THE SKINCARE GURU
IN THIS ISSUE
Warmer weather is here for many of us which is an indication that we will be shedding some of those extra layers. Literal or not, bask in insight and inspiration like the right amount of sunshine on spring’s best day! In this issue of LOVE, MARRIAGE & PARTNERSHIP – THE REVIEW, be inspired to try a few new things, get organized, or take you love experience to a new level of giving. COUPLES IN PARTNERSHIP: This feature is the heart of the publication, so become acquainted with phenomenal couples from all over that are building businesses and serving their communities through a loving partnership. DATE NIGHT IDEAS: Do more than flirt with the idea of Date Nights, make a commitment. These sweet notions will spark dedication for that much desired QT whether you’re single, just having fun, or in a committed relationship. MISSION DRIVEN: Get insight and inspiration in first lady fashion as a ministry leader shares her story of triumph and persistence in building business, mentorship, and community. EDGY FITNESS: From business woman to professional body builder, this personal trainer shares her path and passion towards health and wellness in a well-disciplined and fabulous way.
FEATURED COUPLE
MR & MRS FORD
ENTREPRENEURIAL COUPLE
MARCH - APRIL
2017
Love, Marriage & Partnership - The Review is a monthly publication sponsored by M & M R Marketing, LLC that focuses on married couples that are in partnership with each other through service and/or business to their communities and abroad. The goal of the Love, Marriage & Partnership – the Review is to inspire readers to look at the essence of partnership in marriage as shared by exemplary couples, ultimately moving readers to actively define, develop, and devote to their purpose as a couple.
Mr &Mrs
TERRELL & JOYCE
FORD
WHO ARE YOU AS A COUPLE? We are a God-Fearing couple who seeks enjoyment of making marriage greater than what it is. We both love to laugh so in our spare time we go to comedy shows to exercise that part of us that we bring to the forefront a lot in our marriage. We believe in practicing what we preach. We utilize our daily walks of life to show all couples the goodness of God and allow our children to see us express our love for each other. We don’t mind showing our children through laughing, dancing, talking, flirting, and some “suga” here and there the importance of love. WHAT THINGS DO YOU ADMIRE ABOUT YOUR SPOUSE? TERRELL: I admire her consistency, true love, loyalty, honesty, acts of service, her motherhood, intelligence, mind-set, her keen sense of wittiness and personality to name a few. JOYCE: I admire his unconditional love, transparency, man of God, fatherhood, loyalty, goofiness, intelligence, magnetic personality, calm temper, and smile. HOW DO YOU PREPARE YOURSELF TO FUNCTION AS YOUR BEST SELF IN YOUR ROLE AS A SPOUSE? By listening, observing, communicating, and utilizing knowledge we’ve gained through couple’s seminars, church activities, and continuously dating each other.
The Fords are Athletic Alumni of Callaway High School and Alumnist of the Mighty JSU Tigers. Terrell has a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Technology, Master’s Degree in Hazardous Materials and Waste Management, and an additional Master’s Degree in Occupational Safety and Health Management. Joyce has a Bachelor’s in Business Management and currently pursuing her Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy. We are parents of 4 Beautiful Children ages 19, 8, 6, and 3. Mississippi Natives. God fearing and God following Christians who serve Thee Almighty God. We have been together for 22 years and married for 15 years on July 20, 2017. We have been entrepreneurs going on 2 years promoting Health and Wellness Management as Distributors for It Works.
HOW DO YOU UTILIZE YOUR DIFFERENCES INDIVIDUALLY AS ASSETS TO YOU AS A COUPLE? Our differences make us compatible in how we were raised. We use our different experiences growing up to teach and raise our family and resolve issues as they arise.
WHO IS THE MR AND MRS THAT PEOPLE DON’T GET TO SEE? Honestly, we are pretty transparent. How we are in public is how we are in private. I will say that when we have a disagreement, we resolve it in the most respectful and mature way without doing “Extra.”
WHAT DOES PARTNERSHIP IN MARRIAGE MEAN TO YOU? Partnership means I have my best friend, ace boon coon, loudest cheerleader, best supporter, VP, CFO, better half to set goals and accomplish those things that contribute to better our household.
WHAT IS A SCRIPTURE THAT YOU BOTH USE AS YOU FUNCTION IN A PARTNERSHIP? “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:14
AS PARTNERS IN MARRIAGE, WHAT IS YOUR ULTIMATE GOAL? WHAT ARE YOU WILLING TO SACRIFICE TO OBTAIN IT? Our ultimate goal is Longevity. Why? We want to continue to experience a little bit of heaven on earth while we are here. We are willing to sacrifice giving in to the flesh of the body and temptation that surround us in our daily walk. Feeding our minds with the constant Word of God will help strengthen our daily walk.
God show me your strength that’s in me. With good intention, I have wrongfully gone into battle on my own, using old weaponry of grace and mercy. I’ve become frustrated, but not tired. I see this army that has come upon me, and though I’m able to slay some, many more come, more aggressive than before. As I fight, I can feel the warmth of that most precious stone that You gave to me- securely tucked away, wrapped in a beautiful purple cloth of fine velvet and silk, and resting inside a sturdy leather pouch that rests tightly against my heart. I can feel the dampness of the pouch sticking to me as I sweat through battle. For this one jewel, this most precious stone is my enemies’ trophy of defeat. As strategic warfare is waged against me, I know they have the taste of my demise on their salivating tongues, awaiting the moment when they can snatch away my stone to carry back, bragging about another one gained. Lord I’ve heard of the monument they’ve created with all of the stones of joy that they’ve viciously taken from your warriors- warriors that wrongfully entered battle without proper armor. As I slay another savage beast, I immediately feel a piercing as another entangles me into his snare. I cry out to You, and I feel Your presence! Glorious You are, in such majesty! Your light kills every evil thing, and delivers me! Your presence strengthens me, and I’m able to stand. While in your embrace, I feel for the pouch resting over my heart, and there, still intact, is my most precious stone of joy. When you take a step of faith towards what you know is your purpose in life, there will be some expected challenges. The greatest challenge will the battle that is fought in your mind daily as you walk this journey of purpose. Despite the circumstance, God’s word tells us to have joy. In fact, there are many scriptures about JOY, the purpose of it, and how it functions. God tells us to guard our hearts. Part of that means to watch what we allow to influence us from what we see and hear. The other part of guarding your heart is by reading, hearing, and applying His word. The only way that we will be able to fight the fight of faith is to have the joy of the Lord which is our strength. We choose daily to have joy. Joy is an amazing fruit of the Spirit that God gives us all. God gives it to us when we simply rejoice and praise Him. When we begin to fight battles of negative thoughts, thoughts that go against what God has told us, we may become frustrated and even weary. We become frustrated and weary because we are functioning off old joys. The same applies to feeling as if we are fighting alone. While we’re in the fight, we began to praise God to restore our strength. The enemy wants nothing more than to steal our joy, because without it, we cannot fight the fight of faith. So, rejoice in the Lord always, again I say, REJOICE!
by: Mr & Mrs Roach .................................................................................................... Have you found yourself battling in your thoughts? Perhaps you’re fighting to have joy in your life despite your circumstances. Have you found it difficult at times to praise God because of the pain or uncertainty that you’re experiencing? Review the following scriptures and their surrounding texts to help bring you back to that place of joy. Nehemiah 8:10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength. (KJV) Psalms 27: 5-7 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord. Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. (NIV) Psalm 28: 7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. (NIV) Psalm 94: 19 When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. (NIV) Psalm 149: 4 For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation. (NKJV)
Meet
KATHY AMOS
Kathy Amos was born in December of 1963 to Rev. Edward L. and the late First Lady Eunice A. Hudson in the small town of Canton in Madison County Mississippi. Kathy is the second of five children. She grew up with a strict upbringing by her father and mother. But her father was a man of the cloth who as a minister laid the foundation for their children to be brought up in the church. Even when at times he veered from the path in his younger years as a minister, he made sure that his children were in Sunday School and church every Sunday, no excuses. In later years, Rev. Hudson came to be one of the pioneers of the gospel pastoring up three churches at a time for over 25 years. He still pastors to this very day. Kathy completed her high school education at Canton Public High School in 1981. She continued her education at Holmes Community College with a One Year Certificate in Business Technology. Kathy’s passion was modeling and wanted to pursue a career as a professional model. However, her father prohibited her from her pursuit at the age of 17, shortly after she graduated high school. The door was shut from her dreams until she was 35 years old, an age way pass a model’s career life span, when she took her 16 year old daughter to a modeling audition. Not only did they select her daughter but she was selected as well. Kathy later became the first director for Barbizon International Modeling School in Jackson, MS. Kathy enjoyed adding value to the young ladies who participated in the modeling program but she knew there was more to her mission than just taking payments and teaching the girls how to hit the runway. They needed that and so much more. So Kathy decided to open her own modeling program called The Potter’s House School for Models & Role Models in her hometown on the Canton Historic Square. There Kathy established a program that ministered character development, etiquette as well as the various aspects of modeling. The Potter’s House is also where Kathy accepted her call into ministry. She later preached her first sermon at Turning Point Fellowship Ministries International Church where she now serves as executive pastor under her husband Joe’s leadership. Since then, Kathy has founded several businesses, nonprofits and community outreach initiatives in her community. She’s a coach, speaker and teacher with The John Maxwell Team, the largest coaching team in the world. Kathy has also written her first book entitled, “The Heart of a First Lady” A 21 Day Journey from Struggle to Freedom. Her new release shares intimate testaments of her faith about her struggles and her victories as a First Lady and Senior Pastor in her local church. Kathy dedicates this book to every woman who has ever battled with people as they served faithfully in their local church, community or family unit. A must read!
FatimahRAY
Edgy Girl Fitness was founded by Fatimah Ray in 2013, before she competed in her first fitness competition in August of 2013. Fatimah Ray began her love for fitness at the age of 6 years old when she started running track which is something she maintained through high school where she specialized in the 100m, 200m, 800m and all relays. She also added gymnastics, dance and modeling to her fitness exploits from 1987-1993. After graduating from Alonzo A. Crim high school and attended Georgia State University, she eventually earned a B.S. degree in Business Office Administration from the University of Phoenix. After starting her humble beginnings as an Executive Administrative Assistant, Event Coordinator, and Front office clerk for the Marriott Hotels/Ritz Carlton, Fatimah joined the local LA Fitness in 2004 where she re-kindled her love for fitness through strength training. A year later the general manager of her local LA fitness was so impressed with her progress, personality and work ethic he offered her a job as a Sales Associate for LA Fitness. After only a year she was promoted to Assistant General Manager for the LA Fitness in McDonough, GA from 2006 to 2010 where she had to recruit and hire sales associates & personal trainers, managed staffing schedules, and assist General manger with daily operations of the health club. In 2010 she became the General Manager for Snap Fitness in Ellenwood, Georgia where she managed the overall aspects of the whole exercise facility from managing staff to maintaining equipment as well as member services. Also, during that time she began competing in fitness bodybuilding competitions and became a SNBF Figure Pro in 2013 during this time and has won several Pro Figure bodybuilding competitions. She is currently perusing an IFBB pro card, as she will compete in August at Pittsburgh North America National show. Then as a change of venue Fatimah Ray accepted a full time position as a Patient Service Coordinator at the Emory Winship Cancer Institute in 2015 with the plan to move into the Bariatric division in order to treat obesity in patients through nutrition and exercise and focus more on growing her own Edgy Girl fitness personal training business. Fatimah is also active in her church Tabernacle of Praise International McDonough, GA where she is part of the health and wellness ministry where she periodically lectures the church on fitness and leads exercise & nutrition initiatives. In 2017 Fatimah is taking her vision to the next level by obtaining a business license in order to open her own gym called "The Edge Fitness Center" in the McDonough-Jonesboro area before fall.
Dating IDEAS
BY: MR & MRS ROACH
Dismiss every misconception that you have about Dating, be open-minded, and expect to have fun! Who says that Dating has to be anything other than what you want it to be? No one- it’s up to you how creative you want your predetermined moment of eminence to be! It is also important to note that Dating is for anyone: married, engaged, and yes, SINGLE.
DON’TS
DO’S
IDEAS of the MONTH
• • • • • •
Agree to set this time aside together. Determine frequency and be consis tent (once a month or every week). Decide who gets to choose the date (deciding together is best). Anticipate it. Be THERE while you’re on the date. Have FUN.
• •
Avoid making independent plans and expect the other to be as excited as you are. Steer clear of allowing your Date Night to take the back seat of things that appear to be more pressing.
LOVE MARRIAGE & PARTNERSHIP | THE REVIEW
PARIS NIGHT WITHOUT LEAVING HOME You decorate your home like a restaurant in a foreign country. Make it cheesy as possible while keeping it looking nice. Decorating is easy, use construction paper and things you find at a craft store. Then you have a friend dress up like a waiter and speak in the accent of that country. GO FLY A KITE Flying a kite! Sounds a little silly, but hey, we got to let the fun inside of us out sometime, and why not do it with the one we love. GIVE BACK Giving back to the community can bring you and your date closer together. A sense of peace and good fortune will bond you. Whether you opt to brighten the day of the elderly, serve food to the homeless, clean up a local beach or engage in countless other opportunities, be sure to choose a volunteering activity that is meaningful to both of you. A MOMENT IN TIME For the mature couple, seal your time together by constructing and burying a time capsule. Gather memorabilia that symbolizes your love for one another. A wedding invitation, saved wine cork, concert/plane ticket, copy of children’s birth records, meaningful photos, love letters and anything else that is unique to the story of your love. Be sure to include a note to the capsule’s future retrievers.
MYDESTINYSTRATEGY.COM
from the desk of
A NEW fit!
Have you ever gotten your clothes altered, a pair of shoes stretched, or even moved to a new location or job
position? During the transitional period, your waiting time, you’re not sure if things will end up as favorable as you’d expect. The uncertainty of whether it will be a good fit gets shuffled between joyful expectations and impatience. Similar thoughts and emotions can come about when you experience a shifting towards the place where you have absolute confidence, you’ve got faith for the fit.
During several of our events, we begin with the statement “Picture your success and attach a positive emotion
to it.” How often do you look at your dreams and goals, and become frustrated because you haven’t arrived there yet? How does the frustration help? Does it propel you into greater action with clarity and focus? Do you find yourself being more busy than efficient? When you picture your outcome, and maintain a positive emotion with it, you build character, perseverance, wisdom, and express a great deal of gratefulness. Imagine how amazing it is to arrive at you goals with these assets, assets that better prepare you for your next journey or period of transition.
Consider the example given earlier of having something altered or awaiting a new job position. While waiting,
you have the option to spend your time expecting the worst possible outcome, frantically calling each day to inquire about progress, looking at others as a determinant of your outcome, or you could build a rapport where respect and service can be reciprocated.
During your time of transition and moments of uncertainty, be strengthened by God’s joy. It is okay to admit
that you believe, but your faith is weak. Once you confess this, humbly allow God to guide you through the gray areas of transition and build your faith. It is in the gray areas that you learn about forgiveness, love, courage, self-discipline, and more. Only then can you stand in confidence with the attainment of a great new fit.
EVERYDAY IS BETTER WITH COFFEE jamesroach.myorganogold.com