 with your homework and things?
04:19 In Spanish, yes.
04:21 Right, so she had to take over that role now,
04:22 not just being a teacher during the day but now... a mom...
04:25 A mom at night.
04:26 Hmmm... hmmm... so, was it difficult growing up
04:30 in the Seventh-day Adventist Church?
04:32 It wasn't difficult because we had activities in the church
04:37 so, we had SJYC which was Spirit of Joy Youth Choir
04:41 so we had practice every Friday
04:43 and then we also had the Cheerleading scene
04:45 for the Basketball Games
04:48 and then the Basketball games were on Saturday night
04:49 then we also did Sabbath afternoon lock-ins
04:53 so the youth could get together and enjoy.
04:55 And you were always at my house, the Youth, you know.
04:57 Every Tuesday at 6:00 o'clock.
05:00 Yes, for the Sign Language Choir
05:02 but what was so great
05:03 and what I love about the Seventh-day Adventist Church
05:05 is the fellowships on Sabbath,
05:08 we were able to go to one another's homes
05:11 and have great food and then fellowship
05:14 folks falling asleep,
05:16 your parents falling asleep on the couch
05:17 and everybody knew everyone
05:20 and that's how our church was so close,
05:23 so now you matriculated to High School
05:25 and now it's time to go off to college.
05:28 How was Oakwood decided for you?
05:30 Okay, so, I always knew I had to go to an Adventist School
05:34 because my mother, being a teacher in a Conference
05:36 that was 70 percent off the tuition,
05:39 I wanted to go to a local school
05:41 so I was in between Southern and Oakwood
05:45 so then, Elder Jessup, he said,
05:48 "Why don't you just go to Oakwood... a year?"
05:50 But I'm thinking in my head, "I don't want to go to Oakwood
05:53 because I want to be with the same people from High School
05:56 I want to branch out"
05:57 so, I was like, "You know, Elder Jessup,
06:00 I'm going to give Oakwood one year... just for you"
06:03 and so, I went down to Oakwood and it was...
06:06 it was a very interesting first year.
06:09 Why do you say that... why do you say that?
06:10 Because I'm so used to my parents doing everything for me
06:14 that I had to grow up at Oakwood
06:16 so I learned how to do laundry at Oakwood.
06:20 You did not do laundry at home?
06:21 I did not do laundry at home.
06:23 Your mom pampered you like that?
06:24 I got pampered.
06:26 Oh my goodness.
06:27 Because education was always key... you do homework
06:30 and then, I couldn't watch Disney Channel,
06:32 it has to be educational programs on television as well.
06:36 So, you were very, very...
06:38 you were supervised at all times.
06:39 Supervised at all times
06:41 and I couldn't get anything past my father either.
06:43 I remember when you rebelled
06:45 and your father was about to just...
06:46 "Oooh, I just want to choke her"
06:48 you went through a little phase,
06:49 but you snapped out of it quickly, all right.
06:51 I was a teenager.
06:52 Yeah, that's what they do, "Pray for me," all right.
06:55 So, now your freshman year... so you decided to stay
06:58 and you finished out your first year.
07:00 I did.
07:02 Okay, and then what?
07:03 And then I went on my second year
07:05 and that's when I became really close with the Department...
07:09 the Social Work Department
07:10 and I also made more friends,
07:12 I was in the choir... "Dynamic Praise"
07:14 and then I also had my god-sister, Micha down there
07:17 and Megan...
07:19 so I would always go over to Micha's house and do laundry
07:21 to get away from Oakwood for peace and quiet.
07:24 Right and see, Micha being my oldest daughter,
07:27 we have eyes everywhere.
07:28 And you know, Micha actually would come into my room
07:31 freshman year to make sure that everything was okay
07:33 or, if my room was a mess,
07:34 she would go, "Uh ah, clean it up. "
07:36 "Clean it up... " had that mama role going on right there.
07:39 So, now, you come home for the summer...
07:43 you worked during the summer... and you did...
07:45 you worked every summer.
07:46 Every summer and then I also did Community College.
07:49 Yes, you did classes also, I remember that
07:51 and still working with "Hands of Praise"
07:53 so... decision to go back to Oakwood...
07:56 was it difficult for your sophomore year?
07:58 It was because after my freshman year,
08:00 I wanted to transfer to Andrews University
08:02 to be closer to home
08:03 but God actually planned it good
08:07 because, I know, if I would have went to Andrews
08:09 I would have been home every weekend
08:11 so it was like, Oakwood allowed me to grow and mature
08:14 while being there.
08:16 I'm glad to hear that... that is really good,
08:17 I didn't know that.
08:19 So you stayed... your sophomore, junior, senior...
08:21 why Social Work?
08:22 Because I remember you used to talk to Uncle Arthur
08:24 because he was a Clinical Social Worker,
08:26 he was so happy that you were pursuing Social Work
08:30 and not my field... Counseling...
08:32 so, why Social Work?
08:34 Okay, it started out at High School...
08:37 students were coming to me to vent to me
08:39 and I remember thinking in my head,
08:41 "Okay God, give me the words of wisdom
08:42 to give back to my peers"
08:44 and I was pursuing Psychology but then, for Career Shadow Day,
08:50 I went ahead and shadowed Kamir Romain
08:52 which is my god-sister... Social Work...
08:54 she used to deal with clients that were on dialysis
08:56 and just seeing her going around
08:58 making sure the clients were okay... smiling
09:00 and how her clients loved her
09:02 I was like, "Okay, I really want to pursue
09:04 the career of Social Work"
09:06 so it was that moment.
09:07 You want to help others, hmmm...
09:09 it is a very committed field and a needed field.
09:12 During your years at Oakwood... before we get to Graduation...
09:17 did you date?
09:18 I did not...
09:20 You did not... stop the noise...
09:22 you did not date at all?
09:23 I did not date at all.
09:24 Really?
09:26 I have not been on a date until previously.
09:28 You just met someone recently?
09:29 I did.
09:31 In your senior year... wow!
09:33 did that bother you that you weren't dating?
09:35 It didn't bother me because
09:36 I wasn't in a mindset, "Okay, let me date"
09:39 now, there were guys that were interested in me
09:41 but they have to go through my parents...
09:43 if my parents don't like them,
09:45 then they have to go, "Bye... bye... "
09:46 Go "bye... bye... "
09:49 Yes.
09:50 All right and so, it didn't work out.
09:52 It did not.
09:53 So, tell me a little bit about this young man.
09:55 I met him... I met him.
09:57 You did and he's really quiet.
09:59 Very quiet.
10:01 Very, very, very quiet, so... and I'm quiet too
10:03 but I'm the one that brings us out...
10:06 because I'm so fun and bubbly.
10:07 Okay.
10:09 And so, I met him fresh... no, I met him freshman year
10:13 but we didn't get close until this year
10:15 so, like, he's been there for me through my hardest time,
10:19 my joyous times... been there for me through it all.
10:22 So, is this a boyfriend?
10:23 We're getting there.
10:24 You're getting there, and now where does he live?
10:26 He lives in Pennsylvania.
10:28 Okay, good... the distance, I like the distance, all right,
10:31 now, let me ask you a question, all right,
10:33 transparency time,
10:35 all right, I'm adding that to: Live to be Well
10:37 let's be transparent.
10:38 Are you a virgin?
10:40 I am.
10:42 Hmmm... you know, the Bible says in Ecclesiastes 12:1
10:44 "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth"
10:47 why have you maintained
10:50 an attitude of gratitude to remain a virgin?
10:52 Well, you know, I have this fear of catching feelings
10:57 and so, it's kind of been glad to have older sisters to talk to
11:02 because, you're not... I haven't been told by anyone,
11:05 all we know in the Adventist Church is,
11:07 "Don't have sex until your marriage"
11:09 so it's kind of good to have older siblings to say,
11:12 "Hey, do not have sex until this, that and the third
11:15 because you actually can get attached to that individual
11:18 and things can go left,
11:19 so, it's always been good to have someone to talk to
11:21 like I have thought about losing my virginity...
11:24 Okay...
11:25 But I'm glad I didn't.
11:27 When you say... you had thought of losing it,
11:28 were you in a situation?
11:30 I was in a situation...
11:31 Okay, and how did you say,
11:33 "Uh, back off, I can't do this" what did you do?
11:35 I thought about one of the words that my god-sister said,
11:37 she said, "Feelings... "
11:39 that's one of the words that came up in my head.
11:41 Hmmm... hmmm... because you do get attached
11:44 to people that you have sexual relationships with,
11:47 you can't just break it off, it's over... I'm done...
11:50 'cause you're still attached, you know.
11:52 You think young men go through that,
11:54 you know, they just, "Boom! Bam! Thank you Ma'am!"
11:57 and go on to the next girl.
11:58 And, you know, I actually think that's what young men do
12:00 because in their mind, they're just thinking,
12:02 "Oh, we're friends with benefits"
12:03 but they don't understand, "Oh, females... "
12:06 you actually have more because you get to...
12:08 you start to liking the individual
12:10 and men don't understand that.
12:12 Hmmm... why do you think men don't get it?
12:14 I really feel like, men, they just want to taste and see.
12:19 Oh girl, did you just say that?
12:21 How old are you?
12:22 I'm 22...
12:24 Well, hello, "Taste and see and keep it moving... "
12:27 And keep it moving.
12:29 Wow! that's old school... "taste and see"
12:32 so, this is why we have the problems that we have today
12:35 you know, babies here... babies there...
12:39 mamas... baby mama's drama
12:41 and so, I remember when I left to go off to Oakwood,
12:45 my uncle and my father said to me,
12:48 I went on a Greyhound bus,
12:49 because my parents couldn't afford to take me down
12:51 and I was determined to go
12:53 and the last words my father and my uncle said to me...
12:57 they said, "Keep your legs closed"
13:00 and I was like, "Really Daddy!"
13:03 He said, "Bring me back a Diploma,
13:05 don't get involved with anyone"
13:08 I was like you, I was kind of popular, you know.
13:11 I wasn't popular, I actually stayed in my room.
13:14 Do you... a quiet self?
13:16 I'm very quiet, ask my friends, I'm extremely quiet.
13:19 Well, I worked in the Cafe,
13:20 I was the one who had to swipe your ID back in the day
13:24 and then they made me the hostess of the cafeteria,
13:27 I'd walk around...
13:29 I think that's like get into my clothes thing...
13:31 I had to walk around and say,
13:33 "Hi, are you enjoying your lunch?"
13:34 "Oh, thank you for visiting the Oakwood Cafe today"
13:37 they made a job for me, that personable personality,
13:41 so, I was outgoing and I was seeing a lot of guys...
13:44 meeting a lot of guys, but I said, "Hold up... "
13:47 so, in all of that feelings...
13:51 your feelings are very important to you.
13:53 And they really are because I hurt easily...
13:55 Yes you do.
13:57 And I'm very emotional. Mom: Yes you are.
13:58 And I'm very timid, as well,
14:00 so, I know if I have sex,
14:03 it's going to destroy everything that I have.
14:05 Wow! we have young women and young men who commit suicide
14:09 after rejection... after the relationship ends...
14:12 we know we deal with it through bullying
14:15 and dealing with...
14:16 disassociating myself from that person
14:19 but it can destroy a person's life,
14:21 and this is why we can't toy with one another's feelings,
14:25 emotions...
14:26 You cannot...
14:28 So, you talk to your young man, what's his name?
14:31 What do you call him,
14:34 doesn't he have a long name or something?
14:36 Aaron was telling me.
14:37 He does, I call him: Tay.
14:39 Tay... all right... Tay... all right.
14:41 I'm going to keep it with Tay, let's keep him anonymous.
14:43 Okay, that's fine, that's fine, keep it anonymous "Tay"
14:45 all right... so, what is Tay... is he in school...
14:49 He is in school, he does go to Oakwood.
14:51 Oh, he's a younger man.
14:52 No, wait, wait, pause... time out...
14:55 Time out, girl, all right, break it down.
14:56 He's one year older than me.
14:58 Oh, one year older
14:59 but you're ahead of him in education... academically.
15:00 Yes.
15:02 All right, what's his field of study?
15:03 Business Management.
15:04 Okay, is he going back to Oakwood in the fall?
15:06 You know, I think he is.
15:08 All right, because he's got to finish.
15:09 He does...
15:11 Because you know, your parents are not going to have it.
15:12 No, they're not.
15:14 "Where's your degree?" All right.
15:15 "How are you going to take care of my daughter?"
15:17 All right, so, now, graduation is upon you,
15:21 you did Opening Prayer at the Social Work...
15:23 you did the Welcome.
15:25 I did the Opening Prayer.
15:26 Oh, I was right, I did a video with all of that,
15:29 were you nervous?
15:30 I was really nervous because I was like,
15:33 "Ah, I can't believe this time has finally come"
15:36 like the whole year was just so awful... yet joyous...
15:41 and I'm like, "Yes, Friday night 11 o'clock... wooo it's here. "
15:46 Oh, but we missed something,
15:48 but you took a year off, not really a year off
15:50 but you went to Argentina as an Exchange Student.
15:52 I did.
15:53 Tell us about that.
15:55 Okay, so, as a Major at Oakwood, if you're going to be a Major,
15:58 you have to go to school abroad for a year
16:00 and if you're a Minor... just for a semester
16:01 so, I kind of already knew that
16:03 since my brother went abroad for a year there,
16:05 I would have to go abroad too,
16:07 so I remember... I decided I wanted to go to Spain...
16:10 I don't want to go to Argentina but I don't like the cold...
16:13 I despise the cold.
16:15 And you are from Michigan.
16:17 And I am from Michigan.
16:18 You need some prayer... give me some oil somebody, all right.
16:20 And I am from Michigan
16:22 but I always remember talking to my brother,
16:23 I was like, "Ricky, you know, I'm like you,
16:25 I don't do the cold, how is Argentina?
16:27 He was like, "It's really hot over there"
16:29 I was like, "Really?"
16:31 And he was like, "Yeah, our summer is their winter...
16:34 our winter is their summer" so, I said, "Perfect"
16:36 so when I got over there in September
16:39 it was a little chilly but the next week it was warm
16:42 and I enjoyed having my roommates that spoke Spanish
16:46 and I did everything with them
16:48 and I met friends in the ACA Program
16:50 and we're still friends today.
16:52 Adventist College Abroad.
16:54 Okay, thank you.
16:55 And we're still friends today.
16:57 And it's been almost three years.
16:59 Three years, oh my goodness
17:01 and I have to mention that you were on: Dare to Dream
17:04 five years ago, when you were coming out of High School.
17:07 I was.
17:08 Oh, my goodness, you know, that is amazing.
17:11 So, that whole year there, how was the food?
17:14 The food was actually a shock
17:17 but it's a culture thing
17:21 so, you have to get adjusted to other people's culture,
17:24 the food was pretty good, especially off campus
17:28 like, I really love my "Chicken alitas"
17:31 which is Chicken wings...
17:32 Jason Bradley will love that, all right... okay.
17:35 There is a restaurant called: Peruanos
17:37 I really love the Peruvian food that they had
17:39 especially their Green Sauce that I cannot find here.
17:42 Green Sauce...
17:43 It's a type of sauce they use. Mom: Really?
17:45 It's really good, it's like...
17:46 Was it spicy?
17:48 Well, they did have a spicy sauce...
17:49 Because I can't do spicy... hmmm... hmmm...
17:51 I passed that time in my life,
17:53 you know, can't do spicy.
17:54 So, you did that year
17:57 and were you ever afraid or nervous being there
18:01 because you were on the campus, you were well supervised.
18:04 I was well supervised, when it came to spring break,
18:07 my parents got worried,
18:09 I'm like, "Don't be worried
18:10 this is a chance for me to finish practicing Spanish
18:13 so, me and my roommate at the time
18:16 we went to Uruguay for a spring break.
18:19 Really? Oh my goodness, just the two of you?
18:20 Just the two of us.
18:22 You're too grown.
18:23 Oh my goodness! And that was amazing!
18:25 It was because it was like, okay we went to Punte del Estay
18:28 which was a beach there
18:29 and we got to tour around downtown Montevideo
18:33 it was amazing!
18:34 Really? Speak Spanish, "Praise the Lord... God is good,
18:37 It's so good to be here" can you say that?
18:40 "Hola come estas, mi nombre es Regina,
18:43 Estoy estudiando Trabajo Social... "
18:45 What! now, two words, if I say, "God is good" say that.
18:50 Oh, um... aleluya, Dios es bueno.
18:58 It seems like they have ten words for one word.
19:00 It is... it kind of gets complicated
19:02 because you got, "Dios"
19:04 and then a lot of other words as well.
19:07 Well, I think it's wonderful, I think it's important
19:10 that people... but especially our young people
19:13 have a second language,
19:14 mine is sign language, you know that, all right,
19:17 and that was something that you wanted to learn
19:19 so now, what is next for Regina Gray?
19:23 Well, I'll be going to Andrews University in the fall.
19:27 Another Seventh-day Adventist School
19:28 so you matriculated all the way
19:30 through Seventh-day Adventist Schools.
19:32 I have... and it was kind of tough
19:34 because not too many schools at that time had
19:37 International Social Work... what I wanted to do
19:39 and so, I was going to go to Southern
19:43 because Southern had International Social Work
19:45 and so did Andrews have International Social Work.
19:48 And Southern is in Tennessee.
19:49 Collegedale, Tennessee,
19:51 so, then, after talking to my Field Supervisor
19:54 in Cunningham Hall since it was for Social Services
19:57 at Oakwood Campus where I interned at,
20:00 she was like, "Why are you doing International Social Work
20:03 when you know you need to do School Social Work?"
20:05 And, you know, I was ignoring my calling
20:07 because I was like... I had my mind set on overseas...
20:10 to do International Social Work, not School Social Work,
20:13 but it was like, once I had my peer...
20:16 once I had my peers coming into my office at Oakwood,
20:18 I said, "Okay, I'll stop ignoring my calling,
20:21 I'll do School Social Work. "
20:24 Wow! I didn't know that Regina,
20:26 so you're going to pursue your Masters for Schools
20:29 and get certified in School Social Work.
20:31 Yes.
20:32 Wow! It is so needed, I mean,
20:34 I don't know where the Lord's going to guide you
20:36 but it's so needed in our...
20:37 our schools in Detroit and everywhere.
20:40 It is because a lot of students... they go to college
20:43 and they enter in as: Special Admit
20:45 which is... you have a 1.7 and below GPA
20:48 and so, a lot of schools accept these students
20:51 but you have to take remedial courses
20:54 and so, like, the students I had at Oakwood
20:56 some were Special Admits,
20:58 some just got on: Acting Probation,
20:59 which was a 2.0 and below GPA
21:01 so, my job was to encourage them and help them
21:05 by interventions to help them to get off Acting Probation.
21:09 Was this college students or high school students?
21:10 High School students starting college.
21:12 Is that right?
21:14 And we know there's a problem with remedial reading,
21:17 and Math and Science,
21:18 and our students are falling short
21:21 especially African Americans
21:22 but we're seeing it more in other cultures also.
21:25 Yes.
21:26 What was your high moment of Oakwood University,
21:29 what was your high moment?
21:32 Um... I would say, hmmm...
21:34 I would say, becoming the President of UNICEF
21:36 which stands for: United Nations and Children's Emergency Fund
21:39 because that actually helped me to branch out
21:42 and stop being so shy
21:44 and I also made connections
21:46 with being that Club President as well.
21:48 Hmmm...
21:49 And I got to go to the Alabama Conference
21:51 for Social Workers...
21:53 I meet other Social Workers and talk to them as well.
21:55 Very nice, you kept that from Aunty Kim, all right.
21:58 So, and what was the low point
22:01 because we all have low points in our college experience.
22:03 The low point would probably be...
22:06 mental health is very important
22:08 there are often times you get into school
22:10 where you can get so depressed,
22:12 there are often times, I actually found myself
22:15 very depressed and locking myself in my room.
22:17 Really Regina?
22:18 Because you put school first then you go out with friends
22:22 then, you just... when you get a bad grade
22:24 it kind of just... drains your life,
22:26 but it's like, "Okay, I can do this,
22:28 let's try harder on this paper, let's try harder on this test. "
22:31 Hmmm...
22:33 I prayed... Uncle Arthur and I prayed for you every day
22:36 we would talk to you through social media,
22:39 you know, make sure you were okay,
22:42 and could have done more but I'm going to do better
22:44 when you get to Andrews, Aunty's going to be on it
22:48 and do you plan to remain faithful to the Lord?
22:52 I do... one thing...
22:54 I started to do devotions in the morning
22:57 and then devotions in the night time
22:59 and one thing me and my special friend do...
23:01 we also do devotions at night,
23:03 we pray for each other and our families.
23:04 Oh, I like that you call him your "special friend"
23:07 I like that, "We're not girlfriend and boyfriend
23:09 and we're not...
23:11 'we're getting there'
23:12 so my special friend. "
23:14 Yeah, we're just getting to know each other.
23:15 That's why, take your time.
23:16 I'm not in no rush,
23:18 I've been single for seven years and I'm totally fine with it.
23:22 Oh, oh... single seven years... okay... that old soul in you,
23:25 so, how would you help other young people
23:30 in their relationship with God?
23:32 Say, "You need to have an attitude of gratitude
23:36 because God has been good, I'm a witness to that"
23:39 what... what would you say?
23:40 One thing I would tell younger people my age
23:43 is to remember Jeremiah 29:11.
23:45 All right.
23:46 "For I know I have the plans for you and a future... "
23:48 they need to remember that text first,
23:50 do not listen to your mother and father about your career goals
23:53 because you will not be happy,
23:55 choose a career goal that you find yourself interested in.
23:59 Oh, oh... wait a minute now,
24:00 you're going to get some folk upset, all right,
24:02 so, they shouldn't listen...
24:05 because I want Aaron to go into Pre-Med.
24:07 But does Aaron want to go into Pre-Med?
24:09 Aaron wants to do another field,
24:10 so I need to step back and let go and let God...
24:14 Yes, allow your child to develop their relationship with Christ
24:18 because if mommy and daddy want you to become a doctor
24:21 but is little Tommy happy when he becomes a doctor?
24:23 He's probably not going to be happy...
24:25 little Tommy might want to become a Psychiatrist.
24:27 Hmmm...
24:28 He'll probably be happier in that field
24:30 than in becoming a doctor.
24:31 Hmmm... hmmm... or a family practice or something like that.
24:34 So, okay... so you named Number 1:
24:37 Remember that God has plans for your life.
24:39 Hmmm... hmmm...
24:40 Number 2: um...
24:42 Listen to your parents
24:43 but allow the Holy Spirit to guide you
24:46 in your career choices.
24:47 Regina: Right. Mom: Okay...
24:49 And then, Number 3: I started to keep a prayer journal
24:51 so, I'll write down how my day was
24:53 and I'll also write down a prayer,
24:55 so I'll pray for my health and the Lord to guide me.
24:59 How important is prayer in your life?
25:01 Prayer is very important because oftentimes,
25:04 "Okay, this summer has been the worst summer
25:06 but yet again, I'm so thankful for this summer. "
25:08 Why has the summer been the worst summer?
25:10 Because I never experienced rejection before.
25:12 What do you mean?
25:13 So, I had an interview at a Law Firm
25:16 and I was told, "Oh, your Spanish is good
25:19 but it's not good enough. "
25:20 So, I didn't get the job and I went home
25:23 I was bummed out...
25:25 but I began to pray and I was just like,
25:28 "Okay God, I never experienced rejection before
25:30 so help me get over this"
25:32 so, then the Lord put up on my heart
25:34 to just started Spanish Class.
25:35 Where's the Spanish Class?
25:37 Well, I only have one student right now that I tutor.
25:41 Okay, okay... that's all right,
25:42 you got to start somewhere, all right.
25:44 Exactly, I just wanted to make money
25:45 but then I'm also thanking God
25:48 for allowing me not to work this summer
25:50 because I needed to have a clear mind
25:52 before I started school on August 28.
25:55 You start August 28 Andrews.
25:57 August 28 at 7:30 in the morning... amen.
25:58 You already have your classes?
26:00 Yes.
26:01 Oh, my God... 7:30 a. m. class...
26:03 Yes, all the way up to 8:00 o'clock.
26:04 Mom: At night? Regina: Yes.
26:06 Welcome to Grad school all right.
26:08 That's Advanced standard for you...
26:10 So, you're doing Expedited Program?
26:12 I am.
26:13 It's a one-year program, August to August.
26:16 Really! So, we'll be heading that way for graduation.
26:19 Yes... all right... so now that you have these...
26:22 what kind of tools do you use
26:23 to keep Regina in an attitude of gratitude,
26:26 what kind of tools?
26:27 Okay, so, in the morning I pray...
26:29 and then I also just started to exercise
26:32 so I clear my mind. Mom: Yes.
26:34 And to actually start building myself up
26:36 and then I also started putting myself first
26:39 before other people's needs.
26:40 Mom: Are you Vegan? Regina: I'm not Vegan.
26:42 You said that too fast, whoa, whoa, time out...
26:44 are you vegetarian?
26:46 I'm Omnivore...
26:47 Tell me what that is.
26:49 I eat chicken and vegetarian food.
26:52 Oh, you do both... all right, you do beef?
26:54 I love beef.
26:55 You do beef? Okay.
26:56 But you know, I only eat beef on barbeques.
26:59 Oh, like Fourth of July or something like that.
27:01 Fourth of July... Memorial Weekend...
27:03 because that's when my uncle or aunty cooks it.
27:04 Okay, but you are very in tune to the health message...
27:08 you're looking at things...
27:10 Whatever my parents cook, that's what I'll eat.
27:12 But I know, your parents can cook... all right.
27:15 Um... I know that I've seen you grow,
27:18 I have been a part of your life
27:20 and I'm still a part of your life
27:22 and if there's anything that I can do,
27:24 I am here for you and our family...
27:26 our families are connected,
27:28 closing words, we got 20 seconds,
27:32 what do you say... attitude of gratitude.
27:34 Every morning that you wake up,
27:36 just thank God for giving you another day of life
27:38 and just praise Him in advance...
27:40 you don't know what you're going to go through in life
27:43 but just keep your head up and if you're like me
27:46 that puts others before your needs,
27:48 start to put yourself first
27:49 and then you'll actually
27:50 pick up the weight off your shoulders.
27:53 All right, repeat after me, Attitude of Gratitude...
27:56 Attitude of Gratitude.
27:57 Have an Attitude of Gratitude...
27:59 Have an Attitude of Gratitude.
28:00 And God will see you through...
28:01 And God will see you through.
28:03 I want to thank you for being on Live to be Well.
28:05 Remember, have an attitude of gratitude
28:07 and God will see you through, God bless.


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Revised 2018-04-10