One Step Backwards --Two Go Forward...

Dear God (and anyone else out there reading my blog...)

I am not going to be hard on myself, but I sort of feel like I took one step backwards in my self-LOVE experience. I know, Know, KNOW wearing braids is not the better option for my hair! Yet, here I am kicking my braids for the moment! I am kind of reminded about this when I think of my natural wearing Friend and Sister in Christ. She said I can call her Porsha83. I want to commit to myself that when it is time to take these braids down, I am going to stay natural no matter what. Perhaps, if I "put it in writing" I will be able to ...

I am so late doing this, but here are a few of pictures of Porsha83 . She is my girl, and the “girl” in my graduate program that I wrote about on my first blog post dated Wednesday, February 28, 2007, “Being Natural is True Freedom and Internal Joy”. Her hair is so beautiful to me and so is she. Her hair is so full. It is so textured. I thank you God for the courage this lady has helped me capture. It is such an experience in self-LOVE to go from wearing braids in my hair, to confidently wearing my own natural, textured, short, kinky, coily, wavy, nappy hair. I am looking forward to the next stage (LOCKING MY HAIR).

She told me in class the other day; she is going to lock her hair in the near future too. I believe without a shadow of a doubt this will be so perfect for her, she will be PHENOMENAL!

She is a hair inspiration for me because she started her natural self-LOVE experience with the Big Chop, rocked her TWA and now two years later has abundant beautiful mass of lengthy, voluminous, healthy, natural hair.

Porsha83, if you are reading this, thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU for helping me get to the “next level” with your excellent support, your true compassion, and your great conversations. I am glad I KNOW YOU!











If anyone out there besides God is listening, feel free to share and post a response.

Sis. RJQueen10

CREYOLE, she is such an Inspiration...

Creyole,

Have you seen BlaqKofi’s latest blog? Dated Sunday April 22, 2007? Before I begin, let me just say… I AM YOUR BIGGEST ADMIRER, besides your immediate and extended family of course. Okay here is an excerpt from Blaq’s post:

“Four years ago, I met a sister with small, gorgeous, neat locks in Tom Thumb on Sycamore School Road in Fort Worth, Texas and asked, "are those dreads?" "No they are called Sisterlocks. Go to http://www.sisterlock.com/ and check them out." I am eternally grateful that our paths crossed on that fateful day.

That Tom Thumb has since closed...I often wonder about the sister who opened the SL door for me, wish I had of gotten her name or number so that I could tell her how she contributed to my Natural Awakenings...

but also,

so that she could see

BlaqKofi on loc'down.I think she would be proud.”


Well you are “that sister, who introduced me to Sisterlocks”. I am blessed, Blessed, BLESSED because I know your name and I know your phone number. I am able to tell you over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again how much you have contributed to “My self-LOVE Experience”. You have been such a patient and gentle friend and probably don’t even know it. Here is a summary of what you have done for me so FAR…

1) You told me about your hair.

2) You gave my your designerhergal business card with your blogspot address on it.

3) You created an informative, insightful, and transparent blog about your hair, your spirituality, your family, and your general perspective on life. I learned so much here as I read it from beginning to end and eagerly wait for new posts.

4) You invited me to the WACO Sisterlocks gathering (I got food poisoning and missed the event because I was in the emergency room getting rehydrated!)

5) You forwarded me to BlaqKofi’s blogspot, which of course I read from beginning to end. I now have two beautiful ladies of Sisterlocks whom I admire for their growth, openness, and thoroughness of helping other sisters along in their Sisterlocks JOURNEY or self-LOVE experience. As I have read your blogspots from beginning to end.

6) You told me about the Dr. Cornwell meet and greet event at GIGIs.

7) You help me overcome my trama with the initial costs of obtaining and maintaining Sisterlocks. You did not invalidate my concerns, you helped me search within inside myself of what is really, Really, REALLY important to and for ME. I now am able to see myself as worthy and valuable of sporting Sisterlocks.

8) You are consistent with your self and your Sisterlocks. I like your detail-orientedness (Smile, because I think I made that word up) when it comes to your hair, its upkeep, and understanding its naturalness.

9) You inspire me, inspite of yourself, because each time I have had the opportunity to be in your presense (be it on your blogspot, at the gym, at a Sisterlocks event, or over the telephone) you have been completely down to earth, welcoming, friendly, and patient.

10) You recommended GIGI and Elaine and you don’t make me feel like I am as wishy washy as I have been when it came to gaining an understanding of Sisterlocks and RJQueen10’s self-LOVE experience.

So if the truth be told you have what it takes to be a SISTERLOCKS CONSULTANT and so much more. I just want to thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU for being Creyole. Thank you God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit for allowing our paths to cross!

I was going to post this as a comment on your blogspot, but it got kinda of lengthy. So I decided to park it at my spot and pray that you will see it one day. Now let me end this and get to working on my take home final exam. God is good, I earned a 92 on my midterm exam and it is worth 50% of my grade. This final is worth 40%!

To everyone else out there reading, thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU for coming to my blogspot and reading my thoughts and reading my praises to God and my conversations with God.

Special thank yous to muslimahlocs and Aya for not only visiting my blogspot, but taking time out of their schedules to leave me a comment. I do appreciate you! Feedback really is important and comforting.

Last but definitely not least, thank you to BlaqKofi for being Blaq. I read your latest posts! Congratulations grandma or nana or what will you natural hair care wearing first grandchild call you? I love Malcolm’s name, it is such a strong name. That name goes back a very long way with me, I was going to name my first son Malcolm Alexander -------. But God knew what was best for me and gave me a Boy and a Girl, Twins.

Let me forcefully pull myself away from this blog! Until the next post….

If anyone else out there is listening besides God, feel free to share and post a response...

Sis. RJQueen10

He IS RISEN!

Dear God, (and anyone else out there reading...)

I orignially wrote this as a comment on Chosen Vessel's blog spot. After I wrote it I then thought it would be excellent to place it here on my blog spot as a post, so here goes!

Thank you for your boldness in Jesus Christ. Today is/was an excellent day. Of course our church was overflowing with people who don't come to church often. But these people have enough respect for Jesus to know of all days this is one day they need to come to His house and hear a Word from Him. So I welcomed their presence and I tried to help make them feel comfortable enough to want to come back again. God is good!

Our Sermon today was on a familiar passage 1 Corinthians 15:3-8.

3For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 5and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. 6After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen sleep. 7After that He was seen by James, then by all apostles. 8Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.

When I first heard this sermon at our church either two or three years ago, the most amazing part of this scripture for me then was how over 500 people at the same time witnessed the risen Christ. This statement alone eliminates any doubt of the possibilities of Christ rising from the dead. He IS risen! There were so many people who could verify this TRUTH! Why would over 500 people lie about the exact same thing?

Well what I learned this Resurrection Sunday is Jesus Keeps on Hanging Around. He showed Himself to Cephas, better known as Peter. Peter did not deny Jesus once, Peter denied Jesus three times. This completely destroyed Peter and left him wide open for satan to complete his attacked on Peter. Yet Jesus went to Cephas after he rose. Jesus restored the most broken, vulnerable person first. Then he showed Himself to the 12 disciples, they shared intimate relationships with Jesus and yet could not prevent his death on the cross nor die on the cross with Him. I am sure His resurrection offered renewed faith and hope to them. Then it was like Jesus was on tour, because over 500 Christians saw Jesus at the same time. He showed Himself to His brother James, who was more probable to have been among those who rejected Jesus when Jesus went to His hometown to minister, heal, and deliver. James, upon witnessing Jesus' death on the cross, probably thought to himself, Wow, Jesus IS REAL! Here Jesus is dying on this cross yet He is still being consistent to His ministry of love and forgiveness He preached about all His life. James probably felt devastated to find truth in Jesus at the last minute, right before Jesus' death. Too late??? No, Jesus hung around long enough to let James know he is forgiven. Then Jesus showed Himself to the rest of the apostles.

Yet, the most significant, powerful, and amazing sighting of the risen Jesus, is by Paul himself. Paul is a symbol for all of us today that it is NOT too late to get to know JESUS! Paul did not see nor know Jesus while Jesus was alive. Paul came to BELIEVE after Jesus' death. Paul formerly known as Saul is a true symbol that God is a God of second chances.

So I pray, in Jesus' mighty and anointed name, if anyone out there who does not know Jesus. Come home. If there is anyone out there who knows of Jesus and turn their back on Him and returned to the world's way of sinful living. Come home. God is a forgiving, loving, kind, just God and He wants us all to come home to His Kingdom. Amen!

Jesus, thank you for taking the time before you ascended to be at he right hand of God, to let the world know You are a LIVING GOD! Amen!

Sis. RJQueen10

If anyone else out there is listening besides God, feel free to share and post a response...

What has been happening with ME...!

Dear God, (and anyone else out there reading…)

God, I just wanted to give thanks to everyone who has taken time to come visit my blog spot. I want to give special thank yous for those who take additional time out of their schedule and leave me a comment. Most importantly, God, I want to give thank yous to everyone for being patient with me. In addition to being a Mama of 4 year old twins, I am a graduate student. When classes are in session I will make a post weekly, when classes are not in session I will try to make a post daily.

Well I started with 10 test locks. Four in the front and six in the back. Currently I am wearing my hair in two-strand twists. Well this morning as I was getting ready to attend church I re-twisted some strands that had come a loose in the back. I noticed I now only have ONE test Sisterlock™ left in the back. The four in the front are still going strong. I guess it is time to put a call in to my consultant to first verify my scheduled May 10, 2007 appointment, second to express eagerness of accepting any cancelled appointment slot, and three to talk to her about my five back test Sisterlocks™ coming down, disappearing. Will this be a problem area for me when I get my full head of Sisterlocks™? If I notice my Sisterlocks™ are getting loose (slipping) is there anything I can personally do about it? What are my options, if any? I am really not that worried at this point, it is just interesting to note how different sections of my head responded to Sisterlocks™ I knew I was grateful for ALL of this time for some reason.

Note to self: Be real careful about the back of my head when I get my Sisterlocks™!

I am at a new gym for four weeks, well I have about 10 more days left on a four week pass. It has been a great experience, because it is my husband’s gym. I have had several opportunities to actually workout with him, while our children were in the daycare area. I enjoyed this experience a lot. My husband is really noticing my weight loss, and my seriousness about my workouts! He taught me how to use some of the machines I did not know how to use before. He also praised me for my “good form”.

I saw Ms. Y at this gym twice so far, who I met at the Sisterlocks™ meet and greet. On the second day, Ms. Y talked me into taking a spinning class. Well, let me tell you! I represented, I was hyped, Hyped, HYPED! I kept paced with most of the seasoned class members and even exceeded the paced of a couple of spinning class veterans. But my body paid for it the next day-Friday, and the day after that-Saturday, and today is Sunday and still feel slight tenderness in places I did not know muscles existed! It was a fun and great cardio experience I will try it a couple of more times before my free gym pass expires. I am serious about my workouts!

Speaking on that I joined a new gym! My old gym was just that OLD! I don’t mean to sound ungrateful and like a complainer, I am just telling the truth! Thank you God for improving my FREE gym membership options! After I have spent about 15 weeks at new and up to date gyms, it was impossible to go back to the old. I have to drive 27 miles to my new gym, but it is worth the drive! They have childcare options for my children; all of the equipment is new, New, NEW. The equipment is state of the art! There are TVs and radio ON the actual elliptical machines, in addition to surrounding Flat Screen TVs. There is an upstairs and a downstairs area. I did not even make it upstairs on my first visit this Saturday.

I was giddy with excitement and energy! I took an Abdominal and Back Core group exercise class that lasted 20 minutes. Then I got on the elliptical machine for 20 minutes. I cut it short because I wanted to experience everything on my first visit; lately I’ve been doing 30 minutes to 60 minutes cardio sessions. I put on my bathing suit and I was in the steam room for 5 minutes and the Jacuzzi for 10 minutes. I took a wonderful shower and changed into warm street clothes. It actually snowed in Texas USA this Saturday. It was light flaky snow that did not affect the roads, but it was snow and cold none-the-less.

This gym even has a Smoothie bar, so you know I got caught up. I added so much to what started off as a based 20oz Smoothie for $3.25 by the time I was finished, mine costs $7.50. It was a most delicious smoothie, it tasted like a Piña Cola! It was called Tropical Oasis, and it had pineapples, coconut, and mango. I added Wheatgrass powder, Spirulina powder, Soy Protein powder, and Glutamine powder. I have to investigate this further on my future visits, but I believe the lady who prepared it said it only contained about 325 calories. She also said because I added the stuff I added I could use my smoothie as a meal replacement. I consumed the smoothie about 1:30 pm and I did not get hungry again until about 5:00pm.

Thank You God for my outstanding visiting gyms experience--threee different gyms so far, and my NEW free gym In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

If anyone else out there is listening besides God, feel free to share and post a response...

Sis. RJQueen10

My Blessing, My Husband...

Dear God, (and anyone else out there reading...)

I just come to you again, and I thank you for blessing me with my husband. I try to learn everyday (like Chosen Vessel) to be more of a proverbs 31 woman and wife. My huband's poem to me is a confirmation, that I am on the right path. I give all the glory and honor to you God.

As I am starting a new birth of RJQueen10, my husband has been very patient with me, (I got to addicted to bloggin', I did not keep our home as clean as it could be). He is educating himself as much as it possible for a bald headed man, about my hair trama to hair triumph story. (I've showed him Creyole's and BlaqKofi's blogspot and beautiful hair). He always says to me, "RJQueen10, what do I know? I don't have any hair?" Although he can't agree with the costs of Sisterlocks™ he is not hindering me from getting them. He has even suggested, without me having to try to sell him on it, that we get some Sisterlocks™ for our daughter.

So Lord, thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU everyday for my husband. In Jesus' Name, Amen

My Wife

If I could pick any woman to share my life
The woman I would choose, would be RJQueen10, my wife
My wife is six feet tall and not hard to miss
My wife always greets me with a hello and with a kiss
My wife came into my life when everything was a maybe
My wife, with God’s help, blessed me with twin babies
My wife is intelligent and she’s very smart
My wife doesn’t have half, but all of my heart
My wife is honest and hides nothing from me
My wife’s faith in God has set her free
My wife’s lifestyle has change, but not without a fight
My wife knows all things are possible through Jesus Christ
My wife supports me in everything I do
My wife shows me love no matter what were are going through
My wife has my love, my honor, and my respect
My wife isn’t just good she is the very best
RJQueen10 you are my friend, my lover and my wife
I thank God for adding you to my life
Even when things got hard and you wanted to leave and be free
You told me you asked God for a husband, and He gave you, me


Love your Husband

If anyone out there besides God is listening, feel free to share and post a response

Nice Dreads by Lonnice Brittenum Bonner

Dear God, (and anyone else out there reading...)

Thank you for creating people who took the time to figure out how to care for our natural hair and then took even more time to explain it to the rest of us.

Table of Contents © 2005
Thank You For Letting Me Be Myself... Again
1)Getting Started: Fruit of the Nappy Root
2)How Do You Wash Them?
3)The Wind in You Hair: Drying Your Locks
4)Tending Your Garden: Locked Hair Care
5)Locking 911
6)Coloring
7)Working Up a Sweat
8)Manchild in the Dirty South
9)Love and Nappiness: Hair Inspiration
10)Your New Life as a Locked-Hair Diva

Thank You For Letting Me Be Myself... Again

In this chapter she shares her initial thoughts and apprehensions about locking her hair. She explains how she wanted her dreads to look pretty and attractive. And she describes how she started her own dreads and the mistakes she made and the lessons she learned. I think the most important point made in this chapter is to lay the proper foundation for your locked hairstyle.

Getting Started: Fruit of the Nappy

I say the biggest questions answered in this chapter are "Do I need to cut off my perm?" and "Can you take them out?" She gives details on the parts that make up a lock. There is also a section offering instruction on how to get started with locks. I quote, "The ideal situation is to have a loctician or braider start your locks for you". In otherwords, a professional.

Here is my plug for Sisterlocks™. The consultants must be certified, see the links to the right for the Official Sisterlocks™ website.

Root How Do You Wash Them?

She talks about the perception of "Nastiness" vs. "Dirtiness". There is a proper way and number of times to wash locked hair so that is will not smell, mildew, unlock, get flat, and more. She talks briefly about acidic rinses and hot oil treatments and conditioners.

I personally did not know you could do all of these things to locked hair. When I wore my braids all I did was wash them with Optimum Care shampoo. I was afraid the conditioner would build up and cause "matting" at the point where new growth came in and my hair was connected to the braid.

The Wind in You Hair: Drying Your Locks

A good tip I got from this chapter is: If you use hair dryers, only used them to help dry the locks, never to dry them completely.

Tending Your Garden: Locked Hair Care

Lonnice provides a "Basic Gear for Locked Hair" list. I also saw this when I visited Creyole's and BlaqKofi's blogspots. Their blogspots are very educational. She explains "The importance of Poppin' Your Locks". I love how she explains how to massage your scalp. I do this now and it actually takes away stress points, and stimulates growth. There is a section in this chapter on "Nighttime Lock Care". It is not just enough to just go to sleep on your locks, you must provide care to protect your locks and the moisture to your locks.

Locking 911

Problems can occur with locks, however many of the problems can be "headed off before they are irreversible". Have you lost a lock? It can be reattached. Do you have dandruff? It Maybe the products you are using on your hair and scalp. What about buildup? Weakened Locks? Lint? Mildew? If she does not answers all of your questions about these issues, at least she starts the discussion. You now have a point of reference to talk from with your consultant or loctician.

Coloring

It is possible to color locks. There are some methods out that are less invasive. She recommends to "try simply enhancing your hair color".

I love BlaqKofi hair color, she does it herself. On her blog, she does not recommend that you color your locks. I want to color my hair, a bronze golden like color. I have never had my hair colored before in my life. But I want this color because I want to have visible contrast so I can watch my hair 's growth progress. Is that weird.? Well, anyway, I called my future consultant GIGI and asked her opinion, because I don't want to mess anything up to keep me from getting my Sisterlocks™. She said that color combination will compliment my skin tone, [SHE HAS READ MY BLOG, LORD!!! WOW!!! I am so humbled.] and definitely do it before I get my Sisterlocks™. If I do color, it will be the only time I do, in the future I may do some "natural" based coloring. Thank you again, Creyole for getting me hooked to bloggin'. Thank you BlaqKofi for "raving" about me.

Working Up a Sweat

She included an very strong section on how to wear proper ponytails to prevent "traction alopecia which is marked by a gradually receding hairline". I laughed out loud at the following part of her description, "...with great care not to pull the hair so sleekly and tightly against the skull that you get a nonsurgical facelit" .

I was delighted with the visual her description created for me. Because I actually did this to myself. I can laugh about it now. I am loving the Sisterlock™ hair and lifestyle, because I workout at least 4 days per week for at least 2 hours. I give God all of the glory for that discipline and wisdom in the areas of exercise. I saw Creyole in aerobics class with her beautiful Sisterlocks™ not missing a beat and gettin' her sweat on. At the end of the workout her hair was still well put together, "tamed". That is when I knew, Knew, KNEW beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Sisterlocks™ ARE for me. I am addicted to Jesus Christ, My Family, Working Out, Bloggin, and this list is growing each day.

Manchild in the Dirty South

In this chapter she showcases her son with dreads, the challenges with maintaining this style on her son, and deeper "psychological perceptions" she had to overcome.

It is my opinion that men and boys' hair, should be low cut and different from women's. But that is just my two cents, and everyone has their own feelings and thoughts about that. I am just glad my husband is bald--his hairline is... let me just call it "interesting" . He might read my blog and think I am talking about him, I'm not, I'm only telling the truth. We keep our son's hair low on the top and low fade into bald on the sides. But he has the coolest swirly wave pattern right in the front of his crown. The barbers have to be real careful or they will end up putting a "plug" in my son's head.

Love and Nappiness: Hair Inspiration Your New Life as a Locked-Hair Diva

There are lovely pictures of inspiring women of locks throughout this whole chapter, with a variety of careers. I am kinda of partial to pages 130 and 131, this mother and daughter are Sisterlocked™. One thing I like about this chapter is she does not force one style of dread on your or another style of dreads on you. She just shows you and assortment of pictures with different styles and you are able to make your own decision.

In my opinion, That is the way is should be.

She lists resources at the end of the book.

Lord, I want to be used in this post to help anyone who thought about reading the book, but have not. I recommend it as a must read and have for natural hair care. I enjoyed it, it did not take up too much of my time, and I learned so very much. I thank you God for Lonnice Brittenum Bonner and her books, specifically "Nice Dreads".

In Jesus' Name, Amen

God's Humble Servant, Sis. RJQueen10

If anyone out there besides God is listening, feel free to share and post a response

My First Afro Attempt...

Dear God, (and anyone else out there reading ...)

Remember this "season" of my life? That's right, this is my first attempt at trying to wear my own hair. I am so glad pictures were taken because at the time when I looked in the mirror, I did not like the reflection looking back at me.

Yes, Lord these pictures were taken in 2000, about 7 years ago. I remember this as something I did in between the time of taking down my old braids and waiting for my next braid appointment. My mama had been trying to roller wet set her hair with straws. Well, I did the same thing however, I used those small blue rod rollers. My hair came out beautiful and I could not even see nor feel the beauty. What a shame, Shame, SHAME! Ouch! This kind of hurts, to look back and ... Lord, thank you for your healings, in Jesus's name.

When I looked at the pictures after they had been developed, I was like, "Wow, my hair IS pretty". I fell in love with the wavyness right in the front. Well, I am really, Really, REALLY glad I have these pictures. However, I did not know how to maintain that hairsytle and I really did not like the hairstyle, because I really did not like (LOVE) myself.

So my hair tribulations continued on until I met Creyole at the gym in year 2007, I will never forget how I felt when I saw her beautiful Sisterlocks™. I KNEW (FELT) that this is the hairsyle for me and the future me I AM becoming.

Click my link to the left and see how beautiful she and her hair IS!

Sis. RJQueen10

If anyone out there besides God is listening, feel free to share and post a response.

Being Natural is True Freedom and Internal Joy...

Dear Lord, (and anyone else out there reading my blog)...

These are photos of my first natural style, that I actually liked. I tried to wear the afro before for this. Everyone else complimented me. My biggest cheerleader my Mama even came over to give me grooming tips and more encouragement than I knew could exists. My identical twin sister took pictures. (I will post them tomorrow). She said later when you look back, you will see that indeed this afro does look beautiful on you. My husband made references to me looking like Angela Davis and the women of the 1970s. Everyone that mattered complimented and encouraged my first step to wearing my hair without my braid extensions. However there was so much, built up NON-LOVE, when I looked at my reflection in the mirror, I did not like the image looking back at me. What a shame, Shame, SHAME! I am so glad my identical twin sister took the pictures. I now am able to see the beauty in the natural me, Me, ME! (I promise I will post them tomorrow.)

These three pictures on the post today, are the sytle I was wearing when my "little mirror" said, "I don't want pony tails. I want to look like you. Pretty." My heart melted and my courage to be natural (without braid extensions) grew. I remember seeing a girl in this graduate program I am in, being natural. She radiates joy, confidence, beauty, and a comfortableness with herself I am yet able to describe with words. Well a positive habit, I had taken on was to compliment any woman I saw wearing her natural hair. I did not have the courage to do so for myself yet. But I wanted to, if I could, encourage them to keep doing what they were doing. Because, one thing I DID understand was being natural took boldness and it is also so very different from our current cultural standards. I wanted these ladies I complimented, to hear at least one person say something good to them that day about what they were saying to the world by simply being as God created them to be-- natural. This ended up being a reciprocal blessing, because the more I confessed to these sisters that I wanted to be natural but I was afraid, Afraid, AFRAID! They turned around and gave me advice, positive words, etc. But the girl, from my class said, "The day you are ready, I will help you style your hair." I surprised her when eight weeks later, I took her up on her offer. She said she thought I was not serious when I first mentioned my interest to her.

(Creyole, she was just as excited for me to be natural as you are for me to be Sisterlocked™. And the world truly is small, because she is also a member of my over 17,000 members church. I now see her at church and we encourage each other spiritually as well.) Oh, how the Lord has blessed my in my self-LOVE Experience. Thank you God. I give all of the glory, to you Lord.

The thing I found most facinating, was although I have not put any chemicals in my hair in over four years. The young lady from my class had been wearing her hair natural for a year and a half and she has more length, more volume, her hair is healthier. And she showed me pictures where her hair grew from being a TWA to the abundant mass of coily, kinky, wavy, natural strands they are today. I know, Know, KNOW that everyone hair is unique to them. However, I now realize that hair without the braid extensions are better. I also now realize, that Sisterlocks™ are an even better option. One major experience of freedom was when I went to the gym with this hairstyle. I work out consistently 4 days per week for two hours and I sweat like I've been in a shower for two hours. Well, I did not have to worry about my blown out afro shrinking. (Note to BlaqKofi-- I love volume). It was kind of disappointing to me when I first got my hair in TwoStrand Twists because it was done while my hair was wet. My natural hair is very "springy" and it just curled right up. I felt there was no volume and I felt like I looked like a boy. My girlfriend, from class said, " No. I like the way your hair does that, I wish mine would do that." Of course, I wishing my hair would do as her hair is doing. (Note to Ms Stella -- are you still out there? Did you have any similiar experiences with your hair?)

okay, Okay, OKAY! I really could talk to you forever and ever, Lord. But you know, I must go get the twins ready for school. Lord, I want you to know that I adore you, I confess all of my sins on to you (the ones I know of and the ones I don't know of), I am thankful to the many ways you exceedingly and abundantly bless your servant and her family -ME, I come to you in supplication for all women who are in bondage to the chemical treatments, the beauty salons, the self-HATE. I ask in Jesus's powerful and anointed name to release them from bondage as you did the children of Isreal. I also ask that in Jesus's mighty name they be release with a renewed and restored anointed love for self, a love for the God in them that is you, a self-Love! A-C-T-S!



In Jesus's Name, Amen.

RJQueen10


If anyone out there besides God is listening, feel free to share and post a response.

This Reminds Me...

Dear God, (and anyone else out there reading...)


This picture reminds me of the Sisterlocks™ logo-- "The Flying Lady". On February 21, 2007 my version of "A Tapestry of Dreams-The Sisterlocks™ Book" arrived. I read this book from cover to cover in about 3 hours. See page 139. I love page 143, I believe that is just awesome and I am going to try to purposely include the ™ symbol everytime I write Sisterlocks™.

I also purchased the DVD "That Hair Thing" and The Sisterlocks™ Approach. This is a good product and investment. This DVD grabbed and kept my husband's attention and quickly explained so much to him. (We are still working thru the $$$ for Sisterlocks™). It is a quick, concise, and on point explaination and contains many visual examples. My husband is (and Lord you know so am I, for that matter) a visual learner.

After reading the book, I made a entry in the Notes section at the end here is an excerpt...

"...I have been searching for a way to be free and true to who God made me to be every since my Pastor started teaching us what we are unconsciously saying to God when we try to alter His creation--ME! It IS okay to enhance what God created, but to completely alter His creation! That is like saying, 'God when you made me, You made a mistake.' What nerve! My God is perfect and does not make mistakes.

I now know, Know, KNOW that as it is written in Proverbs 139:14 '...I am fearfully and wonderfully made...'. I did not always KNOW this. Sisterlocks™ is the final part of the key to unlocking my external and internal HEALING(s). I look forward to being able to completely love God who dwells in ME!

In Jesus's Name, Amen!

Sis. RJQueen10

If anyone out there besides God is listening, feel free to share and post a response.

The Decision is FINAL--Sisterlocks™ are for me, Me, ME!

Dear God (and everyone else out there looking in...),

okay, Okay, OKAY! I am so excited by the process of SisterLocks™! Yesterday, I finished reading Creoyle's blogspot. It took me two weeks to read it from beginning to end. I feel such a sense of accomplishment. I am trying to be patient, my appointment to get my Sisterlocks™ is so far from now, March 16, 2007.

Yesterday, I was sharing different parts of Creyole's Sisterlocks™ Journey with my husband. He was attentively listening to me as I verbally traced my traumatic experience of the LOVE-HATE-LOVE relationship with my hair. I actually got "too" emotional as I was sharing my hair tribulations that, before I could get back to the JOY again, I lost my husband's attention. He said, "Okay, I have heard enough about your hair." I DID need to cool down, and I now know, that the God in him sensed this.

Well, the final confirmation, that this is the best decision for my hair came this very morning. My husband came in from work. He said, "that thing, that you are talking about doing to your hair, I like it. Why don't you do it to our daughter's hair too". I am still working on him about the $$$, but Wow! He actually heard me yesterday, and throughout our years together-- as he went from never seeing my hair for the first year of our dating, to him actually searching for women referrals to braid my hair. He has actually been very supportive and encouraging as "I find my way with my hair".


My first confirmation, that this JOURNEY should begin was when I gave birth to my twins (a son and a daughter) four years ago. I never knew how to care for my own hair. I used to say over the years, "If I ever have a daughter, she will come to the beauty shop with me." Well, after I was actually blessed with this miniature reflection of me, I wanted so much more for her, than I ever wanted for myself. So it was through the God in her and in me, that I took the time and I patiently learned how to tenderly comb her hair, style her hair, braid her hair (I went to the library and checked out books--my Christian beautician girlfriend thought that was too cute and so technical of me). Now I know how to do two-strand twists on her hair (so much easier than braids).

This symbol of God's love is awesome, she is so patient with me. I always tell her as I wash and condition her hair, I look straight into her large innocent brown eyes and share with her that her hair is "beautiful, is it thick, it is wavy, it is coily, it is full, and best of all it's just like Mama's". She never cries when I comb her hair, she is now able to sit up like a big girl while we bond through me combing her hair (she even crosses her legs like a young lady as she sits in her little chair).

Well about December 30th, 2006 I got my natural hair twisted. First time in four years of no chemicals on my hair, that I really, Really, REALLY find JOY in wearing my natural hair without braid extensions. (I will post pictures later). My daughter saw my hair, I was getting ready to put pony tails in her hair. She said, "No mama, I don't want that." Shaking her head no. She could feel me gathering her hair for the pony tail. She said, " I want my hair like yours. Pretty!". She smile and looked at me.

Well that seal it for me. I HAVE been doing something right, by not putting chemicals in my hair for the last four years, by not even considering putting chemicals in her hair, by taking the time to learn. It was through loving her hair, that I learned to love my HAIR. Thank you God for such an exceeding and abundant blessing.

In Jesus's Name, Amen.

If anyone out there besides God is listening, feel free to share and post a response!