I'M NOT WHAT THEY THOUGHT/Rashea@LLO2 Academy

I am not what they thought. Actually... I am not even what I thought.🤭 People refer to me as this bold, raw & confident woman. 

Man... If you knew me at 18 years old, I was smart but I was insecure. In my teenage years, I felt inadequate and did not always make the best decisions. I literally felt defeated, like I could not do things beyond what I knew. 

Bearing under the pressure of the doctrine of COGIC life did not help either. Lord have mercy.🤦‍♀️ By 18 years old, I started distancing myself from the in crowd and FINALLY surrendered my life to Jesus. I got married and transitioned from teenage life to young married life. At 19 years old, I became a youth leader in youth ministry and that was a lot of fun for a few years.🤭🥳

I spent most of my time working, teaching young people and hanging out with other young Christian's on the college campus down state Indiana where we just did life together. We were all young, and became a family. There were married couples and singles but no one made anyone feel out of place for the most part. 

By 24, I had my son and that was an adventure in itself...🙃😂.

My son, is super laid back now, but when he was little... 😳... the boy was busy and adventurous... football, dirt bikes, skateboarding and only 10 minutes on the trail without coaching him along.🤣 He is a young man now... 16 to be exact. Wowzers.🤭 Time flies. 

By 27... I left the youth ministry circuit and COGIC life🙌🙏... thank God,🤦‍♀️👋 and became a nondenominational co-senior pastor of a small start up ministry. I began polishing my knack in leadership through senior leadership for about 7 years and found freedom in just being a Christian without all the religious nonsense. By 31 years old, I had my daughter who cat napped most of the time🙃. Another adventure.😂. 

During that time... I stopped working and became a full time mom for about 5 years. I started writing, blogging, gardening and teaching periodically through social media. That's when the work at night regimen started for me, because as a full time mom you have to find time to write, blog, teach and fit a walk in after being out in the yard all afternoon.🚶‍♀️By 36 years old, I was officially divorced, and my life started all over again.

FREEDOM!!! FREE AT LAST.🤣😊💪💯 Nothing against my ex-husband, it just did not work out, and we will just close the book right there.👍💯

However, for me, being divorced wasn't a bad thing. It was a good thing!🥳👍💯 After 17 years of marriage... I learned to stand on my own two feet and think for myself.

My love for coffee grew.🤣. YAY! Well it did.🤭 

I began to find out who I was as an individual, and I grew my love for God, people, blogging and inspiring people. I miss gardening though. Anytime I hear others mention it... I perk up, because it is a peaceful serenity. 

I discovered my voice. I discovered my confidence in God and my own abilities through Him. That insecure and timid teenage girl was no more in existence. 

I began to stand up for myself and speak up, not just for myself but for others. I learned through my challenges of becoming that you do not run from the battle. You face the battle and overcome the battle through Christ.🙏🙌💕

Rashea (Shea) is a working progress. I am a walking and living testament of God's sovereignty over my life continually. When you don't see value in what you are going through and what you are becoming through your challenges, God does. It is in going through many challenges that I have found a deeper sense of purpose as a woman, mom, pastor, writer and visionary.

I wasn't what they thought. But I wasn't what I thought either. Over the course of time while trusting in God, I have some how become so much more than I expected. AMAZING!🙌🙏

Rashea@LLO2