I am grateful that God listens to me, but still does what He knows is best. He has taken me on adventures where I have learned to do some new things and meet new people. He has insight into me that I seldom see.
This week I am reminded of more things that I am grateful for: family and friends. I have had the chance to share in adventures with both groups. There is always so much laughter with these people, which the Bible teaches us is good medicine.
Josephine Baker
Josephine Baker (3 June 1906 – 12 April 1975) was an American-born French dancer, singer and actress. Her career was centered primarily in Europe, mostly in her adopted France. She was the first black woman to star in a major motion picture, the 1927 silent film Siren of the Tropics, directed by Mario Nalpas and Henri Étiévant.
She was born in St Louis, Missouri, as Freda Josephine McDonald where she had a very rough beginning. She dropped out of school at age 12 and had two failed marriages at ages 13 and 15. Then she joined a vaudeville troupe that took her to New York City. She later became part of a show, Shuffle Along in the chorus line. This would be one of the first steps to her success.
She used comedy to make herself stand out in the chorus line, and later launch a career that sent her overseas because prejudice limited what she could accomplish in the United States. In Paris she became a success which led to a career that spanned all over Europe. Some have called her the first Beyonce in that she starred in theater and movies in France and became a standout star.
She did not limit her life to performance, during World War II she became a spy for the French Resistance and later received a medal for her work. In the 1950s became active in the Civil Rights Movement traveling throughout the southern part of the United States. Ever the humanitarian, she also adopted 12 children from around the world and raise them.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josephine_Baker
Many of the things that were accomplished this year were not even on the goal list I planned for 2023. There were some surprises, some disappointments, but over all I can say I am grateful for everything.
I got to complete a bucket list item in 2023. I got to spend the evening standing at the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris with my good friends.
Aside from that, I am grateful that He chooses me. Even on days when I don’t choose me. He chooses me.
I am grateful that Jesus is not like me. He is faithful. This year has been a testament to his faithfulness to me.
Thank you, Lord.
Josephine Baker
Josephine Baker (3 June 1906 – 12 April 1975) was an American-born French dancer, singer and actress. Her career was centered primarily in Europe, mostly in her adopted France. She was the first black woman to star in a major motion picture, the 1927 silent film Siren of the Tropics, directed by Mario Nalpas and Henri Étiévant.
She was born in St Louis, Missouri, as Freda Josephine McDonald where she had a very rough beginning. She dropped out of school at age 12 and had two failed marriages at ages 13 and 15. Then she joined a vaudeville troupe that took her to New York City. She later became part of a show, Shuffle Along in the chorus line. This would be one of the first steps to her success.
She used comedy to make herself stand out in the chorus line, and later launch a career that sent her overseas because prejudice limited what she could accomplish in the United States. In Paris she became a success which led to a career that spanned all over Europe. She did a dance in a banana skirt. Some have called her the first Beyonce in that she starred in theater and movies in France and became a standout star.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josephine_Baker
Grateful
Feeling or showing an appreciation of kindess, thankful
For the month of November the most appropriate affirmation for me is grateful. This year I have the most to be grateful for because it has been a learning year. My adventures have taken me down new roads and across different paths.
Josephine Baker
Josephine Baker (3 June 1906 – 12 April 1975) was an American-born French dancer, singer and actress. Her career was centered primarily in Europe, mostly in her adopted France. She was the first black woman to star in a major motion picture, the 1927 silent film Siren of the Tropics, directed by Mario Nalpas and Henri Étiévant.
She was born in St Louis, Missouri, as Freda Josephine McDonald where she had a very rough beginning. She dropped out of school at age 12 and had two failed marriages at ages 13 and 15. Then she joined a vaudeville troupe that took her to New York City. She later became part of a show, Shuffle Along in the chorus line. This would be one of the first steps to her success.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josephine_Baker
I love this adventure with God.
Many actors have played this character in movies and limited run series. In this season finale the Sistas talk about if the current actor hit the mark or was he tacking. Listen as they enlighten.
Listen Episode 7
Amanda Aldridge
Amanda Aldridge was born in Upper Norwood, London on March 10 in 1866. She was the third child of African-American actor Ira Frederick Aldridge and his second wife, Amanda Brandt, who was Swedish. She had two sisters, Rachael and Luranah, and two brothers, Ira Daniel and Ira Frederick. She studied voice under Jenny Lind and George Henschel at the Royal College of Music in London, and harmony and counterpoint with Frederick Bridge and Francis Edward Gladstone.
Aldridge worked as a concert singer, piano accompanist, and a voice teacher. A throat condition ended her concert appearances, and she turned to teaching and published about thirty songs between the years 1907 and 1925.
Her notable students included African-American performers Roland Hayes, Lawrence Benjamin Brown, Marian Anderson and Paul Robeson, and Bermudian-British actor Earl Cameron.
At the age of 88, Aldridge made her first television appearance in the British show Music For You, where Muriel Smith sang Montague Ring’s “Little Southern Love Song”. After a short illness, she died in London on 9 March 1956, a day before her 90th birthday.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amanda_Aldridge
This week we studied the Samaritan woman. The thing that stood out for me was her humility. Jesus told her all the things she did wrong, and she said, yep that was me. She didn’t say, “there are other people in the world worse than me.” Being her authentic self-helped her change the lives of all those around her. I hope my authentic self helps change your life.
UPP Creative Media 