If you are new to Heyyy Helen, you would think this blog title is catchy, but actually it is what and who I am, and this weekend confirmed it. Before I get into my weekend, can I be a little transparent? I know I should be blogging more, investing more time into my brand, and stepping out on faith as it relates to Heyyy Helen, but I have to admit it is truly a daunting task. When the vision came, I was all too excited to hit the ground running and making my “MARK”. This blogging, research, and traveling for the greater good of Heyyy Helen (my calling) requires discipline and what the Bible refers to as “NOW” faith. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1, KJV). Thank GOD for the Accountability partners I have in my corner, who got me allllll the way in order this week, so I’m BACK!!
OK, now that that is off my chest, let me tell you about my weekend. The minute I found out that the NFL Draft was going to be in Philadelphia, my hometown (well I grew up adjacent to it in the suburbs but stay with me), I knew I had to be there. I immediately registered online to win free tickets as well as inquired about purchasing VIP Tickets. Booked Airfare, Secured Lodging, and told my family and friends that I would in town for a brief stint. I also called my Father in the Ministry, Bishop Dennis E. Joell as I knew I would stop by the church for Sunday Worship. His response was, “Good, you are going to be preaching then”. Well I paraphrased it, but basically I needed to come prepared.
I arrived on the final day of the draft. I parked my rental car for free at Citizens Bank Park for all attending the draft, hopped on the train for a 15 minute ride to City Hall, and rushed off with the other mostly Eagles Fans heading to the same place I was. Awwwww Philadelphia, the Home of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection. The Home of the infamous Philly Cheesesteak and Pretzel. The weather was unseasonably delightful in the mid to high 80’s. The Penn Relays were going on at the same time, so the town was abuzz. I must of clicked my heels three times because there is no place like home.
Football
The NFL draft was a complete and thorough success. Fans came from all over to participate, and all you kept hearing was how GREAT a job Philadelphia did in pulling it all together. The Eagles Fans showed up and had that JAWN (this is a word created and used in Philadelphia to describe just about everything it is a noun) live. My Eagles had an awesome draft, and we looked poised to be a serious contender not only in the NFC East but the entire League. Singing the Fly Eagles Fly song with every pick as well as when the previous and current players came on the stage was a delight. Booing anytime the Cowboys came up in conversation or the screen, but the biggest kick was my phone blowing up with family and friends calling saying they saw me not just on The NFL Network but singing our song on ESPN. A good time was had by all, and there are rumors that Philly may be the Host City again in 2018. Job well Done Philly!!!
Faith
I spent the remainder of the evening catching up with my parents which is always precious and cherished time. Even at 45 they still “baby” me. They were concerned with if I was hungry, what I needed them to cook, was my room comfortable enough, and was it quite enough to mediate before preaching in the morning. Sunday morning and it was time to prepare to preach. I have some rituals and requirements prior to preaching, mostly complete silence, no food or drink, and positive vibes. My parents knew this and respected all of the above. Off to the Shiloh Baptist Church where it all started for me in 1989. Where I was licensed and spent 13 years; HOME. My nerves were all over the place, I hadn’t preached there in almost 15 years. How would I do, would they like it, I’m not the same preacher I was 19 years ago. All I could pray is “LORD have your way”; and that HE did. The message was received, my parents (both birth and spiritual) beamed with pride, my ex-husband cheered me on (yes we cool like that) and my best friend got to hear me preach for the first time. GOD was in the Building and I am so glad I said yes.
Fashion
Now I can conclude and be deep and say me and the other Saints had on the Whole Armor of GOD, and that our feet were shod in the preparation of the gospel of peace and so forth, but I won’t. Style is something you will always see in church and in particular the predominantly black church. So as for Fashion we did a little something something Sunday. I wore my St. John Knit Sunday go to Meeting and Preaching Suit, while my girl Tonya came representing Betsey Johnson. I once heard somebody say (and Deion Sanders multiple times) When You Look Good, You feel Good, and I felt Amazing!!!! Here are a few pictures we took Sunday.
What an amazing weekend of Faith, Fashion, Football, Fellowship…….