GOODlife Magazine November/December 2019 - Annie F. Downs

2019

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Local Holiday Events Depression:

Annie F. Downs

Reject the Guilt

The Gi�t that Gives

by Joyce Meyer

5145 Due West Rd NW | Powder Springs, GA 30127 770-590-0334 www.burnthickory.com

Sunday, December 15

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hristmas A T

N O R T H

Join us at 9:30 or 11:15am for a multi-generational Christmas worship experience and the debut of our completely renovated, state-of-the-art worship center!

At 6pm we welcome worship leader and songwriter, Shelly E. Johnson as part of her CHRISTMAS IS BEAUTIFUL tour. Admission is free.

Tuesday, December 24

Our annual Candlelight Christmas Eve service will be held at 5:30 and 7pm. Make plans to bring your family and friends for this beautiful celebration of Christ’s birth!

MOUNT PARAN NORTH | 1700 Allgood Road, Marietta, GA 30062 mountparannorth.com | 770-578-9081

CONTENTS 06

GOODlife EVENTS Things for you and your family to do around town this season

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SO WORTH LOVING How Eryn Eddy is using her own experiences with hopelessness to promote godly self-worth

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THE GIFT THAT TRULY KEEPS ON GIVING Joyce Meyer helps us grasp receiving God’s grace through faith.

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GOODLIFE RECIPES Focus on making this delicious cheesecake instead of trying to fix your relatives this holiday season.

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GIVING GOD YOUR WORST Lessons from the Welsh revivals of the 1900s about offering God complete vulnerability.

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DEPRESSION: REJECT THE GUILT, EMBRACE THE CURE Faith-based actions to take when you are facing depression.

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GOODlife TRAVEL Our personal experiences visiting a slew of attractions in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Tennessee

FEATURED COVER: ANNIE F. DOWNS The best-selling author, nationally known speaker, and

That Sounds Fun podcast host shares what’s on her heart and humorously illustrates her human side.

Publisher

Kristen Bland

Editor-In-Chief Gabriel Bland

Assistant Editor Autumn Burr

Contributing Writers Sharita Hanley Wes Ruff

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GOODlife Magazine, LLC reserves the right to edit or reject any editorial or advertising content. Advertisers assume liability for content of all advertisements.

All information herein has been checked for accuracy to the best of our ability. Not responsible for deletions, omissions, errors and/or inaccuracies. © 2019 GOODlife Magazine, LLC. All rights reserved.

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EVENTS

By Divine Design Conference

Fri - Sat, Nov 8-9 Grace Ministries International, Marietta A life-transforming experience designed to help you consistently experience God’s love, joy, and peace in the midst of life’s busyness and stress. gmint.org

Tim Hawkins LIVE

Sat, Nov 14 at 7pm First Baptist Woodstock One of the most in-demand comedians in the country, with special guest Jonnie W. timhawkins.brushfire.com

Hillsong Worship + Casting Crowns + Elevation Worship USA Tour Sat, Nov 14 State Farm Arena, Atlanta An amazing lineup performing live ticketmaster.com

Papa’s Special Christmas Live Theatre

Sun & Mon, Nov 15 & 16 Bascomb UMC, Woodstock A family Christmas musical offering preshow dinners beginning at 6pm, with show time at 7:30pm. Per person: $15 dinner and show; $5 show only. Advance purchase required.

770-926-9755 or BascombPrayers@gmail.com

11th Annual Acworth Turkey Chase 5K Fun Run; 2K Walk

Sat, Nov 23 at 9:15am Main Street, Downtown Acworth Participants bring a non-perishable food item to benefit the Tackle Hunger Program, then walk, jog, or run a 5K. acworthturkeychase.com

Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Over Georgia

Sun, Nov 24 – Sun, Jan 5 Six Flags Over Georgia, Austell The park continues its new holiday tradition with a breathtaking winter wonderland featuring 16 themed areas that host a variety

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The Annual RiverStone Women’s Christmas Tea of delightful and interactive activities to help capture the holiday spirit. sixflags.com/overgeorgia

16th Annual Gobble Jog

Sat, Dec 8 from 9:30am-12pm Riverstone Church, Kennesaw Featuring Susan Norris of Rescuing Hope riverstoneonline.org/events

Thurs, Nov 27 at 6:30am Marietta Square This Thanksgiving Day tradition features a 10K run, 5K run/walk, 1K run/walk, and a Tot Trot. The race benefits MUST Ministries. mustministries.org

Marietta Square Navity

Lights of Life

Christmas at Piedmont Church

Thurs, Nov 28 - Tues, Dec 31 Life University, Marietta Cruise through the spectacularly illuminated campus, stopping along the 1.5-mile drive to enjoy an array of seasonal entertainments. life.edu/lights-of-life

Christmas in Acworth

Saturdays, Nov 30 – Dec 14 Main Street Acworth This series of events kicks things off with a Merchants Open House on November 30. Shop the sales, sample treats in the downtown stores, and enjoy a festival of trees. On December 7 and 14, get free pictures with Santa between 2-5 p.m. (using your own camera) and enjoy free horse and carriage rides (14th).

Christmas Tree Lighting & Santa on the Square

Thurs, Dec 5 from 4-8pm Glover Park, Marietta Square Kick off the holiday season with The City of Marietta’s Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

Bethel Walk

Sat - Mon, Dec 7-9 Mountain View UMC, Marietta Come experience an interactive walk through the streets of Bethlehem. mvumc.com

Thurs - Sat, Dec 12-14 Marietta Square, Marietta Featuring a Fontanini Nativity Scene, local churches, bands and schools, all gathering to celebrate mariettasquarenativity.com Fri - Sat, Dec 13-14 Piedmont Church, Marietta Featuring over 40 unique arts & crafts booths, a play area and interactive crafts for the kids, food, entertainment provided by local school choruses and dance groups, a live nativity, and free photos with Santa. piedmontchurch.tv/events

Walk Through Bethlehem

Sat - Sun, Dec 14-15 St John UMC, Atlanta A hands-on, family-friendly exploration of the city of Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth. stjohnatlanta.org

Mac Powell and the Family Reunion Tour Wed, Dec 18 The Strand Theater, Marietta Mac Powell and the Family Reunion in concert, with optional VIP Christmas Party. macpowellandthefamilyreunion.com

Passion 2020

Tues - Thurs, Dec 31 - Jan 2 Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta A gathering of 18–25-year-olds and their leaders, Passion exists to see a generation leverage their lives for what matters most.

Includes many special guests. passionconferences.com

“So Worth Loving”

Promotes Hope & Healing BY: Sharita Hanley “It’s very common to feel unworthy of love but uncommon to talk about it,” Eryn Eddy notes, admitting she’s no stranger to feeling rejected, purposeless, unworthy, hopeless, and unloved. Having lived through divorce, a difficult relationship with her older sister, loss of friendships, being mad at God, and hitting rock bottom, the social entrepreneur has found hope and healing. Her lifestyle and apparel brand, So Worth Loving, is a byproduct of her journey and her personal mission to bridge the gap between silence and talking about how self-worth impacts how we love ourselves and others.

Grappling with Self-Worth and Self-Doubt “I’ve been overcoming the shame and guilt from my past, forgiving myself and other people,” Eryn admits, sharing some of her personal struggles. “You know, wrestling with living my life through the lens of other people and what they’ve said to me.” For instance, her relationship with her older sister led her to be a people pleaser and walk on eggshells early in life. Additionally, at twenty-one years old, believing she’d found her soulmate, she married her husband, whom she met when she as a teenager. Nine years later, at the onset of her thirties, the marriage fell apart, leaving Eryn grasping for identity, validation, purpose, and self-worth.

“I tried to fill every void with work, guys, alcohol, socializing, financial wealth. I tried everything, but I still kept feeling hopelessness, so I thought, ‘Well, Lord, I haven’t talked to You in a long time,’” she divulges, acknowledging that God was her last resort. So, right there in the midst of her despair, she cried out for help. “And what was so beautiful about coming to Him as my last resort was that He welcomed me like I was His first choice.”

Crying Out for Help “If you’re already in a place of hopelessness, where you’re like, ‘I’m too far gone,’ and God’s your last resort, you might as well try and let Him be that,” Eryn urges, suggesting that you pray something like, “Lord, I don’t even know how to talk to You. I’m angry about my life. I’m angry about my circumstances. I feel like I’m too far gone.

If You’re real and if You love me, will you show Yourself to me? Will You make it so clear and give me peace that it is You?” She clarifies, “And God is not a genie, so it’s not like we ask, and He’s just like, ‘Oh, sure.’ But when you have hit rock bottom, asking Him to just show up because you don’t know if you believe in Him—why would you not pray that kind of prayer?”

For Eryn, day by day, the Lord started unveiling her gifts and talents, her value and worth. “I was bad at school. I repeated fifth grade, didn’t go to college, and didn’t know what I wanted to do...but I think God always knew I’d be placed in positions helping people.”

One way Eryn likes to encourage others is with music.

“I was pursuing music pretty heavily, like pitching it to television shows and getting contracts with networked shows on MTV, VH1,

Lifetime, and Oxygen.

My music was even on Keeping Up with the Kardashians. It was so fun because I didn’t have cable, so I could never watch the shows that my music was on, so I’d ask my friends to record it,” she says, laughing. “But while that was going on, I had a music video go viral.” However, her success didn’t come without haters and naysayers looking to tear her and her music down.

Fighting feelings of unworthiness once again, Eryn decided to do something different this time around.

“I wanted to create products for people that identified with my music,” Eryn shares, saying she didn’t want the merchandise’s message to be her name or the song lyrics. “I wanted it to be something they could believe about them[selves].” That’s when God spoke to her. His message was clear: Tell people they are worthy of love.

Using Tumblr, she reached out to people who needed to know they too were so worth loving.

Finding Community “I put my home address on the blog and said, ‘Mail me your personal t-shirt, and I’ll spray paint “You’re worth loving” on it and send it back to you for free.’” Since she didn’t have a huge following at the time, she thought she would only receive a handful of responses and shirts. But instead, hundreds of stories of people moved by the simple message flooded Eryn’s Tumblr. This too had gone viral.

The overwhelming response assured Eryn she was on the right path.

“I thought if all of the hundreds of [individuals with heartbreaking] stories knew they weren’t alone, they’d all be able to know that they can seek healing and help. They can see themselves through a story of healing and redemption and know that they can get to that side of life,” she shares.

So, she quit her job as an art director, started printing shirts, and So Worth Loving was born.

Creatively Confessing What’s True Today, the brand, which has become a movement, is sold online in all fifty states and in thirty countries and has been represented at

Fighting for Hope and Healing for All Admitting she still has days where she feels hopeless, Eryn is on a mission to help people find the hope and healing they need.

“If our life is thriving and we’re killing it, I think we have a responsibility to help somebody else that doesn’t feel that way,” she contends.

one hundred college campuses.

Her company’s first brick and mortar store opened in East Atlanta in 2016. “It is evident to me that God is using apparel to…start conversations about our selfworth, our testimonies, and our stories” Eryn asserts.

It’s that love that draws Eryn to Matthew 11:28-30. She particularly loves the Message version which reads, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me.

Get away with me, and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest.

Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or illfitting on you. Keep company with me, and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

“We also have partnerships with organizations if you want to learn a little bit more about living your life through the lens that you’re worthy of love. If you’re wrestling with lies, unhealthy boundaries, codependency, and addictions, we know organizations to help you learn more about living a life of freedom.”

From the merchandise she creates to the captions she shares on social media to the So Worth Loving: Free to Be tour, Eryn continues to fight for hope and healing for all.

While the brand, So Worth Loving, features t-shirts, sweatshirts, and accessories, So Worth Living, is a faith-based extension of the brand that points people to resources that extend the conversation about life struggles and how to overcome them.

No matter my history, past mistakes, relationship status, or career choice, I am worthy of love. I am not defined by my past.

I am prepared because of it. While my own voice and others may tell me different, I will lean into the safe people that affirm this way of thinking. When I encourage others to love themselves, I am encouraging them to treat themselves with kindness, patience, respect, and all that embodies love. We live our life knowing we have worth. So Worth Loving.

It’s a lifestyle.

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of Eryn’s lifestyle brand is the way it models Proverbs 18:21, the Bible verse that says life and death are in the power of the tongue. In wearing the words “So Worth Loving” and having conversations about self-worth and identity, Eryn and her supporters are creatively confessing truth over their lives.

For more, go to: www.soworthloving.com 8

With today’s world plagued with depression, thoughts of suicide, anxiety, and mental health struggles, Eryn reminds us of a simple truth that’s capable of changing the trajectory of our lives: we are worth loving.

Even with our flaws, our past, our guilt, our shame, and our closet skeletons, we are still worth loving. And the God of the universe does just that; He loves us with an unconditional love.

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So, when life is hard and you’re questioning yourself, remember Eryn and the So Worth Loving manifesto:

Say it to yourself. Declare it over your life.

And know that the truth of those words have the power to set you, your friends, your family, and anyone else struggling with hopelessness and self-doubt free.

THE GIFT THAT TRULY KEEPS ON GIVING

BY JOYCE MEYER

grace. God gives us His forgiveness and grace daily; we just have to believe and receive it.

In Christ, You Are Sin-free in God’s Eyes When God forgives your sins, it means all of your sins: past, present, and future. You do not have to be afraid of sin because God has taken care of the problem. This is why the Gospel is such good news!

Some may worry that if we don’t fear sin, we will keep sinning on purpose, but that’s not true. If you are truly born again and really have a relationship with God, there is a new nature inside of you.

Second Corinthians 5:17 says, “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!”

Now, no one is perfect, and we all make mistakes sometimes. But if the Holy Spirit is living in your spirit through salvation, you won’t be comfortable with those mistakes because God’s nature is at work in you. The devil would love for us to feel like God is mad at us for our mistakes, but the truth is, God is love and we need to humbly accept His love and grace.

Of all the gifts we could ever receive, God’s gift of salvation is by far the most amazing and important one! Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (NIV).

We are saved by the grace of God through our faith in Him; our faith does not buy our salvation—it merely receives it. As Ephesians 2:8 says, salvation “is the gift of God.” It is impossible to buy a free gift, and this can be hard for us to understand. Our flesh wants to earn and deserve this free gift and take credit for being worthy of it.

But salvation is given to us freely, by God’s grace, and the way we receive Christ’s salvation is the same way we have to live—by

Changed by Grace In John 15:5, Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” I love this scripture because it reminds me that God doesn’t expect me to change on my own. He is the power source and gives us the grace and strength we need to do what’s right and make changes in our lives.

Here’s how we cooperate with Him, doing what we can do to bring about change: 1. We hear the truth in God’s Word and we’re convicted by it. It’s the Word that shows us who we are and reveals the sin in our lives. We have to realize what we’re doing wrong before we can know what needs to change and how.

2. Then we repent of our sin. Being repentant means we’re sincerely sorry and willing to turn away from it. (See 1 John 1:9.)

3. The next step is to study the Word in the area we need change. For example, if I have a problem with anger, I need to study scriptures about anger and forgiveness. Use the Word like medicine and take it into your heart and mind. James 1:21 says when God’s Word is rooted in our hearts, it “is able to save [our] souls” (NIV). There is power in God’s Word to bring change to our souls!

Receive All God Has for You and Enjoy Your Life To experience God’s blessings and enjoy everyday life, we simply need to make the decision to believe Him and His Word more than our thoughts and feelings. The Bible is our instruction manual on how to grow into the new nature He’s given us and become who He wants us to be. So, take some time each day to read and meditate on scriptures that tell you about God’s love for you, who you are, and what you have in Christ.

Ephesians 3:17 is a prayer for believers in Christ to be “rooted and established in love” (NIV). God loves you; His will is for you to be His child and receive every blessing He has for you—righteousness, peace, joy, provision for your needs, healing, and restoration. In Christ, you have a personal relationship with your Father God, and you can hear from God and be led by the Holy Spirit, who lives in your spirit. In Christ, you have access to God’s grace and strength to do whatever you need to do. Because of God’s grace, you can enjoy your life!

Joyce Meyer is a New York Times bestselling author and founder of Joyce Meyer Ministries, Inc. She has authored more than 100 books, including Battlefield of the Mind and Unshakeable Trust: Find the Joy of Trusting God at All Times (Hachette).

For more information, visit www.joycemeyer.org.

Please note: The views and opinions expressed throughout this publication and/or website are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Joyce Meyer Ministries. november/december 2019 9

“Just Annie” “Just Annie” is not how most of us would describe the best-selling author, nationally known speaker, and podcast host Annie F. Downs.

And yet, that is how this amazing woman humbly refers to herself.

As we head into 2020, Annie is thrilled about what’s in the pipeline.

She’s releasing a Spanish version of her popular book 100 Days to Brave, which is already available in English and German. Beginning in February, she’ll be headlining an eight-stop “Love Better” tour (including one stop in the Atlanta area on March 7!), where she’ll use her notable storytelling skills and humor to talk about relationships with God, others, and ourselves. And she will continue her That Sounds Fun podcast, where she gets to chat regularly with all sorts of public figures—authors, pastors, musicians, comedians, chefs, athletes, and more.

We got the opportunity to catch up with Annie to get to know her better and learn what’s been front and center on her mind these days.

What has God been putting on your heart lately?

Annie: I think there’s just a lot of need I’m seeing in my friends’ lives and my own life for two things, really. The thing God and I keep talking about is: what does it look like for Him…to be my daily bread? You know, what does it look like for Him to give me today what I need, not tomorrow what I need? And so every day it [requires me to say], “OK Lord, I need you to tell me what I don’t know and tell me what I need to know today,” and then just kind of pushing in to what that really looks like. And so, that’s a really big deal to me. And the other thing is community and wanting to be with my people and to really process through what’s going on in my life with people who love me...

There’s a lot going on in all of our lives, right? But we just weren’t ever meant to carry all this alone. And so, getting to carry it with people and getting to help them carry what God has for them feels like a real important part of what’s going on in my life right now.

Referring to your first point of making God your daily bread, what is the practical side of that?

Annie: I just keep saying, “Hey, there are some questions that need to be answered for me professionally… We have a deadline today, so I need you to tell me today.” Or, there’s some stuff going on in my personal life, relationally or with finances or whatever, that I go, “Hey God, I need to know this stuff today.” But what I need to know for tomorrow, I don’t have to know today. And so, it just feels like kind of slowing my life down a little bit and allowing God to give me what I need when I actually need it. I don’t need to know everything today, and I have to remember that.

Regarding your second point about community, what advice would you give to those who find being in community challenging?

Annie: I think the reality is that you need to be willing to go first, and go first a lot... Because a lot of times people want community, but they want community to come to them. They want people to text them, they want people to reach out to them, they want to be the ones on the receiving end. And I just have never found that to lead to really flourishing long-term community… And, you know, the Scriptures are really clear that the doors God opens no one can close, and the doors He closes nobody can open. And so, if you’re asking Him to open doors for you relationally, then you pay attention to who’s around you, and you pursue that relationship and have God lead you through it… How prayer works and how we handle prayer is such a big deal to me that I think it just really matters that we ask God to open the doors for us for community and then be brave enough to go first over and over again to be in that community.

How do you think we are to take the Scriptures that say to ask in faith without doubting so that we may receive and balance them with following the “Garden of Gethsemane” model of prayer where we surrender to God’s will and not our own?

Annie: Well, for me it is always both of those things together, like you’ve said. You know the Scriptures say that we work out our salvation, and so it’s not just something you get one time and you understand it; it’s something we keep working out… God hears me, and what I ask Him for, He will give me, but…my greatest prayer and the thing that I want the most is whatever God has planned. And He knows that. I’ve said that to Him over and over again. So, even today when I was praying through some things, I was like, “God, only if this is you, and only if this is right, and only if you’ve opened this door, but here’s my desire; my desire would be for these three things to happen.”

And so, I lay all that before Him… And you know that, in the end, whether the door opens or closes, that what has happened is God’s best for you. It does not mean it’s pain-free, it does not mean that it’s easy, and it doesn’t mean that it’s always fun, but it does mean, “OK, I trusted you with this, and this healing didn’t go the way I thought it would or this relationship didn’t go the way I thought it would. OK,

God, figure this out with me. Make this right or show me what I’m supposed to learn here.”

And so, to me, every time a prayer doesn’t get answered the way I thought it would, it’s not a decision between walking toward God or walking away from God. It’s more like a “choose your own adventure”—keep going, you know?

What advice would you give someone who wants to have the right heart posture, but maybe from painful or fruitless past experiences, just honestly doesn’t feel it?

Annie: Even wrestling with this conversation, I think the Lord loves that.

You know, I just think it really matters to Him that we are trying to spend our lives understanding Him and how He works better and better, and I think that really matters to Him. And so my first instinct would be: just remember that there’s this journey that you’re on (for lack of a less “Christiany” word); this journey you’re on, this conversation you’re having with God is lifelong. There won’t be a time where you go, “Well, now I trust Him, so everything’s fine.” You know, like, “Now I’ve got it.” I haven’t experienced that yet. I do think you get more freedom from sin, you get more peace, and you get more distance from the person you don’t want to be the longer you’re in relationship with Jesus. But I also think that there isn’t a finish line we cross on this side of Heaven. I’m not sure there’s one on the other side of Heaven, as far as learning and growing and what there is to know about God; I don’t think we’ll ever extinguish that and reach the end of that. But... whether you have tons of money or no money, whether you have tons of family or no family, whether your job is just what you wanted or not what you wanted, there is this opportunity to constantly just have open hands in front of God and go, “God, I’m grateful for what you’ve given me, I’m hopeful for what I want, and I have questions about what I don’t understand.”

Can you share something from your life story where you really saw God make a great impact, something that might encourage others?

Annie: You know, I grew up in Marietta, but I’ve lived in Nashville for eleven years, and that transition of leaving that community that is so special and so kind of one-in-abillion and branching out to a city where I did not have that community and did not know what my life was gonna look like was really,

really challenging. But the thing that I found true about God, and one of my favorite things about God, is the longer I’m in this relationship, the better He gets. You know, my actual goal over the next fifty years of my life is not about how many books I sell or stages I speak on or podcast episodes I create or what my family even looks like. My biggest goal is: can I stay faithful in my relationship with God for as long as I can see forward and as long as I’m alive? ‘Cause I think there’s just something about it. In the last eleven years when I moved to Nashville, the faithfulness of God over and over again has me excited about living life with Him for five, six, seven more decades.

Just don’t give up—that’s what I would say to people. I don’t care what life hands you, just do not give up on life and do not give up on God. There is always the other side of whatever you’re going through, there always is. It just may take some time to get there… but what I keep seeing true is the people I want to be like are the people who haven’t given up.

And lastly, what is one of those really grounding moments you’ve had that shows you’re just a normal person like everyone else?

Annie: I went on vacation last week and forgot to take the trash out and have spent two days in a battle against hundreds of fruit flies…They are just everywhere. So, I put out little traps, and I cleaned out everything, and whatever they were eating on in my fruit bowl I could not even recognize when I threw it away. I was like, “What even was that?”… I threw away everything that was in the bowl. I threw away chip clips. I was like, “I don’t care, I’m not keeping any of it. It’s all disgusting and covered in fruit flies.” So, yeah, I mean, I say a lot to people, “I am just Annie. I am the same Annie that lived in Marietta, that went to Riverstone, that went to Mount Paran Christian School, that went to Sprayberry High School. I am just Annie.”

My job just looks a little different than we thought it would, but that’s just for now too. Who knows how long this lasts or whether this is forever, you know? But, yeah, I’m just Annie who’s got a house full of fruit flies!

ve is 100 Days to Brain now available a leather cover!

Annie’s “Love Better” tour is coming to Atlanta!

Saturday, March 7, 6 - 9 pm Smyrna First United Methodist Church 1315 Concord Rd. SE, Smyrna FOR TICKETS Visit Eventbrite.com

november/december 2019

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be here Whether you’re reading Shakespeare or studying organic chemistry, Covenant’s campus provides the perfect environment to immerse yourself in deep learning. Our scenic 400-acre campus sits atop Lookout Mountain, Georgia, just eight miles from bustling downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee.

In our tight-knit community, your passions will take shape as you recieve career mentorship from our esteemed faculty. covenant.edu/LiberalArts

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THE GOOD IN GATHERING? BY: KELLY MINTER with REGINA PINTO

IN

biblical terms, the idea of gathering together at special times on special days can be traced all the way back to Exodus.

The Israelites celebrated the Passover to commemorate their deliverance out of Egypt.

They ate unleavened bread and sacrificed animals at the exact time in the evening that they were freed from Pharaoh’s bondage. The foods they ate and the traditions they kept helped them remember God’s faithfulness in their lives. Other types of biblical feasts celebrated God’s covenant love, provision, and forgiveness. The fact that God would pair cooking and food with these celebrations is something we should gladly take note of. When savory smells and flavorful tastes remind us of God’s goodness in the presence of loved ones, we’re keeping a feast that will one day be fully consummated in heaven.

Until then, our holiday gatherings will be a mix of utter bliss and also unmet

longings, harried busyness, and maybe some misgivings over how the stuffing is being prepared. Or is it dressing? Given the craziness those kinds of gatherings often bring, I try to keep a few things in mind. First off, holidays aren’t typically the time to try to fix your relatives. Take that task off your plate and make Regina’s cheesecake (recipe below) instead. You may have legitimate grievances that need to be addressed, but I’ve found that in the kitchen ten minutes before the scalloped potatoes come out isn’t the best time or place to deal with festering wounds.

I also try to free myself from the cultural ideal of a perfect holiday. As a single woman, my Christmases and Thanksgivings will probably never resemble the commercials with kids bounding down the stairs in search of their stockings or a husband slicing up the tenderloin and then handing me the keys to a new Lexus that’s sitting in the driveway with

a bow on the hood. Then again, nobody’s holidays look like that.

One way I combat unrealistic expectations that inevitably come with holidays and special occasions is to proactively set my attention and affection on Jesus. I try to let Him set the narrative. If I’m practicing thankfulness, looking for ways I can serve others, and contenting myself in Him while I go about my preparations, my experiences are generally filled with peace and joy. And when they’re not, I’m honest with Him about the sensitive places on which these seasons tend to tug. Talking to Him while cooking is a balm to my soul.

Kelly Minter is passionate about teaching the Bible, and believes it permeates all of life. When she’s not writing, speaking, or singing, you can find her picking homegrown vegetables, cooking meals, enjoying her six nieces and nephews, or riding a boat down the Amazon River with Justice & Mercy International.

REGINA’S CHEESECAKE PREP TIME: 20 minutes | COOK TIME: 1 hour 15 minutes | SERVES: 6–8 CRUST 2 cups vanilla (or chocolate) wafers, finely ground 1⁄4 cup sugar 5 tablespoons butter, melted CHEESECAKE 4 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk 1⁄2 cup sugar 5 eggs 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla 1⁄3 cup heavy cream Salt, pinch 1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter a springform pan and cover with parchment paper (bottom and sides).

2. FOR CRUST: combine crust ingredients and press onto springform pan. Using

your fingertips, bring the crust to the sides, covering about 1 inch up.

3. FOR CHEESECAKE: In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat together the cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, and sugar until well-blended. Beat in the eggs one at a time until mixture is smooth.

Then add vanilla, heavy cream, and salt until smooth. Pour the filling over the crust and cover with a foil wrap. Fill a baking pan with hot tap water to a depth of 1 inch and carefully place the cheesecake pan in it.

Bake until the center barely shakes when the springform pan is shaken, about 50 minutes.

Remove the cheesecake to a wire rack and let it cool. Refrigerate overnight.

CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE Follow the recipe instructions above, but once the cheesecake batter has been poured into the pan in step 3, add 1 cup melted dark

chocolate. Swirl around to disperse and make a design. Continue recipe normally from there.

PEANUT BUTTER CHEESECAKE Follow the recipe instructions above, but add 1 cup peanut butter to batter in step 3 and blend to disperse. Continue to follow recipe normally from there.

TALLER CHEESECAKES THAT INCLUDE CAKE LAYERS If you desire the cheesecake to be taller, you can always bake the base as a cake layer using a cake mix. For example, with chocolate cheesecake, I use one box of brownie cake mix and bake according to the package. After the cake is baked, add the cheesecake batter and follow the instructions for baking the same as the cheesecake. november/december 2019

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GIVING GOD YOUR WORST By: Wes Ruff

I love living in the twenty-first century.

We’re at a place where technology is at a crossroads with nearly every segment of our lives in the developed world. Many of us use artificial intelligence daily in our cars, homes, and offices, on our phones, computers, and tablets, without a second thought. Phones pump information into our lives second by second, and computers guide important facets of our daily vocations.

With all of these tools at our disposal, we’ve found an increasingly nuanced world of data analytics that pushes us toward excellence when properly applied. The sheer volume of the metrics we can look at daily encourages us to make sure we scrape every dollar off the table, get every penny from our labor budgets, and use every square inch of data to improve the foundation of our businesses every day. We love that push toward business excellence.

In the fitness world, we can now buy exercise machines with built-in components that allow for a coach to drive us toward our physical peak in the privacy of our homes. This machine is

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a cultural hit, a phenomenon for our age.

Exercising at home shields us from potential embarrassment when we don’t want people at the gym to see us stumbling through learning how to use equipment for the first time. We love that push toward physical excellence.

In the social media world, we gravitate toward meaningful causes by the score, daily operating out of a moral worldview that cries out for cultural change. We feel the inherent need to engage in something that will lend compassion to a neglected segment of society or a marginalized people group. We love that push toward philanthropic excellence.

It seems as if most areas of our lives are edging us further on and further in toward excellence. This is often a very good thing.

In the book An Instrument of Revival: The Complete Life of Evan Roberts, 1878-1951, author Brynmor Pierce Jones makes an interesting point in his preface. He remarks that, prior to the powerful revivals that swept through Wales, led by Roberts and known as the “Welsh Revivals,” the church in Wales was known for being “active” and “excellent” in many respects. They had many well-attended meetings and created social goals. The church was, indeed,

looking pretty good. It was said that it was possible to attend a spiritual function every week, year-round, and scores of people would and did attend. Why then, with so much activity and seeming excellence, was revival so desperately needed in Wales?

In the last years of the nineteenth century , despite the number of people active in the church, prophetic voices began to rise up and call for change. Jones shares that one Christian leader passionately called for believers to “awake to love and self-sacrifice and to cooperation with the Holy Spirit and insight into God’s will.” Another leader proclaimed the “need of revived churches.”

Others led prayer meetings, asking for revival all over Europe, North America, Australia, and other places around the world. Asking the right questions and praying in the right directions began to lead to an awareness of spiritual failure.

In our push for excellence, it is so very easy to feel shame at our failures. We experience shame at the loss of our perspective, or our ambition. We experience shame when we make a mistake and become the cautionary tale others love to gossip about. In a world that demands perfection, it is easy for us to think God views us in the same way—that when we fail, He is standing somewhere pointing a finger of judgement at us and ready to think the worst of us.

While we know it is good to give God our best, we do not often realize it is equally as good to give Him our worst.

We have been driven to please others, including God, all our lives. That drive is often damaging when it comes to relationship with Him who made us and loves us. Our drive to please Him and earn His favor leaves us spiritually wrecked, feeling distant from Him and unable to receive what He is wanting to give us—His unconditional favor, forgiveness, and love.

I have often worked hard to give Him my best and have felt the shame roll over me like a crushing wave when I could not. I have labored under spiritual slavery, believing that I must only perform well, and when I have fallen short, I have berated myself for my failures and lived with my shame for many, many years.

With the Welsh revivals and others like it around the world, one consistent piece of the puzzle is that when people repent before God of their sin, including their pride, a wellspring of freedom erupts

from the courts of Heaven, healing and restoring any and all who ask for it!

Repentance is not only turning from a wrong path but also learning how to give God our worst as a form of worship.

As musician David Teems sings, “If He is worthy of my strength, He is worthy of my weaknesses.” What a true and incredibly profound statement.

All of the great moves of God in the world seem to have been preceded by an awakening to our true state and condition, to our failings and frailties.

This awakening eventually leads to repentance, and then to the restorative actions of revival, wherein God deeply touches the hearts and minds of millions and profoundly shapes lives and history.

So, while we are daily encouraged to reach for the stars—as we should—giving God our best is no more important than learning how to be vulnerable to Him and open to the work of the Holy Spirit shining that divine light into our lives as we learn to yield to Him and offer up our worst. This practice is freeing and encouraging. Giving God our worst

helps us to learn the reality that He, and He alone, is able to bear our burdens in perfection. And how He loves to do just that.

Today, if all you have to give Him is your worst, offer it to Him. He can handle it. In fact, He welcomes it with a smile on His face.

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here is a sticky question many Christians struggle with: Is depression a sin?

This particular question is posed to me by more people than perhaps any other when trying to understand what is going on emotionally with themselves or with someone close to them. The situation isn’t helped by well-meaning Christians who don’t understand depression saying things like: “You just need to have more faith,” or “There must be sin in your life, or you wouldn’t feel like this,” or even “If you’d pray harder (read the Bible more, have a deeper walk with the Lord), you wouldn’t have this problem.” To someone who already feels guilty about everything, this just piles on even more guilt.

But are they right? Is depression a sin or a picture of sin in our life? I answer that with an unequivocal no!

Depression can, in many instances, have a physical cause. So can

REJECT

THE

GUILT,

EMBRACE

THE

CURE

By Bruce Hennigan, M.D.

DEPRESSION

T

From Conquering Depression: A 30-Day Plan to Finding Happiness, published by Broadman & Holman Publishers. Copyright © 2001, Mark A. Sutton and Bruce Hennigan. All rights reserved. International copyright secured. Used by permission.

alcoholism and several other things spoken against in the Bible. Follow me closely here: The tendency toward depression or alcoholism is not a sin; giving in to them, however, is a sin.

The alcoholic will probably get drunk when he drinks, so the Christian who is an alcoholic and wants to stay in God’s will must make sure he never takes another drink. Likewise, the person who has a tendency toward depression isn’t at fault if his or her emotions begin a downward spiral. However, how he/she responds to that downward spiral will determine if there is sin.

When I feel depression beginning to clamp its cold hands upon me, I do several things: 1. Above anything else, I make sure I’m still reading my Bible and praying. Depression often makes you want to do just the opposite, but: ➢ You have the power, in Christ, to do what God wills.

Say no to your emotions and yes to communion with God during these times.

2. I thank God for loving me and bringing me through the bout of depression. This is important. Both of these first two actions go against what I feel. My depression makes me want to stay away from everyone—including God. And it also makes me feel as if no one could really love me—including God. But in reading the Bible, praying to God, and thanking God for his love, I am saying that: ➢ God’s Word, not my present emotional outlook, is my authority.

In thanking God for bringing me through the depression, I am also exercising my faith in God and in his Word, precisely at the moment I don’t feel like doing it.

3. I try to keep from making any major decision. I’ve learned that life looks a great deal more bleak when I’m depressed. Therefore, any decision I make during this time is bound to be colored by a false sense of what’s going on in my relationships, my business, and my family.

Taking these steps actually may allow me to have greater faith than many who never experience depression. That’s because: ➢ I thank God for taking care of me and loving me even when I can’t feel it or see it.

If that’s not a biblical definition of faith, then I don’t know what is! For example, look at these verses from the Bible. If, when depressed, you can trust God to take care of you and bring you through your bout safely, then you’re exercising faith. If you can believe he loves you even when you don’t feel loved, that’s faith. In fact, perhaps the person fighting depression who trusts in God has the greatest faith of all! “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of

what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for” (Hebrews 11:1-2). “We live by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

So, your depression is not a sin in and of itself. But how you respond to that depression will determine if you sin.

Let’s try an experiment. Perhaps, when you feel that horrible negative emotion coming on, you usually say something like: “Oh no, here it comes again. I’m in for a horrible time.” Next time, however, say this instead: “Heavenly Father, here is an opportunity for me to show great faith and grow in you. May I be faithful to you during this time.”

It might not stop the depression, but it can surely transform what it does to your life! And it can help you remain true to God even in the midst of emotional storms.

STRENGTH FOR TODAY: THE DISEASE HAS A CURE Imagine a world of darkness. In this world, your senses are limited to sound, smell, taste, and touch. For most of your life, you have spent every day crouched against a rough, stone wall, surrounded by the sound of a milling crowd. You feel the warmth of the sun as it shines on your face, but you cannot see it. And then a shadow falls across you, bringing welcome coolness. A voice from nearby asks the question you have heard so many times: “Who sinned that this man was born blind? Was it his fault or his parents?”

Paraphrased, you hear, “What did this poor, wretched fool do to deserve a life of misery? Where did he go wrong? What did his parents do that he should suffer like this? What sin in his life has brought him to this life of abject hopelessness?” Perhaps you have had similar thoughts regarding depression. After all, aren’t we meant to be happy and well-adjusted all the time? If we are unhappy, we must have done something wrong. In Jesus’ day a common conception existed that all disease could be traced to sin. The Savior of the world knew this was not true—and he was getting ready to prove it.

The young man mentioned above, of course, is the blind man from John 9. The questioners were Jesus’ disciples. Jesus Christ, with the divine knowledge of the Great Physician, spoke some of the most encouraging words of the Bible: “Neither this man nor his parents sinned…but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life” (John 9:3).

“What sin have I committed that has brought me depression?” Many people ask this question. Learn a lesson both from the Bible and from science. Let’s paraphrase Christ’s words and direct them toward you: “Neither you nor your family sinned, but this happened so that the power of God might be displayed in your life.”

I can reassure you that depression is an illness. It is a disease with a physical basis. Depression is not due solely to spiritual problems. So, get rid of the guilt trip and begin focusing on the cure!

We want to help you find the solution to your depression—the work of God that will illuminate your life and glorify our Creator.

ACTION STEPS THAT HELP When you feel depression beginning to take hold of your life, try to do the following: 1. Make sure you’re still reading the Bible and praying. You have the power, in Christ, to do what God wills.

2. Thank God for loving you and bringing you through the bout of depression. God’s Word, not your present emotional outlook, is your authority.

3. Try not to make a major decision while in a depressed frame of mind.

4. Thank God for taking care of you and loving you even when you can’t feel it or see it. This exercises your faith and strengthens you.

Here are a few additional thoughts to keep in mind for those struggling with depression: • At times, depression can relate to emotions that have been ignored or pushed away for years. Be willing to face them through Christ’s strength. As Matthew 5:4 says, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

• Though not advisable in every situation, medication may provide needed physical help for people struggling with depression. Talk to a doctor about it.

• Reaching out for Christian counseling can provide support, help you address underlying causes of your depression, and help you develop a plan of action.

GOODlife Travel

Pigeon Forge & Gatlingburg By: Autumn Burr & Kristen Bland

“I’m bored,”

is not a phrase you will hear your kids utter on a visit to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Tennessee, two entertainment-filled towns less than eight miles apart. Two of our GOODlife families (four adults and four children, ages nine to fourteen) spent a few days between each and just barely scratched the surface. Here is a quick run-down of places we visited and our personal experiences: Imagine Disney World and Six Flags coming together with a Southern flare. Our families voted Dollywood as the number one must-do in the area! We’re all coaster fanatics, so we especially loved Wild Eagle, America’s first wing coaster, and Lightning Rod, the world’s fastest wooden coaster. But the wellmaintained park has thrills for all ages, from the little tikes to the seniors.

Wilderness at the Smokies offers a great place to stay, with suites and villas that can accommodate even large families and groups. We found it especially worthwhile to visit during a time when not only the year-round indoor water park was open but the outdoor one was as well. Both are included with an overnight stay.

The upside-down museum, Wonderworks, includes over one hundred hands-on science exhibits to challenge the mind and spark the imagination. We were impressed that the glow-in-the-dark ropes course, extreme 360 bikes, laser tag, and 4D simulator ride were all included with admission.

With over ten thousand exotic sea creatures, Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies is a sight to see. We particularly marveled at the sawfish—that looked like a swimming power tool—and the sharks meandering right above us in the underwater tunnels. We found the playful penguins quite amusing and enjoyed gazing at the colorchanging jellyfish and getting to touch the harmless Moon Jellies.

Adults and older children will be fascinated with Alcatraz East, which provides a behind-the-scenes look at crime history in America, from details about notorious

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felons to crime scene investigation techniques to various methods of punishment used over time. Plan for at least three hours to go through this interactive, information-packed museum.

Guinness World Records Adventure is not only filled with artifacts and trivia but also offers all-new interactive challenges where you can test your skills and attempt to break a world record. Both the children and grown-ups in our group had a great time trying to become the new titleholder at activities like Quick Draw, Danceoff, Skee Ball, and more.

The Island in Pigeon Forge is a one-stop location for all kinds of fun—with rides, shopping, music, restaurants (we enjoyed Timberwood Grill), and things to do for the entire family.

Our youngsters loved the unlimited rides pass, which is good for forty-eight hours, and took full advantage of it on the Spinning Parrots Coaster and ThunderDome bungee trampolines.

Wearing 3D glasses and sitting in specially designed motion seats, we had a blast shooting zombies at the 7D Dark Ride Adventure. With the experience being only about six minutes, we recommend finding a Groupon deal or other discount before you go. There’s a location in both of the towns.

If you want to get away from the commotion of the Gatlinburg strip and enjoy the beauty of the Smoky Mountains, visit Anakeesta Mountain, where you can take an included “chondola” ride (hybrid chairlift/gondola) to the top to relax, shop, and play. We were disappointed that half the activities (mountain coaster, zip lining, and gem mining) were a separate charge, but our kids enjoyed the sixteen-bridge Treetop Skywalk, the longest in North America.

Whether you stay in Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg, it’s an easy drive from one to the other to access any of these activities and much more. But be sure to check your GPS for estimated travel times; depending on when you go, events and crowds can cause heavy traffic congestion. We found alternate routes that saved us some time and allowed us to spend more time having fun.

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To: You!

from: GOODlife

Dyson Pure Hot+Cool The Dyson Pure Hot+Cool is a multifunctional purifier that can be used to cool or heat a room using purified air. The Dyson Pure Hot+Cool is a whole room purifying heater + fan. The product is designed to take in dirty air, clean it and then project clean air around the room. With 10 fan speeds it can be used as a traditional fan to cool a room. It also features heater capabilities. Simply set the thermostat in the product to the desired temperature and the machine will automatically turn on and off to maintain the temperature. It features a fully-sealed filter system that incorporates HEPA media and activated carbon to capture 99.97% of pollutants, particles, gases and odors as small as 0.3 microns.

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Roomba E5 The iRobot® Roomba® e5 robot vacuum features a premium 3-Stage cleaning system that uses Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes, Power-Lifting suction, and a high-efficiency filter to help thoroughly clean every day. Schedule on-the-go with the iRobot HOME app.

$374.99 MAX* Lithium Ion Drill/ Black & Decker | 20V Driver + 68 Piece Project Kit

The Project Kit features a 20V MAX* Lithium Ion drill/driver and 66 hand tools and accessories for projects in every room of the house. Along with the drill, it has all the essentials – an adjustable wrench, ratcheting screwdriver, bits, tape measure, and pliers – to name a few. Separately, everything would retail for more than $150, but together, the bundle costs just $74.

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Dustbuster AdvancedClean+ The new dustbuster AdvancedClean+ launched this spring to help celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the dustbuster. The new dustbuster is BLACK+DECKER’s most powerful to-date and features: Extra-long, extendable crevice tool for hard-to-reach areas.

Extra-large dustbin to suck up more mess per cleaning session. One-touch button to open dustbin for easy emptying and keeping hands clean. Lithium Ion battery allowed it to hold charge for up to 6 months when not in use. Available in pet version with powered head to easily lift away pet hair.

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ChargeHub Powerstation 360 |

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The ChargeHub Powerstation 360 is the ultimate charging solution! It can charge up to (10) USB devices simultaneously, including (4) USB’s, (6) AC Outlets, and provides up to 4000 Joules of Surge Protection with Lifetime Connected Equipment Warranty!

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Zenbook 15 Featuring the ScreenPad 2.0, a secondary large touchscreen, it enhances your productivity to seamlessly multitask and increase efficieny of your workflow. With it’s design being ultra-portable, ultra-compact, and ultra-light the Zenbook delivers an immersive viewing experience – perfect for the person on-the-go. Designed to provide users the freedom to work all day on a single battery charge – up to 14.9 hours on the ZenBook 15, feel the freedom that comes with technology designed for a life on the go.

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Ember- Temperature Control Mug / Travel Mug Ember’s patented technology allows you to set the precise temperature of your hot beverage, so you can enjoy your drink from the first sip to the last drop. Set your desired drinking temperature. Start with 135°F (57°C) and adjust from there. Pair with the Ember app to set your temperature, customize presets, receive notifications and more.

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Karuba An addictive tile-based puzzle game for 2-4 treasure hunters ages 8-99. Finally! After a long boat trip, the treasure hunters have reached the island of Karuba and can go on the hunt for hidden treasures. Who will lead their expedition team along the smartest route through the jungle trails, pay attention to the other players and keep an eye out for gold and crystals along the way? The most important thing is to start running in time! Hurry up and be the first to reach the temples to collect the most valuable treasures.

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JeltX Belt The JeltX black adjustable belt, features a super strong, low profile magnetic buckle on the highest quality elastic. The belt is finished with a non-slip inner grippy gel designed to hold on tight and keep your belt and pants in place. Designed for heavy pants and hardcore adventure. Made for men and women. Flat, no show magnetic buckle with an interlocking design to avoid unappealing buckle bulge. Can be worn with or without belt loops. Elastic material made from recycled plastic bottles. Waterproof. One size fits everyone up to 50”.

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White Elephant The best gift for the party with the worst gifts. The White Elephant Party kit is not only the perfect way to organize and enhance your party, it’s also the perfect gift to bring to one as well! What is it? Only everything you’ve been dreaming of: 35 numbered tokens shaped like ornaments. We know…we’re adorable. 100 stolen stickers.

Those should last you a few years. Santa’s bag. Probably smaller than you thought it would be but it’s magic. And official rules; To keep the cheaters family members in line!

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Fit Bit Versa Lite $159.95

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Fitbit’s most affordable smartwatch which features activity, sleep and heart rate tracking, notifications, apps and 4+ day battery life—plus bold color choices and an easy onebutton design. Versa Lite is easyto-use, lightweight, comfortable and comes in new vibrant colors to appeal to a fun-seeking, youthful audience.

ADVENTURE. DELIVERED. Your monthly subscription for hand-picked outdoor, survival tools, EDC, and other cool gear. Pick a box. Choose your size. Boxes come in BASIC, ADVANCED, PRO, & PRO PLUS subscriptions. Choose from our 4 packages and find the right one for you. Not sure which to choose? No sweat! You can always change or cancel your subscription at any time, online.

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JBL Clip 3 Whether backpacking through Europe or hiking through the Rockies, the JBL Clip 3 is a perfect companion. As the name suggests, the Clip 3 has a built-in carabiner to attach to virtually anything while on-the-go. In addition to 10 hours of playback, this speaker can withstand accidental spills or freak rainstorms with its waterproof design.

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Huel - 12 Bottles Nutritious food is vital for a happy, healthy life, but we are all leading increasingly busy lives. So what we need is a meal that is both nutritionally complete and convenient. A food that has just the right amount of protein, essential fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Huel is nutritionally complete food that contains all 27 essential vitamins and minerals, protein, essential fatty acids, carbs, fibre and phytonutrients with minimal impact on animals and the environment. It’s vegan, lactose-free, soy-free, GMO-free, and it’s approved by Registered Dietitians.

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LITER WOMEN’S VAPORAIRESS 2.0 | 7HYDRATION PACK

VaporAiress is a pack that is as versatile as you are. Body-mapped and designed specifically for the female form, it’s our first race vest to feature the innovative Adaptive-Fit ™ Adjustable Sizing System, resulting in a fit and feel so personalized, you’ll think we tailored it just for you. Two adjustment points allow you to alter waist and bust fit separately. Equipped with a 2L bladder with quick release valve.

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Mystery Tackle Box Mystery Tackle Box is a fun and affordable way to discover new fishing products every single month!

The subscription plans introduce beginner and expert anglers alike to new fishing lures and tackle, and the best way to use them. Are you ready to fish like you’ve never fished before? Mystery Tackle Box is only $16.99 a month for our standard box and $26.99 a month for our PRO box and you can cancel any time.

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Fit Bit Ace 2 $69.95 Designed for kids ages 6 and older, Ace 2 brings a new swimproof design with fun colors and patterns, challenges and kid-friendly features while encouraging more family time through physical activity. Ace 2 has parental controls to help safeguard kids’ privacy. Parents can also review their kids’ activity and sleep habits to encourage healthy behavior changes, all at an affordable price.

Tinkering Labs Kit The original Tinkering Labs kit: build & rebuild endless robotic creations with a single kit. Invent unique STEM toys for 8-12 year olds & teens. Robotics for kids: build doodling Robots, power Electric model cars, Add motors to Legos, and more! Diy kit with 50+ real parts: build Robots with 10 challenge cards, Wood, Electric motors, & hardware.

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Chalk of the Town Instead of wearing their heart on their sleeve, have kids boldly wear their thoughts on their chest with the re-markable and erasable chalkboard tee shirt, appropriately called Chalk Of The Town! With one kit, kids can design and wear a new customized shirt every week.

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Moosh-Moosh These are the softest plush buddies and they are ready to cuddle with you!

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Caden Project If you’re looking for a feel good “pay it forward” gift, consider this children’s book “A Bears Finds His Purpose” and the adorable “Caden” teddy bear combo set.

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CINEMOOD

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Create your own movie theatre anytime, anywhere! CINEMOOD is the world’s first absolutely noiseless, 3” ultralight standalone projector, that converts any surface into a 12-foot magic cinema. CINEMOOD goes where you go. It can be projected onto any flat surface inside or outside the home, so anytime can be a special time with your loved ones! This truly portable device doesn’t need to be connected to a computer, phone or wall outlet. With up to 5 hours of rechargeable battery life CINEMOOD is perfect for car rides, airplane travel, camping and backyard get-togethers. You can connect to WiFi and stream from Netflix, Amazon Prime or YouTube. You can also download Netflix or Amazon Prime videos directly on CINEMOOD to enjoy anywhere, without WiFI or Internet connection. With CINEMOOD there’s no more fighting over the small screen - bring your family back together with a true cinema experience!

Eat2Explore Explore the world and feast on sweet treats with your kids this holiday season with eat2explore’s “Explore World Holiday Treats.” These “explorer boxes” are from three countries, Japan, Croatia and Austria. They provide tools for families to bake together, learn and dine on different desserts and cultures. Each of the boxes include an easyto-follow recipe and shopping list. The great part is the boxes do not include perishable products, so you can use the included ingredients and bake when you have time.

$24.95

Circuit Blox Lights N’ Motion Kids can learn while having fun in this E-Blox Circuit Blox set! This kit provides hours of fun and educational play for kids 8 and up. The colorful LED blocks emit colorful light, while the colorful transparent spacers allow light to pass through them, creating a stunning light display and bringing your creation to life!

$29.99

BizyBeez BizyBeez Magnetic Building blocks for special needs offers tactile sensory experiences, stimulating both logic and creative parts of the brain. Bizy Beez was born out of a 20 year vision by co-founder, Catherine Reed, to inspire children to learn through creative play. She was trained in how to help children with special needs focus.

She learned that when the children’s hands were busy, they behaved better, which minimized frustration and encouraged more love, peace, and joy in the home. Thus their slogan, “Busy Hands, Quiet Mouth”.

$79.99

BizyBeez is committed to giving back! 20 percentage of all profit is donated to children with special needs throughout the world.

Suitables All aboard! This is the design that inspired the creation of suitables. But there’s much more than one style with Suitables, inluding; the Millenium Falcon, Airplanes, Princesses, Bulldozers and more! Our Santa Fe Diesel train features classic diesel train horn sound and detailed highquality graphics that faithfully represent the BNSF brand and heritage with the infamous Warbonnet paint scheme. One size only (fits most 2-7 year olds).

$39.99

Evo Ozobot $99.00 The Pocket sized award-winning robot for the next generation of creators.

Bots can be coded two ways: online with OzoBlockly and screen-free with Color Codes. Their mission is to inspire young minds to go from consuming technology to creating it.

Spikeball You’ve seen that little black and yellow trampoline game all over but still have no clue why groups of people are spiking a ball down into it. Finally, you’ll get some answers. Spikeball is a new sport that’s sweeping the nation. It’s commonly referred to as the love child between volleyball and four-square.

It is played 2 vs 2, with a taut hula hoop sized Spikeball net placed between the teams.

$59.00

Bangle & Babe Bracelet Key Ring Let the Bangle & Babe Bracelet Key Ring help you juggle life’s luggage. Stop fumbling in parking lots trying to find your keys. Our wrist worn key ring is designed to easily slip onto your wrist, while still being flexible enough to fit into your pocket or bag.

$18.00

Aid Through Trade Roll-On Bracelets Aid Through Trade offers Roll-On® Bracelets in almost every color imaginable, and equally important to what they create, is how they create it. As a Founding Member of the Fair Trade Federation, Aid Through Trade proudly shares that The Original Roll-On® Bracelet is ethically crafted in Nepal and is the only RollOn® Bracelet that is authentically Fair Trade.

$38.00

Keebos Keebos iPhone necklaces help you stay hands-free and care-free. By having a strap connected to your phone case, you’ll be able to keep your phone close and safe without having to bring a bag or trying to squeeze it into a pocket that’s just too small for your phone.

Whether you’re going to the gym or a café, walking your puppy, hiking, dancing at a festival or riding your bike: keep your hands free for the important things in life!

$28.95