Well Damn it's July 2025

 I have not posted on this site on over a decade. 

A lot has happened!

Our son graduated from college, moved out of the house. He is an up and coming music producer and engineer.

He recently (January 2024) joined the HR department at St. Jude Children's Hospital. He has been on the road performing with his artists & label mates. He is on a major healthy eating life style s change. He returned to church after a hiatus. He joined team Subaru. 👍🏽💪🏽. GOD has really blessed him. IG: @cmajorslodown

The Queen is killing it in life. She is still the best thing in my life outside of Jesus Christ. Zee is working in HR at St. Jude Children's Hospital too. 

She is sewing up a storm making custom design purses and clothes. www.zinaissewing.com

IG:@zinaissewing

Our GOD'S Union Marriage Ministry is officially a Nonprofit ministry. She is still pushing me to be the best version of me and loving me through all my stages. She is an amazing woman ❤️💪🏽👍🏽🙏🏽⭐

For me I have lost both biological parents which is awful, but GOD knows best. Pop in 2015 and Momma(Jo Ann) in 2023. 

I made the decision to resign from Stereo One after 20+ years (February 2021). I began a new position at Southern Automotive Accessories. It has been a challenge dealing with commission based technicians. And the lower pay is tough at times but GOD is covering all we need and more. Sometimes I get a little greedy. Having legit payments means legit taxes, and that bites. 😜😝. 

I was coaching at CBU Christian Brothers University with Women's Basketball as a volunteer assistant for seven (7) seasons and that brought a lot of joy in my life. All the while I was still making sure Zee was a priority. Man that took some doing. A

September 25, 2025 I had a full hip replacement 🤯. I still hurt a lot but I feel better but my knees are the issue now 🤷🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️. 

Zina and I since the Covid pandemic have made New Orleans, LA our get away destination. Usually staying in Metarie right outside the city or at the Riverwalk Hilton by the convention center. On October 2024 we went to New Orleans for free Zina had to work a nursing convention. 

Zee and I still love sitting on the couch watching TV and watching Movies and simply being in each other's presence. She is still God's perfect gift to me.

That's all for now.

Catch me on IG: @bigel2

GOD bless you and your family, Peace Out. 🙏🏽👍🏽💙✌🏽

Semester 3

      OK good people I am still in it to win it, as they say. My second semester was a nightmare, but I am awake now and trying to stay focused. Last Spring I experienced a few hardships with loss of my grandfather Abe Dickerson in January and my father Eldridge Sr. recovering from an amputation of the lower half of his left leg. God gave me strength to make it to another semester so I will continue to lean on Him daily. The classes I took in the Spring were pretty intense but i should have performed much better than I did over the course of the semester. I took the summer off from class to get my store in order after hiring a new assistant. As this Fall 2011 semester comes to a close I felt I owed my peeps a bit of an update on my progress at Amridge University.

Blog #6 - God Keeps on Blessing

  I am truly Blessed. God is constantly showing up in my life. God is watching over my son and wife. He is healing all my parents from their afflictions. He has giving us His angels Grace and Mercy all the time. I love God with all my heart. I am trying to be more obedient. I will continue to pray with my wife and for our son daily, pray for our families daily, pray for our Pastor Frank E. Ray and his family daily, pray for our Marriage Ministry members and their marriages daily, pray for my coworkers and their families, and my church family New Salem Missionary Baptist Church (http://newsalembaptist.com). God Bless everyone. See you next time, same Bat time, same Bat Channel.  LOL

BLOG #5 - Weekend To Remember

    Well how can I best put it; (pause) I HAD A BALL. Family Life put on one of the most informative and in depth Marriage Conferences in the country. Zina and I shared a beautiful weekend together. We prayed, talked, and cherished each others company. This was our second tour at Family Life's Weekend To Remember and I was truly blessed. I considered it a marital tune up for Zee and I. The information was deep and helpful. I would suggest to any married or engaged couple to attend this conference simply because it teaches you how to keep God 1st in your marriage and your spouse as your 1st earthly priority. Check out the link and attend one near you soon. http://www.familylife.com/site/c.dnJHKLNnFoG/b.5846045/k.8C0A/Weekend_to_Remember__Marriage_Getaway.htm

I promise you will not regret attending a powerful conference that will make being married the blessing God wants it to be for you and your spouse.

BLOG #4 -CAN YOU DIG IT?

 " CAN YOU DIG IT?" are the immortal words of Shaquille Oneal as a Los Angeles Lakers winning the MVP of another All-Star Weekend.This was his 2ND All-Star MVP. He said those words with fire, gusto, enthusiasm as he held the MVP trophy in front of 20,000 plus fans at home in the Staples Center. It was a statement of accomplishment and completion. That's how I feel now after completing my mid-terms. I am elated; although, I was in panic mode all week just trying to get ready for my tests. But now it's on to the 2ND half of my first semester back in school. I want to thank my lovely wife and son for there encouragement and support. I also want to encourage my classmates and put you all in my prayers. Let's all stay motivated and first of all stay in God's will.


               Stay Focused On God,
                      Big EL

BLOG # 3- WHAT AM I DOING?

  


  So here I am on a Friday night, straight spazzing out; guess why people; I got Midterms. This is nuts. I am reading over everything I have submitted thus far  and I'm trying to recall it to memory using the techniques that i learned in my Management Intervention course. I have a tendency to over think situations and get a little stressed out.I want to set a good example for my son. So I am continuing to trod my way through I am asking God to help with this task also. As you all know we cant do anything without God. Remember Philippians 4:13  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. That is my motivation. I will check in soon to let you know how the dreaded Midterms played out. I am in it to win it!!!

Blog #2- So Far So Good!

 OK, people here is the scoop I am still in school! I haven't failed any quizzes yet. Let me be a little more positive. My instructors are easy to talk to even though I am in a distance learning program they are awesome. I realize a lot is expected for me to be successful. I have had a few personal challenges as of late dealing with my father's recent leg amputation. I have been focusing on him trying to encourage him. My father is my earthly hero and so his well being is important to me. I am so blessed to have a prayer warrior by my side; in my wife Zee; to help me with all my struggles personal and academic. This new journey is one that means a lot to me because I honestly put it off for so long as I have stated before due to not being sure I could handle being a husband, father, and working. Then I realized I wasn't showing any faith in my GOD who tells me I can do all things through HIM. So good people the journey has begun. I got my Honey Bear by my side and we are praying to GOD for strength and HE will see us to the finish line.