It was important for me to hear words of wisdom from 3 places as I walked into this new phase of life as a Teaching Elder of the Presbyterian Church (USA), so I chose people from: 1) from among my elders/mentors, 2) from my community, and 3) from my family. I gain insight and am tooled from these 3 places that undergird and sharpen my ability to listen, to lead and to love God’s people.

Rev. Dr. Leon Fanniel has been a mentor of mine since the late 1990s. He is another living legend of the church and I am honored, completely awed, that Rev. Fanniel has worked to be present for my ordination since his diagnosis and fight with an acute form of leukemia. He was always there for me as a young leader as I recruited 200+ youth from 11 of the African American congregations in the Presbytery of the Pacific to Big Bear Lake Conference grounds for 8 years. [See, the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree! I met God at a Zephyr Point conference center in the 1980s, and I worked hard to get other youth in spaces like the one I went to as a kid so they too, could have an encounter with the Lord that would change them forever.] Rev. Fanniel would not scold me when I came in huffing and puffing because there was not enough money for whatever programming need we had. He would not chastise me for making mistakes as a young leader. Rev. Fanniel would just sit and listen to whatever I had to say, and would offer his sage advice for how to overcome whatever crazy situation we had gotten ourselves into. I am so grateful for his guidance in learning how middle governing bodies work. Look at where it has brought me! Thanks be to God.

Claudine Cooper. Yes, you have to say her name and just stop, like the period suggests. This woman right here is a powerhouse in mind, that little 4 foot something body, and spirit. I met Claudine at the 24 Hour Fitness during a very difficult and sad time for me about 4 years ago. I had lost my way and motivation. An unexpected cross-country move left 7 career offers flat on their face. I had to decline each offer with the impending reality that I would also be leaving my my high school/college friends, a town that I had grown to love, and a beautiful 4 bedroom house in a cul-de-sac that we owned. I gained weight with my pregnancies, but the sadness made it worse. I decided to “get my body back” and head to the gym. Little did I know that I would be inspired, challenged, blessed and loved in the class that I chose to join.

Claudine’s bio says she’s a fitness trainer, which she is! However, her testimony and life lessons preach to the 60-80 of us who squeeze into her classes just to get a word from Deacon Claudine! In the midst of burpees, push-ups, sprinting back and forth, and all the other crazy contortions we subject ourselves to, Claudine teaches us from the grit within her own experience. She openly shares about her faith in God in the midst of abdominal and hip flexor exercises. Claudine welcomes the stranger, the non-believer, the friendless, the downtrodden, the sinner, the saint. She opens herself up to shine God’s light with every step she takes. Claudine has been blessed to be a blessing and she encourages each of her students to do the same. She is the walking and living example of God’s grace and the words Jesus spoke in John 14: 12, “I assure you that whoever believes in me will do the works that I do. They will do even greater works than these because I am going to the Father.”

Claudine’s book helped me feel empowered to not only dream, but to decide and fight to live my best life everyday. Claudine’s toughness, resilience and vulnerability gave me the power to see that same strength in myself and continue on. Claudine, you are living in God's purpose and I am so thankful that I was able to catch some of the drops of love that God rains down on you. Thank you for who you are Claudine, today, tomorrow and always.

Victor & my sweet children, Tré and Nhani Cyrus-Franklin - You are just what God knew that I needed to make me the woman I would need to be to do this work in ministry. I told God for years that I didn’t want to marry and that I wasn’t having kids so I just work with youth for the rest of my days without distraction. Isn’t that funny? Me telling God what my life’s plan was and to get with the program! My goodness did God have another thing in store for me!

Victor, I am convinced. There is no other partner, no other best friend, no other companion who could be the amazing and thoughtful husband that you are to me. You love me just the way I am, no strings attached. You are so wise and considerate and teach me every day how to be a better person and a faithful witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ. There is not enough time for me to thank you for committing to a life with me. I am grateful for you. I am because you are. Thank you for crying with me during the nights I felt that I could not go on another step in this ordination process. You reminded me of all the gifts God bestowed upon me and my responsibility to share those gifts with the church and my community. I love you forever. Thank you for giving me the kiss of life.

Tré and Nhani - Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for cheering me on. Thank you for choosing me to be your mom. I love you always and no matter what.