Participants:
Series Code: LTBW
Program Code: LTBW000009A
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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. |
Revised 2018-04-10