#TheQuench: Being Adopted - My Story [Pics]

Talk about a REBIRTH! 

Many don't know, but I was adopted at birth by two beautiful and absolutely giving parents. (One of them my namesake.) 

I'm proud to say, on Good Friday, I was found by my birth mother and my FIVE brothers and sisters. And Easter Sunday, I met them all for the first time! 

There were many tears, LOTS of jokes, and unforgettable memories. We ate, we sang, and we rejoiced. There was relief on both sides. For me, it was knowing that I wasn't a secret. My family found me. Never in my mind, was that option palpable. And yet, a single Facebook message away, here we are. And now, I know that my birth mother had made the only choice that benefited us both.  

I've always known that I was adopted. And though there was always a shadow of mystery shrouding my life, in a way I knew they were there. I say I have the greatest Guardian Angels. (For the tribulations in my life, I knew there had to be multiple angels.)  And boy, was I right!

Now, I have a bushel of nieces and nephews! Family I've never met are pouring in and showing love. We are now complete.

Living to meet the woman who gave me life & introduce her to the woman who let me live is something I've prayed for my entire life. God is good. This day is unreal. And I am blessed and highly favored. 

My journey is far from over.

 As I move forward and allow the dust to settle, the vision for my life is now illuminated. The shaky foundation I'd created for myself- about my history,  has been reinforced. I now know that I come from a long line of strong Bahamian women. We are beautiful, resilient,  talented, God-fearing, and prayerful. Faith surrounded my family and filled the hole in our hearts until we were able to reunite and become whole as a completed work of art.

Hallelujah! 

P.S.: The biggest sign of love was seen through my parents. They opened their home and hearts to my birth family.  Their openness made this experience unforgettable and I've never felt so blessed to have been raised and nurtured by these individuals. 

CARL & VIVIAN WEBSTER: You are my heart!!

My first picture with my Mother

My family (Missing: 1 older brother)

#TechJuiceTuesday: T-Mobile To Cancel Cellphone Contracts

Whoa.

Soooo, the #4 cell phone carrier, T-Mobile, has been in a mad dash to revamp their entire contract system in an effort to retain customers. According to USA Today, they've really been losing subscribers to Verizon Wireless and AT&T because of lower data speeds, low coverage in rural areas, and no iPhone. Now, the company will rely on finance plans through expensive phones:

With T-Mobile's new plans, the initial phone-buying experience won't be much different from what it's like for contract plans, but customers could save money in the long run.

For instance, someone who wants a Samsung Galaxy S III would pay $70 upfront and then $90 per month for unlimited calling, text and data. That monthly fee includes $20 to pay off the cost of the phone over two years. 

By separating the cost of the phone from the service, T-Mobile is making its plans and upgrade options easier to understand. When the phone is paid off, the $20 fee in that example disappears. 

Well, well, well.

Looks like the same shenanigans as usual.

Money out of my pocket.

But, if this will keep costs down for service, I'm all for it.

What do you think about T-Mobile's new contract system?

#LOL: Franciscan Friars Say Text Us Your Prayers

WTH?

(L-R) Brother Richard McFeely, OFM and Brother Bob Frazzetta, OFM. (PRNewsFoto/Holy Name Province)

Not sure how I feel about this... On one hand, there should be nothing wrong with updating the church and utilizing technology to reach more hearts. On the other, the picture above just seems a wee bit weird! 

Right?

So basically, those in need of a prayer can text their request to 306-44. Respond to the welcome message with your prayer and you'll receive a confirmation stating that your prayer has been received and will be prayed for. 

Now that I really think about it, this is a fantastic way for those disenfranchised by church to still reach out and have an anointed one send prayers up. Of course, you can pray on your own. 

But really? 

You're going to turn down the professional? 

That's cute.

The service is free and the Franciscan Friars released the following statement:

"We are very pleased to ring in 2013 with our new Text a Prayer Intention to a Franciscan Friar program," said Father David Convertino , Executive Director of Development for the Franciscan Friars of Holy Name Province. "With technology changing the way we communicate, we needed to offer people an updated way to ask for prayers for special intentions and needs either for themselves or others. We have been working on this for some time and it's a great way to bring in the New Year.  If the pope can tweet, friars can text!

Damn, the pope is tweeting? It's new day. 

What do you think about the Text a Prayer Intention to a Franciscan Friar program? Will you use it? 

Comment below.

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#TheQuench: New Law Says Commercial Volume Must Be Turned Down

About Damn Time.

3 cheers for whoever made this law possible.

 I'm positive I'm not the only person who's fell asleep with the TV on only to awake to an uber obnoxious commercial blasting at my membrane 10x louder than the volume of normal.

I've come too close to throwing a heavy object at my TV as a result of this.

Thankfully, an angel has come down and answered my prayers:

CALM stands for Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation. The act is designed to prevent TV commercials from blaring at louder volumes than the program content they accompany. The rules govern broadcasters as well as cable and satellite operators.

 The rules are meant to protect viewers from excessively loud commercials.

Apparently, this became law years ago, but the FCC wanted to give the industry some time to ease in.

Well, times up.

Turn that mess down!!

Source