SPEAK Tonight!!!!

Today, I’m preparing myself to visit and minister at SPEAK.  I’m trying not to do anything at all today as I get ready for ministry, which is no easy feat for a person like me who has to constantly be doing something to feel sane! 

I’m soliciting you guys for prayer and positive energy (you CAN solicit online right? LOL!) as we step onto the ‘battlefield’.  I take what I do very seriously, and because I see it as ministry (sharing the agenda of a government that is not of this world) and I know that there is protocol that I must follow.

I am going into an environment where I have no control over the content of the material that the other artists will share, the music being played, or the atmosphere being cultivated.   I am determined to go in with everything I need wrapped up in my spirit.

This event, is truly gearing us up for our (Pen & Tongue’s) own event “Words Unplugged”.  We look forward to having members from SPEAK there with us at Life Worship Centre because it’s exciting to be able to collaborate with different groups…the energy is crazy!  But I must keep the MAIN purpose of interaction at the forefront…and THAT is why I have to prepare myself.

It’s not about sounding great, or getting positive feedback on your flow…it’s about planting positive seeds, encouraging and motivating others, and giving them hope and peace that they have possibly been searching everywhere else for…it’s about letting someone out there know that there is truly ‘nothing new under the sun’ and you don’t have to struggle on your own in shame or sorrow…but someone else has ‘been there and done that’ and is bold enough to not only SAY so, but show you that you really don’t have to stay there. It is evangelism.

People ask all the time why Christian artists go to secular concerts/functions/events and I can say now that it’s because we know that we must reach out to people who are trying to fill the void by attending these performances and meeting them where they are.  So if I only plant ONE seed of positivity tonight, or if I only water ONE plant of faith, or even so, if I only gather one sheave of wheat in this whitened field, then I know that what I stand for is not in vain.

I am willing to be that light in the darkness for the person who is afraid of the dark.

I am J. Reign.

Hands up in faithfulness, heart full of reconciliation,

xoxo  Jenna

Bush Medicine: Cerasee

Believed to have medicinal properties, our traditions are steeped (pun intended) in the knowledge of bush medicines, and you have persons who would try their hand at cultural tinctures before seeking prescribed relief. 

 Years ago, the modern conveniences of doctors were non-existent –there were instances of practicing doctors who travelled through islands, spending anywhere from days to years in any given location.  The scarcity of doctors caused many Bahamians to learn and practice what we know as ‘bush medicine’.

In this day and time it is an honor to have relatives who are old enough to remember and recognize medicinal plants and their value to society. Some of the legacy has faded with time, while there are certain remedies that will never pass away – one of them is the usage of Cerasee.

Momordica Charantia (Bitter Melon) - Simply called "Cerasee" or “Bitters” (and pronounced by some

as ‘bittis’) it is a green vine that blooms with delicate yellow flowers. It can be found ‘running’ on fences and is defined by its bristly orange orbs (that hold fleshy red seeds) and its wide, flat five-fingered leaves.  

It can be used as greens, prepared for meals, and in some places, it is a well loved, chilled beverage! Here in The Bahamas, we experience Cerasee during cold and flu season even though it is known to  purify the blood, sooth skin, and stabilize blood sugar (among so many other things). We have been known to run in the opposite direction as children when we simply smelt the bitter warmth that emanated from kitchens - and some people would confess that they still do so!

The catch to Cerasee is the fact that you must drink it while it is still hot and  unsweetened – as a matter of fact, there is nothing that you can put into the mixture to ‘better’ the flavor. (We have been there and done that…all you can do is suck on a quartered orange piece and pretend that the bad taste in your mouth never happened).

This is what Cerasee Looks like when you are REALLY sick!

I know of friends who were made to drink this concoction every week…I considered that child abuse then, but now I am contemplating doing the same with the sidekick – collectively, he’s been out of school during this weird season for about two weeks now! I’m thinking of preparing it two ways from now on – ‘the emergency steep’ and the ‘day-to-day steep’.  The emergency steep is what I discussed here – boiling and drinking straight away (with maybe a squeeze of lime and a pinch of salt), but the day-to-day is simply placing the fresh vine in a cup of water and allowing it to ‘work itself out’ and, at the end of the day, you have a glass of Cerasee-infused water (something like that we should only need once per week).

I would suggest that before you seek to implement ‘bush medicines’ in your diet that you consult with  your physician -especially during pregnancy or if you are taking medication etc.

Hands up in reminiscence, heart full of accomplishment,

xoxo Jenna

Is it Over Yet?!

This week has been rough! (and I want you to know that I said that as dramatically as I can – and KNOW that I CAN get VERY dramatic!!!)

I was holding off on telling you guys about my weekend – I was savoring every moment, and I was being very selfish about it because it was all I had to carry me through this week :-(  But anyway….guilt trip aside…I thoroughly enjoyed my weekend! 

 I spent some time at the Kiwanis Club of Fort Montague’s ‘Jazz in the Gardens’ event.   Like I mentioned in a previous post (that I am too lazy to give a link to…I think it was last week Friday’s) I was asked to minister in spoken word.  The atmosphere was such a relaxed one and the patrons were receptive.

I have never met a more involved civic group – they truly go beyond their comfort zones to ensure that they make a positive impact on society.  Their theme: ‘Making a Difference by Being a Difference in a Child’s Life’ resonates with a maturity that we should all have with regard to our upcoming generation.  I feel that if we implement a ‘nurture over nature’ attitude in just one life, then we can impact a whole nation…simply imagine what can be done, when a civic group positively affects hundreds of school students, reaches out to young men and women that no one else wants to, and feeds spirits as well as stomachs?!

I salute the Kiwanis Club of Fort Montague for a job well done, and for showing me that they are truly ‘being the change’ that Ghandi has urged us all to be.

I then visited the ‘Total You Purpose Conference’, which was held at the British Colonial Hilton and was

blown away by the information that I received.  With speakers such as Dr. Wayne Thompson of Relationship Management, I left the conference with a second wind.

A positive change truly begins with a mindset change.  I walked away with a better understanding of relational ethics (Bahamians are in a league of their own when it comes to interaction!), financial stability, and personal responsibility.

I should have known it was all a set up! I shall reiterate that I had a beautiful weekend:  I managed to get a bit of rest, was able to refocus, do a bit of editing, and even had the opportunity to fellowship with two congregations PLUS even though I didn’t get to watch the Superbowl COMMERCIALS (Yes, I confess, it’s rare that I watch the actual game), I got some Superbowl FOOD!!! (I just want to take this moment to thank the daughters of Pastor Dixon for such incredible food!!!! I didn’t know that you could infuse seafood into scalloped potatoes like that!!!! I didn’t realize I was a foodie until I was introduced to Long Island cooking – I must visit you guys during one of these holidays! Pastor Dixon – I’m looking forward to all the seafood I can eat!!!!) 

Yes you guys! I had a beautiful weekend! It felt like a bit of the weekend trickled into Monday, but, it was MONDAY after all – what could you really expect? I was already disappointed that the weekend was over, the sidekick started exhibiting a bit of his symptoms…again, but I knew that we REALLY needed to get out of the house - so I went to visit one of my favorite aunties :-) (she was only here for a few days and we had a mini photo session, so I was excited!)  

 It felt so good to spend time with her and reminisce…and I honestly think that if it wasn’t for the time I spent with her and the encouragement, inspiration, and motivation that I received over the weekend I would have exploded by Tuesday when all the negative energy seemed to have magnetically pulled in my direction…but HEY! ‘Hello Monday’ is back! I got to watch the first episode of the new season on Tuesday (lol) and I got a little bit of added oomph to pull me through to Friday!!!! God is, indeed, awe-inspiring!

I’m so thankful because when I look back at the week, I realize that it has made me stronger.  He loved me enough to give me everything I needed to get through the week at the very beginning of it.  I will not pretend that I didn’t feel crushed or depressed, but I know for a fact that I was not destroyed!

So here I am, at the end of another week and a very long blog post (…lol) asking you to be grateful for the little things, and to smile as often as you can - even if it hurts.  I know for a fact that everything is going to be alright.  I survived!!!!

What’s happening next week? Well…I am visiting 'SPEAK!' on Monday with Pen & Tongue to minister in spoken word at their ‘season premiere’, and later on in the week, I spend Valentine’s Day and the remainder of the week at Grace Evangelical Ministries Women’s Conference (I’m ministering in spoken word there also)…I MAY be missing in action for a few days because HELLO, it IS Valentine’s week, and I’m married, and I feel that Valentine’s Day IS for married people (I never celebrated it before marriage...I may explain in a blog post a bit later this week…) But yeah…I’m looking forward to ‘shipping’ my son somewhere for a day or two and spending some REAL quality time with the hubby…Lord knows we haven’t had ‘Us Time’ in a long time….(yet another blog post that I must get to because for some awkward reason I love posting ALL of my business on a blog for the world to read!!! LOL)

…by the way! Shout out to Trinidad and Tobago!!! I see you!!! Thank you for reading my blog! I am honored that you visited! To my Caribbean Massive!!!! I love you guys! Shout outs to the U.S. of A also, for all the love that you have been sending my way! :-) I truly appreciate it! And dear Bahamas…thank you for opening my eyes to the possibilities of sharing OUR culture and my heart to the world.  I bleed aquamarine, gold, and black!

Enjoy your weekend!

Hands up in resilience, heart full of determination,

xoxo Jenna

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Bananas in their early stages.

 These past few months we have been backyard gardening...something that I never thought we would have been able to do, but after googling, researching, and speaking to gardening experts, we realized that it was in fact possible.

Backyard gardening is a fulfilling hobby that we are so glad that we got into. I won't jump up and say that it hasn't had it shares of ups and downs, but I would say that it has taught us so much about the environment, our personal temperaments (LOL!), and life in general.

Trial and error has taught me the patience of gardening and its soothing attributes.  I can not even explain how proud we are when we see the seeds and transplants that we have watered sprout green. (I'm literally dancing around the house singing "YAY!!!! It didn't die!!!!)

It has given me an added boost of confidence and now I'm looking forward to trying new things...it also liberates me by giving me options...

Green Onions!

We don't know how long we are going to be in our present location, but while we are there, we are learning more about the fruits and vegetables that we have planted and are maintaining.  Some of the plants have already produced, but we are looking forward to tasting our very own sweet potatoes (I'm thinking fried, mashed, and baked...twice-baked even...lol).

I can't even begin to explain how good it feels to look up and see my hubby and son in the garden doing their own thing...even better is watching my son pick cherry tomatoes straight of the vine and pop them like candy.

Cherry Tomatoes

I can't wait to start producing more fruits and vegetables on a larger scale...I want to be able to produce enough food to assist with a healthier alternative in a small neighborhood.  I feel that every child should have the opportunity to put their hands in soil and experience growing their own fruits and vegetables.

I'm looking forward to sharing seeds and stories this year!

Hands up in happiness, heart full of hope,

xoxo Jenna

Update: RESEARCH!!!

I want to take this time to say thank you for visiting my blog!

There is so much that I want to share with you, and so I'm doing lots of research! ( I LOVE it!) Until I get all of that cultural research done, I'm going to be sharing my day to day 'doings' with you :-)

The more I study, the more I realize how our Bahamian culture is infused with components from Africa and our neighboring Caribbean brothers and sisters. It is amazing! 

I can't wait to break down our dialect, cooking, and overall culture with you guys (I'm learning as I go along, so this will be a journey for all of us).  There is so much that I want to personally try, and as a matter of fact, I've been given the opportunity to learn some Bahamian dishes...now, I CAN cook, but there is NOTHING like spending time in the kitchen with a master!

I am also visiting our archives, and trying to put together my maternal family tree...I'm trying to go as far back as I can because I basically have my paternal side down (they were Loyalists who came to The Bahamas from America seeking to stay loyal to the British crown).  My mother's side of the tree is a bit trickier because it includes freed men, France, and a Cherokee wife, as well as migration to The Bahamas somewhere along the line...lol.

So far, I can say that I have found a link to the 1920's and I'm drafting my letter to the Diocese of that district so that I can possibly get further information via church records.

I can't wait to share all that I can with you guys...this is going to be an interesting journey, and it would be awesome to have you along for the ride!

Hands up in anticipation, heart full of expectation

xoxo Jenna

Dream Car? (Car Rant)

I want one of these

Nissan Micra (Nissan March) (It has to be left-handed)

or...

one of these

Volkswagen Beetle

But when my husband sees them....he sees THIS!

(Insert HUGE sigh here) So what is a girl to do?

I have always had a thing for these little cars (ever since I was really young and 'buggy-punching') and they are economically sound (gas averages $5.60 here at the moment )

I have been willing to negotiate (because marriage takes COMPROMISE)...sadly, he refuses to do so, even though I promised him that I would leave the Easter colors and pick something more masculine...like black or blue :-P... He will not budge!!! LOL!

My friends think something is officially wrong with me because I make them stop and stare when we pass a parked one...or I ask for a moment of silence when one drives by, just so I can bask in its artistry...LOL (Yes, it's THAT bad!!!)

I think that is my random blog rant for the month....LOL! Thank you for listening, and if you happen to have any ideas that can help me nag persuade him to at least THINK about it, they are welcomed! LOL!

What a Rush!!!!

Today I am prepping for a few things this weekend, but I had to get geared up because there have been so many little odds and ends that I feel like I'm going to be driven crazy!!!! (Thank goodness for to-do lists and voice memos!)

Ministering with Pen & Tongue @ Toastmasters event.
Picture courtesy ThinQ Inc.

My weekend started a bit early because Pen & Tongue had the opportunity to minister at Toastmasters Luminaries (1510789...I think It was) at the College of The Bahamas campus - they had a poetry slam and it was nice to see so many persons interested in the art of spoken word.

This evening I am visiting a Kiwanis event entitled 'Jazz in the Garden'.  I am looking forward to ministry there, and I'm excited about meeting this group.  They have gone above and beyond in civic duty and I have never met such a driven group before.

I'm looking forward to my Fruit & Vegetable box from Chiccharney Farms (and I STILL haven't blogged about my last box - which was wonderful by the way!!!!) If you guys have not inquired about the possible packages they have available, you are truly missing out on the freshest seasonable vegetables and fruits, as well as honey AND authentic hot pepper sauces that you can not find anywhere else here in The Bahamas (Yes, I said it!!!)

We are headed by the in-laws this weekend and I am looking forward to bike-riding, unwinding and spending time with my parents-in-law :-) (I thank God for them!!!)

I pray that you enjoy this weekend you guys! And I'm looking forward to sharing with you this upcoming week!

Hands up in anticipation, heart full of hope,

xoxo Jenna

P. S. It's the WEEKEND!!!!!