SCW September 2017 Edition

A magazine designed to influence the modern day woman from a Christian perspective. It is written to encourage, strengthen, bring resolve, and draw courage to her walk in life. Creating a fierce community of women while tackling real life issues.

Founder and President: Francis Fernandez Graphic Designer: Fina Florez

Contact SCW: Strong Courageous Women @scwlife SCW_Life www.SCWLife.com

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m o r f r e T t e L Editor e h t

For example, when we transition from being a single individual to a married couple we experience the changes that come from living alone to living together. Ultimately, during this stage of newlyweds we grow into a seasoned couple. Out of this necessary growth, the beautiful blessings that are birthed can be found in how we have learned to work together, communicate, and love one another more deeply.

The Seasons in our lives should not be met with resistance, refusal, or delay. They are meant to be faced with our ability to allow change for growth to take place in our lives and therefore, see the result of something new being birthed right before our eyes.

If we were to compare the periodic changes that occur throughout the year to our lives, we’d see the beauty of the changes that occur.

The Fall season brings the changing leaves on trees, children starting a new school year, and families gathering around a table expressing their gratitude for each other. This season is necessary for trees to lose their leaves becoming stronger, for our children to learn, and our relationships to be built.

Seasons are just as necessary to the earth as they are to us.

When we hear the word “Seasons” we tend to ponder on the periodic changes that occur throughout the year. But, what about the seasons in our lives? The ones where we find ourselves single, leaving the home we grew up in, going away to school, getting married, or having babies, just to mention a few.

Seasons are known for many wonderful things such as change, growth, and the birthing of something new. I believe that every season brings a lovely result. Seasons must take place for change to occur, for growth to emerge, and something new to be birthed.

Change; however, is not something we easily accept in our lives. We tend to fight it due to the pain it may cause us, sometimes we might even ignore it, because we’ve become so comfortable in the place or with the thing we are struggling to leave behind.

This said, it is necessary that we embrace change while accepting the growth that is needed in our lives. The growth that emerges from these changes is part of the process God brings us through.

I pray this issue of SCW helps you see the beauty in your next “Season”, and may you be open to change so that growth may take place and something new be birthed in your life!■ Connect with me on social media via Facebook at Strong and Courageous Women, @SCWLife on Instagram or @SCW_Life on Twitter. I’ll be praying for you!

The Seasons in our lives should not be met with resistance, refusal, or delay.”

September 2017 Issue

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Contributors Ashley Jackson faith

A Christian communicator who loves encouraging women in Christ to live and walk out what they believe and learn to stand up in their true identities.

Find her @ashleymorganjackson.com

Chelsea Drinkard Being Single

A millennial with an Entrepreneurial spirit leading Christian Business Women’s Connection.

Find her @officespacebrokers.com

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Michelle Athens Marriage

Suzette Ladouceur motherhood

A writer who is eternally grateful for the “perfect for her” husband God has blessed her with.

Find her @michelleathens.com

Her desire is to share her experiences, life lessons, and simple tips to inspire and build up women.

Find her @ PurposefulMoms.com.

Kimberly Solomon Faith

Dr. Kim Costello divorce

Kimberly’s main purpose, mission, and goal in life is to help as many people as she can along this wonderful journey.

Find her @ kimberlysolomon.org

She has more than twenty years of experience as a therapist and counselor.

In that time, she has helped hundreds of individuals, couples, and families through major changes in their lives.

Find her @ thecostellocenter.com

Contributors Faye Adams fitness

Jessie Campbell Beauty

Karen Gillman business

Her greatest desire in life is to please the Lord, point others to Him, and bring Him honor.

Find her @ Purposefulmoms.com

Founder of Wake Up and Makeup with Jessie.

She is passionate about Beauty.

Find her @HotMessJess.com

Her life work is devoted to helping others seek God and through Him realize and go after their hearts desires.

Find her @charitychics.com

Martha Brangenberg Books

Kadi Hedrick- Tubbs military matters

Joy Morey Faith

A host on the iWork4Him radio program.Her desire is to help listeners incorporate Christ in their workplace.

Find her @iWork4Him.com

She enjoys writing and helping businesses with their marketing and PR. Kadi has a passion for writing and is a columnist for Tampa Bay Newspapers. Find her @ mom2momfamilyfun.blogspot.com

She hopes that her words will always be ones that build others up and encourage them to fulfill their destiny.

Find her @ discoveringjoy.net

September 2017 Issue

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Contents 10

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20 Our cover Safety Harbor Resort and Spa 105 N. Bayshore Drive Safety Harbor, FL 34695 Cover Photo By: Studio 33 Photgraphy 6 SCWLife.com

Contents Life 8 Seasons with God by Ashley Jackson 10 Daydreams, Diamonds, and What She Doesn’t See by Michelle Athens

12 The Seasons of Motherhood by Suzette Ladouceur 14 The Grass Isn’t Greener by Chelsea Drinkard 16 Navigating the Turbulent Waters of Divorce

by Dr. Kim Costello

18 4 Steps to Finding Beauty in Your Barren Land

by Kimborly Solomon

20 Operation: Military Matters by Kadi Hedrick-Tubbs

24 Buckle Up! Change is Coming! by Joy Morey Well-Being 26 Chosen For This Season by Karen Gillman 28 My Not-So-Secret Strategies for Weight Loss

by Faye Adams

30 Seasons Bring Beauty by Jessie Campbell Leisure 32 A Good Book for This Season by Martha Brangenberg 34 Sample Carb-Cycling Plan by Faye Adams

September 2017 Issue

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Faith

Seasons with God

By Ashley Jackson

We choose to trust a God we admit knows better.�

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S

taring out the window at 39,000 feet on the way back from a long trip at the end of what may feel like an equally long flight, can feel a bit like torture. There is an anxiousness that rises in you as you spot what looks possibly familiar and you feel a possible descent happening. Is this it, are we almost there? It seems the more you wonder and focus on how long it is taking the more irritated you find yourself.

The reality hits you as you sit in your seat, staring out that window high above the clouds, that even your very best estimations as to where you are or how close you might be are nothing but wild guesses. You are literally along for the ride, you have zero control. You simply paid your money, made your way through security lines, stored your baggage and sat down in your seat.

From that point, until you reach your destination, you have left the upcoming future in the hands of the pilot.

When you buckle up you are in essence agreeing that this pilot knows what they are doing, where they are going, how to

Faith get there and just how long it is going to take. But this is starting to get to you, this waiting, this sitting, this wondering, this itching to arrive. The lack of control starts to grip every fiber of your being and before you know it you just can’t take it anymore.

You’re watching the landscape pass underneath you, certain with every bunch of lights or buildings that you approach must be it. No? It’s not it, not one more second can you stand this!

You stand up in all your frustration and loss of control and demand that the pilot land this very instant. If you’re like me, all you can imagine is 100 cell phones promptly recording the mad woman in seat 3D acting irrationally to be viewed on the evening news. Everyone knows that the notion is absurd on so many levels and could never actually happen, even if all control was suddenly placed in your hands. Not only would landing immediately be unsafe, but you would not be anywhere near where you had originally intended to be. Maybe your anxiety filled waiting would be over but what would be put at risk just to relieve that uncomfortable feeling.

Our lives can feel so much like a long flight in this way. We choose to trust a God we admit knows better, knows more, is more skilled, knows how long it is going to take, and how to get us to the destination. But so often we want to do something, anything. We seem to have lost all control and its terrifying and long and we begin to wonder if maybe we’ve flown over this land before, maybe we are in fact simply flying in circles?

We’ve asked the Lord for more trust, faith, boldness, love, a deeper relationship with Him but we didn’t expect it to look like this. We imagine Him downloading it all to us as we are caught up in our most spiritual moments in worship or prayer.

We assume we will be waking up with maturity, strength, and a new depth of trust ready to take ground for the Kingdom. Instead all that seems to happen is financial stress, relationship strains, having to fight to trust Him because life seems to be crashing in all around. This looks nothing like what you prayed for, it doesn’t feel like anything is happening, like we are not getting anywhere and we find ourselves standing up in our seats on that plane demanding we land immediately.

Now imagine the one who loves you more than life itself is the pilot of that plane and as the co-pilot takes over He comes and sits next to you. He understands your frustration, your fear, your impatience. He talks to you, comforts you, listens to you and begins to show you things you weren’t seeing before.

He teaches you and jokes with you and shows you beauty out the window and the people sitting next to you. But more than what you see, or where you are going, you realize as you speak with Him the peace that comes over you. The love and trust that

you feel growing as you just spend time speaking with this one who you have trusted with your life. That perhaps this is what it is actually about, being with and getting to know Him. There is so much more of Him to know, to uncover, to dig out, to worship, to honor, to enjoy. The only way to know someone intimately is to spend time with them, day in and day out.

He wants to use us for amazing things and grow His kingdom through the gifts He has instilled in us, but more than that He wants us to be united with Him. He wants to teach us to think like Him, believe like Him, trust like Him, love like Him. Being still long enough to let Him show us what it is holding us captive and acquiring access to uproot and bring healing. You can’t do heart surgery on someone who is running, it’s dangerous. Sometimes these things can only be cultivated through being still and listening to Him. We have to allow the things that cause us to run and strive to be hushed for a while so we can surrender to His plan again and learn to love Him even more. Because the destination has never been the point, knowing and loving Him has been. When you get where you are going, telling everyone who will listen of the love you have found and the freedom and healing you have been given, will be the only thing you will want to do.

Seasons of our life can be longer and more exhausting than we ever imagined they could be. But just like summer, autumn, winter or spring, they do eventually change. While the journey is long and difficult and we often find ourselves out of control of timing and wanting the scenery to change, we can trust the one in whom we’ve trusted. Believe that He knows exactly how to get us where He intends us to be. While we can’t force a landing we can grow to trust and love that pilot and learn to love the journey.■

Seasons of our life can be longer and more exhausting than we ever imagined they could be. ” September 2017 Issue

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Marriage

Daydreams, Diamonds, She & what

Doesn’t see

By Michelle Athens

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Marriage

“I

t feels like ages since the wedding,” she said. There are so many things I wasn’t expecting... “ Her voice trailing off.

rubbed against each other until they achieve the desired shape. Do you see the irony yet?

The java scent wafted through our favorite coffee house with each steamy brew order. We sat at the same table we always did, sharing the same flavor marble pound cake as always but it wasn’t the same. She wasn’t the same.

Here are two things to remember about diamond shaped marriages.

She’d married just five months prior. I was eager to hear all about the post wedding marital bliss but something in her voice told me this would be more than just a breezy coffee house catch up.

I listened while my friend poured out the disappointment in her unmet expectations. “Before we got married, we never ever fought.

We were so compatible. I just don’t know what happened.”

The truth is, everyone who takes the I DO plunge wants a beautiful marriage. We expect fulfillment, unconditional love, and the great happily ever after. We stand at the altar filled with joy, letting those familiar words wash over us.

“Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here to today to witness the union of these two souls....”

Then months later, we find ourselves riding the turbulent waves of that first year in marriage. We wonder what in the world we’ve gotten ourselves into? Navigating the chaos of different schedules can be frustrating. Considering someone else when making decisions can leave you fatigued. Figuring out our new roles as husband and wife can leave us worn out and wondering where the emergency escape hatch is. There is a reason why they say the first year is the hardest. Why doesn’t the wedding officiator include words like, spiritual boot camp? You know, full disclosure?

When she lifted her mug to sip her mocha late, the sparkle of her wedding ring caught my attention. I thought how ironic that most marriages begin with a diamond stone engagement ring.

The life of a diamond leading up to its comfortable perch on your ring finger is such a tumultuous one. It’s plucked from deep inside the earth as a dull, misshapen rock. A piece of dirty broken glass has more shimmer than a diamond in it’s rough form. Diamonds must undergo a lengthy process to shine with a brilliance that leaves us in awe. Part of that process called, bruting. Since diamonds are made of the hardest material in the world, only a diamond can be used to cut and shape another diamond. In the fifteenth century, a diamond cutter would attempt to remove any imperfections in one diamond by striking it with another. In modern times, some of the methods have changed but the concept is still the same. Two lubricated stones

Just

like two diamonds, your marriage should have some

Just

like the lubrication used to cool the shaping dia-

friction.

Sometimes it manifests itself in small ways like which restaurant you’ll both eat dinner. Sometimes it’s more serious like how you’ll manage finances or raise children. Feeling friction in areas within our marriage is akin to feeling pain within our bodies.

We need to give attention to the parts feeling the pain. The friction should draw us closer to God as we seek out ways to compromise, extend grace, sacrifice and humble ourselves. Marriage is a tool in God’s perfect plan of sanctification. It serves as an effective vehicle in the refining of our souls. Without friction, the fiery brilliance of a diamond would never be realized.

monds. God

should be in the midst and management of that friction. Otherwise a buildup of heat will create irreparable damage.

Surrendering your marriage to God is essential for Christians in marriage. This means bringing your grievances to Him. Seek guidance through prayer and the bible. But that’s not all. Most important, follow the direction God is leading you. For example, you’ve prayed for God to change a certain mindset or behavior in your husband. But then you’re surprised to find God illuminating changes needed in your own. Surrendering means making those personal changes, even if you disagree or think it’s unfair. Obedience. More times than I can count, I’ve surrendered in my own marriage with the caveat Fine, God. I’ll do it your way. But I don’t see how this is necessary or even going to help. Can I tell you something from pure experience? God always has the sweetest, gentlest way of proving us wrong.

Marriage is sometimes hard. But it’s also the most meaningful relationship you’ll ever have with another human being. Looking into the knowing eyes of the person who shares a stake in years of martial evolution is worth it. Holding his hand in yours, while watching grandchildren play in the front yard is worth it. Reliving memories of firstborn children and family vacations are worth it.

Endure every season of marriage with hope. This everlasting bond forged from years of enduring the refining process is more precious than any stone this Earth can offer up. Through God, your marriage will put the strength of every diamond to shame. What God has joined together, let no man tear asunder.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV).■ September 2017 Issue

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Motherhood Photo by Studio 33 Photography

the

Seasons of Motherhood

By Suzette Ladouceur

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Motherhood

ere in Florida there doesn’t seem to be a change in the seasons. We go from hot to hotter, with a 2-week cold snap, and then start all over again. The lack of change in seasons can become draining, yet we desperately look forward to the change of weather, be it ever so short.

Life has seasons, too.

When we are new moms, there is the season of long nights with no sleep and long days with no naps. As our children grow we move into the “terrible two’s”, the potty training, and suddenly their teenage season.

Then there is the period when our children get involved in sports or other extra-curricular activities and we find ourselves saying, “It’s football season”, “baseball season”, or even “dance season”. During these seasonal activities, we know this will only last for a short time period. Leaving our schedules free and clear to make room for other activities.

When a young mother recently needed encouragement to get through the sleepless nights she was experiencing with her 3-monthold, the resounding response from her mommy friends was, “Don’t worry… this season will be over soon.”

It seems normal to expect certain activities to last for a season, and to encourage other moms that they too will survive the season they are living in right now. Yet as mothers whose children and families are growing, we need to allow ourselves the freedom to accept the seasons that will come and go.

Friendships and relationships change because of different seasons in our lives. Our ability to serve or volunteer changes because we have reached a new season. The way we mother changes as our children move from season to season. And it is all good.

We love the way a tree flourishes with the new green buds in the spring. The colors are so vibrant and lush and just screams with new life.

In the summer, we are thankful for the large leaves that rustle and shade us from the heat of the sun. In the fall, we smile as the leaves change color and fall, creating endless activities for our families to enjoy together. In the winter, the leaves are no longer on the trees, but we are okay with that. We find ways to turn the barren beauty of the trees into an awe-inspiring landscape that warms the heart.

If we look at our lives as mothers the way we look at the trees in each season, the seasons of our lives will hold more meaning and add greater beauty to the changes each season brings.■ September 2017 Issue

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Being Single

The Grass Isn’t Greener

By Chelsea Drinkard

“T

We can take for granted where we are now.”

he Grass Isn’t Always Greener on the Other Side”, you’ve heard that saying before, right?

Or “you want what you can’t have”. Have you ever felt like you were so over being single that you just wish you were dating or married already so your life can get started?

Friend, I have been there too. I have felt that since I am not married somehow I have not achieved a social level of success and I am insignificant. I’ve heard others say, “when I am married, then I will (insert goal here). Why wait? We each have our own definition of success, so why would we compare it to someone else’s? We are a whole person, not a half who needs another half. We have been made complete through Jesus Christ and our lives have just as much purpose as those who are married.

Are you putting off dreams and goals until you are dating or married? Remember when you were little and could not wait until you were old enough to wear makeup? Now, it is just another task in the morning and another expense in the budget. Life is not like a movie and we cannot fast forward through scenes we don’t like. We can take for granted where we are now because we are so focused on where we want to go. Sometimes we even take for granted what we have now because of what we want.

Below are two ways to take advantage of your single season.

Ask yourself these two questions: 1. What is that one thing when I was little I used to love to do but haven’t done in forever?

2. What one activity I have always thought about doing but have talked myself out of doing?

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I grew up competitively dancing and my heart has been yearning to dance again. For the past 10 years I have let my excuses of “I won’t be as good as I used to”, “I am too busy”, “I do not have the extra money” and “I do not have the time” get in the way. Sound familiar? Don’t waste ten years like I did putting off what is in your heart and waiting for the perfect season. Pull out a pen or phone and write it down, The Season in Now! One of my favorite quotes is by Dani Jonhson which says, “Our desires reveal our design and our design reveals our destiny” When your Father knit you in your mother’s womb, He planted desires in your heart and equipped you with everything you needed to accomplish those desires.

Do not ignore what has been designed for you to accomplish now because you are so focused on the future. Take advantage of this time.

The last thing you want to be thinking in 5, 10, 20 years is “I should have, could have or would have”. Choose to embrace your single season in all its beauty. Your value and purpose is not defined by your relationship status. You are in this season for a reason. There is beauty in your current season that has been specifically designed for you. Don’t miss the beauty of what is in front of you because you are preoccupied with what may lay ahead.

Go ahead and write down your answers to the above questions. Now is the season to fulfill the design, desires and destiny God has planted in your heart.■

Being Single Photo by House of Reinhard

Choose to embrace your single season in all its beauty.�

September 2017 Issue

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Divorce

Navigating the Turbulent Waters of Divorce

By Dr. Kim Costello

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Divorce

I

was in high school, when I finally found my place in the perfect family. My place was on the sofa watching television every afternoon and the perfect family was the Ingalls’ of Little House on the Prairie.

The show depicted the Ingalls’ life and adventures in the 19th century American West and I absolutely loved it. I loved how the family ate together every night and how the father took time to be with his children. I couldn’t help but notice the incredible respect Charles and Caroline, the parents, had for each other and the way they cared for their children.

I couldn’t bear to miss a single episode. I believed “happily ever after” had to be possible and I’d found it in this family.

My real home life was not quite the same.

I knew my parents loved my brother and me, but their inability to work through their emotions and communicate with each other was painful for us to watch. Their anger was like a cancer that spread through our entire family and there was no way to stop this infectious disease from revealing its terminal devastation. I felt bad for my parents. I knew their life was not easy. They were married young and had suffered the deaths of two of their children, one of whom died saving my life. They were hurting and angry, and they were each other’s scapegoats. They would take all their feelings of anger, hurt, and guilt and displace and project those feelings on one another. They were a conduit for each other’s pain and spewed their feelings daily in angry words and voices. My younger brother and I were their unfortunate audience, but I believe deep in my heart if they knew what they were doing to us, they would have made different choices.

In 1979, three things happened: I graduated from high school, my parents divorced and I decided I’d never watch Little House on The Prairie again. I felt robbed of a healthy, happy home and I didn’t want to expose myself emotionally to an hour television show that was never going to become my reality. I came to the resolution my family was never going to sit at a dinner table again. My parents couldn’t even be in the same room with one another!

I am not sure if my parents ever went to counseling or even if my little town in upstate New York had counseling available. I just wished, as I grieved my parents’ divorce, someone could have taught them how to communicate with each other. Maybe they would not have hurt each other with such hateful words, and certainly my brother and I would have learned better coping skills. Instead, my brother and I are left with the jaded, painful memories of the hurtful words my parents threw at each other in their pain.

At some point in my career as a therapist, I felt my purpose unfolding. One fall afternoon, a couple sat before me and told me they

wanted to end their marriage. They said, “We fight horribly and our children see it because we are so angry and can’t contain our emotions.” My heart sank, not only for the couple, but for their children. The entire drive home from work that night I felt the need to do more. I wanted to be a superhero who could save the children from the pain of watching and experiencing hurtful words between their parents, words I’d painfully endured years before.

It was in this session I began to understand my purpose.

I wanted to teach people how to use their words to achieve healthier communication. It was at this point, I had a heartto-heart discussion with my husband about shifting the majority of my personal practice to conflict resolution counseling.

I knew I wanted to educate individuals how to change their words to change their outcomes in life and relationships especially during times of divorce. I discovered I was not alone in my desire to find a healthier and more cooperative method of navigating the turbulent waters of divorce. Countless families have begun to catch on to the idea divorce with dignity is possible. This can be seen every day in the results-driven growth of collaborative divorce.

Collaborative divorce is a solution-focused process that can replace much of the despair and distress caused by traditional divorce by focusing on cooperation. It is a process that helps couples maintain control over the outcome of their divorce as they avoid going to court and entering the complicated domain of litigation. The divorcing parties and their individual attorneys work together using strategies of cooperation to reach a settlement that works best for the family’s individual needs and priorities. This process can transform families for the better and it also can save individuals from much of the emotional and financial distress that accompanies divorce. Traditional divorces taken to court can often cost individuals as much as they make in salary each year and that does not even take into account the toll it takes on the couple and their children emotionally. It is a significantly more cost and time effective process that can lead to positive changes to the family structure.

I survived and overcame my own experience with my parents’ divorce as a teenager, but it was not easy. I wish there had been a way back then to divorce without despair, to keep our family somehow intact, and loving. That is why I am so committed to saving families going through the same struggles as my family did. I realize now as an adult, and through my own marriage, that the perfection I saw on Little House on the Prairie may not be attainable, but families can still love and care for each other even through the most difficult time. We can always strive to collaborate with one another, especially in the time of a divorce.■ September 2017 Issue

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Faith

4

Steps to Finding

Beauty in Your Barren Land

By Kimberly Solomon

Photo by House of Reinhard

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Try to be creative on finding things you can do to clear your mind and refocus.�

I

n Part I of this article, I talked about what being barren meant to me, and how it has impacted my life. I had been barren in spirit, and barren in my womb, literally, before God stepped in and changed all of that. If you are feeling barren yourself, let me share with you my four tips for finding beauty in your season of barrenness.

1. Take Time for Yourself

Yes. It’s okay to take time for yourself. If you feel like you don’t have five minutes, assess areas of your life where you can find a few minutes. Do you have a few extra moments when you put the kids to sleep? Can you find time during your lunch break to sit and read your Bible? Is there time on the way to work to listen to worship music and get in a place of peace? I believe that you have more time than you think to put the focus on yourself. You already have all the tools you need to spend some time filling yourself back up. Maybe it’s a spa day with your girlfriends or a lunch date with a lady from church. Try to be creative on finding things you can do to clear your mind and refocus.

2. Read the Word Daily

The Bible tells us that we need to renew our mind daily. In Romans 12:2 (NLT) it says, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” In order to not be transformed in negative ways by the behaviors and customs of this world, you must read your Word daily. Make it a habit for you. When you wake up in the morning, you should start your day with a scripture. How many of us wake up and turn on our phone? We head right over to Facebook or we start checking our email messages and text messages. I encourage you to start your day with scripture. Read a different scripture each day and take the time to mediate on the that scripture throughout the day. Start by reading the verse a few times and then see if you can memorize the verse. Once you have the verse memorized, you will be well on your way to changing your day.

3. Speak Affirmations over Yourself

Affirmations are a great way to command your morning.

Affirmations help to build and strengthen you and your relationship with God! Start with a small affirmation and build your way up. The way to do that is to speak things over yourself that will help you feel better about who you

Faith are and whatever situation you are in. If you see your life as barren, then you need to speak things that are fruitful.

Use some of the ones I have below as examples. If you don’t know where to start or want to come up with your own, start with scriptures.

• “I am fearfully and wonderfully made by God.” –Psalm 139:14 • “I follow God’s principles because I love him.”

—John 14:15 • “I can never be separated from the love of God.” —Romans 8:35-39 • “God’s love is made complete in me when I obey his principles.” —1 John 2:5 • “As I draw near to God, he draws near to me.”

—James 4:8

4. Work on a Health Plan

Making a health plan is not hard. It starts with researching the best foods and making meals that are healthy and delicious. There are various resources to help you but I would start with asking God. Allow God to reveal to you what your problem areas are and how to tackle them. Do you struggle with eating too much sugar, pasta, or bread? Once you figure out the problem, start small. Don’t completely cut bread from your diet, just start with once a day or once a week having less bread. Just keep pressing—you will see it pay off in the end.

For you the woman reading this article, I want to tell you that you are no longer barren. Remove the label and the stigma. God does not identify you by your situation. He identifies you by your purpose and promise. To God, you are simply His daughter. He molded you and shaped you in His image. God is not barren and neither are you. You are fruitful. Once you open your eyes to that revelation, your life will no longer be the same!

When you have doubt, look at the things in your life that are producing. Your family, your career, your finances, your health, your business, or your children. Find the fruitful things in your life and celebrate them. Whatever you are struggling with now is only a season. Just as the four seasons come and go, so too will your place of barrenness.

We don’t think twice about summer coming after spring, rather we expect it. We get our clothes together and start working on getting in shape! Do that with your own struggles—keep progressing in your life and expect your barren place to become fruitful, and it will!■ September 2017 Issue

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Military Matters

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Military Matters

operation Military Matters

By Kadi Hendricks Tubbs

F

or the past year and a half, Graci Tubbs (11) and her friend Ava Spano (11) have been collecting shampoo, soap, socks, snacks, games and other items to send in care packages to the military overseas. It started out as a school project in November of 2015, after several veterans spoke during a Veterans Day ceremony at their school. After hearing the veterans talk about what it was like serving in Vietnam and World War II, Graci and Ava said they wanted to do something for the men and women who are overseas fighting for our freedom. It just so happened that day their teacher assigned them a service learning project. The girls decided their project would be to send care packages to the military and they named their project Operation: Military Matters.

The community has been wonderful in helping make this project take off.�

So far, the girls have sent close to 200 care packages to military men and women all around the world. The project has grown so much in January of this year they decided to become a 501 (c)(3).

The girls collect handwritten cards, toiletry items, shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, snacks, hard candy, wipes, games, instant coffee, creamer, romen noodles, beef jerky, tuna or salmon packs, tea gallon zip lock bags, hand lotion, trail mix, socks, laundry detergent pods and other items.

The community has been wonderful in helping make this project take off. Several dentist offices and an orthodontist donated hundreds of toothbrushes and toothpaste.

Friends have saved their hotel shampoos and conditioners for the care packages. One lady who the girls met at the beginning of their project has been donating items on a regular basis and makes beautiful handmade hats for the military. Several churches have had collection drives. School September 2017 Issue

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Military Matters

children from all over have written cards thanking the military for their service.

The girls have also had the help from the Mayor of Seminole, Leslie Waters who last year had a drive called “Sock it to the Mayor” where she collected more than 500 tube socks for the military. This September she will have another “Sock it to the Mayor” drive and plans on collecting even more socks!

Even another nonprofit organization, Answered Prayers Project, became involved by giving the girls ceramic hearts to make for the military. Each heart is hand crafted and painted by the girls and their friends.

Most of the care packages are filled with donations from the community. To send the packages, the girls started a Go Fund Me account to help pay for shipping. Each box they ship costs $17.35. The girls met with former Congressman David Jolly last year to see if there was any way to ship the packages cheaper. So far, they haven’t found anything cheaper. They have been fortunate to have donations from the friends, family and the community including two grants from Royal Neighbors of America’s Difference Makers Fund.

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Each summer the girls have had a packing party with friends and relatives to help pack a lot of boxes all at once. This July they had more than 20 people come out and pack 39 care packages. What’s impressive is the impact these 11-year-old girls are making on others around them even young kids. Children are helping in the packing process, writing thank you cards and some have even gone to the post office to help send off the packages.

The girls don’t expect to hear from those who receive the packages, but when they get so excited and even more motivated. Once they got an email from a soldier saying how grateful he was for the girls sending shampoo. He said he hadn’t had shampoo in quite a while. When they saw that email, they started collecting even more shampoo to send to the troops.

Recently they received a letter from an Amy Captain serving in Southwest Asia. He wrote how thankful he and his troops were for the support and care packages. He said, “Keep up the great work and know that during deployments, any day that a Soldier gets mail is a great day!” He also sent the girls each a United States flag flown over their patriot missile battery site in honor of the girls support for the soldiers. The girls were so

Military Matters touched by this when they received the letter and flags. It had an impact not only on the girls, but those we have shared the letter with. “The letter is to everyone who has helped along the way with this project,” said Graci.

If you would like to donate items or money there are several drop off locations throughout Pinellas County including: Seminole City Hall, 9119 113th Street, Seminole; Hendricks Enterprises, 7800 Belcher Road Suite 114, Pinellas Park; Answered Prayers Project, 400 23rd St. S, St. Petersburg.

If you know someone serving overseas let Operation: Military Matters know and they will send them a care package. You can email them at operationmilitarymatters@ gmail.com. If you would like to learn more about Operation: Military Matters go to www.Facebook.com/OperationMilitaryMatters and if you want to donate go to www.GoFundMe.com/MilitaryMatters It’s amazing to see how these two young girls are making a positive difference in so many lives and how the community is supporting them and our military!■

September 2017 Issue

23

Faith

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Buckle Up! Change is Coming!

By Joy Morey

“…For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”

Philippians 4:11b

As the calendar year rolls through seasons, our life also rolls through seasons.”

D

Faith

reary skies, bare trees, cold winds, dirty snow… Pennsylvania winters seem to last forever! As Christmas was left in the rearview mirror and Valentine’s day flew on past, the winter weeks seemed to slow down and crawl by with the urgency of a sloth! I remember murmuring to myself… “It’s okay, spring always comes. It’ll get better; spring always comes.”

As the calendar year rolls through seasons, our life also rolls through seasons. They are much less predictable, yet definitely unavoidable. These seasons, or phases, we journey through are diverse.

Some are positive, exciting, productive, and joyous!!

Others are discouraging, barren, painful, and lonely.

Regardless of which season you are in, don’t get too comfortable… change is coming!

We don’t have a choice whether we’ll go through seasons or not (Ecclesiastes 3:1). But we do have a choice as to how we weather those seasons! There are some vital tools that you should have in your “lifepack:” 1. Contentment: The willingness to wait patiently for God’s plans and purposes. Romans 12:12 2. Peace: The knowledge that God is in control, no matter what your circumstances are screaming at you. Psalm 18:30 3. Trust: The choice to hold tight to the understanding that God is for you! Romans 8:31-34 4. Obedience: The commitment to listen for His instructions and follow His lead. Jeremiah 42:6 Finally, you must wrap yourself in grace! His grace… full of lovingkindness and mercy! If you’re enjoying a season of prosperity, do so with grace.

If you’re enduring a season of hardship, do so with grace. If you’re in a hurting season, call out for grace.

If you’re in a season of celebration, share the grace (II Peter 3:18).

His grace is sufficient for every season (II Corinthians 12:9)!

No matter where you are in life’s seasons… change is coming! But our God never changes! He is a steady Companion for the journey… He is the GPS you need never go without. If you’re a weary traveler, take heart! There’s a new season around the bend!■ September 2017 Issue

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Business

HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED THAT YOU WERE CHOSEN FOR THIS SEASON?

I

By Karen S Gillman

f I’ve learned one thing in business its that ‘nothing lasts forever.’ When times are good that thought can be devastating. Who wants a good thing to end? But when they are bad, it’s a blessing! I have soothed myself many a day with bits of scripture such as, ‘for everything there is a time and a season’ and ‘this too shall pass’. And at times I have cried out to God to end this season before it becomes one for the history channel!

And thankfully, He does. Every time.

When I look back on my life I can remember ‘seasons’ that seemed unbearable. I can remember days when I didn’t know how I could possibly endure another. It was during one of those seasons when a wise friend told me, ‘Karen, you were chosen for this time and this season. You were hand-picked for the job.

God knows you have the heart to handle this with grace, shoulders that are broad enough to carry the burden and enough strength to make it the distance. When you get to a place when you think you can’t endure anymore, drop to your knees and cry out to God. He will take what you have carried and refill you with His Holy Spirit.’

I have taken a dip in that cool refreshing pool of wisdom many times since that day. It has been a bridge for me to skip over when faced with many difficult ‘seasons’ in business. Disappointment in relationships, financial obligations not being

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met by so-called friends, witnessing disrespect amongst colleagues, hurt by employees, theft, dishonesty and many more.

When faced with any one of these actions I remind myself that ‘this too shall pass.’ This is a season that will come to an end. I have been chosen to walk through this season and to handle it with the grace that God has equipped me with. And then, in my quiet moments, do the hard work. Humble myself and hold the mirror up to my face and reflect on any time in my own life that I may have acted the same or made someone else feel the same.

Including God. Have I been as equally loving to God as He has to me? Have I met every financial obligation with integrity since the very first dime was put into my hand? Have I been faithful with the finances God has trusted me with? Have I treated my colleagues with respect at all times and in all situations? Have I been respectful to God at all times? Have I caused hurt to my employers in the past? Have any of my actions hurt God? I truly believe that God has chosen each one of us for every circumstance that comes our way. I don’t think God keeps score in relationships the way we do. When we take accountability for our actions in relationships cumulatively vs friend by friend our maturity level skyrockets. Stop keeping score with the enemies’ game card. Learn the lesson. Take out the garbage and allow this season to fade while welcoming the new one with open arms.■

Business

I have been chosen to walk through this season and to handle it with the grace .�

September 2017 Issue

27

Fitness

My

Not-So-Secret Strategies for

Weight-Loss

L

By Faye Adams

ast issue, I shared my story about why I went on this weight loss journey and how I got started. I talked about how my husband and I decided to get healthier in January of 2017 and began to work together to eat right and exercise more. This month, I’m sharing some of my specific strategies, along with some sample workouts and meal plans.

My Top 15 Strategies for Weight Loss

1

Ask God for help. It sounds so simple, but I know that I don’t always want to do the things that are necessary for my success.

I need God to give me a “willing spirit” (Psalm 51:12) and to give me the “inner strength” (Ephesians 3:16) I need to stay on the journey. So, always genuinely look to God first, and you will receive His help and strength.

2

Find your motivation and your vision. Is it a dress you want to fit into? A high school reunion or wedding you need to attend? A competition you want to enter? Whatever it is, find something that you can “run” towards. (Proverbs 29:18)

3

Find support. No, it’s not always necessary to have a teammate on your journey with you, but it really does help to have someone on the same path. It will provide you with mutual support,

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encouragement, and accountability along the way. It makes the journey a little easier knowing someone’s going through it with you and can cheer you on during those tough days.

4

Be willing to learn from others. If you need a trainer at the gym to help you get started, do it! Support and knowledge from experienced people can go a long way to helping you see progress.

5

Change your way of thinking about eating. Not every meal you eat has to be indulgent or appetizing, nor will changing your eating habits mean you only have to eat boring or bland food. You will be surprised at how much you will enjoy many of the new foods you begin eating.

6

Explore the world of healthy eating! Search the internet and popular social media sites for delicious, healthy, and easy-tomake recipes that lifestyle, health and fitness foodies enjoy.

There are some really amazing recipes out there, and all it takes is a few clicks of your mouse to find them.

7

Prepare your own food. It’s way better than buying prepackaged meals for lunch and dinner. Trust me, you can consume more of it when it’s made from home than if it’s packaged in a little “smart meal” frozen box. I am not one for spending a lot of time

Fitness in the kitchen, so advanced food prep is key to having what I need when I need it.

8

Measure what you eat and record it. This helps you maintain accountability in knowing how much you are consuming, and it helps you know where to make adjustments.

9

Be consistent in your eating and in your exercise. You won’t always see the changes when you look in the mirror but trust me, day by day, they are happening as you keep pushing through.

10

Take Before photos and Progress photos. How will you know if you are making progress if you don’t have anything to compare it to? These are a must have.

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Sample Workout Schedule for Your First Week: This sample workout schedule is one you can use for that first week. Be sure to check with your doctor before beginning any physical activity.

Monday: Cardio: 30 minutes or more (or less…just do as much as is physically possible for you) running, on an elliptical, bike, etc.

Strength Training: Biceps, Triceps, Shoulders and Back (1 exercise per body part using free weights, machines or your own body weight) Tuesday: Cardio: 30 minutes or more (or less…just do as much as is physically possible for you) running, on an elliptical, bike, etc.

Strength Training: Abdominals (find 1-2 exercises that work for you).

Change your exercise over time. When you see a plateau or you start getting bored with your routine, try adding in new exercises and upping your cardio.

Wednesday: Strength Training: Legs (find 1-3 exercises that work for you, such as lunges, squats, etc. using free weights, machines or your own body weight).

Have the occasional cheat meal. One day a week (or once every two weeks preferably at the start of your journey), it is okay to have a healthy “cheat” meal, remembering to keep it in balance so as not to undo your progress.

Thursday: Rest Day (If you are only exercising 5 days a week.

If you choose to exercise on Thursday rather than rest: Cardio: 30 minutes or more (or less…just do as much as is physically possible for you) running, on an elliptical, bike, etc.

Strength Training: Abdominals (find 1-2 exercises that work for you using free weights, machines or your own body weight).

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Keep looking to God. He is there, providing you with the strength to endure and push through any challenges to see your goals accomplished. Yes, seeing a new version of you is possible! And God is there to help.

14

Don’t let setbacks or bad days throw you off. Keep moving forward. Don’t camp out in regret. Every day is a new day to make good choices once again (Lamentations 3:22-23).

15

Maintain it. Once you’ve reached a healthy weight, stay on a regular exercise schedule. You can then begin the process of reverse dieting. This is to help you gradually add more calories back into your diet slowly so that you can consume more (healthy foods) over time without gaining a lot of weight from those increased calories. Again, education is so important, so once you are at this stage, it is important to learn how you can do this successfully.

Friday: Cardio: 30 minutes or more (or less…just do as much as is physically possible for you) running, on an elliptical, bike, etc.

Strength Training: Biceps, Triceps, Shoulders and Back (1 exercise per body part using free weights, machines or your own body weight) Saturday: Cardio: 30 minutes or more (or less…just do as much as is physically possible for you) running, on an elliptical, bike, etc.

Strength Training: Abdominals (find 1-2 exercises that work for you using free weights, machines or your own body weight).

Disclaimer: This article was shared by one of our contributors from her personal experience of how she made a 20-pound weight-loss transformation. Always consult your doctor before beginning any exercise or weight-loss plan.■ September 2017 Issue

29

Beauty

Seasons S brings Beauty

By Jessie Campbell

omething about Fall is so inviting! It’s like a breath of fresh air! The new season brings beautiful colors back to life and a whole new look!

It’s the perfect time to rock earthy tones on your eyes and a dark bold lip.

When you think of Fall, what colors do you think of? Most likely, the colors that come to mind are orange, yellow, brown, green, and vibrant shades of red. These are the natural colors that surround us everyday. Using any of these tones for your eye makeup will help create the perfect look for fall.

For some, the thought of a dark lip can be scary but to me it screams beauty in this season! If you fall under that category don’t worry, I have another option for you! Spice it up and create an ombré lip! That way you can still wear a dark lip but the ombré affect tones it down.

In order to achieve this, look you need a light shade of lipstick and a dark shade of lipstick. Apply the darker shade of lipstick everywhere except the center of your lip. Once you have finished that, go back and apply the lighter shade of lipstick to the center. Pressing your lips together gently will cause the two shades to gradually blend forming a beautiful ombré look. After completing those simple steps, you will be rocking your own fabulous shade!■

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Beauty

It’s the perfect time to rock earthy tones.”

September 2017 Issue

31

Books

A Good Book For This Season

By Martha Brangenberg

16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives.

Colossians 3:16 (NLT) I love surrounding myself with wise people. The world is full of smart, energetic, godly individuals that are willing to share their experiences and life lessons with others. Learning through these lives is a very Biblical approach and one we should each consider. Published authors understand the power of the words they put to paper and are living out Colossians 3:16 to the fullest…..Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives!

Reading a book with a biblical outlook is like surrounding yourself with wise people. So, consider the following options today.

Business: Business Boutique: A Woman’s Guide to Making Money Doing What She Loves by Christy Wright Many of my friends have had a great idea or hobby that turned into a side business or full-time career. The principles in Business Boutique can help make the difference between making money or going bust. Step-by-step help from budgets to marketing are often what is lacking in our business ideas.

Don’t become another losing statistic, read up and do it right with Business Boutique.■

Marriage: Lists to Love by for Busy Wives: Simple Steps to the Marriage You Want by Susan and Mark Merrill A book of lists – now that is something easy to swallow. How about a book of lists that can help you improve your marriage, one small step at a time?

This book is a fun approach to an important topic. Mark and Susan have compiled tried and true ideas you can implement today.

With a companion book for husbands, this set makes a great wedding gift!■

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Biography: Between Heaven & The Real World: My Story by Steven Curtis Chapman From the first time I heard his music, Steven Curtis Chapman has been on my playlist. His style and lyrics have been drawing in the hearts of listeners for decades. His story is one of humility, hope, and honor. Take this opportunity to learn how God has shaped this husband, father and popular performer into a man that God can use to reach the hearts of the hurting.■

Women/Self Help: Killing Wonder Woman: Setting Weary Women Free to Win at Work and Soar in Faith by Tenaya TJ Tison As women, we often act like Wonder Woman without even trying. We think we need to do it all, have it all, and be everything to everyone. TJ Tison helps us to identify these lies and learn to understand God’s truth about ourselves. Filled with scripture to back up the principles, the reader will learn how to Kill wonder woman and let her faith soar.■

Books

September 2017 Issue

33

Culinary

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Culinary Sample Carb-Cycling Plan:

By Faye Adams Carb Day Breakfast: • Oatmeal (1/3 cup) cooked with water, topped with ½ cup of fruit, cinnamon & stevia • Egg (1 extra-large) scrambled with Egg Whites (1/2 cup) • Coffee sweetened with Stevia and Almond Milk (or 2 tbsp. Fat Free Creamer) Lunch: • Chicken Breast (4 oz.)

• Mashed Sweet Potato (5 oz.) or Brown Rice (1/2 cup cooked) Snack: • Greek Yogurt (225 g) • 1 Scoop of Protein Powder mixed into the yogurt • Granola served on top (44g) (12 g of sugar or less per serving) Dinner: • A Protein Source (Ground Turkey, Chicken, or Steak (4-5 oz.) OR Fish or Shrimp (8 oz) • A low carb vegetable of your choice (peas, salad, cucumbers, zucchini, cabbage, broccoli) Carb Deplete Day (Low in Carb) Breakfast: • Ground Turkey Sausage Links (3 small links) • Egg (1 extra-large) scrambled with Egg Whites (1/2 cup) • Coffee sweetened with Stevia and Almond Milk (or 2 tbsp. Fat Free Creamer) Lunch: • Chicken Breast (4 oz.)

• A Salad (4 cups) seasoned lightly with Olive Oil, Apple Cider Vinegar, and Garlic Salt Or • Raw Coleslaw Stir-fry (6 cups) prepared simply with olive oil spray and low sodium soy sauce Snack: • Protein Shake made with Protein Powder (2 scoops), Natural Peanut Butter (2 tbsp.), and Water (8-10 oz.)

Dinner: • A Protein Source (Ground Turkey, Chicken, or Steak (4-5 oz.) OR Fish or Shrimp (8 oz.)

• A low carb vegetable of your choice (peas, salad, cucumbers, zucchini, cabbage, broccoli) Disclaimer: This menu was shared by one of our contributors from her personal experience of how she made a 20-pound weight-loss transformation. Always consult your doctor before beginning any exercise or weight-loss plan.■ September 2017 Issue

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