My Story Behind What I Do And Why

It started when I was 6 or 7.

6 year old..sneak my dad’s modern technology —tape recorder with a mic…and talk and talk pretending to be Walter Cronkite..or Howard Cosele or Carol Burnett.

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As an 8 year old I’d tip over an Apple Cart, climb onto it tipped ever so shaky and…..preach telling the rocks, trees, and a passing brother “you need Jeeeeesus”!

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Now I tip over my Apple phone and use my personal voice to speak….As a mentor in identity: Hence this 100 episode of the Kingdom Mentor Academy.

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So the back story…..

I loved sports….and microphones.

This could be labeled a story of a “performance-aholic” who became lost as an orphan looking to please everyone she’s meet.

Performance based acceptance was huge in my life. From early years, my insecurity drove me to performance to please whether in a job, in a career or in a relationship.

I will note I had a great dad….He may not have shown a lot of outward affection (hugs and kisses like I was his little girl) but I KNEW he loved me.

But, I loved to perform well to GET A REACTION OUT OF HIM.

As a 12 year old…OBSESSED WITH SPORTS.

I remember well that state basketball free throw contest I had entered and had made it to the state championship round.

The gym was full of energy, sweaty bodies, and nerves as over 100 kids were spread out over the gym.

Because I had a basketball game close to the time of this contest, the officials allowed me to shoot all 25 at once instead of 10 and then go to the back of the line.

Before the tournament as my nerves—butterflies—were flying out of formation, my dad suggested I say a short prayer or line to a prayer before each shot.

It became my turn. I took my dry mouth and wobbly knees to the free throw line. I remember looking up to see my dad and I could instantly see that he was nervous for me.

The official threw me the basketball for the first shot. I embraced the basketball for a second, feeling it’s familiarity in my hands with it’s worn out smooth leather. I looked up at the basket some 19 ft before me still as nervous as can be.

Then I remembered.

Being the good Catholic girl I said a quick line: “Hail Mary full of grace the Lord is with thee”..and took my shot.

Swish was the sound as it went through the net right on target.

I did that again. “Hail Mary full of grace the Lord is with thee”.

Swish.

“Hail Mary Full of grace..”…Swish.

At about 10 shots completed with no misses, I looked up into the grandstands and saw my dad. He was so excited he had fell out of his seat.

Pleased I shot again…and again…and again.

I ended up making 21 out of 25 and later found out no one came close to that as I won the event.

Ding ding ding. My little heart had found something to please my mom and dad and it had the foul and sweaty smell of performance all over it.

From basketball I began a sport’s love affair with the game of golf.

Just to cut to the short of this…I became a very good young golfer.

Two time junior state winner…Regional winner…and in my youth traveling the country as a junior golfer.

I made it to college on a full ride…

I loved the Lord and had developed a close relationship with God….

And… I thought I could use this as a platform for my voice to share….