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By Kris Harrell

Nina Bonner, owner of Simply Beautiful Events & More is preparing to host an event on Feb. 8, a Lemons to Lemonade Brunch, aimed at helping guests find comfort in shared stories from testimonies shared to reveal how it is possible to overcome hardships and challenges. 

“This is a God-given inspired event. Me, myself, [I’ve] been through a lot of trials and tribulations, but God, prayer and the support of others who have been through the same things [has] gotten me through a lot,” Bonner said. “We have to know that sometimes the things we go through or the experiences we share with others, it gives [them] the courage and wisdom to walk, stand and continue to press on through these trials.”

This is the second time Bonner and Simply Beautiful Events & More has organized the event, with the first one launching the series last year. 

During the brunch, a panel of speakers will give testimonials about issues they have faced. The speakers include Nakia Atkins, Anita Atkins, Tira Judins, Inett Lewis, I.P Moore, Iesha Thompson and Anita Tolbert.

“What I may have been through, someone else may not have been though; What someone else has been through, I may not have been through it,” Bonner said. “I tried to [enlist] enough panelists to speak on different areas that maybe someone in the audience is going through and they can relate.”

Testimonials will be offered about different topics such as marriage, health crises, grief, imprisonment, drug abuse and more. 

One of the panelists, Inett Lewis, will talk about her previous battle with substance abuse and incarceration, but will also highlight how she started Greenville’s first Narcotics Anonymous meeting as well as her role as the director of Greenville’s first and only women’s transition house. 

“Lemons are kind of sour – they’re good for you, but they’re kind of sour and they don’t really taste that good when you eat them by themselves. But we know that all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose,” Lewis said. “Fortunately, I was able to make lemonade out of what life threw me; the very things that I thought would destroy me have been the things have helped build me.
“God used the very thing that seemed to be destroying me at the time, and I’m using it to help others.”

Ticket sales are closed; however for future events please visit Simply Beautiful Events & More on social media.