Women of Fruit Magazine Fall 2016

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M A G A Z I N E

Reconfigured & Restored Shondia Sabari

Paper Doll!

Fashion to Inspire Confidence

10 Black Trash Bags

Joan Thaxter Randall

Natasha Furman

Nika White

Driven By Divine Get Your Intentions

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SINCE 2010

Join Us Vonnie Judge- Founder

Educating, Encouraging, Empowering Welcome, my sister, to an opportunity to be educated, encouraged, and empowered by diversified women of various professional backgrounds but whom share the common goal to Uplifting the Minds, Hearts, & Spirits of others.

Speaking to the Minds, Hearts, & Spirits of Sisters of All Ages

www.UpliftingMySisters.com

We encourage you to attend our empowering events where titles are left at the door to focus on topics to enrich our relationships, health, wealth, and most importantly to purposefully live our best lives.

After all, Sister, you are Divinely Designed!

Fall 2016

Contents Features

12

Reconfigured & Restored Shondia Sabarii

18 22

10 Black Trash Bags Joan Thaxter Randall Driven By Divine Intentions Nika White

Departments

05 07 10 16 26 27

Mindfulness Dr. Sarah Moore Stepping Up Carlos Phillips Bland to Glam TJ Cheeks Paper Doll!

Natasha Furman Women Extra Steps on the Road to Financial Security LIVING TO LEAVE A LEGACY Dr. Hester Young

In Every Issue

04 From the Editor Moments 14 Fruitful Inspirational Message 29 Seeds of Scribes

On The Cover

Nika White Cover Credits: Nika White, Vice President of Greenville Chamber photographed by Stacey Smith

WomenofFruitMag.com | Fall 2016 | 3

FROM THE EDITOR WWW.WOMENOFFRUITMAG.COM

Photo: Trey Hopkins

Welcome to Women of Fruit Magazine!

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

-Jeremiah 1:5 "

It's so refreshing to know that God loves us so much that He patiently reveals his divine calling for our lives.

Many times we might think that we stumbled upon it or took three wrongs turns before recognizing it. He loves us so much that He would Reconfigure our lives to Restore our faith in knowing that our lives are Driven by his Divine Intentions.

I hope that you enjoy the journey of the magazine and share it with others.

Be Blessed, Vonnie Judge

Publisher & Editor Vonnie Judge Editorial Consultant Scherrie Poindexter Art Design & Support Zyaire Judge Contributing Writers Sarah Moore Carlos Phillips Kimberly Griffith Anderson TJ Cheeks Dr. Hester Young Contributing Photographers Stacey Smith Kim Honora Drexina Nelson Trey Hopkins Media Consultant GoJUMP.Media Distribution US Post Office

Women of Fruit Magazine is published four times per year by Sharp Judge,LLC. PO Box 532, Huntersville, NC 2807-0532

All rights reserved. Reproduction electronically or in print format without the express written consent of the publisher is strictly prohibited and a violation of US copyrights laws Inquires to: Women of Fruit Magazine PO Box 532, Huntersville, NC 28070

Subscriptions: $18 per year in United States

Health

Mindfulness Keeping your mind can matter in achieving a healthier lifestyle

By Dr. Sarah Mooore

Mindfulness is a state of being conscious or aware in the present moment. It’s so easy to agonize over the past or fearfully worry about the future rather than to just live in the “now.” It is common to discount or ignore physical and emotional feelings because we’re either scared to address them or because we simply wish we felt differently.

Mindfulness can not only help us to accept ourselves as we are in the current moment, but research shows that the practice can provide a growing variety of psychological, social, and physiological health benefits as well—including better sleep, weight loss, relationship satisfaction, concentration, tolerance and much more. Harvard Health Publications credit mindfulness with lowering depression,

fighting heart disease, reducing stress, and alleviating chronic pain or digestive distress.

An easy first step to mindfulness is to notice your breath. Set a gentle timer (even a few minutes is a start).

Pay attention to your breath in and then out.

Whatever you may notice—exhale is warm, inspiration stretches your ribs a little, transition between in and out breaths

happens automatically, for instance—is fine. If your mind wanders to some other thought, recognize that thought without judgement and then just pull your attention back to your breath.

When time is up, get bonus points for being mindful about how you feel just after the exercise and smile knowing you’ve enjoyed some of the benefit of being mindful.

Fall 2016 | WomenofFruitMag.com | 5

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Lifestyle

Photo Courtesy of Carlos Phillips

Stepping Up!

By Carlos Phillips Greenville Chamber President/CEO

I am proud to be representing Greenville’s business community. In my first six months here, I have been impressed by the Upstate South Carolina region each and every day. We have all the ingredients necessary for a successful business environment - an entrepreneurial spirit, large international companies willing to support growth, a robust and thriving small and middle market business community, innovative education system concentrating on a strong, smart workforce, and forward-thinking public entities that know how to make public-private partnerships work to diversify our economy and plan strategic growth.

This community works together to make the things that matter happen, and everyone I’ve encountered wants to do more of it!

WomenofFruitMag.com | Summer 2016 8

Our vision at the Greenville Chamber is a globally competitive Upstate economy where businesses succeed and people prosper. Our mission is to lead, convene and mobilize the business community to drive regional economic growth.

We do this by focusing on these five areas • Advocate for policies that promote business growth AND oppose policies that stifle growth.

• Connect businesses to clients, programs, and resources that help their businesses grow.

• Develop our region’s next generation of business leaders and community stakeholders. . Advance our region by working with area partners to attract, develop and retain talent, and expand our entrepreneurial ecosystem.

• Include all stakeholders in initiatives that allow all citizens opportunities to share in the Upstate’s economic prosperity.

I want to focus here on Include, and more specifically, on including women. Personally, as a husband to a medical professional with four children, our family economy (and sanity) relies heavily on a woman.

I want to see my wife and my daughter have the same opportunities to be heard and be compensated as myself and my three sons will have What We Know….

We know that last year in the United States, female full-time workers made an average of 80 cents for every dollar earned by men, a gender wage gap of 20 percent. If we continue at the pace we’ve seen since 2001, women will not reach pay equity with men until 2152.* We know the pay gap is not going away on its own.

We know that only five percent of the companies in the Standard and Poor’s 500 index had female chief executive officers in 2015*, and that women make up only one in five members of the U.S. Congress, and that South Carolina is one of just six states with female governors.

We know that gender parity in leadership is a matter of fairness.

When women are excluded from top leadership, they are denied power to make a difference, status, privilege, and pay.

We know that organizations with diverse leadership are better positioned to adapt to a rapidly changing global business environment.

What We’re Doing About It

We strive to lead by example.

Of six vice presidents on our executive team at the Greenville Chamber, four are women.

Our chamber has been recognizing women leaders in association with ATHENA International since 2001. The prestigious ATHENA Leadership Award® is presented at our annual meeting to women who have made significant contributions to Greenville in promoting community prosperity and quality of life.

We have a dedicated team of women, Greenville Women at Work, who plans programming throughout the

year that focuses on women’s issues in business and in leadership.

I attended our Greenville Women at Work Empowerment Breakfast earlier this year, which featured top Verizon executive Krista Bourne.

She got a huge round of applause from the crowd of over 200 women when she stated, "Every boardroom should have a woman in it.

I'm here because I decided I deserved to be in those places. We just have to step up."

I hear that call and raise it to all of us in positions to place women in leadership roles.

We have to step up.

Andrea Stevenson Realtor

A Real "Thank You" For Real Heroes Military Police Firefighter E.m.t Teachers Health Care Workers

843-442-3390

www.Andrea­Stevenson.net 205 St. James Ave, Ste. 5 Goose Creek, SC 29445

Fall 2016 | WomenofFruitMag.com | 9

From Bland To

Glam!

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One of their featured products is the "Triple Milled Pigment”, which is produced by refining particles to the most optimal size, allowing the makeup to lay better on the skin for superior coverage.

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Photo Courtesy: Shondia Sabari

Reconfigured & Restored Shondia Sabari is highly sought after motivational speaker.

S

hondia grew up in Immediately after completing her undergrad, Timmonsville, SC where her grandmother raised her. She Shondia attended graduate graduated Benedict College school at Webster University.

Addfrom subheading where she received her bachelor While working on her Master degree in Early Child Education. degree in Human Resource

WomenofFruitMag.com | Fall 2016 | 12

Development, she worked a staffing agency in Washington, D.C. placing others in government positions.

Then, she moved to Savannah, GA and taught special education at an elementary school. She shares, ”One day while I was in my classroom thinking that although I enjoyed teaching, it wasn't enough for me!" Shondia has a special love for children and the elderly. She's often told that she's good at uplifting and motivating people. "I wasn't sure how, but I felt like I had something to offer the world and the world needed to know this about me.” It wasn't until she attended an educational event in Los Angeles where she heard the motivational speaker Les Brown speak for the first time. She reminisced, "I remembered how encouraged and empowered I felt. I knew that I wanted to travel the world and make other people feel the exact same way!" As she was trying to decide what career would allow her to fulfill her passion, God already had something in mind.

Confidently Reconfigured

While Shondia was getting dressed to go to the Dollar Tree, she heard what she feels was the holy spirit telling her that she needed to get a mammogram.

Even though she was surprised by the notion, the next day at her GYN appointment she made the request to have it done. She says, “I didn’t have any lumps, discomfort, or pain!" Her doctor was also surprised by the unusual request because Shondia was under the age of 40, but her doctor made arrangements to have the mammogram done that same day.

Purpose Restored

Two weeks later, Shondia was diagnosed with breast cancer. She admits, "Yes, I was scared initially because I didn't know what to expect." After much prayers, Shondia decided to have both breasts removed.

I thank God...my faith is my strength.”

Shondia is a beautiful woman although a part of her body was reconfigured, her confidence in God restored anything that she has physically lost.

After Shondia's surgery, one of her aunts came to visit her and suggested Shondia join a breast cancer support group.

Shondia said to her aunt, “No ma'am, I don't want to join a support group because it might mess with my nerves to see other women breakdown!"

Her aunt responded, “Thats why you need to join one so you can help other women!"

Her aunt said, "You have taken this well and sharing “

your story can help others.”

Shondia realized that her aunt had a great point which sent her on a search to connect with any and every organization related to breast cancer.

As a result, Shondia founded her own nonprofit organization, BOLDANDBREASTLESS, INC. in her quest to restore hope in the lives of others.

God has reconfigured the pieces of Shondia's passion into a profound ministry that restores his message of hope and healing in the lives of people across the world.

- Shondia Sabari www.boldandbreastless.com boldandbreastless@Gmail.com

Fall 2016 | WomenofFruitMag.com | 13

A Ra'eesa Barnett inspired by..

Cast all your cares upon him for he careth for you.

1 Peter 5: 7

FRUITFUL MOMENTS

TJ inspired by...

I Salute You Don't be afraid to do Queen... something just

Words to Inspire You!

because you're If it wasn'tscared for of what people woman we are going to say would cease about you. to exist People will judge you no matter what.

Rita Botwe Inspired by...

Sometimes God's Blessings are not in what he gives, But in what He takes Away. He Knows Best . Trust Him

WF Inspired by...

Be Fruitf ul

Katossa R Glover inspired by...

Then the Lord replied: “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it- Habakkuk 2:2 Fall 2016 | WomenofFruitMag.com | 14

Melissa Bridges inspired by...

"What if I Fall?"

Oh, But my darling What if you fly?

- Erin Hanson

If it wasn't for woman we would cease to exist

Words That Inspires

WF Inspired by...

He's Able

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” “

Shuvona R. Spann inspired by..

I Salute You Queen...

Shanitria Kittrell inspired by..

Genesis​ 50:20 ​ Joan Thaxter­Randall inspired by...

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Philippians 4 vs 13

Evangelist Michelle Felder inspired by...

For I know the "plans I have for you, "declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11 Fall 2016 | WomenofFruitMag.com | 15

Paper Doll!

Fashion To Inspire Confidence

Designer Natasha Furman & Her Daughter Yasmeen Furman Photo Credit: Drexina Nelson

Start:

Style:

Natasha Furman was raised by her grandparents after her mother passed away when she was 2 years old. She reminisced, “Grandmother got me into sewing at age 6. She taught me how to sew the clothes for my doll by hand. Then about 10, I was using the sewing machine following patterns then progressed to mixing the patterns.”

Natasha started designing doll clothes when she was nearly a baby herself then designing for people at the age of 14.

Though Natasha attended fashion design school, she credits much of her commercial and tailoring design skills to her mentor at Jos A. Banks.

Many have described her designs as vintage with a modern twist. Natasha finds inspiration in old Hollywood and Red Carpet fashion designs because their classic design remains relevant over time.

Whether you consider her designs classic, vintage, or modern, Natasha says, “I like designing Head­Turners... it’s when the design commands the room without you saying a word.”

" Fashion is an Expression! "

Signature: Natasha is the proud owner of Seni Chic, a fashion company based out of Atlanta, GA. “I’ve always known that I wanted to be a designer but not sure what kind. “ She went from dressing baby dolls to designing dresses for her daughter, Yasmeen, who Natasha refers to as her Paper Doll.

As she reminisced, “I remember when I found out that I was having a girl, all I could think about is all the dresses that I wanted to make for her.”

Although they have different styles, her daughter‘s confidence is the signature accessory to Natasha’s Head –Turning designs.

Fall 2016 | WomenofFruitMag.com | 15

Photo Credit: Kim Honora

10 Black Trash Bags Joan Thaxter Randall, a best-selling author, speaker and transformational coach, shares how her incredible journey. She is a domestic violence survivor who is a champion for women.

W

e decided to meet a very popular café at the

Still wearing her bright smile, she peak of the lunch rush. As the said, “I was born and raised in restaurant lines filled with people Jamaica. I’m a Daughter of the rushing to place their orders, I Island. Looking back now, I didn’t quickly scanned the room looking know that we were considered for the beautiful lady that I saw on poor. My family had so much love, the website. Then I saw her bright and that love sustained us. As a smile from the back corner of the child, the most amazing thing restaurant. We exchanged kind was to run to the beach and swim words as we greeted one another. I or pick plum, bananas, pears or instantly fell in love with her warm drink from coconut that came subheading andAdd welcoming spirit and I asked, “ from our backyard.” Today, many Where are you from?” would describe eating food

WomenofFruitMag.com | Fall 2016 | 18

naturally grown as being organic, but for Joan and her family, this was their daily way of life.

She continued, “As a child, I knew that there was something bigger for me.” While her sister and brother would play at the beach, Joan preferred to sit under a tree looking at the point where the sky and the water met in the horizon. “I would daydream about what

was beyond that point where my eyes couldn’t see …whatever was over there is where I wanted to go.

She dreamed of being a teacher or a news anchor. "I just knew that I would be standing in front of people giving directions or talking.” Upon graduating high school, Joan received a scholarship to attend college to pursue her dreams; but in her culture, there is a silent expectation for the oldest child to get a job to assist the family.

Since Joan is the oldest of her parent’s three children, she felt the sense of obligation to help her family. She landed the biggest job in Jamaica working at the electric company, so she didn’t attend college at least not in Jamaica.

The Dark Knight

Walking home one day as Joan usually does, a guy driving a rental car stopped her to ask for direction. After she had given him the directions, he told her that he loved her smile. He offered her a ride home, but she said that she lived just around the corner, so there was no need for her to accept the ride.

He drove beside her, and they talked on her walk home. She shares, “We had a great conversation, and I liked his smile too. The next day we agreed to go out after work. It was a world wind romance. I truly thought he was my Knight in shining armor."

She moved to Philadelphia to be with him. She left her fouryear-old daughter with her parents in Jamaica with the intention of building a better life for them - the one she dreamt that existed beyond the horizon. “ I always felt there was something bigger for me outside of Jamaica.”

Two weeks after her arrival, she recalls that her husband asked a question and she answered him.

Then out of nowhere, he slapped her across the face in front of his 10-year-old daughter. In shock, she asked him, “ Why did you hit me? “ He told her that she responded in a way that he thought was unacceptable. As Joan continued to reminisce, she said, “He got so angry, and it made me so nervous. I thought that it was a one-time thing and I needed to be careful about how I respond to him in the future.”

Joan quickly learns this was just the beginning of physical, emotional, verbal, sexual, financial and social abuse which became worst over a 6 ½ year period. She reveals, “He has called me all kinds of names, poured hot water on me, kicked me down a flight of stairs, and I ended up in the hospital. I would lie to cover up my physical abuse because I was fearful."

The Dark Night

elaborate plan to kill her daughters and herself. The day came when Joan decide to carry out her painful plan; She says, “I got up just like I practiced but I don’t know what woke my baby up.

When I saw her, I sat on the floor. My eyes were swollen and red from crying all night.

Her little girl asked, ”Mommy, are you sad?”

Joan replies, “Yes, baby, mommy is sad.” Her daughter’s response, ”Don’t worry mommy, I can give you strength.”

Joan said, "My baby girl hug my neck and squeeze, and I felt a spirit of comfort transfer from her body to mine. That's when I knew that I couldn't take our lives."

One night after another fight - her husband used as a tactic to leave the house.

Once he was gone, her oldest daughter told her, “Mommy, it’s time to go. I have been helping you this whole time.”

Her daughter takes her mother to her room and pulls out six black trash bags from the attic. Inside were clothes, books, and toys for herself and her sister. Then her daughter runs to grab four more trash bags and filled them with Joan's personal items.

That night, dressed in their pajamas, and with 10 Black Trash Bags they packed up the car and made their escape.

Joan is happily remarried living her childhood dream of speaking in front of others sharing her inspirational story of how she and her daughters survived domestic violence.

Joan was able to bring her daughter from Jamaica, four years after she came to live in the US and at that time had given birth to her second child.

It was a tough environment to raise children, but she did the best that she could do, living with a man with a dual personality. “Among friends, he was this amazing person that everyone loved and with me he had this anger in him, and I didn’t know why. I didn’t know if it was because I gain weight or change my hair. “As her life with her abusive husband became worst, Joan thought about ways that she and her daughters could escape this overwhelming life. She thought about killing him but had an even more Fall 2016 | WomenofFruitMag.com | 19

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NIKA WHITE She is an inspirational leader who is The Voice of Economic Inclusion for Greenville, SC. Photo Courtesy of Nika White

WomenofFruitMag.com | Fall 2016 | 22

Driven By Divine Intentions

I

remember that day like it was yesterday. I received a call from one of my highly respected friend inviting me to attend a Greenville Chamber’s Netnight event. I must admit I was pretty hesitant to the idea of driving 3 hours for any networking event, but there was something she said that really got my attention. She said, “If I were you, I would make arrangements to be here.”

As simple as that I found myself in midst of my first Netnight experience where savvy professionals of small businesses and large corporations filled the room creating a vibrant atmosphere. I could hear the buzzing of productive conversations coming from every angle of the room.

My friend whisked from one circle of influential people to another. As the evening was winding down, my friend moved me along to make her final introduction, she said,

I want you to meet the wonderful woman that brings all these amazing group of businesses under one roof, Nika White….

Fall 2016 | WomenofFruitMag.com | 23

Photo Courtesy of Nika White

N

ika White is the award winning, Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion for the Greenville Chamber. She is responsible for creating and collaboratively implementing an overarching diversity strategy for the Greenville Chamber. As a key member of the Chamber Team, Nika designs and oversees initiatives that develop and promote inclusion of diverse businesses in the economic activities of Upstate SC. “My passion is the intersect of business, leadership, and diversity and Inclusion. Everything that I connect myself with includes all these 3 key pillars.” She is dedicated to ensuring that those who are disadvantaged and underrepresented have access to the opportunities to propel themselves to whatever type of destiny or prosperity they deem appropriate. “I find myself drawn to this work because I find it fulfilling...I find it necessary.”

Greenville County became the last county in the nation to officially

WomenofFruitMag.com | Fall 2016 | 24

recognize Martin Luther King Day as a holiday casted a negative light over the county. She shares, “Although the people in Greenville reached a major milestone, the fight was such a painful fight that it was too hard for people to celebrate its victory.” Under the leadership of Pastor Curtis Johnson, Nika and many others came together to discuss what they could do to bring healing to the city that they love.

“We wanted to have a big celebration where we put our action to work for the benefit of the community.”

They went to work planning a series of community events including a diversity banquet, health and job fair, and educational workshops to strengthen the community.

After 10 years of building a staple community movement in Greenville, the 5 founding partners decided step down to allow new leadership to take it to the next level. “I’m happy to see that it still exist in our community.”

At the time, Nika did not realize that she was draw to that space because she was drawn to a bigger calling.

“Once I started to take inventory, I could see how much of my volunteer work and association lead me to recognize that this was bigger than one event or opportunity. It was something that I really felt deeply connected to.”

Nika has over 18 years of experience in the marketing and communications field. “I worked at an advertising agency where I really enjoyed my work and the fast pace environment of the creative and strategic process. "I really thought that I was in my

element and that is the discipline I received my undergraduate degree in.”

She recalls, after working in the industry over a period of time, “I remember sitting in my office one day, feeling so fulfilled. Then, I had this epiphany… I thought if I loved this career path so much why there others that looked like me taking advantage of this wonderful career path.”

She was working in an industry that services clients who consumer constitutes represent diverse America and at the time, advertising capitals of the world like New York and Chicago had authorities knocking at the doors of these agencies telling them that they must diversify their workforce. They were not asking them, but it was a mandate that must be implemented. Of course, they were not worried about South Carolina at the time.

“I thought if we want to be the most admired agency in the southeast then why are we waiting for a mandate to start at work of diversifying our agency… why not start now. “ She continues, “I needed to be vocal about this missed opportunity… I just couldn’t let that thought go.”

Nika decided to share her concerns with the President & CEO of the agency whom she built a really great rapport. He intently listened to her concerns, then respond, “Great, I agree. We are going to do it and you’re going to lead it. How do we do it, Nika?

Shocked by his response, she said, “I just had the vision… “ She may not have the clear

path forward plan but God truly gave her the wisdom to put really smart people in her camp that were already diversity and inclusion practitioners who were doing wonderful work and had great success regarding their experience. Through collective efforts, slowly but surely, with Nika’s help her employer started making great progress that other agencies wanted to benchmark their success.

As a result, Nika was faced with a unique position within the agency. “In the agency world, I had dual roles as management supervisor working on advertisement, marketing, and communications for multiple clients as well as the manager of the diversity and inclusion initiative. "I had the best of both worlds.”

Just when she seemed to have this perfect balance in her career, one of Nika’s trusted mentors told her that the Greenville Chamber had created this new position for diversity and inclusion. Nika vividly recall saying, “No way, I have the best of both worlds now, I am on a great path right now. I am comfortable. I am happy. I enjoy my work.”

A week later, someone else that Nika highly respected encouraged her to pursue the position with the Greenville Chamber. Being a woman of faith, she took it as a sign, ”God, you are trying to get a message to me so I need to pay attention.”

Taking a leap of faith, Nika applied for the chamber position. She remembers being forthcoming in her interview by saying, “If you’re looking for someone who is

going to be the diversity and inclusion cop then I am not your person. However, if you’re looking for someone to add strategic thought leadership to an already reputable organization to help it to reach its goals and mission in a more impactful way than I am your person. I would love to be able to be a part of that.” After a nationwide search, Nika was hired as the Chamber's VP of Diversity and Inclusion and is now serving her fourth year.

year in college. “Our journey is very uniquely different but many of our decisions were motivated and driven by our faith.” She studied marketing and communication at USC and he studied economics at Clemson. Many thought it was an unrealistic life decision for them to get married at that time. “Carlo saw the potential in me and I saw the potential. We really wanted God to honor our union.”

Photo Courtesy of Nika White

Nika's marketing agency experiences truly prepared her but divine intentions placed Nika in an impactful position that greatly aligns her even more with her divine calling.

“Every single day there is a lack of equality so... the best way that I help fight this is by being a voice of advocacy for the underrepresented... because we have a great responsibility to bring others along.”

Carlo and Nika meet in high school and married the summer before their senior

She immediately adds, “I will not say that it was easy, but there is no doubt about it, God has such a special favor over our union that he continues to show time after time again." They recently celebrated 19 years of marriage and have two impressive teens, Hannah and CJ. “It takes intentionality to accomplish anything and be successful." Nika's success in her work and family are driven by divine intentions.

Fall 2016 | WomenofFruitMag.com | 25

Women May Need Extra Steps on the Road to Financial Security Around the world and throughout the year, thousands of events honor women’s achievements. Yet, women still face challenges in many areas of life

– such as their

financial situations. So if you’re a woman, you may want to use this occasion to consider steps you can take to help move toward your important financial goals, such as a comfortable retirement First of all, be aware of the potential obstacles facing women: lower earnings than men, longer lifespans than men and more time out of the workforce than men. This last element is particularly important, because when women leave the workforce for extended periods, typically to care for young children or older parents, they will have much less time to contribute to their 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plan Whether you fit the above profile perfectly or not, and whether you’re married or single, you must take action on your own behalf.

Here are some suggestions: Ramp up your retirement plan contributions. Contribute as much as you can afford to your 401(k) or other employersponsored retirement plan. Your 401(k) is a good way to build retirement savings because your earnings accumulate on a tax-deferred basis, which means your money can grow faster than if it were placed in an investment on which you paid

½ may be subject to a 10%

taxes every year. (You will have to pay taxes on withdrawals; also, withdrawals prior to age 59 IRS penalty.)

Contribute to an IRA. Even if you have a 401(k) or similar plan, you’re probably still eligible to open an IRA. Contributions to a traditional IRA may be tax-deductible, while earnings can grow tax deferred. If you invest in a Roth IRA, your contributions are not deductible, but any earnings growth is distributed tax free, provided you’ve had your account at least five years and don’t start

½.

taking withdrawals until you’re 59

Talk to your spouse about Social Security. If your spouse starts collecting Social Security at 62 (the earliest age of eligibility), the monthly benefits could be reduced, perhaps by as much as 25%. This reduction could affect you if you ever

“full” retirement age (which will likely be 66 or 67), you may qualify for survivor benefits of 100% of what your deceased spouse had been receiving — and if that amount was reduced, you’ll get a reduced benefit. Talk to your spouse about this issue well before it’s time to receive Social Security. become a widow, because once you reach your own

Don’t invest too conservatively. Some studies show that women may invest more conservatively than men. This could be a problem, especially since, as mentioned above, women are also out of the workforce longer and may have less years to contribute to their 401(k) plans. Consequently, when you invest in your 401(k), IRA or other accounts, consider including in your holdings growth-oriented vehicles consistent with your risk tolerance, such as stocks. Stocks are more susceptible to market volatility, but you can help reduce the impact of this volatility by owning a mix of investments, including stocks, bonds By making the right moves through some extra steps, you will find yourself on the road to financial freedom.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

Darren Wilson Invested in the Community White Hall Center 5401 Netherby Lane Ste 102-C North Charleston, SC 29420 Tel. 843-552-1381 WomenofFruitMag.com | Fall 2016 | 26

Lifestyle

LIVING TO LEAVE A LEGACY

By Dr. Hester Young Certified Life Coach, Educator, Author, and Contributing Writer

I was just an ordinary Sunday morning at my house. I was ten years old, dressed pretty, and waiting for my ride to Sunday school. Then the thumping sounds of arguing, items crashing, furniture tumbling, screaming voices and confusion erupted, again. Reluctantly I emerged from my room to follow the origin of the confusion to find yet another episode of a domestic scuffle. In frustration and as I had done many times before, I vowed that my life would be better. Childhood experiences hold valuable associations for personal growth and building legacy.

Maybe your issue was not domestic conflicts, but you were exposed to parents or caregivers who lived with heartbreak, complacency or laziness. Maybe you were influenced by jealousy, lying, stealing, partiality or rejection. Whatever the past, the question becomes, how are you changing or improving the trajectory of legacy?

God’s legacy to womanhood is both high and lofty! A woman’s sensitivity, passion, and divine destiny are paramount to Him. Her unique nature, style, and character were formed in the beginning. Their typical focus areas are money, land or tangible things. However, the key aspects of hope, love, courage, personal power, forgiveness, and integrity are often overlooked.Women, in particular, too often tend to view things from the outside in rather than from the inside out and we place far too much attention on the outer appearance rather than the condition of our soul (mind, will and emotion).

For these reasons, she accepts an assigned identity rather than the blessed inherited identity of our Lord.

It's most troubling when women who do not realize their giftedness and potential because they are trapped in disappointment, bitterness, and hopelessness. The absence of a dream or hope deferred makes the heart sick (Proverbs 13:12).

When a woman’s heart is sick, she can’t progress because she is operating in less than God's best so she can’t see herself as being the apple of God’s eyes -- a beautiful fragrance that brings a smile to His face.

While most of the world’s achievement represent a combination of achievement and talents, a woman’s talent is powerfully inspirational in nature. Her life cannot be lived having her hopes wrapped around the variation of circumstances. Nor can she expect to be exempted from disappointment. Realistically, our hope should be in the One who desires far more for us than we can ever imagine. God wants his daughters to obtain peace and wholeness exclusively through His resources. She should seek and know the truth and allow that truth to set her free.

Utilize your options and your power to choose new and different paths, so that your daughters, mentees, sisters, nieces, and cousins will receive an impartation of greatness. It is one thing to know the struggles of our ancestors, but quite another thing to become a victim of those same struggles.

Find the silver lining in those struggles and choose a new direction. Reference past struggles as teachable moments. Use them as the vehicle to drive you into a brighter future.

Here are 10 inside out tips to jumpstart your journey

Do the right thing when no one is watching. Allow love to motivate good deeds.

Be a woman of integrity. Don’t allow others to think that you are helping them when you are really using them to build your reputation by capitalizing on the pain and anguish of others.

Fall 2016 | WomenofFruitMag.com | 27

Tell the truth. No one likes a direct or indirect liar, but more importantly, you can’t love and respect yourself and if you can’t respect yourself, your soul will not progress.

Treat others the way you would want your family members to be treated. Never say mean things to people when behind their backs. Tell people that you appreciate them even just because God loves them.

Be true to yourself. If you are jealous, confess it and ask God to help you.

Examine your priorities. You can’t save the world and neglect family. Make your family a priority. There is a song that has the following lyrics: "I don’t want to gain the whole world and lose my soul."

Save yourself first. Identify your purpose before claiming expertise because the direction of people’s lives depends on it.

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RE/MAX Elite 68 Line St. Charleston, SC 843-532-0128 WomenofFruitMag.com | Fall 2016 | 28

Say "yes" to the higher calling. There is no higher calling than leaving a legacy of unconditional love, gracious behavior, and understanding the power of doing the right thing even when the right thing is not being done to you.

Encourage yourself. Listen to positive music or great teaching messages for a minimum of 30 minutes each day. It takes work and effort to stay on track.

Create a personal mission statement. You were born with innate characteristics. A mission empowers you to say "yes" to projects that apply and "no" to projects that do not belong on your list of priorities."

Today, women have diverse roles so it is important to put them in the right perspective.

The legacy of our Lord’s obedience was left behind through the life He led. Receive Christ's offer of mercy and let Him fill you with His Spirit to empower and guide you.

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Seeds of Scribes

But I Love My Husband

By Kimberly Griffith Anderson

I can never remember a time in my life when I did not believe in God. My belief, however, was limited. I knew that God was the creator of the universe and that Jesus died for my sins, but in my mind, God was distant. He was in heaven away from the earth regulating things like the weather and calling people home once He pulled their card. I did not see God in everyday life. I did not pray, I hoped. For those things too important to leave up to hope, I worked for those things and made them happen. At church, there was always talk about sin, but I did not see myself as a sinner. For me, God existed, but I didn’t need Him like some people did. I did my own thing; I fixed my own problems and worked hard to have money saved up in case something unexpected happened that I would need a few extra dollars to fix. The Bible says in Isaiah 2:12, the Lord Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted (and they will be humbled).

My problem was my pride and My problem was my pride and I didn’t even know it.

At age 34, I had to make a decision that could destroy my family foundation. Faced with the decision of how to move forward I began to read the Bible. I had to put the pride aside.

James 4:17 says, so whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

After much prayer and contemplation, I asked God to be my comforter, my decisionmaker, my father. God became my refuge and strength, He was my ever-present help in my time of trouble. (Psalm 46:1). Now I will never go astray. We do not know the course our lives will take, but if we hold tight to God’s unchanging hand, we are sure to be in the right place at the right time for divine intervention to occur.

I thought I created the characters Kori and Walton Cantor in But I Love My Husband, but I realize now that mine is just the name on the cover. Those two characters were created by the Lord. They are the personification of what God created marriage to be. Unlike, its appearance from onlookers, marriage is not always glamorous, or peaceful, and sometimes it’s not even happy!

The Cantors experience it all! Readers have said they experience it with them. They cry with Kori, they laugh with her and they roll their eyes at Walton. Kori, like all of us, was suffering from a bit of pride. It’s so common that we often don’t even recognize it.

In fact, readers say they notice the warning signs but find themselves wanting Kori to experience the excitement and happiness that stepping out on her husband will bring. Some readers have gone so far as to say they dislike her husband; that they think Kori is married to the wrong man.

About But I Love My Husband Kori is a Christian woman married to an unbeliever. She prays that he will one day love the Lord as she does.

Lesson #1—a wife must pray for her husband. The prayer should not be a selfish prayer; it should be a prayer for his benefit, not a prayer that he will change for her benefit. Lesson #2—Sin can sneak into our lives. Kori learns this the hard way! No one is immune to sin. Not the believer, not the unbeliever. Sin can feel good. Sin can feel right.

Sin can make us want to indulge. Lesson #3—God forgives sin and so should we.1 Peter 4:8, tells us, Above all over each other deeply as love covers a multitude of sins. When Walton finds out what his wife has done, we see the true hand of God. We see divine intervention. Walton has a choice, pride or the Lord. Without giving the scene away, I will summarize his reaction with this scripture from 2 Corinthians 5:17, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

Fall 2016 | WomenofFruitMag.com | 29

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