A Peek Into My Novel Series

My CHURCH DOORS novel series takes readers on a journey with single female character Nikolis McQuaige (NikkiMac) as she navigates the changes, challenges, victories, and trials that life brings. The first novel starts with NikkiMac's  rescue by a church deacon when she's attacked by a man in a nightclub parking lot. The deacon comforts a tipsy NikkiMac in a fatherly way, gets her home safely, and encourages her to attend the local church congregation. The novels reveal her unique perspective of  life, her church family members, and the urban community that surrounds the church. Readers say they recognize the characters from their own life experiences in and out of church and their neighborhoods. There are characters that elicit smiles, annoyance, laughter, and compassion. Readers watch NikkiMac grow as she learns faith lessons and discovers that victory over all life's challenges can only be obtained when she lets God lead her. More at:  www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Smiles,

Always Sylvia
  

Sometimes Giving is Better than Getting

In my last blog post, I revealed that I'm a purse/bag woman. I posted a pic of one of my last 2 bag purchases. I'm happy to announce that I've become more disciplined in this area of my life. Here you see the last purchased bag, but the joy isn't in the purchase or the ownership. The joy came in the person of my daughter, a very stylish young woman in her twenties. She came to visit us during the 2022 holidays and spotted this bag when she came into my study to chat with me.

"Moo, that's a really nice bag! I travel lots for my job and I can see myself with this sharp bag! You know you don't like to carry travel bags, you like the ones with the wheels on them. I like to carry my bags. See how nice it looks on me? The sisters on this bag are so fine!" She paraded around my study with the bag on her shoulder, with the straps in her hand, and so on. I admitted to myself that the bag looked fine on her, and it's true that these days when I travel to book vending events, I do prefer wheels on my bags. I gifted the "Pardon My Fro Squad Travel Bag" to her, and I feel good about it. 

Smiles,

Sylvia

info@sylviabrownroberts.com  

In Purse "TIME OUT"

I'm a purse person. It began when I was in my teens. I couldn't always afford purses so I carried bags that were passed on to me. I enjoyed the rare times I bought a new one. After graduating from college and securing a teaching position, I could afford to buy a few upscale bags. Good times!

Now, however, I've put  myself in bag "Time Out" because I ordered more bags during the pandemic than I've ordered in years. There are many explanations about the why for this behavior that I won't offer in this space😉.  No more purse purchases for a long while. But look at this one: It's the Limited Edition DL Hughley NILA Doctor Bag. It's one of the last two bags I purchased online during the "stay at home as much as possible"  time of Covid19 safety behavior.  Next time, I'll show you my last purse purchase before my "Time Out." Am I alone in this? Did you purchase more of some item than usual during the pandemic quarantine?   Do tell...

Always Sylvia,        

 www.sylviabrownroberts.com

 

Encouragement

The young lady in this picture is reading my 4th novel in the Church Doors series. It encourages me. 

Today, I spoke with a businesswoman about a dress. Out of the blue, she shared that she saw me in a dream, dressed in a specific dress, sitting at a table signing my novels for many customers. I was  encouraged by her words and the fact that she said them to me today. "Sylvia, it's your spirit. Your books are going to be very successful." She didn't know it, but this was a day that I needed some encouragement about my writing work, and I'd prayed about it this morning. Our LORD is able to provide encouragement in many ways! 

Always Sylvia

Our Humble Worker Ants

 Never underestimate those quiet, humble people who don't push to be in the forefront because they enjoy doing their part in the background. These are people who you rarely see on the platform speaking through the microphone. They remind me of  the worker ants who keep moving in the colony, doing the work to keep the colony in good functioning mode. There are all kinds of workers in any group, and I sometimes wonder if the "worker ants" are appreciated. God gives us different gifts and strengths and He does all things well. Reflections: Some church workers volunteered to do clothing work today. Two of them came with their canes. One is recovering from knee surgery, so she sat in a chair, put clothes on hangers and folded clothes that others placed on racks and tables. The other worked carefully and effectively at a safe pace, her cane nearby.  Another does therapy for back issues, but works like a champ because she knows when to take "sit down" breaks. We got the work done together. We've all been positively influenced by the church workers who did this work before us and we're blessed that some of those are still with us. The LORD will make a way for those who want to serve.

Always Sylvia

www.sylviabrownroberts.com

My Imperfect Cup

This is my new cup. When I saw it in the store, the first thing that caught my eye was the message on the outside: Be Happy.  It implies that I should put forth some effort in the happiness process. Next,

I looked at the cup from the top and saw that it had an imperfect shape. What I call the lip of the cup isn't a perfect circle. It's a bit off, so of course I bought the cup. It's like me, not perfect, but able serve a positive purpose for others. It might not fit in with the regularly shaped cups, but it does the job and brings me a smile when I use it. By contrast, my cup won't grow, but I pray that I continue to grow in the ways that count for good.

Always Sylvia

@www.sylviabrownroberts.com

 

Sometimes Things Aren't What They Seem

"

Although the sign on the door noted that masks must be worn in the center, an agitated unmasked man entered the waiting room and asked the receptionists, "Do you have masks here at the desk? I don't have a mask." His tone and body language caught my attention. It was like he thought it was everyone's fault that he didn't have a mask and therefore might not get his physical therapy session without one. He saw his therapist across the room and hollered to him, "Do you have an extra mask in your office?" His therapist quickly found him a mask. Once the client put it on, he calmed down. The therapist asked gently, "So, what are we working on today?"

The client's shoulders slumped before he said, "I don't really feel like doing much of anything today. My mother died yesterday." Everyone in the waiting room, including his therapist, looked stunned. Seems like his attitude wasn't about the mask after all. 🙏🙏

www.sylviabrownroberts.com