Charlyce Simmons - All of Me: My Journey to Yes

Copyright 2014, by Charlyce Simmons

All rights reserved

Published in the United States of America

ISBN: 978-0-9905031-3-2

ISBN: 9781495135316

No portion of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without written permission of the copyright owner, with the exception of brief excerpts in magazine articles, reviews, etc.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible.

The author credits the following:

Authors cover photos: Marvin Jackson Photography

Makeup by: LaKendra Jackson

Hair Stylist: Tiffany Westbrook

Jewelry Designer: Eric Green Collection

Cover and Interior Layout & Design:

Tarsha L. Campbell

Published by:

DOMINIONHOUSE

Publishing & Design, LLC

P.O. Box 681938 | Orlando, Florida 32868

407.703.4800 phone

www.mydominionhouse.com

The Lord gave the Word: great was the company of those who published it. (Psalms 68:11)

DEDICATION

This is book is dedicated to Morgan my donor, and her family. Thank you again for honoring her wishes.

To all my doctors and surgeons who have taken care of me over the yearsThank you.

Dr. Cohen and my nurse Elaine thank you for being the best doctor and nurse a young, nervous little girl could ask for, and for helping me through my journey.

To Diana Mincy for making sure I got to Dialysis everyday after school, and Yvette Postell for staying at the hospital overnight to give my mom and sister a break.

To Translife and Transplant Center and The National Kidney Foundation for getting us through a rough, and amazing time in my life, and allowing me to share my testimony through word and song with Central Florida and the World. Saving lives through Organ and Tissue Donation.

Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee Jeremiah 29:11

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The story you are about to read is about all the obstacles she has had to overcome. Our tiny little girl has been strong through it all, and God has blessed her over and over again.

PREFACE

G enesis 1:1 and 2:7 says, In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breathe of life, and man became a living soul.

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. God created man and knew every single intimate detail about who man was supposed to be and what he was supposed to do. God gave us dominion over the fish of the seas. The Bible tells us that before we were formed in our mothers belly, God knew us, for we were with God.

Through all the struggles in my life, Ive always known that God knew me because I am an intricate and original design of his. He knew the specific days and years I would face my biggest obstacles. He had already mapped out every day of my life. A lot of times I see people trying so hard to figure out whats going on, what they should be doing, or making comments like, Im not supposed to be here right now in my life, a conclusion I was famous for drawing, as well. That use to be my favorite line -- yes, me of all people.

Its funny that people really think they control their own lives and destinies. Yes, God gives us free will, but some things he predestined, and he knows every right or wrong decision we will make before we even make it. Thats how we get to where we are, which he also foreknew. I often tell my husband, We are right where God knew we would be right now. Its not a surprise to him, and he doesnt need our help orchestrating our lives. Its already done! Just walk in obedience. That is often the problem -- we are not walking in obedience to God not always. So instead of surrendering to God, we run and have to do things the hard way...well, at least I know I did. God always has a way of getting our attention.

I am writing this book to encourage and strengthen someone. It is my personal testimony, a detailed biography of my life thus far, and how God has kept me, through dangers seen and unseen. I havent always done what God wanted me to do, but he has always given me other chances to be obedient. Dont get me wrong; not everything we go through is because of disobedience, for it is the test and trials of life that make us strong so God can prepare us for ministry. But a lot of my trials were, in fact, because of my disobedience, so I wanted to let people know that there is a much simpler way to arrive at your destiny -- simply to yield and surrender all of yourself to God. It took me so long to understand that because we can surrender some, but not all. Once you stop fighting and saying No to God, you realize by his grace you are still alive and have another chance to say Yes to his will.

God planned every step of our lives before he formed us in our mothers bellies. Do you understand we were with God, and he sanctified us (made us clean) and ordained us as prophets

FOREWORD

I ve always been obsessive about meeting due dates. Even in school I always turned in my book reports, term papers, and project assignments ahead of schedule to relieve the stress of meeting the due dates. I never waited until the last minute to meet any deadline. So why couldnt I have a baby that way? My last two babies were late according to my doctors predictions, so I tried to make sure my third baby was born at least on time, if not ahead of schedule. So I increased my walking and made sure I had daily bowel movements. Still no baby, however.

A few days of false labor began to make me feel like getting the whole birthing process over with. When I woke up on October 23, 1979, with contractions and had passed my mucous plug, I decided to do all I could to get to the hospital by noon. Did I mention I had my fourth baby, Charlyce, when I was 26? I married a widower with three children and this new baby would make a total of seven children in the household. Needless to say, I was not too excited about having another child.

To add to our stress levels, we also purchased a new home! It was the home of my childhood dreams, complete with white columns and a split-level design. We moved in two months ahead of my due date and all the packing and unpacking wore me out. All I wanted was to have my new baby and get settled in. I told my husband this child had to be the last, as I wanted no more babies.

My mind was already in the nesting mood, so I excitedly began running around the house, accomplishing last-minute tasks, like washing the clothes and preparing dinner in time to be ready to go to the hospital. By two in the morning, I was having irregular contractions about ten minutes apart, so my doctor suggested I go on to the hospital, given the fact that my previous deliveries were so rapid I didnt make it to the hospital in time for assistance. So this time they planned to watch me carefully.

It was eight oclock that evening before they rolled me into delivery and I gave birth to a tiny little angel, 5 pounds, 12 ounces. What joy complete, a little girl so sweet! I was so elated and felt so blessed. I had no idea what a blessing she would be...always happy and lighthearted, laughing, playing, and singing! In fact, she started trying to sing before she was two years old! By the age of three, she could sing and stay in tune with perfect pitch! We all enjoyed listening to her and knew she would be a singer. I loved to sing and for my baby to be able to sing thrilled me.