SiZ (Test)

Pinterest to the Valentine's Day Rescue

If you've got some last minute Valentines cards to do, but don't have a lot of time and are not interested in spending a lot of money, the Sistas got ya back. We needed some quick easy Valentines card ideas so we did what every God-fearing Christian woman does...we browsed <a href="http://pinterest.com/sistasinzion" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijPFDs-nUGA1w8isUjfbDNavX2CSO9krQai4YhRE0Ko6OVFm55PiIz1nVphHhlMSU4lwpJw2K1TjndsyU96myWHJjsAo8A9ZNJU3awTYRqb1x8Bdp6ubRduBo-8QxRYwEoKKAHZ_1voeQ/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijPFDs-nUGA1w8isUjfbDNavX2CSO9krQai4YhRE0Ko6OVFm55PiIz1nVphHhlMSU4lwpJw2K1TjndsyU96myWHJjsAo8A9ZNJU3awTYRqb1x8Bdp6ubRduBo-8QxRYwEoKKAHZ_1voeQ/s320/3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Mostly our Pinterest attempts look like this:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRpBfCCTxxXUwFxnM9-DGafsmAYJIeq9jrLQxCCiNPEHVD0s3dkhZhDK6hyphenhyphenWQ3WVC9AlBAb6tD-npshbgjpIDBcCV1avNPUsOa9yGpsqNFQCbXS1_YJ7O77qYodY2xLYl40XEn23Cceto/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRpBfCCTxxXUwFxnM9-DGafsmAYJIeq9jrLQxCCiNPEHVD0s3dkhZhDK6hyphenhyphenWQ3WVC9AlBAb6tD-npshbgjpIDBcCV1avNPUsOa9yGpsqNFQCbXS1_YJ7O77qYodY2xLYl40XEn23Cceto/s400/2.jpg" width="248" /></a></div>But not this time! Y'all believe us when we say this is as easy a pie (why do people say that anyway, pie is not that easy.) The longest part of this project is waiting for the 1-hour photos to be ready and getting your subject to smile (instead of playing in the water).<br /><br /><span style="color: #e06666;">1. Snap a quick pic of the person extending their hand.</span><br /><span style="color: #e06666;">2. Embellish the pic using any software you choose. (We used Photoshop, but something as simple as a phone app will do.)</span><br /><span style="color: #e06666;">3. Send pic to 1-hour photo printer of your choice. (Costco, Walmart, Walgreens, etc...) We printed 4x6s.</span><br /><span style="color: #e06666;">4. While waiting for prints pick up lollipops, do a little shopping or run some errands.</span><br /><span style="color: #e06666;">5. Cut slits in the photos near the top and bottom of the extended hand with an exacto knife.</span><br /><span style="color: #e06666;">6. Slip lollipop stick through the slits.</span><br /><br />Seriously y'all we were able to figure this one out by just looking at the photos on Pinterest! To make 30 cards it cost us $5 in prints and $3 in suckers. The project took under 2 hours including drive time and the kiddo loved it! This was a self esteem boost that left us feeling all crafty and Mormonish! Eat your heart out Martha Stewart!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKA4uPRPNc-gSxle-2VVQJguU3a5TyVKgMrA6za7DGqXUSruga2fyHlrhyYs-aFKeB7Yapw4RP7lur5KYN6CsUmcD4ugmkbbhDas5tToEgiNcvT8wxnXLiPSENU8ifjUl9vfhIQ4Plx9E/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKA4uPRPNc-gSxle-2VVQJguU3a5TyVKgMrA6za7DGqXUSruga2fyHlrhyYs-aFKeB7Yapw4RP7lur5KYN6CsUmcD4ugmkbbhDas5tToEgiNcvT8wxnXLiPSENU8ifjUl9vfhIQ4Plx9E/s320/4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />God is Love,<br />Sista Beehive & Sista Laurel

Pinterest to the Valentine's Day Rescue

If you've got some last minute Valentines cards to do, but don't have a lot of time and are not interested in spending a lot of mone...

Build Your Blog Conference!

This Saturday, February 16, 2013, the Sistas will be hanging out at the <a href="http://buildyourblogconference.com/" target="_blank">Build Your Blog Conference 2013</a> in Salt Lake City, Utah and we would love to see you there!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://buildyourblogconference.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZaU6asL8VnnURswW_vJHFwGT6YIAZYrqBWM9gABtkC9_uNHHwDvE2cdWybmEpiHInyAhb2xfxKOzXsjxuFn8-hO5InyLySUh7eOsJM2WyQgu0yDKmvnXm-GxEI636HcrY4whRihZ5bo/s1600/BYB+Conference.jpg" title="" /></a></div>We Sistas are excited to meet the ladies putting on this bloggers conference, the 6 Sisters of <a href="http://sixsistersstuff.com/">SixSistersStuff.com</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKl3942cOUrQaIfSlPmSeKznyeVSVVYoJCI-WRPSZtowUgV1CyYW9Bz8fwjw8Gl9hglUIjh_W9q75fi8PLXqJaDC6T_hspFRfBx65DCiMxsX-eraMHyvwf4AdliRHmNogVUSp2PYbMgaU/s1600/thesisters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKl3942cOUrQaIfSlPmSeKznyeVSVVYoJCI-WRPSZtowUgV1CyYW9Bz8fwjw8Gl9hglUIjh_W9q75fi8PLXqJaDC6T_hspFRfBx65DCiMxsX-eraMHyvwf4AdliRHmNogVUSp2PYbMgaU/s1600/thesisters.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There will be great <a href="http://www.buildyourblogconference.com/p/speakers.html" target="_blank">speakers</a> including some of the Dating Divas who we had on an <a href="http://www.sistasinzion.com/2012/11/siz-radio-mormon-daddy-style-dating.html" target="_blank">episode of SiZ Radio.</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrelH6o3FlA2jv872JTfHUSytBNY1ArNXuV2XFd7fsOa94w0ioxc4kP93MNDxwhopNq5ZL9KYqZj1n2olRmucEJy-viEPPcgB-NGmVJrt4bZz8cGLFCx607WHAB8j57iKZwF6hQZ2CAY/s1600/The+Dating+Divas+Pic+-+Blog+Conference.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrelH6o3FlA2jv872JTfHUSytBNY1ArNXuV2XFd7fsOa94w0ioxc4kP93MNDxwhopNq5ZL9KYqZj1n2olRmucEJy-viEPPcgB-NGmVJrt4bZz8cGLFCx607WHAB8j57iKZwF6hQZ2CAY/s1600/The+Dating+Divas+Pic+-+Blog+Conference.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Come hang out with us as we all <a href="http://www.buildyourblogconference.com/p/register.html" target="_blank">learn how to build our blogs</a> and if you can't make it, we'll be live tweeting the conference, giving updates on sistasinzion.com and Facebook so let us know what you your blog building needs are in the comments and we'll get the info for ya!<br /><br />Hallelujah Holla Back,<br />Sista Beehive & Sista Laurel

Build Your Blog Conference!

This Saturday, February 16, 2013, the Sistas will be hanging out at the Build Your Blog Conference 2013 in Salt Lake City, Utah and we woul...

Marvin Perkins is Back for a Q&A by Popular Demand + Catholic Mom Lisa Hendey Teaches Mormons How to Observe Lent

Sistas in Zion Radio! Every Sunday 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) Listen <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/sistasinzion/2013/02/11/back-by-request-marvin-perkins-catholic-mom-lisa-hendey" target="_blank">here</a> and call in at (646) 478-3671. If you miss a live show listen <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/sistasinzion" target="_blank">here</a> at anytime! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDy-vXuzOXI0KiLZxIbDdUh8uAjKmMfAAv74ZGZpxA-K0ZtyB1xBfQD6qG138zmfqpwO24XHCNsVoKkiVN3bWAY3bvgt7G7wEnxwLpFxJHszSh_IIjq_sE7oIk9irkkAADvSNhpWNz_Do/s1600/Marvin+Perkins+%2526+Lisa+Hendey.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDy-vXuzOXI0KiLZxIbDdUh8uAjKmMfAAv74ZGZpxA-K0ZtyB1xBfQD6qG138zmfqpwO24XHCNsVoKkiVN3bWAY3bvgt7G7wEnxwLpFxJHszSh_IIjq_sE7oIk9irkkAADvSNhpWNz_Do/s1600/Marvin+Perkins+%2526+Lisa+Hendey.png" /></a></div><b>Marvin Perkins</b> joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in his late teens. As an African-American he has sought to positively change perceptions about African-American Latter-day Saints. Along with Darius Gray, Perkins produced the <a href="http://blacksinthescriptures.com/" target="_blank">Blacks in the Scriptures</a> DVD series. In June 2008, CNN aired an interview with Perkins in which he was able to vocally explain his faith and the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Marvin resides in Los Angeles, California with his lovely wife and children.<br /><br /><b>Lisa Hendey</b> is the founder and editor of <a href="http://catholicmom.com/" target="_blank">CatholicMom.com</a> and the author of A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms: 52 Companions for Your Heart, Mind, Body and Soul and The Handbook for Catholic Moms. Lisa writes for several online and print publications, is a board member and producer for KNXT-TV, and hosts the award-winning <a href="http://catholicmom.com/catholic-moments-podcast/" target="_blank">Catholic Moments Podcast</a>. She enjoys speaking around the country on a variety of topics including faith, family life, social media and the New Evangelization. Lisa was selected to attend the first-ever Vatican Bloggers Meeting, the “Bishops and Bloggers” meeting and the Catholic Press Association tour of Israel as a guest of the Israeli Ministry of Tourism. Lisa lives in Fresno, CA with her husband Greg and sons Eric and Adam.

Marvin Perkins is Back for a Q&A by Popular Demand + Catholic Mom Lisa Hendey Teaches Mormons How to Observe Lent

Sistas in Zion Radio! Every Sunday 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) Listen here and call in at (646) 478-3671. If you miss a live show...

The Cussing Mormon

<div style="text-align: center;"><b>A NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION UPDATE</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiso1JBZTIh6X3zGlYBJfDpb_rN-bs_IKthCi1OjHh4gTh5thK-kSyfpvOpWOJHS9ssreGD2E0X3dkyGVbnhSOaUgZP_D_r4eM_SmmTk33SHCfbXJ4WB8ex9_vXYibzWdMJ9Ym6EGpZiqY/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiso1JBZTIh6X3zGlYBJfDpb_rN-bs_IKthCi1OjHh4gTh5thK-kSyfpvOpWOJHS9ssreGD2E0X3dkyGVbnhSOaUgZP_D_r4eM_SmmTk33SHCfbXJ4WB8ex9_vXYibzWdMJ9Ym6EGpZiqY/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">No, I'm not talking about <a href="http://www.sistasinzion.com/2011/04/j-golden-kimball-very-funny-mormon.html" target="_blank">J. Golden Kimball</a> when I speak of "The Cussing Mormon" I am talking about...me. Just to be on the up and up let me go ahead and state that I don't mean "Mormon cussing" like; oh my heck, gosh dang it, or fetch. I'm talking full on shameful swearing like a sailor.  For just in case my Mama is reading this, let me go on the record as saying this hot mouth of mine is not something I picked up at home. I think between my parents combined I have probably heard three swear words (I won't say which parent tips the scale).</div></div><br />Since I'm confessing I'll start at the beginning of my swearing-saga. I said my first swear word in 7th grade. Our teacher left the classroom and this girl (who is now a grown woman and has since sent me a friend request on Facebook) began telling me how nappy she thought my hair was and how I needed a perm. FYI: When white people are talking about perms they usually mean making their hair curly, while when black people refer to perms we mean making our hair straight. Most of the black girls at my school had perms/relaxers. A relaxer is a permanent chemical solution that straightens or relaxes the curl of naturally curly hair. Anyway my parents chose to keep my kinky coif intact and some of my classmates including the aforementioned girl thought that this was a reason for ridicule.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj15YaCqKi2lTFRBU-Rjs04Zu3EJXOqUCOfSiupAYgkqfsohK0oi0ktS1bB4Qa4dGI-u9jRV-zW0_Q8uy4U5MU9rppQwaV4gj4ONksLweO63hlMeQ676b006gJvzqvhI_Q-n1a4lPPKd80/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj15YaCqKi2lTFRBU-Rjs04Zu3EJXOqUCOfSiupAYgkqfsohK0oi0ktS1bB4Qa4dGI-u9jRV-zW0_Q8uy4U5MU9rppQwaV4gj4ONksLweO63hlMeQ676b006gJvzqvhI_Q-n1a4lPPKd80/s200/3.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Relaxed Hair</td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoac9K5YYmmnmgOK2JDxSHP_4YpKsj8IDaDEAe1kgR3eiycoD9F_x6m4FnK6UkyUHRrkps3bV_aMcELSsTPxMiSgLELw6snfV_iIj35oZ5HYSmf-4b-L3evnfjQvTHpEFX15iIPnt4Srs/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoac9K5YYmmnmgOK2JDxSHP_4YpKsj8IDaDEAe1kgR3eiycoD9F_x6m4FnK6UkyUHRrkps3bV_aMcELSsTPxMiSgLELw6snfV_iIj35oZ5HYSmf-4b-L3evnfjQvTHpEFX15iIPnt4Srs/s200/6.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unrelaxed Hair</td></tr></tbody></table>So here I am minding my own business and this chick starts yelling at me across the classroom about my hair. So I told her to get up out of my head, cause instead of worrying about my happy-nappy behind what she should be focusing on was that tired-tacky-ponytail-extension on the top of hers, and that she might be laughing now cause I got some kinks in my kitchen, but that she wouldn't be laughing anymore once I came over there and pulled that [INSERT POOR VOCABULARY HERE] off her head. Of course that is precisely when the teacher decided to walk back into the classroom. Long story short I got suspended for three days which was nothing compared to the punishment my folks doled out at home and I was too scared to swear for over a decade!<br /><br />Then as a grown woman with grown people's trials and tribulations, Pandora's box was reopened and well...I found colorful language a hard habit to break. If you tuned into our <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/sistasinzion/2013/01/07/its-a-new-year--sistas-in-zion-radio" target="_blank">New Year's episode</a> of Sistas in Zion Radio you know that I made it a new year's resolution to stop swearing. I wish I could say that this is my first go at it, but *sigh* it is not. I've been trying for a while now and what actually made me want to stop being profane in the membrane is this experience which I am sooo embarrassed to be sharing with y'all, but will because at my swearers anonymous meetings they say sharing is caring, and a big part of recovery. So here goes.<br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYLLo3e3_ajI63P-9tIZtlar50AIWH4jUk6AQTccJwG-8DzEYTQVuxJh4hV4kBYULm_xF9i4h6rL_oE0C3_BrI_NnRxX1ZfT9M2yEnIkZdAVmgIObV3horT67y-7d6pAraC3JcK90KrYA/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYLLo3e3_ajI63P-9tIZtlar50AIWH4jUk6AQTccJwG-8DzEYTQVuxJh4hV4kBYULm_xF9i4h6rL_oE0C3_BrI_NnRxX1ZfT9M2yEnIkZdAVmgIObV3horT67y-7d6pAraC3JcK90KrYA/s1600/7.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A child of God</td></tr></tbody></table>In my life I have faced what I would consider some very cuss-worthy trials and a few years ago when I was enduring several of these tribulations I happened to be on a flight. Now know this, except for the time in 7th grade and the experience I'm about to share, my swearing has been to myself or in front of close friends or family (oh, the perks of being in my inner circle.) I'm not in the habit of cussing people out, but if you were on this flight you sure wouldn't know that.<br /><br />A flight attendant thought I had an electronic device turned on and I didn't, but kept coming to my seat to ask me turn the already-switched-off item off. After having my device checked several times and  plenty of snide comments I had enough and I went off. Now when I say off I mean off, I think I called this woman everything, but a child of God. She was snapping, I was snapping and she eventually told me she would have the police waiting for me when I got off the flight.<br /><br />This all happened within the first 10 minutes of a 3 hour flight, so I went to sleep, she went about her business and we didn't say a word to each other for the next 2 hours and 50 minutes. After the plane landed as I made my way to the exit a woman put her hand on my shoulder and stopped me. She said, "excuse me are you Mormon?" My mouth fell open, I started hyperventilating and wishing I had paid attention when the flight attendant was telling us how to apply the oxygen mask and open the emergency exits. As my very loud swear-filled exchange with the flight attendant replayed in my mind I said, "Actually I'm Catholic." Just kidding, I didn't say that. Don't worry my Catholic friends I wouldn't make another religion claim me or my bad behavior. To my utmost despair, I replied, "Yes."<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgas6yhu7pp37ZcEJA8R5tv6D8ujKbMe_hb2GspuJuUoCxM9SmDRCClcxq6EuhXUFwlahZIMuhPizNQ_A0aJ9aKlw_jc0r8-RzRetwbTCzsCtvSmmVKTR-TNaGG2ZVYqhz_X687kVab6gU/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgas6yhu7pp37ZcEJA8R5tv6D8ujKbMe_hb2GspuJuUoCxM9SmDRCClcxq6EuhXUFwlahZIMuhPizNQ_A0aJ9aKlw_jc0r8-RzRetwbTCzsCtvSmmVKTR-TNaGG2ZVYqhz_X687kVab6gU/s320/2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Am I a Mormon?</td></tr></tbody></table>I just stood there waiting for her to tell me how I was the worse Mormon she had ever met or how she was taking the missionary discussions and now because of my cuss-fest she was going to stop, but instead she pointed to her husband and said, "We are too." As my very un-Christ-like conduct flashed before my eyes again, I thought,  Jesus take the wheel! I'm serious y'all, I really was frantically praying in my head. In that moment I felt so ashamed of myself, but thankfully our God is an AWESOME God and he answered his desperate child's plea for help.<br /><br />It turned out the woman and her husband had been visiting Utah for the first time and when they saw another black person get on the plane in SLC they wondered if maybe I was LDS too, as chance would have it we were all heading home to the same city and knew some of the same LDS folks there too. Now this is the part where God testifies to me that he is real...they didn't even hear my profanity-laced tongue lashing. I kept waiting for them to saying something about it and they never did, they just kept making pleasant conversation. We said nice to meet you and good bye and headed off in our separate directions. Then I hear, "M'am can we talk to you." At this point not only had Jesus taken the wheel, but I think he was also doing the talking. I had a pleasant conversation with the officers after which they apologized for my unpleasant flight experience...po po say what?!?<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjKtSDBAxrL_J_0FV2-mprk2bLpsIUQHulNWFYSaArE0UkF3hol62dlr38txeyPVr3op8VFyOvnbhGmaRpUyx99zsLytXdoA4WH8Fi-k4yo6v2EcmLX-ijXcFH3OgGMXMcdnsNjhkJzU/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjKtSDBAxrL_J_0FV2-mprk2bLpsIUQHulNWFYSaArE0UkF3hol62dlr38txeyPVr3op8VFyOvnbhGmaRpUyx99zsLytXdoA4WH8Fi-k4yo6v2EcmLX-ijXcFH3OgGMXMcdnsNjhkJzU/s200/1.jpg" width="138" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Confession</td></tr></tbody></table>Immediately I decided that I wanted to clean up my language, because clearly private habits could obviously become public habits and I never wanted to be in a situation again where my conduct made me ashamed to say that I was a Christian. Feeling fully chastened I told my very awesome Bishop about my flight experience and he, mostly because he has a great sense of humor, suggested that for penance I share my story with the Young Women by teaching a lesson on "being a witnesses of God at all times, and in all things, and in all places." Which I did and yes, the Bishop decided to "visit" our class that day and yes he was loving every minute of my discomfort.<br /><br />So that's how I ended up on this journey of how to be a cuss free me. I've gotten everything from encouragement; my nieces, nephews and siblings counting how many days (or more often hours) I can go without swearing, to people asking me if I really think I'm going to go to hell for swearing. To that I say this, I don't know what God's speech barometer is set at. I don't know which words are "ok" and which one's will send you to hell in a hand basket. I just know this; nothing about my foul language brought me closer to Christ, no swear word I've ever used portrays that I am a child of God and that I believe that you are a child of God too and I will never forget that sickening feeling I felt when that woman asked me "are you Mormon?" For me, being a WITNESS of GOD at ALL times and in ALL things and in ALL places, means bye, bye Miss Potty-Mouth.<br /><br /> So this year I again added stop swearing to my list of new year resolutions. We asked <a href="http://blogtalkradio.com/sistasinzion" target="_blank">SiZ Radio</a> listeners to call and write in with tips for keeping resolutions this year. A tip that we received on that episode and has shaped the entire way I am approaching my resolutions this year came from Sista <a href="http://saintkimberlee.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Kimberlee St. Clair</a>. She said to take your resolutions in small doses such as a week at a time and then reward yourself for keeping your resolution for that small period of time. Her advice really stuck with me and so as I thought about my goals for this year I decided that what I really wanted to form were good habits. There's this myth out there that it takes 21 days to form a habit, whether it's true or not 21 days seemed like a good dose for me and my goals. I have all my resolutions written down and I work on one for 21 days, if I make it then I start the next one, if not I spend some more time on that goal.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSaskZpuXHx7vW1AZbiqDR5BeQNiYa6hr48n2cbMdCwxKE-G2vNx2PSKUS_J-au-jpI0PNMKxZWA71aHVT2l7P9PU3bN2wf_wJ-Ov1ePvy88ajfgXouhIS_LlNAETHxebvJfFxiM-fOzs/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSaskZpuXHx7vW1AZbiqDR5BeQNiYa6hr48n2cbMdCwxKE-G2vNx2PSKUS_J-au-jpI0PNMKxZWA71aHVT2l7P9PU3bN2wf_wJ-Ov1ePvy88ajfgXouhIS_LlNAETHxebvJfFxiM-fOzs/s200/2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Beginnings!</td></tr></tbody></table>On January 1st I implemented my first goal which was no swearing. At first I really had to remind myself of my goal and sometimes I had to bite my tongue and choose to say nothing at all because I didn't have anything nice to say, but now it's getting a little easier. In addition, the Man upstairs has been giving me an extra boost as I've added the goals I'm working on to my daily prayers, fasted and upped my temple attendance. And praise the Lord, I've made it 35 days swear-free so far, which is a far cry from last year's roughly 30 minutes after ringing in the New Year.<br /><br />For me, focusing on one thing at a time has been FANTASTIC, I wish I would have gotten this tip sooner! On January 21st I reached my 21 day milestone of not swearing and I rewarded myself with some alone time with a good book! Then on January 22nd I started my second goal, which is a health and exercise goal, I'm now doing that and still keeping up on not cussing people out. It's only been a little over 30 days since the new year began, but I have to say it feels great to not have failed half of my goals already. In the past that's how I've felt, I would start out with a million resolutions and feel like I didn't accomplished any of them. So now I've only started two of them, but so far I've experienced success by focusing on my resolutions in small doses and only adding another to my plate when I've made substantial progress on the ones before me. So thanks <a href="http://www.norahroseoriginals.com/" target="_blank">Kimberlee</a>, and brothas and sistas I know I've got 330 more days to go, but I'm feeling pretty good right now, so feel free to cut me off in traffic!<br /><br />How are your New Year's Resolutions going? Any tips for putting the kibosh on cussing?<br /><br />Jesus Loves Me This I Know,<br />Sista Laurel

The Cussing Mormon

A NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION UPDATE No, I'm not talking about J. Golden Kimball when I speak of "The Cussing Mormon" I am talk...

Deseret News' "Ask Angela" author Angela Trusty + Musana Jewelry and Kyambadde Christina are Empowering Ugandan Women

Sistas in Zion Radio! Every Sunday 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) Listen <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/sistasinzion/2013/02/04/deseret-news-ask-angela-musana-jewelry" target="_blank">here</a> and call in at (646) 478-3671. If you miss a live show listen <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/sistasinzion" target="_blank">here</a> at anytime!<br /><br />Angela Trusty of Desert News' "Ask Angela"column is here. Plus live from Uganda, Kyambadde Christina of Musana Jewelry, empowering Ugandan women through employment & education.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjq9Jz5LgDK2qnsRv-Syvz58GsN69MoROhilSRZ_CGQG3jlSRWgYKI5iGojqj4lgtl6D0xZXdoUHZGGD21bKyFKsW7eg8dDc6aKbjjmg6StsPnM675OnTv1cydhEO15zU_Yprt2MaryM/s1600/DSC_1629d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjq9Jz5LgDK2qnsRv-Syvz58GsN69MoROhilSRZ_CGQG3jlSRWgYKI5iGojqj4lgtl6D0xZXdoUHZGGD21bKyFKsW7eg8dDc6aKbjjmg6StsPnM675OnTv1cydhEO15zU_Yprt2MaryM/s320/DSC_1629d.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/askangelaslc" target="_blank">Angela Trusty</a></b> is originally from Baltimore Maryland, and  moved to Salt Lake City after finishing school at Dartmouth College and serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Temple Square. She is now the author and creator of the <a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/author/23002/Angela-Trusty.html" target="_blank">Deseret News</a> advice column for young adults called "<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/author/23002/Angela-Trusty.html" target="_blank">Ask Angela</a>".<br /><br />Angela enjoys live theater, ABC's Scandal, and could happily watch the movie Remember the Titans any day of the week! To submit a question for her column or to say hey email her at <a href="mailto:askangela.dn@gmail.com" target="_blank">askangela.dn@gmail.com</a>!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXo38N0eJyM-rODBcrklmSF7uKMW76FF7JXgfxHSMk6qx3SvzzL5SIMTC7rtX64juHRHhJIafxMcGt04Gt5QqCCpynpLm9-AwB7j0BQP8V0Bw-pxTv91_9Q-QxuD3MzeFdZebHq_hyphenhyphen44/s1600/Tina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXo38N0eJyM-rODBcrklmSF7uKMW76FF7JXgfxHSMk6qx3SvzzL5SIMTC7rtX64juHRHhJIafxMcGt04Gt5QqCCpynpLm9-AwB7j0BQP8V0Bw-pxTv91_9Q-QxuD3MzeFdZebHq_hyphenhyphen44/s320/Tina.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b>Kyambadde Christina (Tina)</b>, is married to Kyambadde Fredrick, the Bishop of the Mukono Ward in Uganda, and is the mother of two wonderful boys, ages 2 and 4. She graduated from Uganda Christian University where she studied Business Administration. Tina, now works with <a href="http://musanajewelry.org/" target="_blank">Musana Jewelry</a> as their general manager. In her free time, she loves teaching, music, and socializing with friends and family.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Musana-Jewelry/327280791407?fref=ts" target="_blank">Musana Jewelry</a> connects women around the world through a social business that employs, trains and empowers Ugandan women to break the cycle of poverty and secure greater prosperity for themselves, their families, and their communities.

Deseret News' "Ask Angela" author Angela Trusty + Musana Jewelry and Kyambadde Christina are Empowering Ugandan Women

Sistas in Zion Radio! Every Sunday 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) Listen here and call in at (646) 478-3671. If you miss a live show...

Book Giveaway from Cedar Fort Publishing - Benotripia: The Rescue

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;">What were you doing at 7 years old?</span></b> Mckenzie Wagner isn't tryna hurt our feelings, but at age 7 she was busy publishing her first book. You go girl! <a href="http://cedarfort.com/default.html" target="_blank">Cedar Fort Publishing</a> is giving one blessed Sistas in Zion reader a free copy of Mckenzie's second book, <a href="http://cedarfort.com/#%7Bselector%3A%22.ldsba-body%22%2Cmodule%3A%22/ldsba/productDetail.module%22%2Cparameters%3A%7Bproduct%3A%2220071973%22%7D%7D" target="_blank">Benotripia: The Rescue</a>!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SHlXzcczTCeTtLmW5CFQpebo3-VE8O3vaxafIvCPyn-KSk6Kmq0CwzWPuMdY0e-FSghOG34uxju7k_7Sr-txsj2bzEqb8SiriY7HIrgJgskexCjX5olGsuKKjupzkSsqHMFmftwR53Q/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SHlXzcczTCeTtLmW5CFQpebo3-VE8O3vaxafIvCPyn-KSk6Kmq0CwzWPuMdY0e-FSghOG34uxju7k_7Sr-txsj2bzEqb8SiriY7HIrgJgskexCjX5olGsuKKjupzkSsqHMFmftwR53Q/s400/2.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>Below are the instructions to enter the give-o-give-away (Shout out to the Little Stream) and a little bit about Mckenzie Wagner, a preteen that is doing more with her life than thinking about boys and texting.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqJXE3x0cswJa98StKvNsxA0cGnUBpc3jv3Nq8_p4MFFpdP34OaUT93myuceLVQy6MnjQU_B7_wp7xrhEPWVRLAl8XtvrdL1u54SugYZDobXfyPxqlTmlcCCrer_LUbT0BQFuIsVl-Mc/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqJXE3x0cswJa98StKvNsxA0cGnUBpc3jv3Nq8_p4MFFpdP34OaUT93myuceLVQy6MnjQU_B7_wp7xrhEPWVRLAl8XtvrdL1u54SugYZDobXfyPxqlTmlcCCrer_LUbT0BQFuIsVl-Mc/s200/2.jpg" width="171" /></a><br />If you tuned in to Sistas in Zion Radio this past Sunday then you know all about this bubbly girl, no worries if you missed it we've got it right <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/sistasinzion/2013/01/28/choose-the-write--authors-mckenzie-wagner-tristi-pinkston" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /><br />Mckenzie loves fantasy, action and adventure, and how does she find the time to be a preteen authoress? Well, she doesn't watch much tv (we told you she was a unique teeny bopper). Here's a little about Benotripia:<br /><br />When her mother---the ruler of Benotripia---goes missing, Roseabelle knows she'll need the help of her best friends and their combined powers to survive the perilous journey ahead of her, rescue her mother, and save Benotripia!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjGgmjliuqOuRdQE1Jpdt-cPvhHqfeqaAL-mizdMlp38_43kjZQJKFl-ZUJNer2TuF_Cywl2RGXxwjGc5Uwbu0IMO2RM-8yJa_0s9zrlzByFrsznCJwHq8kP0N_IMCTlLEQWl0V5dxDAM/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjGgmjliuqOuRdQE1Jpdt-cPvhHqfeqaAL-mizdMlp38_43kjZQJKFl-ZUJNer2TuF_Cywl2RGXxwjGc5Uwbu0IMO2RM-8yJa_0s9zrlzByFrsznCJwHq8kP0N_IMCTlLEQWl0V5dxDAM/s1600/3.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b>GIVEAWAY TIME! (It's like Hammer time, but without special pants.)</b></span></div><br />To enter you MUST like <a href="http://www.facebook.com/cedarfortbooks" target="_blank">Cedar Fort on Facebook</a> and then Hallelujah Holla Back at us in the comments of this post and tell us what you were doing at age 7. (It's ok if you weren't publishing a book, we can't all be Mckenzie.)<br /><br />For additional chances to win:<br /><ul><li><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify" target="_blank">Subscribe to SiZ</a>, then Hallelujah Holla Back on this post and let us know.</li><li><a href="http://facebook.com/sistasinzion" target="_blank">Like SiZ on Facebook</a>, then Hallelujah Holla Back on this post and let us know.</li><li><a href="http://twitter.com/sistasinzion.com" target="_blank">Follow SiZ on Twitter</a>, then Hallelujah Holla Back on this post and let us know.</li></ul><div><span style="background-color: white;">To enter leave a separate comment for each of the above you choose to do. Each comment will count for one entry. Giveaway will be open until 02/07/2013 at 11:59 pm MST. Winner will be chosen at random. You must have a US mailing address to enter.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div>Glory to God,</div><div>Sista Beehive & Sista Laurel</div>

Book Giveaway from Cedar Fort Publishing - Benotripia: The Rescue

What were you doing at 7 years old? Mckenzie Wagner isn't tryna hurt our feelings, but at age 7 she was busy publishing her first book....