18 Things I've learned in 6 Months

Wow! We've been on this journey for 6 months and well I've learned so much to say the least. It's been an amazing experience but definitely not an easy one.

So here are the 18 things I've learned :

1. A man makes his intentions clear

He is consistent in opening doors, feeding me, and filling up my car with gas. He speaks to me with the utmost respect and always treats me like a Queen.

 On our first date we went to Red Lobster for lunch. Velrick was convinced that he was going to marry me that when it was time to pay for the bill,he signed the bill Mrs. DeLisa Smith Guerrier. He accidentally left his debit card at Red Lobster. He called me and asked me to call the restaurant to make sure his card was still there because he was on his way to work. I called the restaurant and fortunately they found his card. I called Velrick back and let him know that the restaurant had found the card and that he could pick it up the next day. Around lunch time the next day, Velrick goes into the restaurant to pick up his debit card and the manager is reluctant to give him the card. The manager tell him, "Sir, it is our procedure to return the card to the one whose signature is on the bill. Your wife must come and retrieve the card." Velrick says, "Please sir, she is sleeping now and I don't want to disturb her." The manager says, "I can tell you love your wife very much."  

2. The right man will wash you with the Word

Since I've been single for so long being in a relationship is difficult. I am notorious for saying what I want to say and how I want to say it. I was born with an extra amount of SASS and I've had to learn to get a filter and to be mindful of my words. In the photo to the right we are at Barnes & Nobles and my bluntness and persistence gave Bae a headache. He simply got up and pulled a Bible off the bookshelf and used scripture to show me that my mouth contradicted the Word of God. By far one of my favorite lessons of ALL time.

3. Cultural Exchange is FUN!

 The picture to the  left is where Velrick is helping me learn Creole and write a card to his mother who only speaks Creole. I'll admit that I was a little intimidated and hesitant to learn but nothing cool ever happens if you stay inside your comfort zone. Get out and expose yourself to new things! Don't be boring! Haitian people are so warm and their food is AMAZING!

  4. Passionate Students

We both have a passion for learning!  We can both stay in a bookstore for hours and we both know that we will be life long students. Definitely found a person to GEEK out with!  We discuss the importance of knowledge and keeping the mind active.                                 

5. CheckMate

I have a strong personality and well even if I am wrong I can often persuade you to think that I am right. I have a way with words and a very convincing poker face. However, that super power doesn't work with him and well I appreciate it. He is quick to call me out on ANYTHING!

6. HUGGIES!

I have learned to deal with the fact that I am a very affectionate human being. Relationships are a great place to get all the HUGS you want and I love HUGS!!!! I can ask for a hug as many times as I want.

7. Separation feels like Torture

I was a loner! If you ran into me I was most likely ALONE! I would go out to eat by myself and even go to the movies by myself. There is honestly nothing I didn't do by MYSELF! In the first week of our adventure, I went on a mission trip to Guatemala by myself  for a week. It wasn't too difficult because we  had just started our Adventure. Months later he would later go to New York for a convention for a week. I usually don't get too attached to anything or anyone but being separated was so weird! It was like I was missing my arm or something. Once Velrick's plane landed back in Orlando, he went home got in his car, left his phone and wallet at home and drove immediately to the bookstore to meet me.  We are smiling so hard because reuniting is way better than separation.

8. Yoked!

We have never had a conversation where we did NOT talk about God. We exchange scriptures ALL the time. We even study the Word together. I believe I have so much peace about this relationship because we are equally yoked. We have identical moral compass' and we love to help others.

                         9.  Mom Approved

Velrick is not from the United States, he is  from St. Marc, Haiti! I've always been afraid of the idea of meeting a man's mother because the concept is slightly intimidating,  I often wondered "What if SHE doesn't like me."  I conquered my fear and thankfully, she approved of me and treats me like her own! 

10. Adventures Are Better Together

Like I mentioned before, I was a loner and I often did everything by myself but now I have company and it is so much fun. It's my job to always know where the bathrooms are because someone always has to use the restroom. When it's time to wait, I always have someone to talk to or give a hug. I have a personal driver and I never need to worry about where I am because he handles it.

11. I can make you put your phone down!

People are always glued to their phones, they will ignore the people around them to stay up to date on social media. When we are together the only reason I ever have my phone out is to snap a photo or make one of my random vlogs.

12. We Worship Together

He took me to church one Sunday and I was surrounded by Haitian people. The pastor preached his sermon in Creole and thankfully there was a translator. It was an interesting experience and it prepared me for my mission trip to Haiti. In our spare time , he will jump on the keyboard and I'll start singing and it's pure bliss.  

         13. Pick Up

Having a good boyfriend means that you always have a ride to and from the airport! I love to travel,  my family lives in Texas and I love going on mission trips. There is nothing like coming back to see this handsome face. 

14. Sharing is Caring

I had a bad habit of believing that what is mine is MINE! Velrick is nothing like that, if he has something he ALWAYS shares.  He has successfully broken me of this habit and well I am thankful because it has made me a better person. I am much quicker to give and share what I have.

15. Be Silly

Everything does not have to be so serious all the time. There is always room and time for fun. Relationships are hard work but you are suppose to ENJOY them. There is nothing wrong with sharing laughs and having a good time. Yes, marriage is the ultimate goal but it is imperative to get to truly know someone and ALL of their quirks.

16. Get Over Yourself

This man is not afraid to tell me about myself. If my mouth is to sharp he nips it in the bud. I am not a perfect human being and he helps me get it together.I've learned not to take things so personally and not to think too highly of myself. It is important to always humble myself.

17. Birthdays Are Better

My 25th birthday was definitely special. He did everything in his power to make my birthday as amazing as possible! I will never forget this day and I can't wait to plan his birthday celebration.

18. The Work is Worth It

Relationships are not blue skies and sunshine everyday, but everyday you must put in work. You must remember at the end of the day you are a team and not to let little things get in your way. Your adventure is what you make it! Work Hard. Love Hard! 

Listen and Follow

Last week in class, I was very inspired by one of our guest speakers. After the lecture I went to the guest speaker and asked what church she attended. She quickly gave me her contact information and we agreed to meet for church on Sunday.
When I woke this Sunday morning, I wasn't in the mood for church. In fact, I had all of these negative thoughts like:

• What if this church is like the last
• What if this church asks me to put a $20 seed in the air
•  What if the people start jumping all around.    

Then this Happened :                

The "Aren't you going to church this morning honey?" convicted me, I text the guest speaker told her I was coming and quickly jumped in the shower. She called me and told me that she wasn't going to be there because she was stuck but she was calling a member at the church to meet me there. She told me I had plenty of time because it did not start until 11 am.  I got dressed and headed out the door. I stopped to get some coffee and charged my phone at Starbucks. I realized I didn't have money for church so I stopped by Target to get some money. My friend called and asked if I could pick him up, I grabbed the things I needed and headed out the door. My boyfriend called me and said,

"Babe, I'm not sure why I am saying this but you need a shepherd. You have too many gifts not to use them in church. It is not stable for you not to have a church home. Pray for God to give you direction."

I admit, I brushed it off. I was like, YOU told me the problem but you did not give me a solution sir. I have been praying butI didn't understand WHY he was telling me this. I picked up my friend and we headed to church. 

I stepped in the door and the people were so welcoming. I knew all the songs. I was singing like I was back home, it was fabulous. I noticed there was a microphone in the middle of the praise team like it was an open spot and it was lower than the other microphones....aka it was my size. I felt something tell me to "PARK it here" to "SERVE here." Another confirmation was when the Pastor was preaching and out of nowhere he said, " The Lord styles His people as sheep." This instantly clicked in my head with the conversation I had with my boyfriend. 

The preacher preached on one of my favorite people Joseph! He discussed having a vision and trusting and following God until the vision comes to fruition. It was definitely a timely message because I am pregnant with a vision. 

After the sermon it was time for the announcements, a well spoken woman came up to give the announcements. The Pastor  mentioned that Dr. P had an announcement. l was like Dr. P... like Dr. Pattie, my mentor back home? She was a sophisticated lady and she came up to the podium and she spoke so eloquently and she reminded me so much of my Aunt CJ. 

I am excited to return next Sunday. 

However, I had to apologize to my boyfriend for brushing him off because I realized there was GREAT purpose in what he had to tell me. My boyfriend encouraged me  to be patient to listen others and take what I can from them because God can use anyone to speak to me.

In Sickness and In Health

My boyfriend is a health nut. He loves to work out and hates to eat out.  However, I am a workaholic and I will go hours without eating and he gets on to me all the time. He always says, “How do you expect your body to do work, if you don’t give it what it needs to work.” He won’t have to preach this to me again after this experience together:

For our 6month celebration we went back to the Magic Kingdom where our story began. However, I started my period and my body was acting up, I was so focused on being a pretty princess that I neglected to eat. I wanted to be royalty and wear heels to the park because we weren’t going to be there that long.  We got to the Magic Kingdom and headed straight to the Haunted Mansion because that is where we met and where I worked as an intern. 

I got the chance to reunite with some of my Mansion family and it was a beautiful experience but the Mansion was down. So, we headed to Pirates of the Caribbean because neither of us had gotten to ride it since the refurbishment. I was totally fine walking through the queue until my ovaries started to give birth to a mutant ninja who was waging war on my lady parts. We were getting close to getting on the ride when my body just got super weak. I got up against the wall and started to breathe, I thought I was about to black out. I just kept breathing and my boyfriend was so attentive and helpful.   He asked me if I wanted to leave and I was determined to tough it out.  I began to pray over my body and my body immediately went into a cold sweat. I kept breathing and my lady parts were throwing a tantrum but I got into the boat and I was able to enjoy the ride. 
I had to admit to him that I had not eaten, I could tell he was upset with me but he was nice because I was suffering. When I got out of the boat, I was in a deep sweat; I headed straight to the bathroom. My boyfriend patiently waited outside for me because I did not feel well at all.
 He immediately took me to Pecos Bills to eat and normally I am the one who orders food for us when we go out because I have a talent when it comes to  picking the best choices. However, I was too weak to stand in line , so I sat at the table and my poor little pumpkin had to order on his own. Let me remind you that my boyfriend is not from the US and he does not eat out so this was going to be interesting. He was gone far too long especially for a Disney quick service restaurant. When he returned, he returned with two kids meals. It was so cute and he started to apologize and tell me how he didn’t mean to order children’s food. He kept offering me anything I wanted but I didn’t care, I started to eat because I was so weak. After eating I felt much better and I was grateful for him being by my side.

Lesson # 1 Eat and take care of my body
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,” (1 Corinthians 6:19)
I learned this lesson and promise to be good to my temple. I really need to slow down and reevaluate my priorities. Food is a priority and is necessary for my journey. I can not do what God has called me to do if I do not take care of my body. I need to get it together.

Lesson #2 I can trust my boyfriend to be there for me and take care of me.
“Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them” (Colossians 3:19).

No,we are not married ... Yet... but we have every intention to marry. For me it was great to witness that he did not lecture me but he stepped in and just took care of me. For many years, I was a loner and I am so accustomed to taking care of myself. It’s beautiful to me that in this situation, I was sick but I wasn’t alone.