Ordinary People Magazine |Vol. 15 |Issue 46 by ORDINARY PEOPLE Magazine

OPM ORDINARY PEOPLE MAGAZINE

Find Your Passion And Run With It!

Christin Webb

There Is Power In The Decisions

We Make

Through Tragedy, Truth, Triumph Beauty & Blessings COME - PT2

2nd Quarter 2024 |Vol. 15 | ISSUE 46

From With In

“Bloom where you are planted” is a very inspirational quote credited to Saint Francies de Sales (1567-1622). How often have you heard this and wonder what it means or felt that it was totally impossible at this given time. To “Bloom where you are planted” indicate that although things may not be going well, to not lose hope or confidence in yourself. Take the time to reinvent yourself, take advantage of any new opportunities that might present itself. Despite your current situation, you can still “Bloom.” “For I know the thoughts that think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 20:11 Embrace your new beginning, as you continue to thrive, grow, and focus on more positive thing. Trust me you will be ok! “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” 2 John 2

And as always, Love, Peace, and Increase… Verna V. Nickelberry

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Departments Founder and Editorial Director Verna V. Nickelberry Contributing writers Jeanette Chestnut-Chester Paola Tennon Photographer Kimberly tylor Ordinary People Magazine is a quarterly publication produce in print and digital form. You can find the printed version at www.magcloud.com and the digital version at www.issuu.com O.P. Magazine Mail 2624 Santa Monica Dr. Atlanta, GA 30318 VeMaShe Enterprise www.vemasheenterprise.com All rights reserved: Reproduction in whole or in part without the founder/editor’s consent is strictly prohibited. the opions express herein are exclusively those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the positions or views of the editor. The publication of any advertisement in the issue does not constitute an endorsement of the advertiser’s products or services by the publication. ©2024 Ordinary People Magazine VeMaShe Enterprise LLC

Contents

Cover Story Find Your Passion And Run With It 12

YourFor parac Your Health There Is Power In The Decisions We Make 22

From With In 3 Word Search 39

Inspirational Words Isaiah 61: 10 38 Just To Encourage You The Call of a Prophet 18 Miracles And Blessings Who Would Have Thought? Part Two 32

18 38

WORD SEARCH 32

39 7

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FIND YOUR PASSION AND RUN WITH IT!

“Find your passion and run with it!” This was the quote Christin Webb’s father shared with her when she was a teenager. She never forgot those words. As a young girl growing up in the heart of south Memphis, Tennessee, a community rich in culture and spirit, Christin Webb’s remarkable journey began, and she has undoubtedly continued to find her passion and run with it. So much so that Christin is often introduced as international best-selling author, global speaker, awardwinning screenwriter, actress, business owner, former government executive, community advocate, and others. But she simply likes to be introduced as Christin.

Uniquely Shaped Her passion is fueled by her continued growing desire to always show up as authentically and confidently as possible, leading with the fact that we all can live the lives we see for ourselves. Born a twin, Christin’s early years were shaped by the unique bond she shared with her sister, Christina. She learned early on the delicate balance between shared identity and personal individuality. A lesson she did not always successfully conquer. "Being a twin is a unique experience," she recalls. "It taught me a lot about the importance of finding my own voice and staying true to myself. The road to get to the point where I acted on it was not easy, but I now work hard to activate in this truth, daily." As she navigated the complexities of her upbringing, Christin developed a profound sense of self-awareness and authenticity, values that would become the bedrock of her life’s work. All of Christin’s life, she has been known to follow her curiosity. Her inquisitive spirit allowed Christin to try anything of which she could think. If she wanted to act as a young girl but didn’t have or know how to gain access to a playwriting space, she wrote her own plays and found family and friends to perform the roles. If she wanted to be the first female drummer in the school’s choral class, she did. Even as a tomboy and often shying away from anything pageantry-like, Christin found an opportunity to run for her high school queen and became Miss East High School. Christin has always lived a life of doing what she dreams of while doing it afraid and unafraid.

A Heart of Service As early as age twelve years old, Christin led a life of service. Her first job was as a volunteer docent with the National Civil Rights Museum in her hometown. She spent three summers learning and sharing the story of the African Americans and the Civil Rights Movement to audiences that traveled to the museum from all over the world. That experience grew her appreciation for being of service to others. For years afterwards, Christin has continued her service as a volunteer for many organizations with sleeves rolled up, boots on the ground and as a thought leader for local, state, and national executive governing boards. She was the former Executive Secretary for the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. – Memphis, Vice President of Downtown PTA, Institute of Public Procurement Talent Council Member, Tennessee Association of Public Purchasing’s President, STS Enterprise Corporation Executive Board member, and City of Memphis Youth Guidance Commissioner.

Her service continues today through her business and as she continues to mentor and help develop other leaders. organizations to include training workshops, intensives, executive coaching, conferences, podcasts, and more. Women Leaders Walk the Talk was an initiative started by Christin to help amplify the voice of women leaders. Since 2021, Women Leader Walk the Talk has reached thousands of women leaders from all walks of life, backgrounds, and experiences to help them connect, collaborate, and empower themselves and one another. WLWTT offers a talk show,

online community, special events,

and more for women leaders

to continue to develop and create

strategy to close the gaps of

disparity

that

women

leaders

experience.

Tragedy Strikes A

defining

Christin's journey came with the

tragic loss of her father, who

was both her best friend and

confidant, but whom she also

found deceased. This profound

loss pushed her to delve

deeper into self-awareness and

authenticity.

father was incredibly hard, but it

reinforced my commitment to

living authentically and being self-

aware,"

This

experience marked a new season

of her journey to understand

and embrace her individuality. It

was

Christin

she

during

moment

"Losing says. this

season

also

learned

the

importance of taking time to grieve. Christin’s grief led her into an unhealthy relationship and lifestyle that included almost losing her life to domestic violence. Through tragedy, Christin’s resilience allowed for triumph and a testimony that now serves as part of her purpose. She uses her life’s lessons to pour into others she mentors, when she speaks to audiences, or simply engages in everyday life. Most importantly, she uses those lessons to nurture the future of her daughter; her why.

Turning Pain into Passion and Creativity into Purpose Christin's journey is guided by four core values: self-awareness, accountability, effective communication, and servant leadership. Each of them rooted in her faith. These principles are not just abstract ideals but practical tools that she uses to navigate her personal and professional life. "These values keep me grounded and focused on my mission to serve others," she explains. Her favorite quote, "You cannot stumble upon greatness; you walk up to it and introduce yourself," perfectly captures her proactive approach to life.

Following in the footsteps of her father who was a well-known local writer and nationally recognized genealogist, writing was a constant companion throughout Christin's journey. As a 3- time published author, she uses her literary talents to inspire and empower readers. "Writing is my way of connecting with people on a deeper level," she says. She became an international best- selling author with her contributions to “Salt & Light.” Her books, “31 Days of Confidence: Engage Your Core and Leadership”, “Enough Time”, “How Do You Do It All? You Do Not.” are tools for transformation, guiding individuals on their journey toward self-discovery and personal growth. Her award-winning screenwriting, ‘The View Within Mario Reed’ highlights her ability to craft compelling narratives that resonate deeply with audiences. She has also written and co- produced corporate visual storytelling for nonprofit organizations and short films, ‘Enough Time’ and ‘Last Call.’ Christin's influence extends far beyond her writing. With an electric personality and as a global transformational speaker and international professional development trainer, she shares her insights with diverse audiences around the world. "I love speaking to different groups and seeing the impact my words can have," she says. Her charisma and authenticity make her a sought-after speaker, delivering messages of empowerment and resilience that leave a lasting impact. Christin has also been able to bring her childhood love of acting onto professional stages as Evillene in Hattilloo Theater’s production of ‘The Wiz’ and Gloria Carmichael in LaDarrion Williams’ World Premiere of Coco Queens produced by Playhouse on the Square. Through hosting events and workshops, Christin creates spaces for individuals to connect with themselves and others. Her genuine desire to help people shine is evident in everything she does. Whether mentoring future leaders, speaking to audiences, acting, or conducting workshops on leadership, Christin finds joy in uplifting others. "Seeing someone realize their potential is the most rewarding part of my work," she shares. “For much of my life, I chose to live within others’ confines for me, but learned that we can live out everything we dream and were created to be, and we can do so unapologetically,” she says. “When I decided to leave corporate America, I decided to leave the box that I had created for myself for so long, often by the definition of others or what I ‘thought’ I should do. From here on out, you will see me doing everything that I was created to do. I am going to do it realistically, strategically, authentically, and unapologetically. Whether it is the left or right side of my brain that I am using, if I am doing what makes my heart happy and it serves the betterment of me and others, catch me doing so.”

Where to Next? Christin Webb’s story is one of service and triumph. From her beginnings in South Memphis to becoming a respected government executive, a dedicated single mother, and a beacon of hope, she embodies resilience and leadership. Her journey shows that redefining your life and creating meaningful transitions in your career is not only possible but incredibly rewarding. Through The Greater You Leadership Series, her writing, and her speaking engagements, Christin continues to inspire change. Her legacy is one of empowerment, demonstrating that with determination, compassion, and a big heart, anyone can achieve greatness and make a significant impact on the world. "No matter where you start, with faith and trust in God, the right mindset and values, you can create a meaningful and impactful life," she concludes. Christin Webb’s journey is an inspiring reminder that embracing individuality with confidence and continuously redefining oneself can lead to a life of profound impact and fulfillment. Her story encourages us all to walk up to greatness and introduce ourselves, one intentional step at a time.

Just To Encourage You

Elder Jeanette Chestnut-Chester

The Call of a Prophet. The Prophet Jeremiah. What do we know about him? We know that God called him at a very early age to the office of Prophet. We know that he was a prophet not only to the Jewish people, but also to the neighboring nations. He was a prophet to the southern kingdom of Judah during a tumultuous period. We understand from scripture that the office of the prophet is one that is ordained only by God. The Prophet is one of the 5-fold ministry gifts given by the Holy Spirit to the church. We know him as the Weeping Prophet, and that he played a significant role in the Old Testament. But how did he come to be God’s voice in a very turbulent and troublesome time? Jeremiah was a priest, and a native of Anathoth in the tribe of Benjamin. His call to the office of Prophet came about sixty to seventy years after the death of the Prophet Isaiah. According to Jeremiah 1:4- This is how the call of Jeremiah occurred: “Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations”. God identifies Himself as the source of the call of Jeremiah. We see how amazing this validation and God’s plan and purpose is in place here! God Himself has spoken to Jeremiah in his youth and tells him that even before he was formed in his mother’s womb, God’s purpose for him was already set in place. God goes on to assure the young man that He (God) has sanctified Jeremiah, and that He

(God) has ordained him. This means that God set Jeremiah aside as holy unto Himself for the work that God purposed to be done, long before Jeremah was conceived. And of course, as with many of us, Jeremiah wasn’t going into this willingly. No! Not at all. We see his protests here in vs 6, where he says this to the Lord: “Alas, Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young. Jeremiah says that he lacks the words needed to say what needs to be said, and he then says that he is too young to handle this job. But of course, the Father already knows that this protest would come! Remember, he told Jeremiah that He knew him before he was formed? That means that his forming and his sanctiﬁcation and his appointment to the oﬀice of prophet was all God’s doing. And yes, God does have an answer to the protests of Jeremiah, as vs 7 states the reply of the Lord: “But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a youth'; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak”. God is showing His Sovereignty and that His choice is set and accurate. The Lord refused to accept Jeremiah's reasons for resisting his call. It did not matter that he was young and inexperienced, because the Lord had called him. He would go where God sent him and say what God told him to say. God goes on to make it known that the young Prophet is not to be afraid of the reactions of the people. His words are these: Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. Then something astonishing happens according to Jeremiah, he says “Then the LORD put forth his hand and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.” As with Isaiah, God

touched Jeremiah's mouth. Isaiah started the same way. God touched his mouth with the coals from the altar and gave him power in speaking. Jeremiah's words, then became the key to his power, for it is the living, burning, shattering, building, mighty power of the word of God. This Prophet had a mountainous assignment ahead of him, but with the Lord as his guide he was never in this alone. In the following verses God gives Jeremiah an overview of what is about to take place. Jeremiah 1:14. Then the Lord said to me, “Out of the north disaster shall be let loose upon all the inhabitants of the land. 15. For behold, I am calling all the tribes of the kingdoms of the north, declares the Lord, and they shall come, and every one shall set his throne at the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem, against all its walls all around and against all the cities of Judah. 16. And I will declare my judgments against them, for all their evil in forsaking me. They have made offerings to other gods and worshiped the works of their own hands. 17. But you, dress yourself for work; arise, and say to them everything that I command you. Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them. 18. And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the

people of the land. 19. They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the Lord, to deliver you.” Judgements had been levied against Judah for the sins committed against the Lord, yes Judah committed sins, and turned their backs on the Lord, and the Lord was not pleased with their behavior. I believe that the Lord wanted them to know the consequences of their actions and this was why He was sending Jeremiah as well as letting Jeremiah know that they would not accept his words; which were in fact the Word of the Lord. The whole counsel of God must be declared. Judah displayed a false sense of confidence as we sometimes do. They began to rely on and behave like the inhabitants of the land in which they dwelt. Jeremiah’s duties involved going to the backslidden Judah with a three-fold message, firstly He wanted to remind Israel of the days of blessings and deliverance, secondly, He admonished them for forsaking Him, and thirdly, he accuses them of choosing other gods, gods that are impotent and non-vital, and certainly they are not the Lord God who delivered them. Jeremiah was not welcomed with open arms, not at all, in fact he was treated harshly. He was denied participation in the ordinary joys and sorrows of his fellowmen and he did not marry. He thus could say, “I sat alone,” with God's hand upon him. Jeremiah had periods of despondency when he expressed the wish that he had never been born or that he might run away and live alone in the desert. Jeremiah’s early messages to the people were condemnations of them for their false worship and social injustice, with summons to repentance. This is the reason the Lord informed him not to be dismayed by their reactions. The Prophet Jeremiah was also known as the weeping Prophet. His lament was over the miserable state Jerusalem. His tears were over the decline of his beloved Jerusalem and the hard-hearted attitude of the people of Israel. Jerusalem became captive and enslaved, by reason of the greatness of her sin, and there was no rest from the suffering. Jeremiah’s message was one of repentance, repentance therefore had a strong ethical coloring, since it meant living in obedience to Yahweh's will for the individual and the nation. We like Jeremiah are to trust in the Lord with all our hearts, not leaning to our own understanding, we do well to acknowledge Him in all our ways and He most certainly will direct our paths, He will put His words in our mouths, He will fill us with good things, and cause our cups to overflow. We are not to walk in fear, and doubt. God will always equip those He calls. Jeremiah's transformation from hesitant youth to confident prophet is a powerful reminder that we also can find strength, purpose, and identity in the vision that God has for our lives. Be encouraged in this; Psalm 138:8 - The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy and lovingkindness, O Lord, endure forever–forsake not the works of Your own hands. Elder Jeanette Chestnut Chester

For Your Health

There is Power in the Decisions We Make Paola Tennon, RN, BSN, MBA/HCA, CCM, Retired

As human beings we are fragile, and as such, our physical bodies, our mental fortitude, and our spiritual stamina can all be shaken because we live in a time of relativism where everyone does what they want and our ability to discern effectively is altered. Although our fragility is part of life, God has given us the gift of free will to choose and make decisions. One definition of free will from a Scriptural sense states that: Free will is the power to decide what you will do in a certain situation. While we might have the right to make our own choices, we must take under consideration how our decisions may affect others, [1]. Realistically, choosing is a part of life, however it is essential for us to learn how to effectively make good choices. In addition, it is important to note that “the decision not to choose is still making a choice.” Yes, there is power in the decisions we make; however, we must also understand that every decision we make yields consequences whether good or bad. A May 4, 2022, post from Psychology Today states that: Choosing is the act of selecting or making decisions when faced with multiple possibilities or options. These decisions or choices can range from the most simple to the very complex. They can be about our families, friends, health, jobs, money, education, time, purchases, food, and, most importantly, our goals, beliefs, values, and attitudes, [2] There is also a quote from Gordon Graham that states: “Decision is a sharp knife that cuts clean and straight; indecision, a dull one that hacks and tears and leaves ragged edges behind it.” Realizing that we make decisions numerous times within a twenty-four hour-period, we recognize Some of these decisions have little to no impact on our lives. However, there will be other choices or decisions that may significantly influence not only our final choice but our overall outcome including our quality of life. One such example would be chronic disease which consist of a plethora of conditions and in many cases could be improved or avoided with healthy lifestyle choices. According to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP), 6 in 10 adults in the U.S. have a chronic disease and 4 in 10 adults have 2 or more. They also state that Chronic diseases are defined broadly as conditions that last 1 year or more and require ongoing medical attention or limitation in one’s activities of daily living or both. Additionally, in the United States, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes are the leading causes of death and disability as well as the leading drivers of the nation’s overall health care cost. Risk factors of chronic disease are caused by tobacco use or secondhand exposure, poor nutrition, physical inactivity, and excessive alcohol, all of which can be modified or completely eliminated, [3]. What is specifically troubling is the rise of Chronic Disease in young adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) findings indicated that In 2019, 53.8% of adults aged 18─34 years had at least one chronic condition, and 22.3% had more than one condition. Prevalence of any disease, specifically chronic conditions varied by population subgroup. The final discussion revealed that

approximately one half of young adults reported at least one chronic condition, with the most common being obesity (25.5%), depression (21.3%), and high blood pressure (10.7%). Young adults with any chronic condition were more likely than those without a chronic condition to report binge drinking, smoking, and physical inactivity, [4]. Given the fact that chronic diseases are consistently on the rise, we have an opportunity to bring awareness, to educate, and to hopefully help to promote the cause for a healthier lifestyles. This is evident from the results of a study on projecting chronic disease published online January 13, 2023. This report states; “The number of people in the United States aged 50 years and older will increase by 61.11% from 137.25 million in 2020 to 221.13 million by 2050. And of the population 50 years and older, the number with at least one chronic disease is estimated to increase by 99.5% from 71.522 million in 2020 to 142.66 million by 2050. At the same time, those with multimorbidity are projected to increase, [5,6,7].” Although research has shown that there are geographic and socioeconomic components that drives the prevalence of many chronic diseases, we still have a responsibility in helping to curtail the devastating effects of these conditions. In addition. an article made possible by

the Robert

Wood

Johnson

Foundation

on the

development

of a chronic

disease

prevalence

score has

been used as

an indicator

of chronic

disease

prevalence.

They used the

10 most

prevalent and

costly chronic

diseases in the US which includes: obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol, coronary heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, cancer (excluding skin cancer), and depression; and their findings confirmed a high prevalence of multiple chronic diseases, [5]. Lastly, data from ORIGINAL RESEARCH — Volume 21 — February 29, 2024, maintains that an estimated 129 million people in the US have at least 1 major chronic disease (1) (e.g., heart disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity, hypertension) as defined by the US Department of Health and Human Services Five of the top 10 leading causes of death in the US are, or are strongly associated with, preventable and treatable chronic diseases, [8]. Our reference scripture for this article is from the book of Jerimiah. Jeremiah 18 references “The Potter and the Clay” which teaches us about “Divine Sovereignty and Human Accountability.” Like clay in the potter's hands, we are shaped by the divine craftsman. As in this chapter, Jeremiah is instructed to deliver God's message to the people of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem. They are urged to repent from their evil ways so that God might relent in His judgment. Regrettably, they remain defiant and

refuse to heed this call, which ultimately leads to their downfall. Though this scripture speaks from the context of disobedience to God’s will, it can also speak to us from a perspective of health. One might ask, how does this apply to our health? In that, if we consistently ignore the potential warning leading to certain disease processes, we too fall short. Like the potter, we can also help shape each of our lives into what will be pleasing to God and reap the benefits of a healthier, more fulfilled life. Regardless of the situation, we also find in the book of Jeremiah the promise of restoration and renewal. Jeremiah 30:17 states, “For I will restore health to you, and heal your wounds, says the Lord, because they have called you an outcast: ‘It is Zion; no one cares for her.” This powerful verse is often cited as a source of comfort nd promise, indicating God’s intention to bring physical, emotional, and spiritual healing to those who suffer, [9]. The lifestyle choices and the decisions we make can significantly impact our health both positively and negatively. Lifestyle choices include some of the deciding factors that are crucial in determining our overall wellbeing from every aspect. From a more positive physical aspect, the risk factors of various diseases can actually decrease, thereby extending the quality of one’s life. This is evident by an improvement in one’s energy level, sleep patterns, as well as improvement in one’s mental health and attitude and there is also a bolstering within one’s immune system. Therefore, understanding the relationship between lifestyle choices and health becomes essential, where chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and mental health disorders are becoming increasingly prevalent. By making informed decisions about our lifestyle choices, we can significantly reduce our risk of developing these conditions and improve our quality of life [11]. Remember, decision making is a part of everyday life but it is important for us to learn how to make the appropriate decisions as we allow God to give us the wisdom to do so, but we must seek Him first. Equally, not making a decisions on a particular issue can lead to apathy or procrastination resulting in an unlikely outcome. Thus, it is incumbent upon us to take seriously the decisions we are making concerning our health and make the appropriate lifestyle changes to improve our health. If we choose not to address these issues continued failure will more than likely result in the continues prevalence of these conditions, early death, and an increasing healthcare cost (12). A blog by Dr. David Jeremiah discuss five principles for biblical decision making. 1. Your best decisions reflect your values. In so doing, we learn to consider every decision as an opportunity to become better and to honor God. 2. Your best decisions are birthed in an atmosphere of prayer. Prayer is our best way to ask God for His extended wisdom. 3. Your best decisions heed wisdom from others. There are several references in the book of Proverbs that admonishes us to seek godly counsel before making our final decision. We need help from those we trust and who are knowledgeable in order to make informed decisions. 4. Your best decisions take time. So don’t make snap judgements. Rather, if at all possible, take your time to think it over. Consider the pros and cons of the given situation before making your final decision. Proverbs 14:8 NLT states; “The wise look

ahead to see what is coming, but fools deceive themselves.” And 5. Your best decisions are committed to God. We are fallible people and will make mistakes, but when we are sincere and base our decision on unseen biblical values, pray, give serious consideration, seek counsel, and commit them to God, He can bless them [11]. “We are the creative force of our life, and through our own decisions rather than our conditions, if we carefully learn to do certain things, we can accomplish those goals.” – Stephen Covey. 7 Positive Lifestyle Factors That Promote Good Health: There are some lifestyle choices you can make to enhance your health. Being informed and intentional about diet, activity, sleep, and smoking can reduce your health risks and potentially add years to your life. These lifetime factors are rooted in research and are as follows, [14]: 1.

Getting the Right Amount of Sleep and doing so regularly: •

Sleep plays a crucial role in tissue repair, hormone regulation, and overall health.

•

Getting enough sleep boosts brain power, improves weight management, and reduces stress and inﬂammation.

•

Most adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep per day. Getting less than six or seven hours of sleep can aﬀect you the next day.

•

Chronically missing out on sleep increases your risk of disease.

2. Eating Well-Balanced Meals: •

A healthy diet gives you energy and lowers your risk for heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and other diseases.

•

Of those plants, choose a rainbow of colors to make sure you get all the nutrients you need. One place to begin is with the well-regarded Mediterranean diet.

•

The Mediterranean diet includes a lot of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, "good" oils, and plenty of herbs and spices. It doesn't recommend highly processed foods, reﬁned grains, or added sugar.

3. Making Time for Physical Activity: •

Thirty minutes a day of physical activity protects heart health. It also lowers the amount of bone loss as you age.

•

A 2017 review in Lancet found that people participating in moderate physical activity every day had a lower risk of heart disease and overall mortality regardless of their socioeconomic status.

•

Once you are past age 65, you may beneﬁt by adding balance and ﬂexibility exercises, but keep moving too.

4. Keeping a Healthy Body Weight:

•

Obesity is associated with a shorter lifespan and a higher risk of many diseases.

•

A BMI between 19 and 24 is considered "normal" or healthy. For those who were in the range classiﬁed as obese, a BMI of 30 to 35 meant a 27% increase in mortality. A BMI of 35 to 40 was linked to a 93% increase.

5. Avoiding Smoking or Chewing Tobacco: •

Smoking accounts for some 480,000 deaths per year in the United States alone.

•

If you want the chance to live well for however long you live, don't smoke or chew tobacco.

•

Smoking speeds up wrinkling of the skin. There's also a link between smoking and erectile dysfunction in men.

•

Quitting, or avoiding tobacco in the ﬁrst place, will save lives but protect its quality too.

6. Limiting or Avoiding Alcohol: •

Women who have three drinks per week have a 15% higher risk of breast cancer and the risk goes up another 10% for every additional drink they have each day.

•

It is important to note that alcohol is classiﬁed as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

•

Alcohol causes at least seven types of cancer.14 The more alcohol you drink, the higher your cancer risk.15

•

Higher levels of alcohol can lead to: Stroke, High blood pressure, Heart disease, Some cancers, Accidents, Violence, and Suicide.

7. Managing Mental Health: •

Mental health includes emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It aﬀects how we think, feel, act, and relate to others.

•

Managing mental health includes factors such as managing stress and maintaining social connections.

•

One way to increase happiness is to manage stress: a. take time to unwind, b. Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news and social media, c. Practice gratitude by reminding yourself daily of things you are grateful for, d. Find a hobby, and e. stay socially connected.

Clarence L. Haynes Jr. a speaker, Bible teacher, and co-founder of The Bible Study Club made the following statement: “We don’t often think about this, but one of the most amazing things we have in life is the power to choose or decide. Everything you do in life comes down to the choices you make. When you understand the power of choices, you will see that your ability to choose brings with it great responsibility. To put it another way, our lives are the sums of the choices we make.” [10]. There really is

Power in the decisions we make and it is important to note that the decisions or choices we make can either lead to the beautiful plan God has in store for us or divert us from His blessings.

REFERENCES: 1. What Is Free Will in the Bible and How Does it Relate to Our Salvation? https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-terms/what-is-free-will-and-how-does-itrelate-to-our-salvation.html 2. Making Wise Choices- https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-searchmeaning-after-age-50/202205/making-wise-choices-the-key-meaningfullife#:~:text=Choosing%20is%20the%20act%20of%20selecting%20or%20making,not%20 making%20a%20decision%20is%20still%20a%20decision. 3. About Chronic Diseases - https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/about/index.htm 4. Chronic Conditions Among Adults Aged 18─34 Years — United States, 2019 Weekly / July 29, 2022 / 71(30);964–970 https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7130a3.htm 5. Projecting the chronic disease burden among the adult population in the United States using a multi-state population modelhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9881650/ 6. Chronic Disease Prevalence Scoreshttps://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2024/23_0267.htm 7. Chronic Disease Prevalence in the US: Sociodemographic and Geographic Variations by Zip Code Tabulation Area https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2024/23_0267.htm#:~:text=An%20estimated%20129 %20million%20people%20in%20the%20US,associated%20with%2C%20preventable%20a nd%20treatable%20chronic%20diseases%20%283%29. 8. ORIGINAL RESEARCH — Volume 21 — February 29, 2024: https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2024/23_0267.htm#:~:text=An%20estimated%20129 %20million%20people%20in%20the%20US,associated%20with%2C%20preventable%20a nd%20treatable%20chronic%20diseases%20%283%29. 9. The Potter and the Clayhttps://biblehub.com/chaptersummaries/jeremiah/18.htm#:~:text=Jeremiah%2018%2 0reminds%20us%20that%2C%20like%20clay%20in,in%20store%20or%20divert%20us%2 0from%20His%20blessings. 10. There Is Power in Every Choice We Make - https://www.biblestudytools.com/biblestudy/explore-the-bible/there-is-power-in-every-choice-we-make.html

11. How do Lifestyle Choices Impact on your Health? https://nutristreet.com/blog/howdo-lifestyle-choices-impact-on-your-health 12. Preventing Chronic Disease: https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2024/23_0267.htm https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9881650/#:~:text=Of%20the%20pop ulation%2050%20years%20and%20older%2C%20the,million%20in%202020%20to%2014.9 68%20million%20in%202050. 13. Blog: Principles for biblical decision making- https://davidjeremiah.blog/5-principlesfor-biblical-decision-making/ 14. 7 Positive Lifestyle Factors That Promote Good Health www.verywellhealth.com/lifestyle-factors-health-longevity-prevent-death-1132391

RESOURCES: 1. Making healthy informed decisions - https://www.heartandstroke.ca/search-resultspage?q=Making+healthy+informed+decisions 2. How do Lifestyle Choices Impact on your Health? - https://nutristreet.com/blog/howdo-lifestyle-choices-impact-on-your-health 3. How do Lifestyle Choices Impact on your Health? https://nutristreet.com/blog/how-dolifestyle-choices-impact-on-your-health 4. 10 Beneﬁts of Sleep By Mark Stibich, PhD Updated on May 18, 2023. https://www.verywellhealth.com/top-health-beneﬁts-of-a-good-nights-sleep-2223766

Word Search

The Bible M

ABRAHAM GALILEE JESUS MOSES RESURRECTION

BETHLEHEM HEROD MARY NAZARETH ZEBEDEE

CAESAR JERUSALEM MATTHEW PETER ZION

Miracles & Blessings

Part 2: WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT? Through Tragedy, Truth, Triumph Beauty and Blessings Come By – Susan Stewart

Take a breath, here goes: My mom and I went to the store, and we told my brother Jeff as he was doing his homework that they would be back in about an hour or so. No one else was home at that time so he had quiet to do his homework. When my mother and I got home from the grocery store, Jeff was not at the table, but his books were still open and his glass of ice water with the ice melted was still next to his books. This was unusual because he had always cleaned up behind himself. My mom thought well maybe he had gone across the street to ask his friend and classmate a question about his homework. So, my mom and I continued to bring in the groceries through the front door and into the kitchen to put them away. It started to get dark, and Jeff was still not home. My mom had started to cook dinner and was also working on laundry which the machines were in the garage. My mom had been doing laundry all day and was down to the last load. So, my mom went into the garage through the kitchen to put the last load in the dryer. She didn’t pay any attention to anything else in the garage but putting the laundry in the dryer form the

washer and starting it up. My mom came back in and she had asked me to go across the street to see if my brother was there. So,of course back then we didn’t argue or back talk to anything our parents asked us to do we just did it without complaining or commenting even if we

couldn’t dial the phone, instead I ran out of the

didn’t want to do what they had asked us to do. We

house screaming for help up and down the street. To

just obeyed. So, I thought well let me go get my bike

this day I cannot remember doing that. I was told

and ride instead of walking around the

three days later by the police that’s where they found

neighborhood looking for him. I went out the door

me that day. I was in a deep state of shock for at

off the kitchen and into the garage to get my bicycle

least three days. It was awful. The police had

to ride up and down the

separated our whole family. My

street to see if I could find

dad was at work one hour away

my brother. I stepped out

and the police called him and

into the garage to get my

said something has happened to

bike and I remember I let

one of your children get home

out the biggest hurtling

now. My poor dad had no idea

scream that I could at that

what was going on, as his heart

time. I was in total shock. I

raced and drove as fast as he

saw my brother Jeffrey

could get home the street full of

hanging in the garage and

cop cars and people and our

he was already gone

house taped off. I can only

because he was blue. I

imagine what my dad was

remember screaming and

thinking. All I wanted was to be

running back in the house

with my mom and dad. The

to get my mom. I said,

police had taken me to the

“MOM, MOM JEFFREY

family friend’s house next door

IS HANGING IN THE

where I stayed for three days

GARAGE” She thought I

crying and going in and out of

was joking because she was just out in the garage to

conciseness. The police had separated all of us until

do the laundry, but she didn’t see him there she was

they tried to finish a part of the police investigation.

just so focused on the laundry. I said, “no I’m not

It seemed like a lifetime waiting to be reunited with

joking, help!” My mom immediately grabbed a knife

my family. I was never questioned by the police nor

out of the kitchen drawer and yelled at me call 911

was asked if I saw anything. To this day I don’t

and ran to cut him down and to try to give him CPR.

know why they didn’t talk to me because, I was the

But it was too late he was already gone, blue and ice

one who found him. When I got home with my

cold. I tried my hardest to dial (in those days the

mom from the store I thought, I saw a dark shadow

phones were dial phones, and (on the wall) 911.

of someone hiding under the pool table in the living

However, I was in such a great stage of shock I

room which was by the front door and the same

room where my brother was doing his homework. I didn’t say anything when I got home from the store because it was so bright outside, I just thought I was seeing dark patches from the sunlight. I saw a shadow like someone was hiding in dark clothes waiting for their opportunity to get out the front door. My life was never the same after that day. I kept saying “If there really is a God, then why did he take my brother away?” “Why is my brother dead?” I thought if there was a God, why do bad things happen to good people? Couldn’t God have prevented this? Why if God is so good, how could he allow this to happen? I was angry and devastated. Days had gone by, and it was finally time for my family to be reunited and go back into the house. I can remember as a fourteen-yearold girl how scary it was to go back into the house of tragedy. I really didn’t want to go back in. My parents really didn’t either, but we had to face our fears head on. We didn’t have anywhere else to go. I remember it felt like the world had just stopped and I was just going through the motions on a daily basis of just trying to get through one day at a time. There was no more joy, no laughter just felt dead inside. No more family gatherings, no celebrations. At that time, I had no idea that God was with me, remember at this time I had no idea who God even was. My family found it unbearable to live in the house where there were such horrible tragic memories. So, we moved to a new house, new area, new schools, and new friends which was hard on me because I had to leave all my lifetime friends to try and start a new life in another city. My parents had bought enough land, and the area we lived in we could have horses. So, my dad bought three of them and a dog. We watched our house being built from the ground up while we stayed in a hotel and my parents sold our old house. It was hard going to a new school not knowing anyone. But again, I didn’t know I wasn’t alone, and I didn’t understand at that time that God had really saved me and kept my mind from going crazy over the tragedy that I saw. I thank God every day for keeping me. By now some time went by and I was in high school at my new school. I tried to stay active and keep my grades up. I was part of a special drill team of the elite seven of the school. I remember preforming at the LA coliseum for the half time show for the LA Rams football team. Yes, they were still the LA RAMS back then. I also played the clarinet in band and was in a lot of parades and events at my new school. I make a few new friends. But I really missed my brother. The next year I was a senior in high school. I thought things would get better. I stayed active in my school activities and got my first job working at a fast-food restaurant after school. I had to earn my own money at this time to pay for extra activities and clothes. Most of the other kids at my school their parents bought them all cars when they turned sixteen. Not my parents. They wanted to teach us kids the value of money and how hard it was to earn it. At that time, I thought it was awful but as I grew older, I understood it and was grateful for my parents teaching me the hard lesson of earning money and being responsible and working for my wants and needs instead of everything being handed down on a silver platter. Most of the kids now a days think their parent owe them something. I still at this time in my life nothing felt complete. Even though I had a lot of people around and I was active, I still felt alone. My family never really talked about the tragedy and so called swept it under the carpet. Stuffing all their feeling inside. My parents never got me counseling or any kind of physiological help to deal with the tragic trauma that I endured. Instead, my parents bought us the animals thinking that that would help us forget what we went through. Can you imagine? My parents always though I was ok because I was quiet and got good grades and was active in school and held down a job. But what they didn’t know was I was not ok. I

guess you could say I was faking it and just put myself unto a so-called survival mode. Boy were they wrong. Later in the story you will see just how wrong they were and some of the things I went through because of some of the childhood tragedy. My last year of high school went by. My senior year I would come home almost every night from school then work just to hear my parents arguing and fighting day in and day out. I would always come home grab a quick bite to eat from the kitchen then go to bed. The routine got exhausting. Even in my senior picture I looked so sad. It was certainly not a happy time in my life. A few months before I was going to graduate from high school, I went home, and my mom had told me that her and my dad were going to get a divorce and that my little brother and I had to choose which parent we wanted to live with. What!!!!!! I was devastated but not surprise due to the fact they were always arguing. Arguing about whose fault it was that my brother Jeffrey had died, when really it was no one’s fault. Can you imagine loving both parent’s equality and having to make a choice of who to live with after they had been married for twenty-five years or so? Another heartache, my dad had to tell me we had to sell the horses and I had to get rid of my dog because they could no longer afford to keep them. The things that I loved again I had to let go of. I was much closer to my dad than my mom, so I decide to move in with dad and my little brother was going to stay with my mom. My dad moved into a small apartment. My mom and little brother moved up north to San Jose. My oldest brother was married and moved to another city not too far away. So, the family was all split up again and I was heartbroken. This all happened before I graduated from high school, but somehow through the grace of God I got all my credentials to graduate. Because I had moved again, and the family was a hot mess I didn’t want to walk for the graduation commencement ceremonies I just decide to have them mail my graduation certificate to me. I didn’t feel like celebrating anything at that time. My spirit felt dead inside. About a year went by and I was living with my dad at the time. I was looking for a full-time job and wanted to go on to college. I ended up getting a job at the hardware store next to where my dad worked. At first, I was just a cashier until I worked my way up to be the head of the paint department. I liked the job because I did all the ordering and purchasing for the paint department. At this time, I didn’t have a boyfriend nor was I dating anyone. My first love when I was sixteen had gone off to the Navy and we had parted ways before he had left. He was a good friend at the time. Now I’m eighteen years old and I really had no interest in having a boyfriend or getting involved in any kind of a relationship. I was trying to decide what to do for the rest of my life and what

college to go to. Wasn’t sure what I wanted to major in. I was a little interested in nursing and in business. My father had a full-time job at this time managing a grocery store and also, he owned a full nursery and a landscaping business that was very successful in those days. I used to love to hang out with dad and learn the plants at the nursery while helping him water. One day I went to work and this man that was about four years older than me came up to me and introduced himself as the manager of the store nursery. We hit it off quiet well and became friends at work and use to take our lunch breaks together. Some of the things he did remind me a lot of my dad. You know they say a women will look for some of her dad’s traits in the man she becomes interest in. Well, we

became good friends and one day he asked me out on a date. I was a little hesitant at first because he was older than me and I really didn’t date much. But I said yes. We went out to eat and a movie. He was such a gentleman. So, we continued to date for the next year or so. Then he asked me to marry him. We had not set a date for a while, however sooner than later we both felt like we needed to. Yes, I got pregnant. So, we set the date to be married. My dad was not happy with me at all and really was not happy that I was pregnant at the age of 19. Of course, when you’re the only daughter your dad has big plans for you to be successful and marry a rich man. I didn’t really understand all that until I had my own children. My dad had a Christmas party around this time at our little apartment. Some people from his work and some old family friends. At this time my dad was single, and I never knew my dad to

really drink until that night. He

got so drunk it was

embarrassing. I remember

walking in the door after

work with me at that time

fiancé. Dad made a fool

out of himself and really hurt

and embarrassed me. He

made some nasty comments,

and I got my clothes and a

few things and left and never

came back. I went to live

at my finance’s mom’s house. I

had no other family or

friends at that time where I

could go. His mom was

the sweetest lady I had ever met.

So, we got married and had

our beautiful son Ian. He was

the apple of his grandma’s

eye. Ian was so spoiled. I will

never forget the love his

grandma had for him. They had

an amazing relationship

until he turned four. She found

out she had breast cancer.

She was a nurse for an

oncologist which is a

cancer doctor, so she knew what

to expect. She had six

months to live. It was a big

heartbreak for my kid’s dad

at that time, because he had just

lost his dad six months

before to Lou Garrett’s disease.

It was hard on me also because they were both loved by everyone. I took care of her at home along with hospice. She taught me a great lesson on living, and a part of living was dying. We laughed and cried as I combed her hair as it fell out. I never left her side; I was her caretaker and her everything at that time. No one could ever understand how hard it is to take care of someone you love that is dying, until you walked in my shoes. Making sure she had her pain shots on time, giving her baths, changing dirty diapers on an adult as if she were a baby. Trying hard to make sure she could eat until the end when all she could do was take liquids down. I used to get in the bed with her and just talk and talk. One day she just got tired and asked me to call her sons all home. I guess I knew at that time it was coming close to the end. But she had prepared me not to be afraid, and that she was going to be happy to see her husband again. After her sons all arrived, she called me into the room to lay next to her one last time. I was grateful because I got to say good-bye. As I held her in my arms, she took her last breath. It was a sad but

happy time because she had prepared me for the end all along her cancer journey. I was happy for her because she was no longer in pain, and I knew she would soon be with her husband again in a better place. One thing is I wouldn’t have changed the part of my life for anything. It was hard but I learned so much about the process of dying and I knew she appreciated me taking care of her. To me it was a great joy. It was hard on my kid’s dad because before we could lay her to rest the leaches of the family came out to try and take everything that wasn’t attached to the house and then the house. Funny how when someone dies how people get so materialistic. But never around to help with the care of a dying loved one. Or around to give the people who were with her twentyfour seven an hour break or just an hour to ourselves. We never complained about taking care of her. We loved her that much. Three years later we were blessed with our second son Travis. Cute as a bug’s ear you could say. Beautiful blue eyes full of spunk. Three years later we got our girl. Elizabeth she was named after his mom’s best friend just like I was named after my mom’s best friend. Life was good their dad was working at a lumber yard, and they had made him a manager and gave him his own truck to drive back and forth to work and for on the job. He was making pretty good money at that time. I was a housewife and a stay-at-home mom. I didn’t have the chance to follow my dream of going to college and having a career. We had decided at that time the kids were more important. So, we had built our little family and we were trying to save for a house. One night I had made a really nice roast dinner we were all sitting at the table and all of the sudden the roast went flying across the table and I mean flying like it had wings. I had no idea what was going on. The kid’s dad just picked up the roast and threw it. I was trying to keep the kids calm along with myself. What I didn’t know is that he was drunk. I had no idea that he started drinking until one day I opened a closet door and around twenty-five empty vodka bottles fell out of the closet. Things got worse he would leave at four am for work and not come home till late at night when I had already put the kids to bed. Later I found out that he didn’t want the kids to know he had a problem, so he hid it for a long time. Things got worse and he became abusive. One night he threw me up against the refrigerator and almost choked me to death. Then one night when I was breastfeeding my daughter he just came up and kicked me as hard as he could with his work boots on. I’ve never really told my children all the things I went through with their dad and all the abuse. Finally, I had enough. I asked him to leave and not to come back until he got help with his drinking. So, the kids and I had no more income, and I had no job or no education to fall back on. It was rough. At that time my oldest brother had become a police officer near the town where we lived, and my younger brother had gone into the air force. Mom was living in San Jose, Redwood City. I didn’t hear nor see her much. She had her own battles dealing with alcohol. So, the kids and I moved back into the house where I grew up.

To Continue: I would like to dedicate this story to my children: Ian, Travis, Elizabeth, Bridgette

Inspiration Words

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations. Isaiah 61: 10-11 (KJV)

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For the past few years, I’ve been more intentionally about “Becoming Authentic.” Being true to myself, standing firm on my beliefs, and those things that my parents instilled in me, which I passed on to my children. One thing I learned was the value of integrity, and doing the “hard right” thing, as a good friend of mine would say. Meaning doing what’s right even if it not the popular thing to do. Wishing only the best for each of you! Verna V. Nickelberry