Let The Healing Continue
Lander V. Stovall
In light of the recent events impacting our nation, what advice would you give to people in order to help them navigate the uncertainty?
Here in Louisiana we have endured a lot of natural disasters in most recent years. Hurricanes and floods which we are normally prepared for. We know how to board up the windows, move to higher ground. You need to have enough food on hand for a few days, batteries, and generators. We can feel the winds getting stronger and we can see the water rising, but this invisible enemy is an attack like no other we have experienced in our lifetime. The past few years have been epic in that every storm, flood, and virus has been likened to a hundred year repeat.
The one thing I know is that in order to navigate these times of uncertainty we must activate our faith. Love our families. Smell the flowers. Having faith that God will see us through. Everything that has come to pass will calm our spirits, give our minds peace and allow our bodies to respond in rest.
The gift of time to spend with our families is priceless although it comes with a price. We have had to go back to the old ways. Practice the art of the family dinner. Find things that are pleasing, educational and entertaining to each member in the family. We have our creative juices flowing. We have learned that some of the things we thought we could not live without, we can. We have been able to tap into the talents of our children. And our children have been able to tap into the minds of the parent. In other words we are learning what makes each of us tick.
Please share one or two available resources that can help people right now.
Take the time to learn new skills, read and reconnect with the dreams you may have put on hold. Plant a garden for beauty and food. Smell the flowers while we can. These times of uncertainty have allowed us to know what is truly important to us. Read a daily devotional with family. Let your children know where your faith comes from and the God you have faith in. Also, that God will provide all of your needs.
What is your personal mission in life?
It is my mission to show the love of God to the people I meet. Let them know that I care and have compassion for them. I am especially concerned for women and girls. It is important that they know their worth, their strengths and that they are overcomers. I want them to know that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, can be theirs if they want it. Power is knowing that you can crush a thing, but having the strength not to.
What is one of the biggest challenges you have overcome?
The biggest challenge in my life was to become a widow at the age of 25. It changed my life and my direction. Having two small children presented its’ own set of challenges.
What was one action that helped you overcome this challenge?
I held onto my faith in God and his direction to bring me through. The one thing that I knew I had to do was to stay healthy, both mentally and physically. I made sure that I ate right and exercised at least three to four times a week. The exercise was a great source to release the stress of being a single working mom. Eating properly helped me to teach my children how to care for their health also, although they did not like everything I put before them. They were five and six years old before they knew what candy was. We ate a lot of fresh fruit. I called it natures’ candy and they bought into that. But it was not long before their grandparents introduced them to the real sugar, candy.
How do you define leadership?
I believe leadership should be fluid. I do not believe that it should be one size fits all. A leader needs to be strong, but also have a degree of compassion for the people they serve. They should ask questions and truly consider the answers they receive. You can learn a lot by just being observant and not obsessed.
What advice would you give to someone that is ashamed to share their story?
Everyone has a story that needs to be shared. When you tell your story, you are helping someone else who may need validation. Sometimes people need to know that they are not alone, that others have walked in their shoes. The test is a testimony that you too can overcome. You too can be great. People need to know that they are not the product of the problem or the situation. That it was someone’s poor judgement, poor decision and they are not a victim. Your story can increase someone’s self- esteem. It is not how you start but how you finish. You can become more than your zip code. It took me almost a lifetime to share my story. But it was the most liberating and defining moment of my life. I was able to tell my story, from my point of view, and do it with compassion for the people who hurt me. That is faith and love at its best. Deliverance is empowering.
How can people reach you?
You can reach me at lansto@bellsouth.net
Visit my website ship2shores.com
Lander V. Stovall Bio
I was employed by the United States Postal Service for 31 years, now retired. I was formally employed by Sears as an auditor. I am currently licensed by the State of Louisiana Insurance Commission as an independent Life and Health agent with American Income Life. I am the former President and CEO of Team Dawson, LLC, doing business as Discreet Limousine Service; our motto is”The Service is in the Name”. I am a license Chauffeur with the State of Louisiana and the Parish of East Baton Rouge.
I served as a missionary to the Community Baptist Church, St. Croix, US Virgin Island. I spent 18 days teaching Biblical principles to the youth. For the past 15 years I have written and performed skits for the Summer Blast, a fund raiser for the Battered Women’s Program here in Baton Rouge, La. Performed in the play “Crowns” for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Baton Rouge Sigma Alumnae Chapter and Baton Rouge Sigma Foundation in 2010. And I have been the MC for “Sunday’s Best” for Antioch Baptist Church and a key note speaker for Women of Destiny for Remnant and Chabod Ministries. I am a board member and secretary for Women Working with Women, LLC. A service organization whose mission is to identify, develop, and cultivate the leadership skills of women. The organization hosted a Domestic Violence Forum on October 22, 2012, where I served on the planning / decorations committees.
I am a graduate of Southern University Laboratory High School. I attended both Southern University and Louisiana State University. I am a graduate of Ever Increasing Word Training Center. I completed the Louisiana District of the U S Postal Service, Associate Supervisor Program. And I received my diploma from the United States Air Force Auxiliary of the Civil Air Patrol, Squadron Leadership School.
I am single. I have one son, one daughter, and I am the proud grandmother of 4 beautiful granddaughters and one grandson. I am the 4th daughter of the late, Leonard and Juanita Higginbottham Virdure. I have 3 sisters and 2 brothers.
I have a passion for people, life and compassion for God’s people. God is the center of my life and it is through him that I have my being. I am a member of Magnolia Full Gospel Baptist Church in St. Francisville, where Prophet Milton Coats is my pastor. I sing in the mass choir and I am a member of the scholarship/graduate recognition committee. I served as the chairman of the 2010 -2011 graduate prayer breakfast. I serve as a member of the adult team of Sunday school teachers.
I am the prior owner of a boutique, event planner and weight loss clinic. I have been coined the “entrapanegro” by my friends. I enjoy art, music, traveling and experiencing new and exciting things.