First
let me say, I am not, usually, a person who is all about themselves. But,
I decided a website would allow me to be heard, seen, and allow me to speak
even if No one is listening and loving me.
History:
Born in Chicago, Illinois in February of 1969 to Mrs. Josie Marie Grandberry (Linnear) and Mr. Arthur Linnear III along side my elder brother and twin, Wayne Arthur Linnear. We were the the babies and were raised as traditional Catholic African American family, full of love and cultural strife. Our elder sisters (Wendy Denise and Wanda Doreen) shared a great life with us on Chicago's South-side.
We were very fortunate to live in a mid class city block where everyone worked hard. We enjoyed many things and never fully felt the weight of racism in Chicago till high school years. Our parents shielded us from many aspects.
Our father was the first African American Lithographer to integrate his union. He worked from the ground up. Click here for his story! We are very proud of our parents. Our mother ran a Currency Exchange on Chicago's West side as well motivated her children to inspire for greatness or to be great people.
We can remember wonderful full Christmases with many traditions, neighborhood parties, jump rope, ice cream trucks, friends, walking to school in a group of peers to Saint Margaret of Scotland. Life was normal, even in the tumultuous 60 and 70s that ravaged our nation. These times built within me a Black and I am proud mentality.
In my freshman year of high school, my parents divorced and I moved in with my father and began my life anew. Time with Daddie was wonderful, introspective, and full of inner peace. Along with my best friend Erika Lomax, this time made me the woman who I am today: serious, sound, soulful, and silly. My Dad's most famous phrases were - "If you are wrong, be big enough to apologize", "everyone ain't your friends", "if no one else loves you, then I do", and "I don't care if you don't love me, but you are going to respect me".
Our parents remarried today, and that is another whole story.
Life changes you as you live it. My eldest sister, Wendy Denise Linnear-Talley went home to be with the Lord, and that has changed me since her passing in August of 1992. My sister in law, Tracey Clarice - Denine Baldwin Linnear too went home to be with the Lord in February 2009.
College:
I attended several universities. I received my Bachelor's in English Literature from Stillman College. Stillman was a grand place in time under the illustrious leader, President Cordell Wynn. He respected his students and the alumni! We felt special! I am now going after my Master's in Higher Education from Walden University and my IR Certificate from Florida State University. I am enjoying my experience. I believe I am ready to complete this degree. I have started my Master's in English and Education at Chicago State University. But, I moved to Birmingham and that degree was no longer relevant to my current life experience. I then went after my MBA, but that was for money, and I did not enjoy the math or the Accounting -- at all!
MY FAITH
As I stated, I was raised a Catholic. That doesn’t mean that I knew the Lord well. I knew of him, and Catholicism teaches sacrifice, responsibility, charity, and hard work. It was visiting with the Baptist faith that I met the Lord at ten years of age, at summer camp for a week. I didn’t know what to do with him when I returned home, but HE was with me waiting to show up and show out.
At 24 years of age, my coworker asked me did I know the Lord. I could only respond with I go to church sometimes. He forcefully told me that knowing and loving the Lord had nothing to do with attendance. God was watching me and working on me. From that day, I thought about him and what he had said. Then later on not too far from then, God sent a married co-worker to invite me to his church. And he was a light and a sweet man. He gave me the good news. I visited the church and fell in love with the Apostolic Church of God In Christ under the illustrious Bishop Brazier (God rest his soul).
Under his leadership, I learned slowly but assuredly. He had a large church but made you feel like the only one. I thrived until I moved to Birmingham and met my David. At Love Conquers All under the tutelage and friendship of Pastor Camilio Fuller, I studied and let the Word abide in my heart. Here at LCA, I felt a peace like no other. Part of me wishes I could have stayed forever with their family. I truly felt loved and covered.
Until now, we moved to Faith Chapel Christian Center. We searched for a church that made us all feel welcomed and loved and was moving forward. And FC3 was it. We have just found a home in FC3. The Word sits with me, and I take it, just like LCA. I feel like Pastor Mike truly loves all of us even though he could not possibly know us all. He seems humble, and his spirit seems gracious. My children feel humility amongst their peers, and they are growing. God knows we are tried, but we will be TRUE. We hope to be a testimony to the LORD when it is all said and done.
History:
Born in Chicago, Illinois in February of 1969 to Mrs. Josie Marie Grandberry (Linnear) and Mr. Arthur Linnear III along side my elder brother and twin, Wayne Arthur Linnear. We were the the babies and were raised as traditional Catholic African American family, full of love and cultural strife. Our elder sisters (Wendy Denise and Wanda Doreen) shared a great life with us on Chicago's South-side.
We were very fortunate to live in a mid class city block where everyone worked hard. We enjoyed many things and never fully felt the weight of racism in Chicago till high school years. Our parents shielded us from many aspects.
Our father was the first African American Lithographer to integrate his union. He worked from the ground up. Click here for his story! We are very proud of our parents. Our mother ran a Currency Exchange on Chicago's West side as well motivated her children to inspire for greatness or to be great people.
We can remember wonderful full Christmases with many traditions, neighborhood parties, jump rope, ice cream trucks, friends, walking to school in a group of peers to Saint Margaret of Scotland. Life was normal, even in the tumultuous 60 and 70s that ravaged our nation. These times built within me a Black and I am proud mentality.
In my freshman year of high school, my parents divorced and I moved in with my father and began my life anew. Time with Daddie was wonderful, introspective, and full of inner peace. Along with my best friend Erika Lomax, this time made me the woman who I am today: serious, sound, soulful, and silly. My Dad's most famous phrases were - "If you are wrong, be big enough to apologize", "everyone ain't your friends", "if no one else loves you, then I do", and "I don't care if you don't love me, but you are going to respect me".
Our parents remarried today, and that is another whole story.
Life changes you as you live it. My eldest sister, Wendy Denise Linnear-Talley went home to be with the Lord, and that has changed me since her passing in August of 1992. My sister in law, Tracey Clarice - Denine Baldwin Linnear too went home to be with the Lord in February 2009.
College:
I attended several universities. I received my Bachelor's in English Literature from Stillman College. Stillman was a grand place in time under the illustrious leader, President Cordell Wynn. He respected his students and the alumni! We felt special! I am now going after my Master's in Higher Education from Walden University and my IR Certificate from Florida State University. I am enjoying my experience. I believe I am ready to complete this degree. I have started my Master's in English and Education at Chicago State University. But, I moved to Birmingham and that degree was no longer relevant to my current life experience. I then went after my MBA, but that was for money, and I did not enjoy the math or the Accounting -- at all!
MY FAITH
As I stated, I was raised a Catholic. That doesn’t mean that I knew the Lord well. I knew of him, and Catholicism teaches sacrifice, responsibility, charity, and hard work. It was visiting with the Baptist faith that I met the Lord at ten years of age, at summer camp for a week. I didn’t know what to do with him when I returned home, but HE was with me waiting to show up and show out.
At 24 years of age, my coworker asked me did I know the Lord. I could only respond with I go to church sometimes. He forcefully told me that knowing and loving the Lord had nothing to do with attendance. God was watching me and working on me. From that day, I thought about him and what he had said. Then later on not too far from then, God sent a married co-worker to invite me to his church. And he was a light and a sweet man. He gave me the good news. I visited the church and fell in love with the Apostolic Church of God In Christ under the illustrious Bishop Brazier (God rest his soul).
Under his leadership, I learned slowly but assuredly. He had a large church but made you feel like the only one. I thrived until I moved to Birmingham and met my David. At Love Conquers All under the tutelage and friendship of Pastor Camilio Fuller, I studied and let the Word abide in my heart. Here at LCA, I felt a peace like no other. Part of me wishes I could have stayed forever with their family. I truly felt loved and covered.
Until now, we moved to Faith Chapel Christian Center. We searched for a church that made us all feel welcomed and loved and was moving forward. And FC3 was it. We have just found a home in FC3. The Word sits with me, and I take it, just like LCA. I feel like Pastor Mike truly loves all of us even though he could not possibly know us all. He seems humble, and his spirit seems gracious. My children feel humility amongst their peers, and they are growing. God knows we are tried, but we will be TRUE. We hope to be a testimony to the LORD when it is all said and done.