Tag: thankful

hope

My Journey With God, No. 82

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning☀️

God is always working and moving, even when it appears He’s not. Here are a few memories from April 7th.

April 7, 2022 and 2018

This is a photo of a rock I painted at the same conference held four years earlier, April 7, 2018. “Trust” was one of my biggest barriers to moving forward. I had lost trust in almost every aspect of my life—family, job, profession, and myself. I was at ‘rock’ bottom and in the process of figuring out how to rebuild the trust I once had in those areas, as well as in unfamiliar areas I was tapping into.
On April 7, 2022, at the same conference mentioned above, I was presented with an award for Nutritionist of the Year. I had no idea I was receiving an award and had left the conference to check out of my hotel room. I remember receiving texts from several colleagues congratulating me and asking where I was.🤦🏽‍♀️😅

April 7, 2024

This photo was taken last year on April 7, 2024, at our state dietetics’ conference. It was the day my colleagues learned I had decided to run for president-elect again. These ladies have been by my side throughout my entire dietetics career—almost 20 years. They are my rocks!

In 2018, I was going through a weird phase in my career and wanted change. I needed it! I was losing confidence and trust in the work I was doing and in myself. So, a few months after the conference, I enrolled in a doctoral program to pursue a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree. I had already been working in community and public health nutrition, so it seemed like the logical move at the time. Plus, as I mentioned earlier, I needed a change. That was 2018.

Three years later (2021), I took a leap to become a full-time, independent consultant. That was around the end of the pandemic. At that time, I hadn’t seen my colleagues in person for over a year, so I felt pretty isolated. However, it was also during that time that I decided to promote our profession and my colleagues on my social media platform, Mississippi Thriving. I wanted Mississippians to know who we were and what our contributions were to improving our citizens’ health. So, I reached out to our dietitians asking if they’d be willing to be showcased on Mississippi Thriving’s “RDN Saturdays” (something I came up with early one morning🤷🏽‍♀️☺️), and several agreed! Hence, one of the reasons for the award I received.

Looking back, I’ve actually done a lot more than I thought over the past ten years. In no way am I bragging. I’m only acknowledging my accomplishments. For the longest time, I’ve felt like my life’s been stagnant, but in reality, it’s been moving. God’s been moving!

Y’all, I can’t say it enough, I am truly, truly blessed.🥰

Shaun

hope

Breathe

Shaun Bradford

Breathe…

You got this, and God’s got YOU.

I love you to the moon and back!♥️

Shaun

hope

Life: A Reflection Of The Heart And Soul

Shaun Bradford

A few years ago, I shared—

“How we view life is merely a reflection of what’s in our hearts and souls.” – Moi

April 4, 2022

Do you agree?

Is the way you view life a reflection of the state of your heart and soul?

It’s a ‘Yes’ for me.

Even when things aren’t the best, there’s something about life that’s still beautiful.♥️

Smile,

Shaun

hope

Trust In God

Shaun Bradford

The song of the morning is The Winans’ “Trust in God.” The song says—

Just look up
tomorrow’s sun
will let you know
your life’s not done.
Just look around
loves pouring down.
Trust in God.

Trust in God.

I love you!♥️

Shaun

hope

God’s Purpose

Shaun Bradford

God’s purpose is much greater than us. We’re only the vessels He’s chosen to use to achieve it.

Honestly, I have no idea what God’s purpose for my life is; however, I do know my purpose is to allow Him to use me as He sees fit. Whatever His purpose is, it’s greater than me. It’s my hope that along my life’s journey, others will see God through me and choose to allow Him to use them, too. Believe me, the love, joy, and peace He provides is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. It’s real.

Okay… let me end here before I start sounding like I’m trying to get y’all to join a cult.😅 But honestly, there’s nothing like residing in God’s presence.

That’s all I have for now. I pray your day is going well.♥️

Love you always,

Shaun

hope

My Journey With God, No. 81

Shaun Bradford

Y’all, I’m still singing Koryn Hawthorne’s song, “Look at God.”

“Sitting here counting my blessings…”

Whew!

Despite all the craziness I’ve been through, my blessings outweigh the bad. I can’t help but be in awe of God and His love for me. It’s like nothing I have ever experienced. I pray that you’ve experienced the same.

Love you!♥️

Shaun

hope

April Is Here

Shaun Bradford

This morning, I thought I’d share a few of my Facebook memories with you. I’ll start with the oldest and work my way up.

April 1, 2011

I miss being in the Air Force and the Air National Guard. I did half of my time in one and the rest in the other. Enjoyed them both. I still don’t like wearing stud earrings. That’s why you’ll always see me in hoops. I also don’t miss the steel-toed boots. However, I do miss my Air Force family. I mistakenly tried to treat my civilian job and colleagues like family and quickly realized they were not the same. I miss watching and hearing the planes take off. I worked in Airfield Management, which meant we managed everything on the airfield. I loved watching the fighter jets take off at the break of dawn. Talk about beautiful! And I loved hearing the big-body aircraft take off. Soooo powerful! It’s fascinating how something so big can stay in the air. And the aircrews! I had to brief them before their flights. Y’all, I got to meet pilots from all over the world and astronauts! I still can’t believe that I walked into the recruiter’s office on an April afternoon and committed to serve. Wasn’t afraid at all. Never had second thoughts. I just did it, and it was one of the best decisions I ever made. Seems like a lifetime ago!☺️

April 1, 2021

This is a message from my momma. When I first read it, I read it from the point of four years ago. Then, I read it as if she tagged me in the post today. Today, I’m saying, “Father, thank You that You’re taking me where I couldn’t go on my own.” Amen. I have absolutely no idea where God is taking me, but I trust Him. I know He’s got me.🙏🏽

April 1, 2023

I must keep shining! God has blessed me with an AMAZING life. There’s absolutely no reason for me not to. I am truly, truly blessed! I can hear Janet Jackson singing, “I’ve seen the world, been to many places…” And I have. I am beyond blessed.

I pray you have a blessed, peaceful, and prosperous month. May your April be filled with lots of love and joy. You deserve it!♥️

Love you much,

Shaun

hope

Note To Self

Shaun Bradford
From 2020–2021, I volunteered as a registered dietitian for the nonprofit Peace & Pearls Single Parent Support Network, Inc. I also created motivational messages/graphics for their social media platforms. As you can see, I shared this particular message on March 31, 2021. The messages were not only for the parents but they were also for me.🥰

Note to Self: The comeback is always stronger than the setback. – LaShaundrea

Setbacks will happen. They are a part of life. But so are comebacks!

You got this!!♥️

Love you,

Shaun

hope

Lord, Guide Me

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning☀️

Ten years ago, I ended my journal entry with, “Lord, please guide me.”

Ten years ago, my entire world changed. During the final days of March 2015, I experienced my greatest heartbreak but also my greatest relief. My ex-husband had finally moved out. That was the relief. However, the greatest heartbreak came from those I always thought would have my back but instead turned their backs on me.

Y’all, it’s been a very long ten years. Not only did I have to rebuild a life for me and my two (my hearts and rocks!), but I had to rebuild relationships. I’m not going to go into details, but just know that when I say I made it, believe me—I MADE IT!!!

I am forever indebted to God. I know I wouldn’t be here had it not been for Him. I am so grateful for His love, mercy, grace, kindness, patience and GUIDANCE. I asked for His guidance, and He answered.

Today, I’m celebrating.

Yes, I’m celebrating!

I made it!!🎉

Thank you so much for your love and continued support. I pray you have a beautifully, blessed day!♥️

I love you,

Shaun

hope

God Is So Amazing

Shaun Bradford

Just when you are about to give up, He nudges you to hold on just a little longer. Then, He steps in and makes everything alright.

I am so grateful and blessed that He loves me.♥️

Beyond Blessed