Laurie Stroud
Why Christmas Needs Advent
Some of the common ways people describe the Christmas season are: Busy, Hectic, Stressful, even Chaotic. We hustle through the season shopping for gifts, looking for deals, going from one Christmas party to the next, not to mention the family dinners and get-togethers. Before we know it, New Year’s Day has come and gone and we …
Not Everyone’s Best Friend
Not Everyone’s Best Friend Having dogs around the home is common today. While they are domesticated animals, it is a fact that they can attack anyone at any time. The Code of Alabama deals with dog bite injuries. It states that the owner of the dog is liable for injuries caused bythe dog if: The …
Divorce & Your Social Security Benefits
Unfortunately, half of all marriages end in divorce. So, there is a good chance this article may be relevant for someone you know. After a divorce, you can claim retirement benefits based on your own earnings record (if you have been employed and have accumulated enough credits over the years), or you can claim benefits …
Great LOCAL Gifts
Prep for the New Year Stay on top of life in 2016 while celebrating and supporting the lives of children touched by the local ministry of Sav-a-Life Vestavia. The 2016 Calendar ($10) features beautiful photographs of babies like River who won his mother’s heart from the very first glance of him on ultrasound. Sav-a-Life is …
From Giving Up to Giving Back: James Poe
In Birmingham, The Jimmie Hale Mission is best known for feeding the hungry and homeless. Yet with housing, job readiness, and the teaching of the Gospel, the meals they serve are just the beginning of a changed life. James Poe is just one of the thousands who have returned to a life filled with hope. …
Advent with a Twist
Christmas Star From Afar is a pre-Christmas gift that is sure to put your children’s focus on the true meaning of Christmas. The game ($34.95, www.starfromafar.com) was developed by Natalie Ard, a mom searching for a fun advent activity her family could enjoy. “We have blended the fun of an advent calendar with beautiful and …
Is Thanksgiving Still Legal?
“Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts.” — Henri Frederic Amiel Is Thanksgiving still legal in our country? I know this may seem like a ridiculous question, but I assure you it’s not. I remember as young child, being …
ThanksGIVING
Entering the Thanksgiving season, I often find myself focusing more on the first half of the word, thanking God for His many blessings. Certainly reflecting on our blessings and giving thanks to God is an honorable part of this holiday, but this season is also a great time to assess your giving plans and consider …
