August 2014
CONTENTS www.diamonddivamag.com
3 PUBLISHER’S CORNER/OUR TEAM OF THE VISIONHEIRESS: 5 VOICE Rocky Mounts Make up Maven 8
Konvos at Knight: Back to School - Grown Women’s Edition
13
Travel Safety Tips
15
Devoting to make Your Marriage last Forever
17
How Deep are Your Roots: How to withstand Storms in Your Marriage with the Proper Root System
Cover Story
2
Getting Know Deanna Hamilton PAGE 9
Our Team Raleigh, North Carolina (919) 410-6812 www.diamonddivamag.com ...................................................... Editor: Renee’ Dawkins Finance Manager: Martin Dawkins Executive Assistant: Ashlee Rowell-Williams Copy Editor: Imani Editorial Graphic Designer: Renee Dawkins Staff Photographer: Rodgers Photography Cover Photographer: In Gods Image Photography For General Advertising Inquiries Please Email or Call Us At info@diamonddivamag.com 919-410-6812
Ashlee Rowell-Williams (Durham NC) Administrative Assistant
T.M. Tawwab (Raleigh NC) Imani Editorial Copy Editor Kim Hodges (Raleigh NC) Voice of the VisionHeiress Contributing Writer
Karen Moore (Clinton NC) Bridal/Love Contributing Writer
Michelle Roberts (Jonesboro GA) Travel Contributing Writer
Kimberly Knight (Raleigh NC) Konvos at Knight Contributing Writer
Please be sure to visit all of our participating advertisers and remember to support area local small businesses. We are all about Empowering and Celebrating Women that are about their business and not afraid of telling anyone of the struggles that it took to get to where they are today. This issue is especially special to us not only because its our 3 year Anniversary Issue but we were able to meet some great Power Couples that are in business and making things happen. Marriage and Business are hard enough but when you throw the two together it can sometimes become a challenge. During this issue you will get a chance to meet 6 couples that are beating all odds and joining the two together and building not only successful business but empires. We trust that you will enjoy their life stories and all that they have to offer.
Renee & Martin Dawkins
.................................................................................................................... Disclaimer: Diamond Diva Magazine is published monthly. Any reproduction of any part of this publication is prohibited without written permission from the publisher prior to doing so. Diamond Diva Magazine does not accept responsibility for statements made by individuals featured or advertisers. Comments concerning this publication should be submitted to the editor by email at info@diamonddivamag.com Diamond Diva Magazine’s publisher, staff, and other persons involved in the creation, production, or delivery of the magazine (in whatever format) or it’s content, do not assume any liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information provided in the magazine, nor shall they be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or punitive damages arising out of the use of the magazine.
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BUSINESS PINK PAGES Get your business noticed and in the hands of customers that are looking for your service. Contact us today to have your business featured in the next issue of Diamond Diva info@diamonddivamag.com
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Voice of the VisionHeiress™ Rocky Mount's Makeup Maven A beautiful, warm smile; a humble, yet no nonsense personality. Her gift is exquisite and her eye for makeup is vicious. She is Tyronsa Lawrence. Rocky Mount, North Carolina's own makeup maven. It was my pleasure to have her make me over for the cover of my first book last year. I followed her before my own makeover and I witnessed her grow professionally and spiritually. What I have also witnessed is her supporters and fan base grow exponentially. She is a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoys transforming women's perspectives about wearing makeup. She transforms faces with the stroke of her brushes and she also transforms self-esteem. As she turns the swivel makeup chair around to face the mirror in her cozy boutique clients are exposed to the works of a woman who is confidently operating in her purpose. Confident, indeed. Undoubtedly, Mrs. Lawrence has created her own lane in the makeup world by developing her own line of cosmetics, Platinum by Plush. She is Rocky Mount's makeup maven and has received recognition on Essence.com makeover magic twice this year for her labor of love. Clients travel from various other states frequently for the Platinum by Plush, Millionaire Status Makeup Artistry experience. Take a look into her world as she so graciously granted me an interview. Tell the readers a little bit about who you are and what you do. I am Tyronsa Lawrence, Owner of Platinum by Plush cosmetics and MUA (makeup artist)/Owner of Millionaire Status Makeup Artistry. You do a remarkable job expressing your gift of makeup artistry. How did you get started? Thank you very much! It is definitely a gift from God. He gave me this gift in the midst of a hard time in my life. I had recently been fired from my job. I was fine as long as the husband and kids were home with me but on November 12, 2010 I woke up sad and depressed and had no idea what I was going to do with myself. I was watching a reality show and loved their makeup and wanted to see if I could do it. I posted my very first look to Facebook and it took off from there. So, I literally woke and started doing makeup. How did you come up with the great idea to begin creating your own products? I liked lots of products on the market at the time but none of them were really giving me the WOW factor that I was looking for. I realized I was spending more money trying to find something that I loved than what I was actually making. I decided to come up with formulas that I felt were exactly what I was looking for and Platinum by Plush was born. 5|Diamond Diva
Tell the readers about your products and the Platinum by Plush brand? My products right now consist of two lip gloss collections, a lipstick collection, and an eye shadow collection: We currently have 13 Lip Fashions which are our bold out of the box colors like your blues, greens, purples, etc. They give you the color pay off of a lipstick but the shine and moisture of a lip gloss. The second one is our Sheer Elegance collection which consists of four soft every day wear colors that give you just a hint of color. We have five lipstick colors that are bold, yet subtle. They are creamy and packed with Vitamin E to keep y o u r l i p s moisturized with long wear. Our Eye Ronic collection is our beautiful eye shadows. We have nine pressed and two loose pigments. They are highly pigmented and easy to blend to create beautiful eye looks. What are your favorite color combinations from your Platinum by Plush line? There are so many hues I don't actually have a favorite. They are all so beautiful and easy to blend that the color combinations are endless. You're extremely gifted and you have a strong business ethic. Have you always been that way? Where do those traits come from? I can say that I have always had the entrepreneurial spirit in me. I knew that I always wanted to be my own boss. I
have always been the one who wanted to be in charge and figure things out without anyone telling me how to do it. I consider myself a leader and risk taker. I believe nothing beats a fail but a try. What drives you the most on the days when you want to throw in the towel (if you have those days)? Oh, yes those days come quite often, but I know that I have not only my family watching me but other people in general. I get told every day that I have motivated someone in some way and their motivation keeps me motivated. Do you have any advice for women with a similar vision to become an entrepreneur? JUST DO IT! No one can hold you back but you. Never let a “no, stop your go”. Most importantly NEVER compare yourself to what someone else is doing. Find your own way. What works for someone else may not work for you. Comparison is the thief of joy. Tell us about your support system because I know that you have a very strong system in your husband and family. Yes, my husband is not only my support but my business partner, manager, boss (laughs), cheerleader, and biggest fan. He helps me out in every aspect and makes sure I keep things in order. My children support me a lot and are very understanding when I have to sacrifice funds and time to keep things a float. I also have extended family members and friends who understand that I am running a legitimate business so they never look for a hand out even when I try to GIVE them things. Where do you see Platinum by Plush in the next 5 years? Hopefully, Platinum by Plush will become a household name and will be worldwide in some of your major cosmetic stores. How and where can your products be ordered? If you are in the Rocky Mount area you can stop by 1436 S. Church St. or you can place orders directly from our website www.platinumbyplush.com. Also like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/PlatinumbyPlush. I consider it an honor to have had the opportunity not only to interview Mrs. Lawrence but to have fellowshipped with her on several occasions getting to know more about her passion. She is definitely a forced to be reckoned with. I encourage you to schedule an appointment and order products from this award winning MUA today where every day is business as usual!
The VisionHeiress™ Visit me on the web: www.kimwhodges.com
Follow me on Twitter: @visionheiress1
Email me: kim@kimwhodges.com kimlhodges@yahoo.com
Find me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/visionheiressnetwork
Kim W. Hodges, is the author of Write the Vision, Make it Plain: Writing Your Way to Victory. She is a wife, mother, a speaker and vision coach. She's the creator of the highly sought after unique and innovative spiritual development program, The Vision Writing Workshop and The Vision Writing Mastermind. She is also the founder of North Carolina based organization, A Woman's Inspiration, Inc.
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Konvos at Knight ~ Back to School: Grown Women’s Edition Kimberly Knight
Networking! Surround yourself with peers that share your same career interests. Shadow them at work, ask questions, join professional organizations in the field, look up internships, and travel to conferences or watch webinars.
Wow! Can you believe that fall is on the way and summer is almost over? This year it just appears to have gone by so quickly for me. I know it's because this Summer I'm completing my 2nd Undergraduate Degree and what an experience it has been. I've definitely had some late nights and early mornings. So I wanted to dedicate this article to all of the “grown women” going back to school. When I say “grown women” I'm writing to my fabulous multi-tasking divas that are juggling a career, marriage, motherhood, entrepreneurship, volunteer at church, or simply just a “busy” lady who has decided to advance her academics. It is not easy to balance all of those roles on top of discussion board posts, research papers, or internship hours all while trying to perform at your best everywhere else. Somehow we always seem to get it done even if every ounce of us is exhausted. Still, unless you are experiencing it yourself it is difficult to relate to. Here are some things to consider this upcoming semester for success. Research! Today there are so many universities and colleges promoting programs but choose wisely! Do the researches to know their accreditations in your field, price compare, and ask peers where they pursued their education.
Also, don't be afraid to become successful. It's a season in your life where growth is happening and be a willing vessel to accept what God has granted. Make the best of your experience whether you're a distance learner logging on each night or in the classroom. Take pride in your college whether it is your first time or doctorate degree. No matter the circumstance make the best of it and remain focused on where you desire to be. This is your destiny and on those sleepless nights or long days think back to how this is going to take you to the next level. Personally, during this journey in the past 2 year I have remained steadfast with my father having Prostate Cancer surgery, my mother was hospitalized with kidney stones a month before my wedding, I married the love of my life and watched him transition to eternal life 11 months later, and currently my mother is undergoing treatment for Rectal Cancer. Yes, life challenges have come in a short amount of time while I've been working, volunteering, and pursuing this degree but I'm still here and so are you! God is amazing! Be Blessed Divas, Kimberly
Set the tone with your instructors! Simply send a quick introductory email to your professor saying hello and that will be a bond that in the event “life happens” issues occur in your semester they will remember you. Write or Type it down! Write in your planner or type in your online calendar your upcoming assignments. Make sure you set that reminder! It will save you from failing grades in the long run. Learn to Embrace saying “No”! It's going to come a time when “no” has to happen when you're an adult in college. You might not make every “girls night out”, family reunion, or birthday dinner party but just remember every journey in life has an ending. Before you know it you will be back in the swing of it all again. Prioritize! Make time for not only your studies but keep God and loved ones at the top of your list. They will be the support system you need so make time for them.
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tting Ge 2
Know
Deanna
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Hamilton
GROUNDED BEGINNINGS Deanna Hamilton was born and raised in the small town of Holly Springs, North Carolina. Although today the town has grown to a population of right at 27,000 people back when she was growing up she described the town as being “a rural area, with tobacco farms, corn fields, railroad tracks and one stop light.” The country life is what it was known to her but, country or not it was a humble, simple lifestyle that keeps her grounded even today. Her mom was teenage mom that married her father and began life of taking care of her family. Deanna's parents made a decision to love each other raise their family the right way, in Holly Springs NC. In fact they know all too well about “training up a child in the way they should go.” They are a close knit family that love each other and puts God first. They take care of each other and do their best to live right. It is with these teachings that Deanna has taken this small life atmosphere with here everywhere. In fact Deanna, the oldest of three children states “[even today] you never forget where you came from. I can remember sitting on my grandma's porch shucking corn, snapping beans and shelling peas. I remember that like it was yesterday. It's those things that keep me grounded. No matter how far or how high [I] get, those are things that keep me grounded. Those are the things that make me who I am.” WHO IS DEANNA HAMILTON? Successful in her own right, Deanna Hamilton is a mother of three beautiful children. Children that she says have sacrificed a lot along that way. Deanna is wife to Direct Sales Mogul, not to mention “best husband ever” as proclaimed by Deanna, Brian Hamilton. She is a two-time entrepreneur, a success coach to others, an ordained deacon in her church, a community leader and all around wonderful person. Her smile lights up the room when she walks in. If you don't know her you will now. THE EARLY YEARS Deanna attended, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical School in Greensboro, NC where she pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Not long after graduation, she moved to Washington DC. “Living in DC was different. [It was] new. I was young, single, [and] in corporate America working for the largest pharmaceutical company in the world. I grew up a lot. I became a woman I didn't have my parents to rely on or any family up there. So I really had to do it for myself. It was a growing experience. I learned a lot. I really was able to accomplished things I never thought I could. [For example,] I acquired my own home and [I] just live the quote unquote “America Dream”.” MEETING THE BEST HUSBAND EVER “Yes, I will tell anyone who will listen. I am married to the best husband ever!” exclaims Deana. She continues by saying “Brian and I met blind date. I had come home for Labor Day and my best friend and her husband, they
were here, and we all met up.” Fast forward 10 years and 3 children later, Deanna is now living the life of her dreams. “I really enjoy my husband. I love to relax and unwind with him. I just like to sit and talk. Brian and I talking is really relaxing. Year ago, we would have a date night when the kids were younger, we would just BBQ on the deck and grill out on the deck sit out there and just hang out. It might have been 11pm before we had an opportunity to do, but hey, remember this everyone is important to take care of the relationship with your spouse. LIFE BEGINS TO CHANGE Life begins to change for Deanna. She is enjoying her husband, still working in corporate and she has to make a decision. “I left corporate America in 2006 after the birth of my oldest daughter. I had mentally checked out. I didn't tell my husband I was not going to work after my maternity leave, but I knew I was not going back to work. That was back when my company would give you 6 months' worth of maternity leave. I was blessed to be able to do that. But I knew that it was not anything I wanted to do, go back to work that it. I knew that I wanted to be home with my children and be available and with the type of job that I had I was rarely home and it was very stressful. At least it ended up being that way.” As she thinks back, “it used to be very fun to go to work but then it became more like a job. So I knew that I needed to do something differently. So I struck out into entrepreneurial things and I got my real estate license and was doing really well with that the market went bad.
faith. It is really exciting and I find it joyful when someone finds an “ah-ha” moment. I mean I was session in just yesterday with a few people and one of them said I would never had been able to do this had it not been for you. And these were people that were aspiring to be doing more now and doing it for themselves. What inspires you? I know you said you aspire to inspire but what inspires you? I'm inspired by people who have come from very little and made a lot. I'm not talking about money but their influence in the world and in their community. I'm inspired by people who seemingly had no hope and they turned a corner and all of the sudden they are providing hope. I am inspired by my children every day and how I listen to them speak about things that I am trying to figure out where they got this from. I'm inspired by my mentors who to this day I feel I can go back to and reference their teachings when they didn't know that they were in session. I'm inspired by my mom, because she was teen parent she wasn't able to do the things that she allowed me to do because she had me. She went back to school at 40 years old and got her undergraduate degree and now she has a Master's degree. She did all that before she was 50. I'm just inspired by those types of stories that should tell people it doesn't matter what the circumstance, it doesn't matter where you started. It only matters where you end. What is some of the best advice you have been given by some of your mentors and people that have inspired you?
ANOTHER LIFE CHANGING MOMENT So the real estate market is going bad and Deanna has a decision to make. She eventually got involved with direct sales. It was direct sales that began to open up many doors for her. “I've been able to meet so many people. It really taught me a lot about being an entrepreneur. [There are] things that I thought that I knew that I didn't know. I grew tremendously as an entrepreneur. I started seeking out other opportunities to add to my income stream. In March of 2013 I started Success Coaching Systems. It is going very well. I have turned nothing into a [so much] and [all] with the help of God. I'm really excited about that. IT DOESN'T STOP THERE. What other things do you have going one? “Through my business I am a published Author of a book entitled the Great Mentor: The story of Ruth and Naomi. I hadn't planned to become an author but God's plan is what it is. I have been blessed to travel all over the country with my book. I aspire to inspire individuals to live their best lives and build their best business whatever that business it. So with that. I have private coaching and group coaching that I do for other entrepreneurs. I find that very gratifying. All of these years of experience in corporate America and as an entrepreneur myself I have been able to share that with others. I'm a certified life, business, and Christian coach. So it allows me to really share all of my experiences in business and in
My mentor taught me that I could do whatever I wanted to do as long as I believed that I could.
You have a success coaching program. What are some of the things that you teach in your coaching program? Right now I have a mastermind and one of my areas of gifting is finding revenue streams for people. I can't tell them what to do once they make the money. I can only share with them a thousand ways to turn one venture into several other activities and several other revenue streams. So that's one thing that I deal with. A lot of the reasons we get stuck in our business is because there are some things that we have had to work through in our life. My life coaching it really delves into making sure that part about dealing with your life, I mean if you can get that life part together then things of the spiritual and business side will get itself together and works together for the good. Whatever the goal of the client is, then it is my goal to help them. You really are a 21st century renaissance woman. You seem to have it together. What is something you can share with some of our young woman out there who seem to be trying to do the same thing? Maybe they might not be a wife yet but they aspire to be a wife and they may not be a mother yet but they aspire to be a mother. They may not be a business owner yet, but hey aspire to be one. What's some advice that you can give those young Diamond Diva|10
woman? I would say whatever the Lord has placed on your hear t to do, I wouldn't wait to do it. Don't wait on any person to complete you. Don't wait on a husband, don't wait on a wife, and don't wait on children. You have to live your life as if none of that is going to ever happen. Make your life the best life with you. You have to be a complete person before you start bringing other people into it and into the mix. Because if you are broken and you bring someone else into your life and they are broken, then you are just going to be two broke people. You really need to live a life like you are not going to have it tomorrow. I remember when I was getting ready to by my house, my mom was so afraid for me. Now you have to remember my mom has been with my dad forever so that's her life. Living on my own, that's all new to her. She was very frantic and just wanted to make sure I would be able to do it all by myself. She kept asking me are you sure you can handle it are you sure you got it. Although I knew she meant well, I also knew I could make it happen. Every generation is supposed to get better and grow bigger and do more. That's what I want for my children, for them to surpass me. So don't wait to do it. Do whatever it is that you want to do. Do it great and do it big. And when you are busy doing you. All those other things will just come. BE AUTHENTIC In your coaching program you touch some bit on branding and image. Expand some on how, people say your image is everything, your brand is everything. Why would that be important? Expand some on first impressions and how they really set a trend just like your image and your brand does. Why is that important? I think that the world says that that your name will go further than you ever will. You really want your name and your brand to be pristine if it is going to go further than you ever will. I was at my God daughter's High School graduation and I met her other God-Mother for the first time. She came to me and she said “Deanna, I have heard about you for years and it is so good to finally meet you. I am so excited to meet you.” Just think about so many people that you have heard about and they are doing a thing and when you finally met them. Wouldn't it be great [when people meet you] to have their first impression to be a consistent impression of what they think your image is or are you going to be the person that is cussing everybody out? That is not consistent with the brand that you have been giving. So being authentic is essential. You have to be the true you wherever you are so that. So that your brand is what you want it to portray. I want to make sure that my brand is pristine, that my brand is clear. It is clear that I am a mother of three. It is clear that I am married to the best husband ever. It is clear that I love the Lord and it is clear that I seek to empower others to live their best life and build their best image and business. I want to make sure everybody knows that is what I represent and I try to do the same thing in developing and giving other people platforms that were not given to me.
DON'T STOP NOW SHE IS ON A ROLL In fact, I developed a television show here recently, but it's been in the making for about a year. When God gives you vision, it doesn't necessarily mean for tomorrow, but you still have to work toward the vision. So about a year ago God gave me the vision of a television show called The Great Mentor. It just aired for the first item on April 10, 2014. It's a platform for great mentors to share all about their experiences and to share who their great mentors are and most importantly, how they are paying it forward in their community. This show, it doesn't just expose, it also gives other mentors opportunities to share as well. We allow for community leaders, ministry leaders and business leaders to share what it is that they are doing and how they are helping other people to do the same. You said the show came to you about a year ago. How was it that it came to you? I was out on her tour and I met a great mentor and it was someone I admired and aspired to be. I am just a flunk that I even met her and we were discussing what else I could be doing and I said I thought about doing a book discussion and the book discussion turned into, “wow I should hire someone to film it.” From that I began to wonder if I could get this thing on television. It was something just that simple. Definitely not a plan. It just happened. So you have to still be operating in faith all seven days [of the week] and not just one day. Know that God will fulfill his promises. It might not be today, it might not be tomorrow, it might not be a year from now. One thing I can tell you is, if he said it then it is going to be done. As long as you are doing everything that you are supposed to do. You have been very open with us and open with the readers and we really appreciate that. JUST A HOMEBODY…REALLY? Tell us something that would surprise us about you? What surprises most people is the thing I like to do most is being at home, because we are never here. Really so you are just a homebody. Yeah, I'm a homebody and that surprises a lot of people. I enjoy being at home. What do you do to relax and unwind? I like to just sit down in front of the television. I don't get a lot of opportunity to do that. I used to be a TV junky, I mean really a TV junky and then when I started my business, I just didn't have time for the TV. So the TV has been long lost for many years. But when I get the opportunity that is what I will do. I will sit, and watch what I call mindless TV. I watch mindless TV until it ends up watching me. I could watch it an hour and then drift off. How do you think these life experiences have shaped you to become the woman you are today? I was very fortunate. I grew up with both of my parents. I saw them in a relationship. My mom
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was teen mom and we grew up together and me and my dad. Until my brother and my sister came along, [that is]. We grew up in a close tight knit family. I try to keep the same atmosphere around here. I didn't think that I would move back to NC, however I did and I hope my children have the same experiences as far. My dad taught me to do things for myself. He taught me how to change the tire and check my oil. He taught me the value of hard work. And having a great work ethic. My mom taught me patience. And perseverance. Those value has saved me my entire life. And I hope to instill those same value in my home family in my own children. So they can grow up to be good productive God fear and all of that. LAST THOUGHTS TO THE READERS Is there anything in particular that we did not ask that you want people to know? I want every reader to know that all of the Lord's promises will be kept, if you act and have faith. Faith is an action word. You got to continuously move toward your calling and as long as you keep moving then God will bless it. You just have to keep moving. Also, get you a great mentor. One who can help you get started in the direction that you need. Find you a great coach because they can definitely help you. You a do a lot of things in this world, but none of them you can do alone. FINAL THANKS I am thankful to God for the favor he has shown me. I am thank you for all of the support of my family. My husband, Brian, my parents, my siblings and most of all my children, because they sacrifice a lot so that I can be other places and share with other people. I am truly thankful for their sacrifice and for their support for the hours of time that I am not available. Remember in everything that you do give thanks~
To stay connected with Deanna Hamilton you can visit her on the web at Website: DeannaHamilton.com Like her on Facebook: MoneyMakinMom Follow her on Twitter: DeannaCHamilton Instagram: DeannaCHamilton Email her at: deanna@deannahamilton.com
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Travel Safety Tips
Do not dress to impress with expensive jewelry or clothing, this attracts attention.
Travel light, you can move quickly and you will not be tired.
Passport, credit cards and cash should go into the hotel safe.
If possible make copies of your passport to carry with you and leave your passport in your hotel safe.
Avoid handbags, fanny packs and outside pockets that may be targets for thieves.
If you wear glasses, be sure to bring an extra pair with you.
Medications, instead of bringing a pill dispenser, keep your medications in their original containers with the label and take your prescriptions with you.
Try and carry travelers' checks and more than one credit card with you.
Take an extra passport size photograph of each traveler.
Place your name and address on each tag of each bag.
It may be convenient to carry a calling card. If you're traveling internationally make sure you can place outbound calls within the country that you're traveling to.
Please check with your cell phone company prior to your travel to another country regarding voice and data charges and then make a wise decision, whether you need to allow International voice and data plan
Some countries may require vaccinations; check the requirements for US passport holders.
Be sure to bring your Frequent Flyer Miles and Points for Airlines and Hotels, including any travel memberships, such as AAA or AARP card.
Check the expiration date of your passport; it should be valid for at least six months exceeding your return date.
What Not to Pack
Valuable or expensive jewelry.
Family heirlooms and items considered irreplaceable.
Credit cards that are not used frequently.
Social security card, library card and other membership cards.
Leave a copy of your itinerary, passport, passport photos, and the serial # of travelers' checks with friends or family.
These tips are compliments of
Visit our website at www. Robertstourismservices.com Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/robertstravelservices
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Devoting to make YOUR MARRIAGE last FOREVER
By: Sheleta Dawkins
If you want to tear apart a marriage fast, begin keeping secrets from each other… or don't think about your partner first. Being devoted in a marriage is the essential ingredient. A married couple draws on it and protects each other and doesn't betray the other. A devoted wife or devoted husband cares so deeply, that they can't. There should be a singular focus in the marriage. The goal and priority of the husband and wife must be the happiness, gratification, and the providing of pleasure to the other. There will always be people that will be a part of both of your lives. You will both have friends and acquaintances that you have gathered throughout life through personal and professional. But the priority must always be that of the one you're married! Do nothing to damage this. Be loyal to each other always. Getting married is wonderful and has been ordained by God. Many couples believe that once they tie the knot the hard part is over and that their marriage will last a lifetime with nothing less than happy times. Thinking that all they need is “love”, they get caught up in the moment and excitement of just getting hitched! Sad to say, a great percentage of marriages will have major problems and some within the first year of marital bliss. There will be misunderstandings and difficulties throughout the years; one will annoy the other with habits that they have brought into the marriage and the other will somehow just begin to nag for no apparent reason.
Look to each other's needs. Take care of each other when you are sick or injured physically or mentally. Support each other and carry each other through tough times. The priority needs to be so strong that it's larger than your relationships with your family, friends and even with the people at that wonderful place called your job. So this is a MAJOR part of a married couples life; this is the top priority for anyone that wants to be with one person for the rest of their lives; one slip up can damage and destroy a marriage… don't be part of that 50% that fails. It's not worth it. Be devoted!
There's a good chance the marriage will not be roses at all times. People change and things you may never consider will arise. Many need not forget that there will have to be an adjustment time; remember this is all new to you both. The fact is you can love with everything you got within you…You can romance each other madly…but your marriage vows stretch way beyond simply passion and heart. It's a very disturbing fact that within the last 20 years the number of people that have been married 3 times or more has increased dramatically by 50%. That in itself is both unbelievable and sad that the sanctity of marriage is handled so loosely. You might have even heard that almost half of all marriages today end in divorce. It's scary. I reflect on this a lot… I think the reasons are many, but there are some things that influence this problem more than others, one being that many do not put God first. One essential thing that every marriage needs to withstand a long term commitment; is devotion to each other! 15|Diamond Diva
K. Victoria Crawford Heath Www.victoriasshoepalace.com
How Deep are Your Roots? How to Withstand Storms in Your Marriage with the Proper Root System By: Karen Moore
You are in a relationship, which entitles you automatically to encounter storms and set backs of varying magnitudes. Storms, setbacks and disappointments are all a part of life and these storms come and go. Some storms you can see coming and make the necessary adjustments. Others are unforeseeable and you are hit suddenly. Your storms have a purpose. Storms are God's way of really getting our attention. He gains our undivided attention by disrupting what is normal in our lives. What you view as normal may also be the very thing that is leading you to destruction. Marriage begins with two individuals becoming one. Now, you know that oil and water don't mix and many times marriages are strained because one spouse wants to really “leave and cleave� and the other wants to continue to live as if they are only impacting their lives and no one else. Here is your storm! At that moment God allows a storm to form and begin wearing away at what He knows is going to tear your relationship apart eventually. The wind and rain of the storm begins tearing down the walls of selfishness, frustration, resentment and any other distractions brick by brick. Once the ground in your life is leveled, then He begins rebuilding you and your relationship. Your storms served a dual purpose. They destroy what is unnecessary and that which is no longer producing fruit as well as make way for healthier and more productive growth to take place. In order to produce good fruit, you must be rooted and grounded to a source that provides you the nutrients needed to continue to grow, for example, let's look at a palm tree. The palm tree can bend nearly to t he ground but never breaks because of the strong root system that it contains. A palm tree unlike any other tree has a root system that contains roots that are the same size all the way down into the ground. This makes it very difficult to uproot a palm tree. Any other tree has roots that begin large and get smaller the deeper the roots go into the ground. This makes a tree weak and gives way for the tree to be uprooted. Your marriage and relationship is like that of a palm tree. It must be deeply rooted and there must be several different roots such as love, honesty, accountability and trust just to name a few. A marriage that is deeply rooted in the Almighty God, has no other choice but to withstand any storm that comes. Colossians 2:7 says, Let your root s grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught and you will overflow with thankfulness. Stand firm in God and know that storms will come, but being deeply rooted and grounded in Him you will stand.
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