Shine Brightly

“ Take on the challenge of reading the bible every day, because it’s just so faith building.”

A person with creative talents on all fronts (dancing, singing, drawing, etc) is like finding a diamond in the rough. With her abilities there’s nothing God can’t use her for, so her options are limitless. Of course, personal growth often comes from hardships which eventually leads to success.

~Ricky Jean Chief Editor

Debbie: Edie!

Edie: Hi, Deb.

Debbie: Tell me a little about yourself. Where did you grow up, stage in life, working, going to school, are you from DFW originally?

Edie: Yea, so I’m originally from  London, England. I grew up there until I was 16 years old, when  I moved to New York in 2016 to go to the Alvin Ailey School. I just graduated from there in May 2020, and I actually moved to Dallas Fort Worth in September 2020 I believe. So I haven’t been here for too long.

Debbie: What do you love about Dallas?

Edie: It’s very different from London and New York for sure. But it has really made me feel like home here, it’s just the family of the Kingdom. Straight away I felt this is home, and I’ve been here my whole life. 

Debbie: What’s your favorite style of dance?

Edie: Oh! Contemporary. I like contemporary, modern, and a little bit of hip hop thrown in there too. Winter Workshop 2021 Dance

Debbie: What are some of your favorite hobbies and something you would consider unique about yourself?

Edie: Some of my hobbies are very much all artistic, you know? I like to dance, sing, and I also like to draw, and paint, and stuff like that; and I think what is unique about myself apart from my hair (which is pretty unique), is oh, let me think about this. I think it’s just my creativity overall. And how I can interpret that, and coordinate that in everyday life.

Debbie: Tell me how you were met/invited to DFW ICC ? 

Edie: So I actually reached out to my friend Khalia. Who I knew just like– knew God. I grew up as an atheist so I didn’t know God. I didn’t really believe in God, and I just basically had this experience where I just felt God’s presence. So I reached out to my friend Khalia, and she was the one that actually bought me my first Bible, and introduced me to the bible studies in New York. 

Debbie: Describe your relationship with God prior to studying the Bible, and how it has changed? 

Edie: I didn’t know him. I didn’t know God before at all you know. I heard my friends talk about him, but I was just like okay good for you– you know? I never believed in him, never read the bible, never even opened the bible once. So yeah.

Debbie: What are some of your favorite scriptures and why?

Edie: Oh! My favorite scripture is definitely Romans 8:28-29, because it’s just a reminder that through all things, you know– God works for the good of those who love him. And that just reminds me even when I’m going through something that I think is a bad thing, or if it’s hard, that he just does love me; and he’s allowing me to go through it for a reason, and that is to be conformed to the image of the Son you know? That is to make me more like Jesus, so that is definitely one of my favorite scriptures.

Another one is just the whole chapter of Hebrews 12. You know when I need to kinda just pull it together, and remember who God is and what he does? I read Hebrews 12.

Debbie: What advice would you give someone who has started studying the Bible or is considering it?  

Yea, I would say go for it you know. And be open-minded to the scriptures you know. Not so like– prideful in a way you know? Thinking that what you already know is what stands, but being just open-minded to actually what the scriptures are saying, and to allow someone to teach you it. But I definitely think go for it, and I definitely think take on the challenge of reading the bible every day, because it’s just so faith building.

Debbie: What do you love about the Kingdom– God’s Church?

Edie: Oh! What I love about God’s Kingdom is just the opportunity to get vulnerable, and open, and you know get right with God. Like that is everyone’s main focus, is getting into heaven you know. So I think what I really love about the Kingdom is you got people there to help you do that, who will always be there for you no matter what, and vice versa. So yea.

Debbie: Thank you Edie.

Edie: Thank you Deb.