Sophie Woman's Magazine Jan 2010

Volume 5 - Issue 11 January 2010

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Sophie Wo m a n ’s M ag azi n e

In This Issue:

- Dare To Dream - Techno Teeth - The Lasting Resolution + monthly features

Josh’s On Union Square Want to be part of an exciting casual dining experience? Look no further than Josh’s on Union Square. Chef Josh will prepare some of your most favorite traditional southern comfort dishes, with twist of course, which will make it one of your most unique dinning experiences. Come enjoy the soft tones of our dinning area along with historical pictures of day’s gone by. Not to forget there’s plenty of southern hospitality to go around. Come and be a part of the best of both culinary delights, fine dinning and comfort food with an exciting casual dinning atmosphere at a value for all.

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“Come As You Are”

And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown. And he replied: Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light, and safer than a known way. ~Minnie L. Haskins

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essage M

RUA shutterbugger YET?

from the

W

By Judy Smith e are doing a study in my Sunday School class that is titled “Extreme Makeover”.

When you hear that we think about the reality shows on TV that has the same themes.

Some of them are about home makeovers and some are about bodily makeovers. I asked my class why were we so drawn to these type’s of shows. There were various answers like curiosity, how they do it or why they do it. Other answers were that we like to see good things happen to people who deserve it. Another answer was that we always want change in ourselves. When we see it happening to others than maybe there is hope for us.

I think that falls along the same line as “New Years Resolutions”. We honestly don’t make them with the intention of breaking them. I usually do break mine though and that keeps me from making them. But if I am honest, I would love to make them and know that I would keep them. Why? Because there is always something about me that I want to improve. I want to get better control of my time, I want to be better organized, etc., etc., and yes, I want to lose weight. I know better than to put that one down.

Those are the outward things though and as you can imagine, that is not what we are talking about in Sunday school. It is who we are inside. There are several articles in this issue that I hope affects you outwardly and inwardly. But the most important thing is how do we make things around us better? I believe it is by being a better person ourselves.

Can you imagine how much better things would be if we all lived by that standard. Not just by being a person who thinks me, me, me; but a person who considers others most of the time.

My husband and I went to the movies for date-night and saw the movie “Blind Side”.

The movie was packed and by listening to the many conversations as we were leaving, many people were touched by it. The reason, I think, is it shows us how we do impact others lives. We impact others lives everyday by the way we speak, the way we act even sometimes, just with our attitudes. I want to be a positive influence and not the other way around. Isn’t that what you really want yourself? Maybe I am just a very naïve person, but I believe it is. Let’s put it to the test. I know we can’t always do it right every single time, but even when we don’t, let’s not throw in the towel. Let’s ask forgiveness and let’s try again. Let’s try to not let this be just another resolution that we give up on after a few days.

Thank you for reading Sophie Woman’s Magazine and please feel free to submit articles that you think would touch someones life.

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Woman’s Magazine

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January 12

How to place an ad: Call our office at (828)466-0122 and leave a message. One of our sales representatives will return your call as soon as possible. You may also fax material to (828)466-0124. We reserve the right to refuse to run any ad we deem to be controversial or in bad taste.

s t n e t n o C

Message From The Heart..........................................................................................pg 3 Dinner Diva - Preparedness......................................................................................pg 6 Mandy’s Misadventures............................................................................................pg 7 Unlikely Mentors......................................................................................................pg 8 Technology Meets Orthodontics.............................................................................pg 10 Fly Lady - Touching Others....................................................................................pg 12 Your Next Right Step..............................................................................................pg 13 Truth & Beauty........................................................................................................pg 14 The Last New Year’s Resolution.............................................................................pg 18 Dare To Dream........................................................................................................pg 21 Girlfriends In God...................................................................................................pg 22 The Front Porch......................................................................................................pg 25 Can Someone Help.................................................................................................pg 30

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Please visit these and all our participating businesses.

Sophie Woman’s Magazine LLC is published monthly. The articles published in Sophie do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. All articles are intended for informational purposes only, and none should serve as a substitute for doctor’s advice and orders. Advertisers are solely responsible for the content and validity of information published within their ads and are not necessarily endorsed by the publisher. Deceptive or misleading advertising is not knowingly accepted by the publisher. Advertising is accepted with the understanding that all liability for copyright violations is the sole responsibility of the advertiser. All material submitted for publication is considered to be the sole property of the advertiser.

pg 4 / Jan 2010 / Sophie Woman’s Magazine

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By Leanne Ely CNC

It occurred to me as I was thinking about menu planning that not planning is choosing to live in an unprepared state. Think about what that means for a minute. Being unprepared means chaos, confusion and regret. Living life in a state of perpetual unpreparedness is highly stressful. Why do we do this to ourselves?

In the kitchen and in the food department of life, being unprepared translates to not having the food you need to cook and feed your family and yourself well. Unprepared means unhealthy, expensive and wanting in nutrition. And when you consider that 70% of all disease is lifestyle-induced (by making poor choices in food, drink, not exercising, smoking and being stressed out), it’s astounding that we are surprised when handed a less than healthy diagnosis from our doctors. We have got to take responsibility!!

Here’s the thing, menu planning isn’t sexy and glamorous.

However, it’s necessary and one of the easiest ways to get a grip on your health. The simple art of menu planning is too often passed up by adventure seekers living on adrenaline and the thrill of the hunt. You know what I mean, right? Hunting for something to throw together for dinner at the very last minute. Hunting for a fast food place to get your whining children and cranky spouse fed. Hunting for a place to park at the grocery store at rush hour, hoping to score an already cooked rotisserie chicken to feed your family.

This kind of hunting is not feeding your family the way you want to. It’s stressing you out, neglecting your health and not helping you with the body clutter you may be sitting on. Instead of being hunters, we need to be gatherers. Gatherers always have food because they have a plan. They use menus. They make grocery lists. They gather their groceries, they chop, they cook and they feed.

It’s deliberate preparedness that gives them a sense of calm and peace. Yes, preparedness is that powerful and when applied to all things food-related, it will revolutionize your health, your well-being, your finances and that of your family’s as well.

The beginning place is a menu plan for the week. Pull recipes as necessary, make a list for the grocery store and then implement your plan. It’s that simple.

Don’t put this off. There’s too much at stake to be so capricious with your health. Do it today.

For more help putting dinner on your table check out Leanne?s website www.SavingDinner.com or her Saving Dinner Book series (Ballantine) and her New York Times Best Selling book Body Clutter (Fireside).

Copyright 2009 Leanne Ely. Used by permission in this publication.

F

by Mandy Thomas

or whatever reason, this seems to be the year of the doctor for me. Every time I turn around I’m heading back to the doctor’s office.

Recently, I’ve started running again, only this time with a goal in mind. I’m aiming to do a half marathon (thirteen miles) by March of next year. I’m up to six miles per day but I can’t seem to run the whole time. I’m choosing to blame my inability to run more than two miles on all of the Mississippi wildlife, though. I mean, who can run enthusiastically when you’re chugging down the road and glance over to see a wild boar with a half-eaten carcass??

Suddenly, I started feeling queasy as images of my own body, picked at and feasted upon by a pack of rabid boars waltzed through my brain........

My most recent trek to the doctor’s office was the direct result of a running injury. I’ll let you think I was injured due to hardcore running and I just overexerted myself; not because I tripped in a pothole and rolled down a hill or anything like that.

After the initial pain started, I figured it was nothing and continued on. But after a few days had passed and I could barely pick up my hairbrush without screaming I realized the inevitability of a doctor’s visit and made an appointment.

Once I had gotten to the doctor’s office, took twenty minutes to hobble across the small parking lot and was seated to wait for the doctor, topless save for that ungodly sheet, I felt the worst was over.

And then, I met the doctor.....

He came into the room, a huge, toothy smile plastered to his face and said “So, your back, is it?”

He wasn’t elderly, but certainly senior to me. He had his grayish blonde hair swept over to the side and his spectacles perched atop his

long nose. But his teeth!! Oh his teeth! Large and disproportionate to his thin lips, he flashed them proudly with every word he spoke.

“Um,” I answered, ever so articulately.

“Why don’t we just have a look-see, okay?”

(Let me interject here that I didn’t think that doctors were allowed to say this anymore..)

And with that, he cupped his hand, creepily soft, around my neck and laid me back on the bed.

“So,” he said conversationally, “How did you do this?”

“I was running.” I mumbled, hypnotized by that ridiculous, donkey grin. He began poking me in the lower back area, pausing when I would jump.

“I am so proud of you!” he said. Stupidly, I was flattered.

“Oh, yes sir! I’ve gotten up to six miles!” I didn’t even get a smile from that.

“Alright,” he said moving to my legs. And then, it went very, very wrong.

“Don’t resist me,” he said, and began to push my leg up over my head, “Do NOT resist me!”

It was like every doctor fantasy I’d ever had gone totally and utterly wrong. There I lay, half naked and screaming with my legs up over my head, but instead of a young, hot physician I was stuck with Dr. Teeth.

He pulled me back up and began to poke at my back, refusing to stop when I would yell.

“I’m going to send you up to get an x-ray, and then I’ll see you back here.” And he was gone, without so much as an “I’ll call you.”

The nurse came in then, and handed me a few papers before directing me to the floor where the x-rays were taken.

Ten minutes later, undressed and in yet another compromising position, two women hovered over me, talking to each other about me like I wasn’t even there.

“Now, put her arms beside her nose,” said the elderly, obviously more experienced one. The younger nurse complied, taking my wrists and delicately clasping them together in front of my face.

“HUN,” yelled the older one to me, as if I couldn’t hear her in her regular voice, “NOW TRY NOT TO MOVE YOUR HIPS, OKAY?” “If she moves her hips then we’ll have to start over,” she said to the other nurse, assuming, I can only hope, that she was whispering.

And to me she yelled, “I’M GONNA GO AND TAKE THIS X-RAY NOW, OKAY?” I didn’t even bother to answer.

“ALRIGHT MISS,” she said when it was over, “YOU CAN GO BACK NOW.” She handed me copies of the x-rays and sent me limping back to Dr. Teeth. He glanced over the sheet and said, “Well, you’ve got a beautiful spine!”

Um, thanks?

I guess that’s the only compliment I was going to get from our encounter, but at least he prescribed me some lovely narcotics to help with my back.Now I’ve just got to find another doctor..

Sophie Woman’s Magazine / Jan 2010 / pg 7

Decisions?

Unlikely Mentors by Kim Fletcher, Life Coach, Author, Speaker

What Influences Your M

y vision behind Unlikely Mentors was born out of the same part of my heart that loves using the tools of Life Coaching and Speaking to encourage individuals to make their lives count. As we move forward in life, I believe we need to consider who we allow to influence us, how we impact those around us, and who/what shapes our life decisions.

As I consider how quick our culture is to value those (and want to be like those) who drive BMW’s and carry the designer brief case, I have come to realize that my greatest influences and mentors were not necessarily those you would expect. As a physical therapist, my greatest influences were often my patients who were struggling to survive‌. not the highly decorated professionals I worked alongside of.

Today, as a Life Coach and Urban Missionary, my greatest influences are individuals who would be overlooked by many: my cousin who has reshaped her life to follow Christ, a mother currently being served by Life Compass who lives in poverty yet possess great gratitude, my young friend who just walked away from the bad boyfriend because she knows that the cost of careless and selfish living is great in the end when we lose sight of our impact.

Who has shaped and influenced you in the past year? Perhaps more important, who have you influenced and how?

One person who has continued to shape my life is also one of my dearest friends. She is a successful Business Strategies Consultant who would rather be indentified as a Champion of Abused and Abandoned Youth. Her name is Maryanna Young of Boise, Idaho.

Maryannna and I both love equipping World Changers, those who long to leave their world better by their presence. While talking ear-

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lier today, she shared two powerful strategies that she had prepared to pass along to a group of individuals serving the youth of their community. She encouraged me to pass them along to you.

First of all, true World Changers will be influenced more by the Word of God and Jesus’ teaching than by our culture. Secondly, they will make and encourage others to make decisions that move them closer to Christ rather than closer to our culture.

As human beings created by God in His image, we are hardwired to make a difference with our lives. But as Maryanna and I have both observed while coaching people across the nation, when questioned about their life impact and legacy, most people will give responses such as…

1.

2.

3.

When I retire from being the CEO of my company, I am going to use my influence to build wells in Africa.

When my kids are raised, I am going to help children.

If I could only make enough money, I would give to those in need.

Maryanna ran a calculation recently that is mind boggling. She added up the number of hours she has taken away from her thriving business over the past few years and multiplied those hours by her hourly rate as a professional. She found that it ‘costs her’ $21,000.00 per year to make the sacrifice of time, investing in the lives of abused and abandoned young women in her community.

Even her accountant calls her crazy.

Well, perhaps we have to become a bit crazy to make great life decisions. In his new book, Crazy Love, author Frances Chan notes: “On the average day, we get caught up in ourselves. On the average day, we don’t consider God very much. On the average day, we forget that our life is merely a vapor.”

Those of you who work full time spend an average of 1,920 hours annually with your co-workers. When was the last time you stopped to think about how you impact your co-workers? When was the last time you made the sacrifice to invest time outside of the office in the lives of those entrusted to you, whether your own teenagers, your neighbor who is lonely, or your friend who is raising a child with a disability?

As you press into 2010, I hope you do so with the expectation of having your best year to date. I also pray that you will take time to survey who has influenced you in 2009, how you have influenced those around you, and how you can go to the next level in making life decisions that are grounded in all that Jesus modeled with His life… decisions that move you and those around you closer to Christ rather than closer to a culture that promotes selfish living and shallow decisions.

Every decision you make alters the course of your life and the lives of those entrusted to you. Make every decision count! In doing so, you will make your own life count for great impact. ***** Kim Fletcher is the Director of Life Compass, a cutting-edge Life Coaching and Speaking Outreach dedicated to equipping every day individuals to have extraordinary impact. To bring Maryanna Young and/or Kim Fletcher in to coach or speak to your group, visit: LifeCompassInternational.org/speaking.

To purchase the DVD series from our recent conference (featuring Maryanna, Kim and three other powerful speakers), email or call us today. To learn how a coaching relationship with Kim can alter the course of your entire life, contact her today: kimfletchercoach@aol.com/ 828 327 6702.

Sophie Woman’s Magazine / Jan 2010 / pg 9

We Give You Something To Smile About

The Future is Now

Computer Technology Meets Orthodontics State of the art computerized technology is being combined with orthodontics and providing patients in this area with the opportunity to have a pretty smile with less overall discomfort and shorter treatment time.

Dr. Garlitz has been providing excellent orthodontic care for the Unifore area for over thirty years. Dr. Garlitz has always been progressive with providing his patients with the best, newest products and technology available. When SureSmile was first introduced; as with any new product, he followed its progress and was pleased with what it had to offer patients.

In December 2007 Dr. Garlitz decided to introduce SureSmile to his practice. When he was asked why he would make such a huge investment in time, money, and energy at this stage of his life, he said once he knew there was a better way to treat his patients then he had no choice but to make the commitment.

Anyone who knows Dr. Garlitz would describe him as being a perfectionist and always striving for the very best.

So, what is SureSmile and how does it work?

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SureSmile is a state of the art computerized treatment planning and appliance customization system that offers significant advantages over previously available orthodontic systems.

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Our team is made up of personable concerned, highly trained skilled individuals with over 160 years of combined work experience providing you with the highest quality of care and service!

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RICHARD M.

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(828) 322-1535

www.garlitzorthodontics.com

“

SureSmile gives the orthodontist a detailed 3-D computer model of the patient’s teeth that canprecisely plot individual tooth movement through the entire course of treatment…from start to finish. Additionally, using high-tech wires customized through a robotic process, the orthodontist can move each tooth to the target position more directly and in less time than with conventional methods. As a result patients experience fewer wire changes and adjustments and in-office maintenance visits while still achieving superior results.

SureSmile technology is a perfect option for busy teens and adults who do not have time for frequent office visits or lengthy procedures. SureSmile can reduce treatment time by 20 to 40%.

Dr. Garlitz has completed over fifty patients with an average reduction in treatment time being around 30%. That means reducing the treatment time from 24 months to an average of 14 to 16 months. What better news could you hear than that?

SureSmile is amazing.

No doubt about it

”

Timothy SureSmile® Patient

Book, Crochet Fans Become

MadHatters

Crocheting enthusiasts at St. Stephens Branch Library are making a big difference this season. More than 120 hats have been made by members of the Hooks with Books reading/needlework group.

Donna Fox, library services specialist, organized the group more than a year ago and this fall, they decided to work on a charitable project. Once a month, the dozen or so crocheters gather at the branch to discuss books and to work on their yarn projects.

“We’re really pleased with what we’ve been able to produce,” Fox said.

Most of the colorful headgear is on display at the library branch until the hats are given away. The group has already donated 25 warm toboggans to a soup kitchen held at First Baptist Church in Hickory. The rest of the hats are destined for Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry, the Hickory Soup Kitchen, Exodus Homes and the local Christmas Bureau.

Fox said that anyone who would like to help crochet more hats

to distribute to the needy may wish to use the pattern accompanying this article. Knitters are welcome as well.

Hooks with Books will continue their hat project through the winter months and as always, knitters are welcome as well. Their next session is 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26. Finished hats may be brought to Fox at the St. Stephens Branch.

Those wishing to learn how to crochet may sign up for a free beginner’s class scheduled at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5, at the St. Stephens. Participants should bring a skein of 4-ply worsted and a size F or G crochet hook. Please pre-register by calling 256-3030.

EASY PATTERN FOR CROCHETED HAT Size: One size (about 18 inches in circumference) will stretch to fit a range of sizes.

Gauge: 12 single crochet + 15 rows = 4 inches. Hook size J-10 Need: 1 large-eye blunt needle and one skein of 4-ply yarn Directions: Leaving a long tail, chain 55.

Row 1: Single crochet in 2nd chain from hook and each chain across for 54 stitches Row 2: Chain 1, turn, single crochet in each stitch across. Repeat row 2 until piece measures nine inches from beginning.

Fasten off, leaving long tail.

Finishing: Thread needle, then sew in and out along last row.

Pull (like drawstring) to gather top of hat and knit. Sew seam.

Weave in ends.

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Your

Touching Others

With

Life

You never know how your life can touch the lives of others.

by The FlyLady, Marla Cilley

When I got organized in 1999 it was because I didn’t want my fellow Transylvania County Commissioners to find out my dirty little secret that I could not keep house. This all started because I didn’t want anyone to know that I was a messy person.

Fear is a funny thing! It can empower or it can paralyze. We have all heard about the mother who can pick up a car when her child’s life is endangered. Most of us know that “deer in the headlights” feeling of being overwhelmed and not having a clue what to do first!

I was tired of feeling defeated before I ever got stared! That’s when I made my last two New Year’s Resolutions. One was to keep my kitchen sink clean and shiny and the other one was to be nice to me! I made these two simple resolutions because every year I always broke the one big one; to “Get Organized”! 1999 was the year I figured it out for myself! It was also the year that I started helping others.

One person asked for my help and I set up an email group to stay in touch with her. I never dreamed that so much more would happen. A few weeks ago I received a testimonial from a sixteen year old senior in high school named Chrissie. She had posted her message on our FlyLady forum and one of our members made sure that I saw it.

Chrissie’s mother had died two months earlier. This precious mother was in the prime of her life when she had to leave her five children. Chrissie was the oldest girl and determined to help her father with her younger siblings. Her testimonial was about how she was using her mother’s FlyLady Control Journal and how it had helped her with the Halloween preparations. She was looking forward to planning her first Thanksgiving meal for the whole family and Christmas.

Let me tell you her testimonial has had us all in tears for a couple of weeks now. I did a little searching in my computer to find out if I had ever gotten an email from Chrissie’s Mom. I did not find one from her mom but one from Chrissie’s Grandmother.

This message was from two and a half years earlier. She had asked if I would mention her daughter in a speech I was giving.

Her daughter was undergoing chemotherapy and was not up to attending the event. I had not seen it then but that did not stop me from making a speech that was just for her. I like to call those moments God Breezes!

That morning we had a Memorial Breakfast in honor of all the mothers who had died the previous year. This set the tone for my talk. I never know what I am going to talk about until I get up

pg 12 / Jan 2010 / Sophie Woman’s Magazine

to speak. My speech was about leaving a legacy for your family, setting the example and getting your home in order to make the most of your life! Chrissie’s mom was not able to join us that day but six months later she downloaded that speech from our website.

This speech was just for her.

We had recorded my speech and it was the first time we ever offered it as a download. My sister had not wanted me to put that sad speech on our website. She said that I had cried a lot and that it was melancholy. I told her that I had never given a speech quite like that and there had to be a reason for it. It had to go up! Now we know the reason!

FLYing had prepared Chrissie’s Mom to leave her children with a legacy of peace and joy. She was determined to get her home in order. They have great memories of a mom who loved like there was no tomorrow. You never know whose life you will touch but rest assured, people are watching and you can make a difference. I am humbled by Chrissie’s testimonial and the picture of her mother’s headstone with the FlyLady logo above these words; SHE TOUCHED EVERYONE WITH HER SPECIAL LOVE AND KINDNESS. I am thankful that I had eliminated my clutter so I could follow the God Breezes as they came my way. Do you have your sails up?

For more help getting rid of your CHAOS; check out her website and join her free mentoring group at www.FlyLady.net or her book, Sink Reflections published by Bantam and her New York Times Best Selling book, Body Clutter published by Fireside. Copyright 2007 Marla Cilley Used by permission in this publication.

Your Next Right Step

By Nicole Greer, PPCC Professional Path Certified Path Coach Your life will change when, you create more choices to do the things you want to do. There is a primary process of choice that results in making the RIGHT choice. This right choice process, followed diligently, can help you have a broader range of choice accompanied by a more vibrant life. Choice is created when you are paying attention to your life. Knowing the right choices to make and actually making them consciously and purposely in conjunction with positive actions is the key to success in 2010. Utilizing a life and business coach to design and meet your goals for the New Year is an ideal venture for making next right choices.

See it!

A relationship with a life and business coach provides you a unique opportunity to fill your life with more of what you want than what may simply appear. A coach is focused on four distinct areas of transformation that will impact and influence every aspect of your life. The first right step with a coach involves finding a focus and deep meaning for your future. Focus coaching is all about letting you discover yourself in terms of where you are today, the influences at work in all parts of your life, and the possibilities that you have for living the full measure of your creation.

Own it!

Second, a coaching relationship will help you find balance. An elusive state, balance is understanding how to be stable in an unstable world. Inside the coaching relationship, the coach and client, discover together how choices made with a longer view of life will bring order and balance to living. Choice is at the heart of balance.

Making next right choices require imagination, the ability to generate new perspectives, and incorporating tools like mind mapping.

Coaches are trained to use these tools that move you into a place where you can begin to see the possibilities and own the outcomes of your decisions.

Live it!

Third, a coach takes their client’s focus around their future, the newfound possibilities and begins to expand the client’s potential by providing accountability. Productivity is the result of the coach holding the client accountable for knowing what to do and actually doing it. Clients begin to create and apply their energy to produce the life they want.

Be it!

Finally, coaches are companions for life’s journey. Your coach will help you see beyond your success. A coach helps you find joy and celebration in your life and work. At this stage, you as a coaching client have made a shift and are experiencing the thrill of overcoming challenges, maintaining integrity, and viewing life as an opportu-

nity that must be engaged.

Individuals who work with a coach are forward thinking individuals. They care about their work and personal relationships deeply.

They want to make a unique mark in the world with their birthright gifts, talents, and deepest calling. Taking the next right step through hiring a coach will jump start your productivity and bring authenticity to your life and business. If you want a life of significance and power, a next right step is engaging the help of a coach. Let’s get started!

Resources and recommendations for engaging the next right step through a coach/client relationship: Compass Coaching www.vibrantcompass.com, an innovative group of certified coaches, offer an innovative blend of coaching, facilitation, and teaching to deliver a monthly action plan called the “The Compass MAP” based on the principles of Abundance Intelligence.

Just right for this economy, packages are offered at $19.00 a month up to $59.00 a month via Internet and teleconference coaching with your choice of over a 100 certified specialized coaches.

The International Coaching Federation www.coachfederation.org is a non-profit organization that certifies and promotes coaches in the highest ethics and levels of professionalism.

“Professional coaching is an ongoing professional relationship that helps people produce extraordinary results in their lives, careers, businesses and organizations. Through the process of coaching, clients deepen their learning, improve their performance, and enhance their quality of life.”

–International Coaching Federation

WHERE WILL YOUR PATH

LEAD YOU NEXT?

A workshop for those who seek a clearer, more defined, satisfying path for their journey.

THE PATH FI ND I T ! L I V E I T !

Nicole Greer, PPCC Coach/Facilitator

A THREE DAY INTENSIVE WORKSHOP January 15, 16, 17, 2010

Friday 10-4 Saturday 8:30-4 Sunday 8:30-3

or August 10, 11, 12, 2010 Starrette Farmhouse Retreat, Statesville, NC

Situated on fifty acres of rolling woodland in Statesville, NC.

THE PATH workshop is for you if:

Ann Starrette

Facilitator Founder, The Lydia Group www.thelydiagroup.com

• You feel the itch to stretch and grow into a new season of your life • Your passion has faded or your eyes have grown tired from searching • You’re ready for a change and ready to do the work

Just $395

INCLUDES: PATH Elements Personality Profile, delicious lunches/snacks, materials, PATH workbook, customized “ Seeds of Potential” writing journal. PLUS three follow-up group tele-conference coaching sessions PLUS one-on-one coaching session to ensure that you implement your plan on the PATH!!

Call or visit our website for more information.

828.478.9229 www.thevibrantcoach.com Sophie Woman’s Magazine / Jan 2010 / pg 13

TRUTH

& BEAUTY

by Teresa Pope, Aesthetician

Question: My eyebrows are so bushy and my sister’s are extremely thin. How can we get that “model” brow with an arch that we see in all the fashion magazines?

Answer: First of all may I suggest that this is not a do it yourself project. The brow shape is so important to your over all appearance that it should be done strictly by a professional. And by professional, I mean someone who will take the time to consult with you and explain why you need a specific shape. Someone who will measure, precisely shape and offer advice on brow products that will help you maintain your new look. NOT someone who will just rip out the hair. Esthetician’s and Cosmetologist are licensed to do this. Nail techs are not.

Our brows can literally change our appearance, for better or worse, so having the right shape for your eye and face shape is essential. Many of my clients call my brow shaping the mini-face lift.

A true professional will have a consultation and measure before ever removing any hair. If she doesn’t than this is a sign of bad things to come.

Once you have found your professional, this is what she should do for you. If you have bushy brows, this is great! It gives us lots of hair to work with so we can create any shape we want. I start by measuring the brow using your nose as a guide. Using a straight

“Wishing You and Your Furry Companion a Blessed New Year”

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pg 14 / Jan 2010 / Sophie Woman’s Magazine

edge instrument such as a brow pencil or an eyebrow comb, hold the comb at the side of the tip of the nose, straight up to the eye, this will show you where your brow should start. Then hold the comb from the corner of your nose to corner of the eye, this will show you where it should stop. The arch is a bit trickier, hold a comb from the corner of the nose to the center of the pupil, this is where the arch should be. (usually) However, there are exceptions to this rule and I would have to see you to be precise as to where the arch should be.

For your extremely thin sister, she would be measured the exact same way, however, she would need to let her brows grow back in several areas for us to achieve that model look. The professional should teach her how to use a pencil to camouflage the fact that she doesn’t have hair. A lot of people think their brow hair will not grow back, but it has been my experience that if you keep them away from their tweezers in between visits, they will grow back a few hairs, if not all of them. And with brow shaping, a few hairs are better than none. After allowing them to grow for 1 year without tweezing, if they haven’t grown in, they probably won’t.

Again, I stress not to do this yourself. I see so many home jobs, that are so difficult to fix and most people make common mistakes, such as making the brow too thin, or placing the arch too close to the nose. If you doubt the importance of the brow shape in our appearance than might I remind you of that person you know ( we all know someone) who perhaps shaves off their brow completely and then draws it in. The woman who has such pencil thin brows that you can’t see them. The sweet elder lady who has beautiful silver hair, but pencils her brows jet black, and last but not least, the naturalist, whom has never touch her brows. Yes, we have all seen them, and thought to ourselves, “What is she thinking? Didn’t she look in the mirror? No offense, to anyone, but sometimes we need a professional to help us in areas, where we are a little stuck, because our friends and family love us to much to say anything.

There are several different methods, your brow stylist may choose to remove the hair. Hard wax, strip wax, threading, tweezing are all appropriate methods of hair removal. And in the end, it’s not how they do it, but your end result.

Please submit questions to Teresa Pope @ A Caring Touch, 1626 Tate Blvd. S.E. Hickory, NC 28601.

Make Your New Year Resolution

Welcome To A New You

New Year Special •The first 12 people that sign up for any laser treatment package receive 25% OFF •Buy 1 laser skin rejuvenation treatment, get 2nd treatment 1/2 OFF All services performed by Lisa Caporossi, M.D. and Shannon Hawkins, RN, Laser Specialist

Phone: (828)485-2762 Fax (828)485-2257 212 29th Ave. NE Hickory, NC 28601

A NEW YOU!

Generations Family Medicine & Aesthetics already offers aesthetics procedures and skin products to maintain a younger, healthier skin.

Now, they also offer an individualized medical weight loss program.

It does not include any shots or gimmicks. The patient will be followed closely by Dr. Lisa Caporossi and a personalized weight loss plan will be developed.

Weight loss in the year 2010 will be more scientific than it has ever been before. We are continuing to learn more about how and why weight loss can be maintained. With a physician-guided medical weight loss program at Generations, a division of Crown Health Care, PA, patients can pinpoint and ultimately reach their weight loss goals.

At the initial visit, a comprehensive body composition analysis is performed. This is an invaluable tool for planning and maintaining weight loss goals. Weight loss medications may be used when appropriate. Chronic medications may be adjusted as weight is lost. The support and teaching that Dr. Caporossi will provide along the way is the difference. It allows patients to understand the how and whys of their food choices, how to change habits, and how to maintain the new healthier ones for the rest of their lives.

If you are ready to make a lifestyle change, this approach is the medically sound one you have been waiting for.

Think about the New Year. Think about the New You Sophie Woman’s Magazine / Jan 2010 / pg 15

Expansion Coming Soon!

An Additional 4000 Square Feet No Joining Fee! Join Now & Get 2009 Monthly Rates!

Specialty Classes Including: Zumba • Flirty Fitness TurboKick • Piloxing Body Bar Boxing • Yoga Pilates, and more!

Cardiovascular Machines •Weighted Circuit Machines • Free Weights

828.465.4055 www.theperfectworkout.net

Located In Downtown Newton

January 4-10 Is Folic Acid Awareness Week

You never know what the New Year will bring. So, whether or not you’re planning to have a baby this year, you can start the new year with habits that will help give a baby a healthy start in life.

January 4-10 is Folic Acid Awareness Week and a great time to start taking a multivitamin with 400 mcg of folic acid every day.

Starting before pregnancy is an important way to reduce the risk of birth defects of the brain or spine called neural tube defects (NTD) by up to 70 percent. NTDs occur in the first weeks of fetal development, often before a woman even knows she is pregnant.

What is folic acid and why do you need it?

Think you are getting all of the vitamins you need from your diet alone? Think again. Most people don’t know that it is hard to get certain vitamins from food alone. Many believe they don’t need to take multivitamins because they eat healthy foods. Multivitamins help fill

Let’s talk about whether Essure is right for you.

Call our office today 828-264-5464.

Cecilia F. Grasinger, MD FACOG Matthew S. Peterson, MD FACOG Robert E. L. Shirley, MD FACOG Jill M. Wagner, MD FACOG Watauga Women’s Center 870 State Farm Rd., Suite 100 Boone, NC 28607 www.wwc.md

pg 16 / Jan 2010 / Sophie Woman’s Magazine

in those nutrition gaps in the diet, especially when it comes to getting enough folic acid.

Folic acid is an essential B vitamin; therefore, everyone needs it to stay in good health. Folic acid helps build DNA and your body uses it for cell growth and reproduction, fundamental building block processing, and genetic material production. Folic acid is water soluble; therefore it passes through your body very quickly. Taking folic acid every day ensures that you always have it in your system.

For women in their childbearing years, it is particularly important to consume 400 mcg of folic acid daily. It has been shown to reduce the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) in developing babies by up to 70 percent. Since 50 percent of pregnancies are unplanned, it’s important to take folic acid every day even if you’re not planning to get pregnant.

Neural tube defects are birth defects of the brain and spine. The most common are spina bifida and anencephaly.

In North Carolina there is one child born with a neural tube defect (NTD) for every 1,160 live births, according to the State Center for Health Statistics’ Birth Defects Monitoring Program. Provisional data from the Birth Defects Monitoring Program show that the rate of NTDs declined approximately 40 percent between 1995/1996 and 2004/2005. Spina bifida rates dropped by an estimated 45 percent during that same time span. In Western North Carolina, where the Folic Acid Campaign has been active the longest, NTDs have decreased by more than 70 percent.

Folic acid is the synthetic form of the naturally occurring folate.

Folate is found in foods such as leafy green vegetables, beans, liver and some fruit. The synthetic version, folic acid, is found in multivitamins and fortified foods like breakfast cereal, pasta and bread.

Scientists don’t know exactly why, but folic acid is easier for your body to absorb than folate. Plus folate loses its potency easily and is hard to get in large amounts.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Public Health Service recommend that all women of childbearing age take 400 mcg of folic acid every day. The best and most reliable way to get that amount is to take a multivitamin, B vitamin complex pill or folic acid pill.

The North Carolina Folic Acid Campaign recommends taking a multivitamin so that you can be sure to get consistent amounts of other vitamins and minerals like A, C, B6, E, Iron and Calcium.

Eating a healthy diet and exercising are recommended in addition to taking a multivitamin every day.

The North Carolina Folic Acid Campaign and the March of Dimes work to educate consumers and health care providers about the benefits and uses of folic acid. Through the Office Champion Program, which educates health care providers; the Community Ambassador Program, a lay health education program; and a multi-faceted media campaign in English and Spanish, the campaign spreads its message throughout the entire state.

People who are interested in joining the effort should contact Megan Fazekas at 919-424-2151 or by e-mail at mfazekas@marchofdimes. com. For more information about the North Carolina Folic Acid Campaign or folic acid visit www.getfolic.com or call 1-800-6627030.

“We can’t be our best, if we don’t feel our best.”

There are lots of great reasons to take multivitamins.

Along with a balanced diet and regular exercise, they’re a good way to stay in good health.

For just pennies a day, multivitamins may help lower your risk of cancer, heart disease and osteoporosis as well as prevent some birth defects of the brain and spine. For a healthy, happy you, take a multivitamin every day. To learn more, call 1-800-662-7030 or visit www.getfolic.com.

Sophie Woman’s Magazine / Jan 2010 / pg 17

Lasting THE

Free Roth-IRA Seminars in Hickory

Sweeping U.S. Tax Law Changes for Roth-IRA beginning Jan 1, 2010 favor doing a Roth-IRA Conversion in 2010 to get additional tax-free income that can stretch your retirement money further.

Q. Isn’t there a limit on who, or the amount you can convert, to Tax-Free Income?

A. There are NO RESTRICTIONS on the amount you can convert in 2010.

Q. I have heard there is an extra-conversion tax you have to pay up front?

A. Contrary to what you’ve heard, it is NOT EXTRA. This money will be taxed someday. You can convert and pay the taxes due today or don’t convert and pay the taxes in the future.

Q. But I don’t have that extra money lying around right now...

A. Because of the special advantages for converting to 2010, you can skip payments for up to *2 1/2 years. And only pay 1/2 the amount in two payments.

Q. What happens if income tax rates go up?

A. If you think your personal tax rates are going to go up (and there may be good reason for that) it is best to convert now while taxes are at their lowest in years.

Q. But I still have to pay taxes on Social Security benefits. I really hate that.

A. Changing to a Roth-IRA can actually reduce or eliminate paying taxes on Social Security Benefits altogether!

Q. What about the required minimum distributions.

Do I still have to take those?

A. When you convert to a Roth-IRA you no longer have to take forced withdrawals. And can leave them to accumulate for interest that can be income tax-free.

Q. Fact is, I really don’t need additional income from those withdrawals.

A. Then you’re in luck. You can use the Roth-IRA to grow a large cash reserve (using the extra tax free interest or earnings) to pass on to your spouse, children and grandchildren 100% income TAX free for generations which will provide for their retirement. Or you can use the money yourself to pay for any unexpected catastrophic event such as nursing home costs, etc.

Come join us for an educational presentation at: Golden Corral, 1053 Lenoir-Rhyne Blvd, Hickory, NC Tuesday, January 19th at 6:00PM Thursday, January 21st at 6:00PM Tuesday, January 26th at 11:30AM This program and meal are provided by: David Hudson, CEP, RFC and Master’s Estate and Financial Services 260 1st. Ave. Hickory, N.C. Please call 322-6554 for your reservation as soon as possible!

N e w Ye a r ’s R e s o l u t i o n

By David Hudson, CEP, RFC

A

ll New Years resolutions have one thing in common, they are born of good intentions.

Most have something else in common, they don’t last very long. What if you could make a new years resolution that has tremendous value, takes little time, and last far longer than your lifespan? I am talking about a resolution to protect yourself and your loved ones by preparing an estate plan.

Don’t stop reading yet! At least let me bring some light to the misconceptions concerning the subject. Many people believe estate planning is only for people that are very wealthy and therefore must be very expensive. Others believe merely having a will prepared is estate planning. In my opinion neither extreme covers the realm of good estate planning. To me estate planning entails protecting what you value during life, and passing them on as smoothly as possible at death. Therefore if you have anything you value, an estate plan can be appropriate for you. For me those valuables fall into three categories.

The most important valuables I have are my relationships. Do you have children or others you love? Do you have causes you care about? Do you value those relationships? Do you want to protect them? How many of our readers haven’t provided the simplest plans to protect those they love? A simple will can be a huge improvement over no plan at all.

Category number two would be my freedom. What would happen if you became severely disabled, and couldn’t make decisions for yourself? Who would make those decisions for you? Your spouse or next of kin, you say. In North Carolina without the proper powers of attorney it may not happen that way. Even if it does, that person’s freedom of choices may be severely restricted and they may incur unnecessary expenses. The process is called guardianship, and I believe it’s one of the worst nightmares a family can suffer through.

With the proper estate documents it may be avoided.

My final category would be my positions. I value them because I worked for what I have. I spent time away from those I loved to obtain them. I traded a portion of my life to obtain those investments and positions. On my last day on earth what would I pay to have some of those hours back? I won’t be able to make that trade, but I can do my best to protect the things I have while I’m living. I can have some say about what happens to that investment of my life when I die. Do you think having a will and/or a trust might better your chances of doing that, rather than having no plan at all?

Over the years I have seen many families deal with tragedies, some were older, but some were young. I assure you, if you or your family is forced to deal with an untimely disability or death a proper estate plan will say “I care about you and love you” in ways nothing else can.

Many people are completely intimidated by the process, please don’t be. There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking for information, and that includes cost.

David Hudson is a Certified Estate Planner, and a Registered Financial Consultant. He is the President of Master’s Estate and Financial Services. He has served the Catawba Valley area for over twenty-four years.

YOUR LOVED ONE IS SICK, BUT THE NEXT AVAILABLE DOCTOR’S APPOINTMENT IS A WEEK AWAY.

WHERE CAN YOU TURN?

Sometimes a medical emergency doesn’t require a trip to the hospital ER–but can’t wait for a doctor’s appointment. That’s why we’re here for you seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Even Sundays. Even holidays.

Bring your loved ones in any time during our extended hours. You’ll find caring professionals trained and equipped to treat everything from broken bones, burns, and lacerations to ear infections, flu, colds, and sore throats. We also offer flu shots as well as sports, school, camp, and teacher physicals. And we have a full service lab and x-ray capability on site.

Just drop by our office.

No appointment necessary.

In partnership with Frye Regional Medical Center.

1105 Fairgrove Church Rd. SE Conover, NC 28613

828-267-0551 OFFICE HOURS

Monday - Saturday 9am - 9pm Sundays/Holidays 1pm - 9pm

3060 Hickory Blvd.

Hudson, NC 28638

828-728-2080 OFFICE HOURS

Monday - Saturday 8am - 8pm Sundays/Holidays 1pm - 8pm

Sophie Woman’s Magazine / Jan 2010 / pg 19

P

W W

rimary Health Care For omen By omen So you see a Gynecologist once a year, but where do you go when you are sick and need a primary care physician?

A Woman’s View offers Primary Care for Women.

Many of our patients are more comfortable seeing a woman health care provider for not only their gynecological needs, but also when they have other medical issues. At A Woman’s View, we understand and offer excellent primary care.

Why go anywhere else?

Our mission is to provide excellent health care for women, not only caring for their physical bodies but understanding and empathizing with their need to be treated as a whole person, not separated from their mental, emotional and spiritual selves.

WV A

Meet Our Primary Care Providers

Anne Gonzalez, MD Janese Trivette, FNP Jennifer Ferrara, ANP

oman’s

iew

healthcare for women by women

(828) 345-0800

Westover Park 915 Tate Blvd SE, Suite 170 Hickory, NC 28602 Hours: M - F 8 - 1 & 2 - 6 www.awomansview.com

Dare To

DREAM

There is a new shop on Falls Ave. in Granite Falls called Shoppes on Falls.

Many people’s memories of this charming 2 story red brick home are about the lady, Miss Molly Dalton, (Known as “Miss Molly” to most) who built the home at the end of the 1930’s. Miss Molly was a school teacher in the area and opened her home many times for meals and parties. I have even been told that weddings were held in her back yard. Many who visit the shop come in and reminisce of a time gone by. I never met “Miss Molly” but I wish I had. Some who knew her have even posed the question “What would Miss Molly think of her house now? Would she be pleased?” Many have even answered the question with “They think she would”. Even though I never knew her I do hope she would be pleased.

I feel truly blessed to own her home now and to have a fulfillment of a life-long dream to open a shop. My husband and I had the privilege of making this home our residence for several years. After we purchased another home (also on Falls Ave) my husband moved his business into the upstairs and the downstairs has been empty for almost 4 ½ years. Like most women I have always loved decorating my home and probably for more than 20 years I have had a desire in my heart to open a shop. To me the atmosphere in a shop was always important in my vision. I wanted to create a place where it would almost be like a ministry to your soul.

Thru all those years I continued to pray about it, but that door of opportunity never opened until now. I have always had the support of my family, but always lacked the confidence to do it. Then one day my daughter in law (Wendy) called and was encouraging me to do it. She kept saying to me you can do it! So, I told her if she would help me we would do it. Knowing that to get to the point of actually opening the door for business would absolutely be a step of faith. So with her beside me we took the first step getting my business license.

The rest of the story is history.

I always told my husband if I ever opened a shop I would just try to make it have the same atmosphere as my home and “Miss Molly’s” house lends itself perfectly to that. If you come in the shop you will hear the same music that I would play at my home. We always have on a pot of hot apple cider, which makes the home smell wonderful. (So come in and get a cup of hot apple cider.) My daughter Angela has even commented when she is at the shop that she feels like she is at home. (Mission Accomplished.)

We have the house full of decorating items for the home like furniture, lamps, rugs and accessories. When I talked to my friend Verlane, who is also helping at the shop, about the disadvantages of opening a shop at a time when everyone is hurting financially her answer was “yes, but women are always going to decorate their homes”. We have a collection of both new and used (Vintage of course!) items. We are striving to keep our prices very affordable.

Children are welcome here and if you come in you might even run into one of my 7 grandchildren. My oldest granddaughter, Ashley might even be the one waiting on you. I am so blessed to have the support of my whole family and friends. This truly has been a dream come true and they all are pitching in and helping me.

Sally Perry, Proprietress of Shoppes on Falls

My encouragement to others who have prayed and waited for an answer, is to never give up on their dreams that God has put in your hearts no matter what it is. You never know when or in what form the answer will be. I do know the God we serve says in Eph 3:20 “Unto Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all we can think, ask or imagine.” What a God we serve and I give Him all the praise!

So if you have already visited our shop we thank you and hope you will continue to visit and to those who haven’t visited us yet we invite you to come in!

Home Decor & Furniture 26 Falls Ave, Granite Falls, NC 28630

828-313-2119

Open Thurs - Sat 10am - 5pm

Find all your home decor & furniture needs here. We are located in quaint downtown Granite Falls, NC. Our shoppe has lamps, curtains, unique accessories, pictures, furniture and more. You must come see this beautifully decorated shoppe full of gorgeous items ready to make a place in your home.

•Lamps •Rugs •Linens •Dishes •Furniture •Unique Accessories

Visit Us Online At www.shoppesonfalls.com Sophie Woman’s Magazine / Jan 2010 / pg 21

Now I s The Tim e To Prepare For Spring Surgical Procedures

Breast Augmentation, Reduction and Lift Tummy Tucks Vaser™ Liposuction Face and Neck Lift Eyelid Surgery and Brow Lift Removal of Skin Lesions Laser Skin Resurfacing Laser Tattoo Removal Rhinoplasty

Aesthetic Procedures

Sclerotherapy ~ Botox ~ Dysport™ Restylane™ ~ Permanent Make-up Permanent Hair Removal ~ Perlane™ PowerPeel™ Microdermabrasion Biomedic™ Clinical Skin Care Radiesse™ ~Photorejuvenation Acne Clearance ~ Latisse™

50 13th Ave NE Suite 2B Hickory NC 28601 828-322-8380 1-800-665-1244 hickoryplasticsurgery.com

“Serving The Unifour Area Since 1984”

Meetings, Banquets, Reunions, Receptions, Parties/Socials

300 South Center Street ~ Historic Downtown Statesville FOR RESERVATIONS CALL: 704.878.3493 www.statesvilleciviccenter.com pg 22 / Jan 2010 / Sophie Woman’s Magazine

Holding Fast to the Faithful One Gwen Smith

Today’s Truth “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”

2 Corinthians 4:7-9

Friend To Friend

My husband and I are in a waiting period. His company has recently gone through a merger and is collapsing positions and territories, which leaves his employment in jeopardy. We’ll know soon if Brad will be looking for another job. In the mean time, God is bidding me to trust Him. Choosing to trust God is so daily, isn’t it? When I only look at the “what-ifs” of this situation - the possible unemployment, the grueling process of job hunting, the financial strain and the uncertainty of the economy - my faith and God-confidence shakes and wanes. Fear and doubt knock on my heart, suitcases in hand, wanting to move in and take up residence. On the other hand, when I fix my eyes on God, look at His character and at the ways He has brought us through hard times in the past, my faith is strengthened. Courage, confidence and joy knock on my heart! They’re much better residents!

The Old Testament book of Ruth features the heart-warming story of Ruth and Naomi: two women who faced difficult circumstances and an uncertain future. Following the death of her husband and sons, Naomi decided to move back to her homeland of Israel.

Though she freed her daughters-in-law to stay in their home country of Moab and re-marry, Ruth refused to leave Naomi’s side.

Determined and loyal, Ruth held tightly to the woman she loved deeply. Though our natural tendency in hard times is often to try to go it alone, I’ve learned from Ruth, and from my own experience, that in turbulent times it’s vital that we hold fast to our faithful God and to the ones we love.

Not only did Ruth cling to Naomi, she held tight to Naomi’s God, the One true God of Israel.

“Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.”

But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay.

Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.”

When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her” (vv. 15-18).

God breathed hope into the souls of Naomi and Ruth through their kinsman-redeemer, Boaz. The book of Ruth goes on to tell a fascinating story of how God lovingly cared for and blessed Naomi

as He used the faithful friendship and kindness of Ruth to “renew her life and sustain her” (4:15). She went back to Bethlehem as a broken, hopeless widow and was restored by the loving hand of God. Like Naomi, when I experience difficult times - like the one Brad and I are facing now - I must choose to trust God. Some days I choose well. Some days I don’t. I’ve found that my courage to trust is bolstered by playing praise music, meditating on God’s goodness, reading Scripture, and praying. Those things collectively renew my mind and strengthen my faith.

No matter what challenges you face today, take comfort that God knows every issue on your heart and is able to shoulder your burdens. Hold fast to the faithful One. Your challenges do not fall outside the scope of God’s ability to intervene. God is mysterious, He’s powerful, and He’s able! When you lift your eyes from your situation and fix them on your Savior, you will find peace in the pain and strength in the struggle.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6).

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“We work so others can play”

Let’s Pray

Holy Father, You know exactly where I am right now and You know the circumstance of my life. Please give me the courage to be gracious in my relationships, and help me to trust You today.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Go back and read the book of Ruth. (It’s only 4 chapters!)

Look for the ways that Ruth and Naomi held fast to God and to each other through trying circumstances.

List three difficult times that God has brought you through.

Examine your heart to see if there is any fear or doubt hanging around.

More From The Girlfriends

I love the saying, “When we work, we work...but when we pray, God works.” It seems crazy that God would invite us into His mysterious work through prayer...but He does. I’d love to pray for you today.

Please visit my FACEBOOK PAGE and leave a prayer request on my wall. GiGs from all over the world will see your post and join us in prayer.

NEED ENCOURAGEMENT and INSPIRATION? Portions of this devotion are taken from Gwen’s book, Broken Into Beautiful. Order a copy or two as Christmas gifts!

LOVE TO WORSHIP? Download Gwen’s live worship CD, Unsearchable, from iTunes, or order the CD from the store on her website.

THE COMPOUNDING PHARMACY “Specialists in Custom Medications” DO YOU HAVE ANY OF THESE SYMPTOMS? • Emotional • Hot Flashes • Headaches We Can Help • Insomnia CALL NOW!!

• Depression • Anxiety • Cramps • Food Cravings • Mood Swings • Bloating Specialists in compounding one of a kind • Chronic Fatigue

BIO-IDENTICAL HORMONES can make a huge difference in your life!

FREE LECTURE

medications for human and veterinary use.

Call for more details:

828.324.4115

www.thecompoundingrx.com

Jan Mixon, BSN, RN Bill Mixon, R. PH, MS., C.D.E., CGP

Sophie Woman’s Magazine / Jan 2010 / pg 23

Midway Carpet

Distributors, Inc.

Since 1972 •Professional Installation •All Work Guaranteed •Free Estimates •Financing Available

Check r Out Ou t a e r G Prices!

Complete Line Of: Carpet • Wood Flooring • Ceramic Tile Area Rugs • Wallpaper • Vinyl Floor Coverings Laminate Flooring

828-465-1033

1525 NW Blvd. • Hwy 321 By-Pass Newton www.midwaycarpetdist.com

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FREE

iLASIK SEMINAR

Attend our FREE Refractive Surgery seminar and learn about vision correction options including iLASIK and premium lens implants.

Tuesday, January 19 at 6:00 PM

in our Hickory office at McDonald Crossing Everyone attending will receive a $500 certificate toward a refractive surgery procedure at Graystone Eye, and be eligible to win a $1,000 certificate toward iLASIK or Lens Replacement at Graystone Eye.* *Discount is not transferrable and may not be used in combination with any other insurance or promotion. Must be in attendance and over 18 years old to win.

Hickory • Lenoir • Lincolnton

graystone-eye.com (828) 304-6611 pg 24 / Jan 2010 / Sophie Woman’s Magazine

Front Porch

E H T

by Judy Smith

There is an Old Danish saying that says “Advice after mischief is like medicine after death”. Now that makes complete sense to me. I can’t say that about some of the “wise old sayings”. Just think about it. If you died of something you had been to the Dr. for and your family comes in and finds all the medicine that was prescribed for you sitting on the counter unopened, what are they going to think? “If only they had taken their medicine we would not be having a funeral.” What if they could ask the deceased person why didn’t you take the medicine? Would the answer be that they were saving it till they needed it!

So what about the mischief and advice part? It is really the same thing. Then why do we turn away from advice that could keep us out of a lot of mischief? More importantly is why do loved ones that I give advice to just ignore me? I declare, that is just a mystery to me. I don’t give advice just to hear myself talk, even though my husband says I love to talk. But that is not the point. When I give advice, it is to help a loved one not to suffer consequences from a wrong call. After all, I have probably already made that mistake in my past and I know first hand about the consequences.

Like the time I went to the beach after graduation against my fathers direction. Now don’t jump to conclusions right away. You do know the old saying about “assuming” don’t you?

My mother told me I could go and we planned this elaborate scheme behind my dad’s back.

Even though I thought it was all planned out, it turned out to be a BIG mistake. One of my friend’s boyfriends was going to drive us down; we were going to meet up with another one of my friends whose family said we could spend the night with them and then ride the bus back home the next day.

Now that sounds like a good plan. We get to the beach, go to the bus station, get our ticket to ride the bus home the next day, and then go to the Pavilion where we were to meet my friend. Everything was going exactly to plan. There is an old saying that says “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch”. Guess who wasn’t there! Yep....my friend was no where to be found. Then to make matters worse, my other friend disappeared. Panic started to set in. Images of my father telling me I couldn’t go were giving me a headache. Now that I think about it...it could have been the loud music. I finally did find the boyfriend of the friend who I was to stay with and he knew where she was staying. Thankfully, he drove me to her place. She had car trouble and couldn’t get to the pavilion. Whew, that was really close. You know the old saying “too close for comfort”. Ask me if I had fun at the Pavilion that night....go ahead, ask me. I did get to sleep some that night but the adventure only continued the next day. You are dying to know what happened, aren’t you?

Sorry, it is just too much for one time so I will tell you like Paul Harvey always says “The Rest of the Story” the next time. You do know the old saying “Same time, same channel” don’t you? Same thing, only this is not a channel. Thank you so much for reading The Front Porch. We will see if I learned from my mistakes. It may just be that the “handwriting is on the wall”! That is an old saying.

Sophie Woman’s Magazine / Jan 2010 / pg 25

MINIMAL INCISION. MAXIMUM IMPACT. Even though minimally invasive surgery can result in less pain and faster recovery, about 70% of women in the U.S. who have a hysterectomy have the traditional, invasive abdominal surgery.

Using the daVinci Surgery System and other minimally invasive techniques, Frye’s credentialed gynecologists can perform one of the most precise hysterectomies today – with only a few tiny incisions.

If you suffer from fibroid tumors, endometriosis, uterine pain or other uterine conditions, talk with your physician about minimally invasive surgery options. Or, call Frye for a referral to a physician by calling 828-315-3391.

Alice Bishopric, M.D.

Steve Merta, M.D.

Robert Boyd, M.D.

Anita Montes, M.D.

Brandon Locklear, M.D.

Ryan Richardson, M.D.

Meredith Watson, M.D.

Surgical Services

EXCEPTIONAL CARE, A CENTURY STRONG.

January Is

by Nancy Adams

If you were ever going to get it together, this is the time of year to do it! Professional Organizers around the country are putting on of events -- workshops, volunteer projects, community education -- to increase awareness about the importance of getting ORGANIZED. Sometimes the hardest part of organizing is just getting started. It’s often easy to make progress once you can just get over the hump of setting aside time and digging in.

But where do you BEGIN? What’s your first step? What part of your life needs the most help? Why don’t we focus this month on creating a PLAN for getting your home or office in order.

Some Practical Organizing Tips...

Start with one SMALL area at a time. If you try to organize your entire home or office at once, you will only get overwhelmed and give up. And that doesn’t have to mean “one room” -- it could be a closet or cabinet or drawer -- whatever is manageable. Go into the project prepared to get RID of things. While organizing is more than just cleaning out, you need to be willing to give something up if it’s broken, obsolete, hasn’t been used in years, or serves no purpose in your life. It’s very freeing!

If you have a hard time making decisions, bring in an objective THIRD party -- not your nosy mother-in-law or best friend who will tell you to keep it all. But someone who can honestly say, “Why are you keeping that?” -- like a Professional Organizer!

January Is National Get Organized Month

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Organizing Solutions Unlimited Nancy Adams, Professional Organizer

Take control of papers and clutter to save time and money.

Live simple. Be happy.

828.256.8832

www.organizingwithnancy.com

Call for your free initial consultation. Gift Certificates Available!

Celebrate YourMake Health We’ll Always Timethis ForSpring!

You! Let your Medicap Pharmacy® store be your source for the most current information on menopause, osteoporosis, hormone replacement, calcium and natural supplements, as well as many other women’s issues.

At your local Medicap Pharmacy® store, you’ll receive expert advice on the vitamins and supplements that are best for women! Stop in Today!

Two Convenient Locations!

Ron Harwell, R.Ph. 317 - 1st St East Conover 464-4491

Melinda Long Travis, R.Ph. 401 West A St. Newton 466-1500

Sophie Woman’s Magazine / Jan 2010 / pg 27

The Sophie Shopper Coaching / Counseling

Accounting

Master’s Estate & Financial 828-328-6554 mastersestate.com

CARPE DIEM COUNSELING PRACTICE Offering Counseling and Psychotherapy For Individuals, Couples and Families

Ronald E. McGee, Accountants 429 East NC Hwy 10 • Claremont, NC 28610 828-241-5337, x202 • Fax: 828-241-5339

RM

Focusing On Women’s Issues Margaret Doerle, MA, LPC

• Financial and Tax Planning • Accounting Services • Life, health, Disability Insurance • Long Term Care Insurance • Medicare Supplement Insurance

FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION

Automotive

HI C K O r y

onda Cars of

Jeremy Phillips Cell (828) 234-2676

jeremy.phillips@hendrickauto.com Beauty Salon

Amanda Rogers Jamie Cloer Tammy Nash

HHair, OUSE O F S TYLE Nail, and Skin Salon 828-304-4400

1054 3rd Ave Dr. NW Hickory NC 28601

Lori Payne Tammy Harrington Darlene Hayes

Body Rejuvenation

Generations Aesthetics 828-485-2762 generationsaesthetics.com

La Bella Donna / Laser Med Spa 828-267-7263 belladonnalasers.com

Hickory Plastic & Rec. Surgery 828-322-8380 hickoryplasticsurgery.com

Pure Reflections 828-345-1290 purereflection.com

Vibrant 828-478-9229 thevibrantcoach.com

Coaching / Counseling

pg 28 / Jan 2010 / Sophie Woman’s Magazine

805 West Fleming Drive • Morganton, NC

Ronald E. McGee

Accredited Business Accountant Enrolled Agent-Licensed To Practice Before The Internal Revenue Service “Thanks For Voting Us The #1 Tax Prep Service In The Catawba County Area”

Mention This Ad When You Buy A Car From Me And Receive 3 Free Oil Changes!

Working with you… on what’s important.

828-437-1533

Dental Care

Conover Dental 828-465-1344 conoverdental.com

Dr. Garlitz 828-322-1535 garlitzorthodontics.com

Statesville Civic Center 704-878-3493 statesvilleciviccenter.com

Entertainment

Eye Care

Graystone Eyecare 828-304-6611 graystone-eye.com

Fitness / Gyms Highland Recreation Dept.

828-326-5000 hickorygov.com The Perfect Workout 828-465-4055 theperfectworkout.net A-1 Tile 828-326-9811 a1tileandmore.com Hickory White Furniture 828-327-3766 hickorywhite.com

YMCA 828-464-6130 ymcacv.org

Flooring Midway Carpet 828-465-1033 midwaycarpetdist.com

Furniture

Shoppes On Falls 828-313-2119 shoppesonfalls.com

Advertise Here For $20/Month - Call 828-466-0122 Medical / Health Care

Florist A Woman’s View 828-345-0800 awomansview.com

We Have Arrangements For All Occasions!!

Compounding Pharmacy 828-324-4115 thecompoundingrx.com aFlowers aPlants aBalloons aAnniversaries aSympathy aGet Well aBirthday

Free Delivery On All Orders Over $20 We Deliver to a large area including Morganton, Hickory, Mt. View, Newton-Conover, Lincolnton, Cherryville & everywhere in between.

In The Heart Of A Little Town Called Granite Falls

Phyllis Esler

Certified Wedding Coordinator

There is a peaceful place of beauty & relaxation

(828) 313-3989 Toll Free (888) 256-0745 Fax (828) 313-0148 manager@thistlehousebb.com www.thistlehousebb.com

25 Hillside Avenue • Granite Falls, NC The Bisanar Company 828-322-5090 bisanar.com

Jewelry

Medicap Pharmacy 828-466-1500 medicap.com

Frye Urgent Care 828-267-0551 fryemedctr.com

Watauga Women’s Center 828-264-5464 wwc.md

Nail Salon

• Pam Burton • Salma Vang • June Der Yang

- 49 0 0

Thistle House Bed & Breakfast

Frye Medical Center 828-315-3391 fryemedctr.com

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Hotels/Motels/Bed&Breakfast

Hickory Allergy 828-322-1275 wheezy.com Hickory Orthopedic 828-322-5172 hickoryortho.com

221 1st Ave NW, Suite 202 Hickory, NC 28601

Organization Organizing Solutions 828-256-8832 organizingwithnancy.com Uptown Hound 828-328-2275 uptownhoundnc.com 1859 Cafe 828-322-1859

Pets / Pet Care

Restaurants

Josh’s 828-324-JOSH joshsonunionsquare.com

Retail

Get $50 Free Jewelry!

Host a party with me February 2010 and the jewelry is Free!

Use this $50 Free Jewelry Coupon when you host a jewelry party with me. My average hostess earns $250 in Free Jewelry so......you could get up to $300 in Free Jewelry!!!* Wendy W. Perry, Independent Sales Rep of Fine Sterling Silver Jewelry, Belts, & Watches.

828-514-5163 or wendyperry@yahoo.com

Silhouettes 828-327-3344

Style Exchange 828-267-7200 styleexhchangeofhickory.com

Spas Rock Barn 828-459-9150 rockbarn.com

*Must have a qualified show of $500 in sales to redeem coupon.

Sophie Woman’s Magazine / Jan 2010 / pg 29

We pay cash for gently used brand name clothing & accessories for teens and young adults.

Some of the brands we accept:

abercrombie & fitch - aerie - aeropostale affliction - american eagle - billabong - coach - charlotte russe - forever 21 - gap - hollister - j. crew - kathy van zeeland - and more...

Sizes: Girls Junior 0 - 24 / Boys 26-40 Waist

Now With Two Locations Hickory

Valley Corner Shopping Ctr. Hwy. 70, Hickory NC (828) 267-7200 (located close to Toys R Us)

109C Williamson Rd. Mooresville, NC (704) 664-7200 (beside Starbucks) Mon - Sat 10-8 Sun 1-6

“Your Cancer Care And Breast Surgery Boutique”

pg 30 / Jan 2010 / Sophie Woman’s Magazine

Can Someone Help?

My name is Glenda Lawson. I am originally from the mountains of Eastern Kentucky. I have been in North Carolina for the last nine years. My Mother was born in Boone, North Carolina and I always said if I ever relocated I would move to this beautiful state and I did just that in 2000.

I was awarded permanent custody of my great niece and nephew in February 2008. I was living in Davidson County at the time. They were removed from their home in June 2006 when Jada was six and Dustin twelve. They are now nine and fifteen. When I heard I immediately tried to get them. They were placed in a Foster Home and I obtained an attorney in Kentucky to begin the custody process.

Jada and Dustin were moved from foster home to foster home over 20 months while my attorney and I fought to get them. They were not happy in the foster homes and suffered greatly in that particular setting. After eighteen months I was awarded permanent custody.

So, here I was a parent at fifty three. What an experience. It was a battle but one I would do again in a heartbeat. I have never regretted my decision and the custody battle my attorney and I fought.

Jada and Dustin are happy they say for the first time in their young lives. They will also say that they feel like they have a home for the first time. Dustin is socially and emotionally delayed and his sister suffers from post-traumatic distress. We often read such stories or watch stories similar to theirs on TV but we never think this will happen to us or in our family. It’s not that we don’t know it can happen; it’s that we don’t want to imagine it happening in our family.

It’s hard to fathom but believe me it can happen to all of us. I have watched Jada and Dustin struggle with their past but I have also been witness to the tremendous progress they have made.

As we all know the Economy began to plummet in 2008. I was a pre-school teacher at a day care at the time. I was laid off from my job in June 2008 and with the fall of the Economy jobs were impossible to find in my town.

I had a friend in Morganton who encouraged me to relocate. I moved here in June of this year. The Unemployment rate didn’t seem to be as high as Davidson County so I made the move. Of course just as I got here the Unemployment rate rose and the job possibilities were scarce, not impossible but scarce. I applied for every job I could possibly find. I applied to every online job link I could find but I cannot find employment. I have been told by several people in this area that I need connections in this area to find a job. How can I have connections when I am new to the area?

I have a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and am currently working on a Master’s degree in Counseling. I want to work. I have so much to offer but getting my foot in the door has been impossible.I realize that I am but only one of millions in our Country who are without employment and looking for a job.

I have two beautiful children to care for. I want a better life for them.

They have suffered so much and experienced so much stress in their lives. They deserve more. I have made a commitment to give them a better life, a happy life, a life that children, especially children who have suffered so much, deserve.

If you know of anything that is open that Glenda could apply for or if you have any connections please email her at lawson7785@ yahoo.com.

New Year, New YOU! The holidays are over, and now it’s time to invest in yourself! Let Pure Reflection Spa assist you in your journey to a new and improved you.

Robin Holland, Laser, Thermage, and Permanent Cosmetic Technician

The spa you’ve trusted since 1998!

Thermage® will subtly tighten and lift your skin, Permanent Cosmetics let you wake up with makeup, and now is the perfect time for Laser Hair Removal to get ready for the summer months.

We also have a variety of services to compliment your procederes: Microdermabrasion Regenique Organic Facials Waxing Massage Therapy Body Wraps

828.345.1290

w w w. p u r e r e f l e c t i o n . c o m And don’t forget our fabulous products: i.d. bareMinerals by Bare Escentuals|Éminence Organics|Vivité™ Aveda|Clinique Medical|TendSkin®|Biofreeze®|Moroccanoil®

915 Tate Blvd SE, Suite 146, Hickory, NC

Win her heart this Valentine’s Day Count the ways to say I love you… $110.00

Stress Relief Massage  Classic Manicure  Mineral Salt Glow  Soak and Polish Pedicure  Reflexology  Conditioning Hair Treatment with Shampoo & Style  Refresher Facial (Your choice of two services)

For additional information, please call 828.459.9150 or visit our website at www.rockbarn.com

Rock Barn Golf & Spa 3779 Golf Drive NE Conover, NC 28613

Online gift card purchasing & overnight accommodations available!

Couples Suite Retreat… $280.00 75-minute side-by-side therapeutic massages are performed in the comfort of our couples suite followed by chocolate covered strawberries & champagne fireside.

Each package includes lunch, 15% service charge and is complete with access to the mineral pools, whirlpools, saunas, steam rooms and lounges. All Valentine’s Day packages must be used prior to May 31, 2010. Beginning June 1st, the gift card can only be used as a cash value towards available services and packages. No substitution of services or additional discounts permitted, please. All services and areas of the facility have certain age requirements.

Please inquire if a guest is under the age of 18 for specific provisions.