Latreia Coaching & Consulting LLC

God morning, my brothers and sisters…Frozen and snowed in Columbus, Ohio.

You know, this is the time of year when a lot of people feel the weight of the winter doldrums.
And I think part of the reason is this…

On January 1st, we start strong. Resolutions. Goals. Fresh starts.
There’s excitement… energy… expectation.

And then real life kicks in…winter has a way of magnifying that gap between what we expected and what actually happened

I hear it all the time from my own clients, and there’s a tone when they say it.

'I already failed.'
'I’m already off track.'

And when they say it…it sounds defeated.

No…no…no.

This is where I want to stop that thinking. Because what if you didn’t fail?
What if what you’re experiencing right now is feedback?

Bad habits showing themselves.
Old attitudes popping back up.
A cluttered mind asking to be cleared.

That’s not failure…that’s learning.

So today’s Friday Fly-By word is JOY. Let me explain, but first, it goes along with a verse I want to share. It comes from Colossians 2:14, and it says this…
'He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.'

That verse reminds me of something important.

My debt was paid.
My shortcomings were covered.
It is done.

That doesn’t mean I’m perfect…it means I always know where to go when I fall short. I find great joy in that knowing. And the same truth applies to our work and our goals, because grace gives us permission to reassess instead of retreat.

I use this example a lot in the sales world.
Everyone knows prospecting and marketing matter.
Everyone agrees they’re critical.
But when you sit down with people and ask,
'Show me your actual plan…show me what’s on your calendar…'
Most can’t.

Not because they’re lazy.
Not because they’re afraid.
But because they don’t have clear direction…or a real plan…or clarity on what to do next.
Great goals without direction, plan or knowledge will always feel defeating.

So when January didn’t go the way you planned…
that’s not the end…that’s the invitation.

To reassess.
To adjust.
To build a better plan.

And here’s where the joy comes back in…
Your identity is not controlled by a calendar date.
Every day gets to be January 1st.
So don’t call these days doldrums.

Find the joy in learning.
Find the peace in resetting.
Draw the line…redraw it if you need to…and move forward.
That’s not failure.
That’s growth…and that's JOY!

God morning everyone…have a great weekend.

God morning, my brothers and sisters…Have you ever had one of those moments where something good happens and you just stop and think…

How did that just happen?

Not because you planned it.
Not because you forced it.
But because it landed so perfectly that all you could do was sit there in quiet disbelief.

Those moments don’t make us loud.
They make us still.
They put us in AWE.

I had one of those moments right in the middle of my career. Things were going well. The company was doing great. I was in a meeting like I’d been in countless times before, feeling pretty good, but also quietly thinking, How do I keep supporting what’s happening in my life right now? How do I create a little more breathing room?

Nothing dramatic. Just real thoughts.

Then out of nowhere, I feel a tap on my shoulder. My boss asks me to step outside. No explanation. No warning.

We walk out, and he asks me,
“How are you doing?”

I remember thinking, That’s a strange question.
So I answered the way we usually do…
'I’m good. Things are going well.'

He paused, looked me straight in the eyes, and said,
'No… how are you doing financially?'

That caught me off guard.

I said, 'Good…working hard…trying to make it even better.'

Then he said something I’ll never forget…
'How can I help?'

That conversation led to something totally unexpected. It led to changes I never asked for. It led to an increase that covered exactly what I needed and even what I had just begun thinking about.

Just like that, a weight lifted.

And I walked away from that moment in complete awe.

Not proud.
Not impressed with myself.
Just humbled.

Which brings me to today’s Friday Flyby word…AWE.

Because awe has a way of stopping us from taking credit for things that were never ours to take credit for.

It also reminded me of today’s verse, and it comes from 2 Timothy 2:13 and it says…'If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.'

That verse reminds me that some of the biggest blessings in our lives don’t show up because we earned them. They show up because God is steady, even when we’re distracted, uncertain, or just trying to figure things out.

Here’s the danger, though.

When we don’t know where to give the credit, we slowly start giving it to ourselves.
Not arrogantly. Quietly.

And when awe turns into ownership, we miss the whole boat.

That moment wasn’t strategy.
It wasn’t negotiation.
It wasn’t me making something happen.

It was patience.
It was timing.
It was the Lord saying, I'VE GOT YOU.

God is faithful, even when we are not.

So when those awe moments come, don’t rush past them. Don’t internalize them. Don’t turn them into proof of how good you are.

Let them remind you who’s really in charge.

Stay in awe.
Give Him the glory.
And trust that the same God who showed up then…
is already at work now.

Have an incredible weekend everyone…Be blessed and go be a blessing.

God Morning, my Brothers and Sisters!

Let me start with a simple thought today…

You can build something impressive…and still miss what matters most.

Over the past season, my wife and I, along with another couple, made a decision to slow down and really appreciate where we live. Instead of rushing through life, we started taking small day trips, exploring our great state, and learning its history.

We’ve visited places where movies were made, like The Shawshank Redemption and A Christmas Story.
We’ve walked through history, visiting the hometown, home, and presidential library of Warren G. Harding.

What made those places meaningful wasn’t just the buildings…it was the people. Their stories. Their relationships. The lives they touched.

Then on one of these trips, we visited a beautiful garden estate. It really was something to see…an impressive mansion, incredible grounds, acres and acres of beauty. Everything was well done.

But as we listened to the story being told, something felt different.

The focus stayed on the property. The wealth. The success. What we didn’t hear much about were people, family, relationships, or how this man shared life with others. When it was all said and done, everything he worked for stayed behind. Beautiful grounds but a very quiet story.

That moment stuck with me.

Which brings me to today’s Friday Fly-By Word…Alignment! Also goes great with a word from Ecclesiastes 4:8 that says…'There was a man all alone, he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth.'

Alignment is what happens when our work and success don’t stand alone when they’re connected to our faith, our relationships, our health, our mindset, and how we give back. Because success by itself can look impressive, but it doesn’t always leave impact.

That verse isn’t saying success is bad. It’s reminding us that success was never meant to be solo.

As we move through this year, my encouragement is simple…

Work hard. Chase excellence. But don’t forget to stay aligned, spiritually, relationally, physically, mentally, and generously.

Because legacy isn’t just about what we build.
It’s about who we bless along the way.

Let that all sink in this weekend and as always…Be blessed and go be a blessing.

God morning, my brothers and sisters…and the happiest, happiest of New Year.

Yes! This is a new year. A fresh page.

And if you’re anything like me, you can feel it…that gentle pressure that doesn’t come from stress, but from possibility.

That quiet question getting a little louder…'What do I want from this year?'

But this season keeps nudging me to ask a better one…'What does God want to build in me this year?'

And that brings us to our Friday Fly-By Word, ALIGNMENT, which brings me to our verse from Amos 3:3 and it says, 'Do Two Walk Together Unless They Are Agreed?'

You’ve probably heard the word alignment everywhere lately from coaches, consultants, leaders, managers. And honestly, it makes sense. After everything we walked through in 2025, especially with Ai showing up as a non-negotiable tool, success in 2026 won’t just be about being faster or smarter.

It’s going to require something deeper.
It’s going to require EQ, Emotional Intelligence…wisdom, discernment, emotional and spiritual maturity.

And maybe that’s why this year feels heavier in a good way.

Because this isn’t just a new year, it’s also a year to pause and give thanks for freedom.
This year marks 250 years of this great country. And for me personally, it marks 50 years since I came here in 1976 and later became a naturalized citizen.

Has everything gone perfectly? Not even close.
But the opportunity to work hard, to grow, to rebuild, and today to run my own business, only happens in a place like this.

Freedom gives us the space.
Faith gives us the direction.

And succeeding in 2026 won’t be about grinding harder.
It’s going to be about getting things lined up.

To me, alignment means my heart walking in step with God…
my priorities matching what He’s doing…
and my plans starting with Him, not just ending with Him.

Because when we’re out of alignment, life feels heavy and scattered.
But when we’re aligned with God, clarity comes, even if the road ahead isn’t easy.

This new year gives us a chance to realign…
our work with purpose,
our relationships with intention,
our physical and mental well-being with stewardship,
and our serving and giving with gratitude.

So, before you rush into resolutions…
before you chase outcomes…
ask God this one simple question…
'Lord, where do You want alignment in me?'

And if you need help walking that out, if I can serve you in any way, reach out to me.
Call or text 614-638-9397.

This is the year to re-align.
Let’s do it together.

God morning, Happy New Year. Be blessed and now go be a blessing.

God Morning, my brothers and sisters…The day after Christmas. Gifts unwrapped, the quiet is settling back in, and we’re standing in that in-between space where one year is winding down and another is right in front of us.

Over these past weeks, I’ve shared five people, five very different characters, who crossed my path. Some brought joy. Some brought pain. Some could have taken my life in a completely different direction. And every single one of them taught me something that shaped who I am today.

Here’s what I’ve come to believe with all my heart:

There is not one single person who crosses your path without significance.
Not one conversation. Not one relationship. Not one encounter.
Sometimes their role is for us.
Sometimes it’s for them.
Sometimes we don’t understand it until much later.
But God is always present in the middle of it.

That’s why today’s Friday Fly-By Word is PRESENCE. And it goes with our verse that comes from Matthew 22:37-39 and it says 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it, Love your neighbor as yourself.'

See Christmas reminds us that God didn’t save the world from a distance. He showed up. Emmanuel, God with us. And Jesus didn’t surround Himself with the powerful or the polished. He chose twelve ordinary men, strangers at first, men with rough edges and imperfect stories. Through them, God changed the world.

But this verse shows us the true order…
Vertical first.
Then horizontal.
When we are aware of God’s presence in our lives, we begin to see people differently. We slow down. We listen better. We stop rushing past moments that might actually be divine appointments. We recognize that the person in front of us, simply because they are still breathing, matters.
And sometimes…they’re the very person God will use to redirect your life.

So on this day after Christmas, as we look toward a new year, here’s my encouragement…
Stay present.
Love God deeply.
Love people intentionally.
Because God still works through people.
And His presence often shows up right in the middle of ordinary encounters.
Merry Christmas, my brothers and sisters.
Happy New Year.
God Morning.

God Morning, my brothers and sisters…

Have you ever noticed how God sometimes uses the very people who frustrate us the most to redirect our lives? Not friends. Not family. Sometimes…complete strangers. And sometimes the moment that changes everything is one we almost avoid.

That’s why I believe so deeply that everyone matters and that divine appointments don’t always come wrapped in encouragement. Sometimes they show up disguised as rejection.

Today’s Friday Fly-By Word is PURPOSE! And the verse that fits this moment perfectly comes from Proverbs 16:9 and it says 'In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.'

Years ago, when I was a mortgage loan officer, I came across a piece of technology that helped build relationships between loan officers and realtors. I remember watching their old VHS promo and thinking, this is it. I wanted it badly for our company.

After weeks of trying, I finally got an interview with the founder. I felt good about it…until he called back and told me we weren’t a fit and probably couldn’t even afford it. I hung up angry. And I stayed angry. I talked badly about that company to anyone who would listen.

Then God used someone close to me…a colleague, a brother in Christ…to call me out. He said, 'You talk a lot about forgiveness, but you’re not living it right now.' And then he challenged me to do something I didn’t want to do, call the guy back and thank him.

Not for him.
For me.

I fought it. Then I did it. I left a short voicemail thanking him for his time. And without thinking much of it, I ended the message with, 'God bless you and your company.' Which, honestly, is not how I would end any messages especially as upset as I was at that man.

That voicemail changed the trajectory of my life.

The founder kept calling me back. I ignored it at first. Eventually, I picked up. The first thing he asked me was, 'Are you a believer?' When I said yes, everything shifted. He told me their company was built as a calling from God and that the way I left that voicemail mattered.

He flew in. We talked. And later he told me the reason he returned the call was because of how I ended that message…with grace instead of resentment.

That relationship became mentorship.
That mentorship became opportunity.
And that opportunity launched my coaching and consulting journey, the work I still do today, serving people far beyond just vocational success.

This man was tough. He challenged me hard. But God used him to shape me deeply.

So here’s the challenge I want to leave you with today:

Before you dismiss someone…
Before you avoid a hard conversation…
Before you hold onto frustration…
Ask yourself, 'What if God is trying to use this moment to redirect me?'

Because sometimes purpose is hidden inside resistance.
And sometimes the voicemail you don’t want to leave…is the one God uses to change everything.

God Morning, my brothers and sisters…may you recognize the divine appointments God places in your path…even the ones that don’t feel good at first.

Be blessed and go be a blessing.

God Morning, my brothers and sisters…
Have you ever thought about how God can use a total stranger to change the entire direction of your life? Not a season. Not a relationship. Just one divine appointment you didn’t even know you needed.

Here is another person who unexpectedly shaped my life. And this one still gives me chills.

Today’s Friday Fly-By Word is INTERVENTION and the verse is from Hebrews 13:2 and it says 'Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.'

I had moved to Hollywood, to chase my dream of becoming an actor, on a one-way ticket and no job. After about a couple of years of struggling, working multiple jobs at one time, and watching the dream fade, I became desperate. So desperate that I actually asked God to step aside, just for a while, because I didn’t want the guilt of a decision I was about to make.

Standing on the cliffs of Malibu, looking out over the Pacific, I justified a shortcut. Quick money. Temporary compromise. I told myself I could handle it and pull myself out later. Just so happens at that same time, my retail job offered me a promotion that would move me to San Diego, taking me away from my acting dream. I decided I wasn’t taking it but
that night, standing at a bus stop outside work, a man walked up to me and asked,

'Are you a Christian?'

I said yes, even though I had just tried to push God away. He looked relieved, grabbed my hands, and said, 'Good. I was looking for you. Can we pray? I need help.'

There we were, two grown men holding hands at a bus stop in Los Angeles. It felt awkward. But we started to pray.
But as he prayed, I knew something deep in my spirit.

This prayer wasn’t about his decision.
It was about mine.

He prayed for clarity. For doors to open and doors to close. For protection and wisdom. And standing there, I realized something I’ll never forget…God had me, even when I was trying to turn my back on Him.

Years later, I can say this with confidence, had I stayed in Los Angeles, those people I was about to follow, well their stories did not end well…jailed, loss of everything and themselves...That could have been my story, but it wasn’t.
And here’s the part that still chills me.

I went back to find that man. He told me he worked as a janitor at the mall. I looked. I asked around.
He didn’t work there. Gone!

Did he need me…
or did I need him?
I don’t know.

But I do believe this…angels don’t always have wings. Sometimes they show up at bus stops.

God Morning, my brothers and sisters…may you recognize the divine appointments God places right in front of you...even when you don’t think you’re looking for Him.

God Morning, my brothers and sisters…

Did you know God sometimes sends people into our lives who aren’t family, aren’t expected, and yet love us in ways we didn’t even know we needed? As promised, here’s another person who unexpectedly became a major influence in my life…proof that divine appointments can show up wrapped in complete strangers.

First, Our Friday Fly-By word today is GRACE, and our Word is from Ephesians 4:32 and it says…
“Be kind and compassionate to one another… just as in Christ God forgave you.”

This next character came into my life when everything felt upside down. My step-dad was gone. My mom had moved to Atlanta for work. I was living alone so I could finish high school, where I was “Mr. High School,” but behind the scenes, I was a broken kid holding things together with duct tape and determination.

And then I met a girl. A sophomore. Sweet, kind, and the only daughter of one of the most prominent, wealthy families in Minneapolis. A family that, by every earthly measure, had no reason to welcome a kid like me, troubled, minority, struggling, no father, living alone, and patched together in more ways than one.

But her father did something extraordinary.
He welcomed me.
He didn’t judge my story.
He didn’t hold my past against me.
He didn’t treat me like the 'broken kid from a broken home.'
He treated me like a son.

He invited me on family trips. He talked to me like I mattered. He saw the cracks but didn’t flinch. And he gave me something I had never really felt from a father figure, unconditional grace.

Then came prom.
I couldn’t afford much. My car barely stayed running. And this man, this stranger-turned-father-figure, opened his entire home, transformed it into 'Chateau Fetterly,' cooked steaks, blended drinks, served a dozen of us like royalty…all because he wanted me to experience something special.

And just before we left, he placed the keys to his beloved E-type Jaguar in my hand. When I tried to give them back, he said words I will never forget:

'If you believe you’re worthy to take out my daughter, my most precious thing, but not my car, then don’t take her out at all.'

That’s when I learned what true love, true trust, and true fatherhood looked like.

But this story runs deeper…
He didn’t just open his home, He opened the door to Christ.

He invited me to church. I kept going. Then I started going alone. And at 19 years old, I accepted Christ because of this man’s example, his grace, his compassion, and his willingness to love a kid who had every reason to be overlooked.

He taught me joy.
He taught me peace.
He taught me how a real father loves.
And he helped me become the man I am today.

So here’s today’s encouragement…
Don’t underestimate the strangers God sends your way.
Sometimes the people you’ve never met end up shaping your life more than the people you grew up with. And sometimes the greatest blessings come wrapped in unexpected relationships.

God Morning, my brothers and sisters…may your heart be open to the divine appointments God places in your path… especially the ones that look like strangers.

Be blessed everyone and go be a blessing!

God Morning, my brothers and sisters…

Did you know that some people come into your life for just a season, and even when that season is tough, God still uses them to shape you? Sometimes the ones who stretch us the most end up laying the foundation we stand on years later.

And as promised, over the next few weeks I’ll be introducing you to a handful of people who, expectedly or unexpectedly, became major influencers in my life. It’s why I’m a firm believer that everybody has a purpose in our story. Some show up for years, some for moments, but all are part of God’s divine appointments. Sometimes they’re here for our growth, sometimes for theirs, but either way, God is doing far more than we realize in the moment.

Our Friday Fly-By word today is FOUNDATION, and the verse is Proverbs 24:3 and it says…'By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established.'

So here’s the next character in my story.

When I moved to the United States at age 12, everything was already a whirlwind, new country, new culture, new everything. My mom had remarried, and that added a whole new layer to our lives. My stepfather started as a reformed, non-practicing Jew, but by the time we arrived, he was determined to build a strong Jewish home. And while I respect the desire for faith, he took it so far, so fast, that none of us had time to breathe.

We were already dealing with the shock of America…and now suddenly we were keeping kosher, giving up Filipino foods, no more pork or shellfish, no more Christmas or Easter. Everything familiar was gone. My older brothers left the house as soon as they could. I couldn’t. I was 12. And I wanted peace, so I threw myself fully into this new identity…Jewish camps, synagogue every Saturday, Hebrew classes, all of it.

But looking back, it was mentally exhausting. There was always this feeling of never being 'quite enough.' Never fully accepted. And that kind of pressure stays with a kid.

So I found my escape in high school. I poured myself into everything 3 letterman in sports, clubs, leadership…not just because I loved it, but because home was hard and this was a reason to stay away from it all. People say I should be proud of all my high school accomplishments, and I am, but I also know why I did so much. It was my way to breathe.

Then came age 18. After years of trying to fit into this new world, he told me, 'You’re not really Jewish. You’re not blood.' And just like that, he packed up and left my mom and me to start his own family.

But here’s the surprising part…I’m grateful for that season.

Because even in the pain, God used it. I learned discipline. Resilience. The beauty of Sabbath. A deep understanding of the Old Testament that became the foundation for my New Testament faith today. I learned what faith looks like and what it shouldn’t look like. And I learned the kind of husband and father I wanted to become.

This man…this stranger who stepped into our family for a time…taught me more than I could see back then. Lessons about identity, perseverance, legacy, and the difference between forcing faith and living it.

So here’s my encouragement today…Look at the people in your life, the easy ones and the complicated ones. Some are planting seeds in you that you won’t recognize until much later. God uses all of them. And sometimes the hardest people in your story end up shaping you the most.

God Morning, my brothers and sisters…may you recognize the divine appointments around you today, even the ones wrapped in challenge.

Blessed everyone, and now go be a blessing!

God Morning, my brothers and sisters…Did you know that everyone who crosses your path…yes, even the difficult ones…has a purpose in your life?

Some people shape you by how they show up, and others, well…they shape you by how they don’t. But either way, God uses every single one of them to do something in us.

This reminds me of our Friday Fly-By word today, it's REDEMPTION, and it goes with our Friday Fly-by verse from Genesis 50:20 where Joseph says 'You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.' I’ve held onto that truth more times than I can count.

Today I want to start this little series by introducing you to the first character in my story, my biological father. When I was five, I still remember the sounds, the tension, the things a child shouldn’t have to see. And then one day, he was gone. Just gone. No explanations, no follow-up, no dad. My mom made the toughest decision of her life, she left the Philippines to build a future in America so she could eventually bring us over. She didn’t leave because she wanted to. She left because she loved us enough to sacrifice being with us in order to give us an actual shot at a better life. And because of her, I became a proud American citizen. She’s the quiet hero in this story, and I’ll forever be grateful for the courage she walked in.

From ages 5 to 12, I didn’t understand hope or faith. I just knew my mom was gone, my dad was gone, and I was being raised by my grandparents. Life felt confusing, and as a little boy, I didn’t have the emotional vocabulary to describe any of it.

Years later, during my college years, already in America, my father resurfaced with a phone call. Not to reconnect. Not to check in. But to ask if I could help sponsor him into the United States because he heard I worked for a law firm. And I’ll be honest…that hurt. It stirred up a lot inside of me, and forgiveness wasn’t exactly on the tip of my tongue. That was the only real conversation I ever had with him as an adult.

But here’s where God does what only God can do. I found out later that before he passed away, he had accepted Christ and became a pastor in the inner city of Manila. So even though we never rebuilt anything, God rebuilt him. And somehow, that brought peace to a part of my heart that I didn’t even know still hurt.

My father, even with all the brokenness he brought, still taught me something. He taught me what not to be. He showed me that if I ever made a commitment to marriage, I would honor it. If I ever had children, I would stay present. And because of those lessons, I have now celebrated 31 years of marriage, raised two incredible sons, and built a legacy of loyalty and love. All by the grace of God.

I learned from both my parents, one taught me through pain, the other through sacrifice. And I wouldn’t be who I am today without either one of them.

So let me encourage you with this. Take a look around today. Slow down long enough to notice the people in your life. Some will bless you by showing you the way. Others will bless you by showing you the way you never want to go. But all of them, every single one, carry a purpose in your story.

God Morning, my brothers and sisters… and may your eyes be open to the people God has placed in your path today. They might be shaping your legacy in ways you won’t understand until much later. Be blessed everyone and go be a blessing.

Till next week…another purposeful person in our lives. Have a great weekend!

God Morning, my brothers and sisters…

Did you know that everyone you cross paths with today has a purpose…whether it’s for you, or for them?

Some of those purposes we recognize right away. Others we completely miss.

But make no mistake, there are no coincidences in the Kingdom. Every encounter is a divine appointment.

This reminds me of our Friday Fly-By Word, 'Purpose' which goes with our Friday Fly-By Verse from Romans 8:28 and it says…

'And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.'

You see, sometimes we move through life so fast, rushing from meeting to meeting, task to task…that we overlook the people God intentionally places right in front of us.

But what if the barista handing you coffee today needs your smile?
What if that coworker or client isn’t just a transaction, but an assignment?
What if that brief handshake is a divine intersection that could change both of your lives?

So here’s your challenge for today…

Slow down. Look up. Recognize the people around you.
Take one extra moment to listen, to care, or to say something kind.
You might be the blessing they’ve been praying for or they might be the blessing God’s been preparing for you.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing stories of people who changed my life, some family, some friends, one a stranger, and one a colleague who altered my calling forever. Each one reminds me that every person within your reach matters.

Excited to share with you the inspiration to a book I am writing.

God Morning, my brothers and sisters…be open to your divine appointments today. You never know whose purpose you’re a part of.

Blessed to be a blessing, have a great weekend everyone!