Matt Scalici: Faith Leads to Founding Fighting Cancer Network

Cover Scalici 112 large family

Cover Story

When Birmingham businessman Matt Scalici first learned that his wife had cancer, they each had a lot of questions. Those questions, partnered with fear and anxiety, taught Scalici that cancer patients, family members, and caregivers need better resources to make it through the difficult journey. The Fighting Cancer Network app–which debuts this month in the Birmingham market–is the result of Scalici’s experience and is a tribute to his late wife Ginger, who passed away in 2015 from lung cancer.

Matt Scalici
Matt Scalici is a father, grandfather, and founder of the Fighting Cancer Network. Photo Credit: Mateo Zarate, Photographer & Creative Director, createnuevo.com.

Filling a Need. Finding out that you or a loved one has cancer can be debilitating, Scalici said. “When a person receives a cancer diagnosis, most of us find ourselves with our heads in the clouds, in a fog, and we usually don’t even remember what the doctor says after the news,” he said. “It’s a shocking thing to hear, and you are filled with anxiety and fear.” According to Scalici, you want primarily to get information “but it’s often near impossible.” Patients and caregivers are desperate for answers from trusted sources about their cancer. The Fighting Cancer Network app provides information that one needs after hearing that diagnosis and does it in a way that’s unavailable anywhere else. It then continues to give the user information throughout their cancer treatment. In talking with medical professionals, they agreed with Scalici–that there was a huge need for such a storehouse of cancer knowledge and expertise.

Fighting Cancer Network logoThe free app, which is downloadable on the Apple app store and Google Play, uses video to provide practical advice to patients, caregivers, and others affected by their diagnosis. It will be free to all users and will be supported by ads. When fully launched, it will be available on both IOS and Android smartphones, tablets, and even televisions. For Scalici, who has a background in broadcasting, video is a great outlet for sharing information. Video, he said, is the perfect teaching tool; it’s much easier to process than words. “Research shows that you process an image 60,000 times faster than text, which means the human brain can learn and retain much more using video,” he said. “Each video in the app will last an average of six minutes which is proven to be the perfect size for holding someone’s attention.” Each cancer covered on the app will include hundreds of videos with information on every facet of the diagnosis, the cancer itself, treatment, and more. Scalici previously had experience with Eternal Word Television Network(EWTN) and the Golf Channel, both of which are experiences he said equipped him well to have the vision and to do the work for The Fighting Cancer Network.

Scalici family with Mother Angelica
Matt Scalici was a personal friend to Mother Angelica and was her first employee at the Eternal Word Television Network. He is seen here with Mother Angelica, his wife Ginger, and two of their three children.

A lifelong Catholic, Scalici had a meaningful work and personal relationship with Mother Angelica (the founder of the EWTN, based out of Irondale, and host of her “Mother Angelica Live” show). “When I graduated from the University of Alabama, I went to see Mother and asked for prayer,” Scalici remembered. “She told me about her plans, and I became her first employee. I worked for her for 13 years, and she taught me leadership and about God’s provision. She had a huge influence on me, and we had a lively friendship until her death.” Watch this video to learn how they met.

 

His work at EWTN (which went on to become the world’s largest Catholic television network, reaching 264 million households globally) led to his work with another widely successful cable network venture.

Scalici was part of the Alabama-based executive team that launched the Golf Channel in 1995 and became Vice President of Network Operations; it was television’s first 24-hour single sports station and continues to thrive today as an integral part of the golf landscape. As Scalici aged, he longed to do something meaningful. And that’s when Mike Ousley, a veteran in television production, came to him with his idea. “Mike called me in August 2019 and asked if we could meet for coffee to discuss his business idea. I prayed about it and then told him I wanted to do it,” he said, “but then Covid hit. It ended up giving us time to pause and make plans, consider what we wanted to do.” At both EWTN and the Golf Channel, Scalici said a key to success was that they knew their audience–something that they are mindful of with The Fighting Cancer Network. “We know our audience, and we know what they need, partly because I’ve been through it,” he explained.

Matt Scalici with adult children
Matt Scalici is the father of three adult children and a grandfather of eight. He is seen here with his children. L to R: Lauren, Matthew and Anna. Photo credit: Holli Hobbs Photography

Wife’s Legacy. At the center of the idea for the app and the way it has evolved has been Scalici’s late wife. “There is hardly a part of this that hasn’t been influenced by my experience with my wife,” he said. “I was a loving caregiver and my wife’s cancer experience was a short one. But all the things that happen to every cancer patient and the people that love them happened in my life.” While wife Ginger’s cancer battle was brief–she was diagnosed with lung cancer in February of 2015, and died just 25 days later on March 9- it was illustrative of the difficult, often confusing, and overwhelming journey experienced by so many millions in America and around the world each year. Scalici credits Ousely’s vision as something that touched him on a very personal level. “He came up with the idea, and when he shared it with me, I connected with it so much,” Scalici said. “I identified with what the app would do for people because I had been through it with my wife.” According to Scalici, the app is designed with information that he himself wishes he’d had when Ginger was sick. “In designing it, we want to help with the questions: What’s in the best interest of the cancer patient? What does a cancer patient need? Would this help in their everyday lives?” he explained. “These are the things that patients and caregivers need.” If he’d had such a resource during his wife’s diagnosis, the information and practical help would have been easier to come by.

A Love for Birmingham. Scalici was born and raised in Birmingham, he and his wife raised their family here, and his children and grandchildren all live in the area today. The city is also integral to his faith story. “I was born in Birmingham and lived in Homewood until my parents built a house on Old Leeds Road about two miles from Our Lady of the Angels Monastery,” he said. “We attended mass every Sunday there with the sisters, and it was mysterious and wonderful. They sang like angels.” He attended St. Rose of Lima Catholic School, John Carroll Catholic High School, and then graduated from the University of Alabama; he attends St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, where he and his wife were founding members. The only time he’s lived away from Alabama was from 1994 to 2000 when he worked at the Golf Channel. Today, he lives in a “charming little 100-year-old grist mill on the Little Cahaba River” and enjoys time with his 91-year-old mother, three grown children, and eight grandchildren. “Five of my grandchildren were born after my wife passed away, and we like to say that Ginger (or Gigi, as she was called) met them before I did,” he said.

Creation of videos in the Fighting Cancer Network app
The Fighting Cancer Network app’s purpose is to be a resource of support to anyone that is facing a cancer diagnosis. Here is a glimpse at the behind-the-scenes creation of the instructional videos found in the app.

Unveiling the App. It’s appropriate that The Fighting Cancer Network app debuts in the city that has meant so much to Scalici’s upbringing and family journey. The pilot program was unveiled in May, using Birmingham as a testing ground for the app. “If you’re in the Birmingham area, you’ll start seeing ads, seeing things on social media,” Scalici said. “We want to see how it operates, find out what needs to be improved or added.” The pilot program features breast and prostate cancer and includes information presented in a variety of unique ways. Videos are the highlight with approximately 20 main videos and hundreds of additional instructional videos with information from medical professionals across the country. “The idea is that we will answer questions about your cancer and curate videos with information you need,” he explained. “The videos, mixed with exquisite 3-D graphics, provide you with the information you need as you start treatment. How often do you go to your doctor, and they ask if you have questions and you’re just stuck? The app gives you the information you need so that you can talk with your doctor.” Scalici said that Art Franklin, a familiar Birmingham broadcasting face, hosts many of the primary videos; and then professionals from such hospitals and research facilities as UAB, Vanderbilt, Memorial Sloan Kettering, Mayo Clinic, and Harvard provide information in supplementary videos. “We’ve been so blessed with our team for the pilot program,” he said. “The oncologists, producers, directors, and more have just been wonderful.”

Art Franklin creating video for the Fighting Cancer Network app
Birmingham broadcaster Art Franklin hosts several of the primary videos found in the Fighting Cancer Network app.

In addition to instructional videos, the Fighting Cancer Network app has other tools that will help patients and caregivers on their journey. It includes a journaling tool to share your story with friends and family; a note-taking portion and the ability to highlight information; a glossary of terms; and more. “Those who try it first will learn about its unique features,” Scalici said, “and we hope they’ll see how helpful it can be.” Ultimately, it will feature the 10 most pervasive cancers (including childhood cancer), and funding is currently underway to develop the full app. “‘The sooner the better’ is our plan to launch nationwide,” Scalici said.

Bringing Hope. The goal of the app, Scalici said, is to bring hope to its users. “Hope is a powerful tool because hope is central to your thoughts,” he said. “Knowledgeable patients are better patients, and it boosts your attitude and your ability to fight. Knowledge gives you the hope you need.” Hope, ultimately, is an offspring of faith–something important to the “strong Christians with powerful faith backgrounds” who work at the Fighting Cancer Network. “Faith comes into our work,” he said. “It and hope work together. It’s a powerful thing.” Visit www.fightingcancernetwork.com to learn more. 

-Cheryl Wray

Godoys on Shark Tank

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When Manuel and Geiszel Godoy appeared on the “Shark Tank” television show to pitch their unique business plan, their excitement exuded through the screen. Their passion for diverse storytelling impressed the show’s celebrity judges and increased the visibility of their already-successful business. Today, the Birmingham area born-and-bred married couple continues to follow their dreams, relying on faith to help them do business the “right way.”

Godoys holding books
Manuel and Geiszel Godoy holding two of their books.

Diverse Stories. The Godoys’ business, Black Sands, tells the stories of African American history in a new and exciting way; it uses comic books, graphic novels, novelizations, and animation to introduce readers to black heroes that have often been lost to history. Husband Manuel is the creative force behind the stories. An avid video gamer, he originally wanted to design games that showcased black characters; the cost of video game production, however, changed his focus. “We decided to go with comic books, and it turned out to be the perfect decision,” he said. “There’s not enough content out there, especially with historical settings. I wanted to create books that showed African life in antiquity.”

His first creation–and still the standard bearer and the company’s most popular product–is the namesake Black Sands, which is set in ancient Egypt and features the main character who is a teenage boy named Ausur. His dream is to become Pharaoh over ancient Egypt; ultimately, that dream leads him to save the kingdom from the evil Titans of ancient Greece. “He’s trying to prove that he can be the next ruler of the kingdom and he struggles for legitimacy,” Manuel explained. “There’s a war with Sparta and ancient gods, and he gets in way over his head. But people really like the character, because he stays true to his convictions, and he never walks back from his decisions. He never regrets what he believes in.”

Godoys Family Photo
The Godoys have two children, Mori (9) and Valencia (7). Becoming parents inspired them to start Black Sands.

Creating a story based on ancient history and myths involved a lot of research, and Manuel stayed true to his conviction to make it accurate even while using poetic license to imagine a new world of characters. He said it was important to follow a “golden rule” of cultural presentation. “I need to be accurate when it comes to societal norms, food, dress, politics, and so forth,” he said, “while also making sure that the power given to armies and politics balances well with the heroes and legendary figures.” While the comics and books aren’t specifically Bible stories, Manuel says he “sneaks” Bible locations and historical Bible characters into the stories. “We throw little hints in there,” he said. “We’ll mention giants in Canaan and other people and places mentioned in the Bible.” Other stories in the Black Sands collection include: “Muntu Warriors” (the story of a South African science professor who becomes a superhero), “Granada’s Shadow” (the story of a young Moor “pushed to the brink” in the Crusades), “Madagascar” (the story of a young queen who fights colonial powers), “Mask of the Orisha” (the story of the Orisha mythology in west Africa), and “Lion’s Game” (a martial arts story in the black community).

Birmingham School Book Visit
Although the Godoys now live in Delaware, they often return to the Magic City to visit family and share their books with students in the Birmingham School System.

Geiszel Godoy adds her creative spin on Black Sands’ products and is the author of Mori’s Family Adventures, which is the inspiring story of a black family traveling through South Africa. All of the Black Sands creations fill a niche that the Godoys found lacking when they were young parents themselves. “Every child needs to know about their heritage and culture,” Manuel said. “We couldn’t find those things for our own family, so we made them ourselves. We want to have heroes who reflect their ancestral upbringing.” Manuel said he’s particularly cognizant of creating “family friendly” products that can be read by kids starting in middle school–but can remain favorites as their readers grow into adulthood. “There are complex storylines, but no sex or violence,” he said. “I’m going to make content that’s accessible to middle school students, but that parents and grandparents can buy and love too. I’ve heard people tell me that their dad read one first, then told them about it. It’s passed down.”

Birmingham Roots. Manuel and Geiszel now live and operate their business in Delaware, but their roots are in Birmingham. Geiszel was born in Birmingham and attended Center Point High School and then Faulkner University in Montgomery. Manuel graduated from Calera High School, and his entire family remains in Shelby County. They were both stationed in the Army in the early 2000s (both in Germany) but met and married afterward. “We met at Salsa Night at Workplay in Birmingham on New Year’s Eve,” she said. “Six months later we got married.” Manuel had a degree in economics, and Geiszel had one in fashion and management that led her to work for Calvin Klein. After having kids, however, they were inspired to start Black Sands. They founded the company in 2016, and one of their first sales strategies was operating a kiosk in the Riverchase Galleria in Hoover. “That was our first time with a physical place to sell our products,” she said. “People really liked it, and it took off.” They have since found success through various outlets. They sell their books straight to customers on their website and do special work with school systems. In fact, working with Birmingham area schools holds a special place in their hearts. “We’ve been working with Birmingham City Schools and we love driving down to visit with the classes,” Manuel said. “We have one book for every sixth grader in every school in the system.”

Godoys on Shark Tank
Birmingham natives Manuel and Geisel Godoy appeared on an episode of “Shark Tank” in 2022. Although they didn’t accept the $500,000 offered, they credit their increased visibility to appearing on the show.

Shark Tank Experience.  In January of 2022, the Godoys appeared on an episode of “Shark Tank” to pitch funding for their company from hosts including Mark Cuban and actor Kevin Hart. “We’ve watched the show since it first aired 13 years ago and we’ve always been big fans,” Gieszel said. “Manuel put together and submitted our proposal, and we were excited to be on stage. I prayed for the whole process.” While Cuban and Hart offered $500,000 toward Black Sands, the Godoys left negotiations and decided to go back to the success they’d already had on their own. “It just wasn’t for us,” Manuel said. “There’s a lot of red tape with celebrities, and I’d already gotten this far through conversations with my community. It had to be either-or, and we had to go with what we already knew.” Still, the Godoys said that their appearance on “Shark Tank” greatly increased their visibility. People suddenly knew about their comic books, their company, and their mission.“It gave us massive credibility,” he said. The company is now looking to stand on its own with new investors. Black Sands has started a novel division, has a video game in production, and plans to venture into animation and a televised or streamed series.

Faith-Guided Business. According to the Godoys, their business model is one based on principles they follow as Christians. In addition to including references to Biblical locations and characters in their stories and striving to create family-friendly products, the company’s plans are guided by the Godoys’ moral and spiritual values. “To be a successful entrepreneur, we believe you have to put God first in your life,” Gieszel said. “If you follow Him, He will lead you to the right path.” She also said that you must keep and follow a moral compass, recognizing that God desires that you use your influence to help others. “We believe that if much has been given to you, you must be reciprocal,” she said. “You have to give back to the community and do positive things.” As she and her husband look to the future in their marriage, family, and business life, she said that she’ll rely on her favorite Bible verse–Philippians 4:13. She knows that they can do “all things” if they put their trust in Christ. “That’s my favorite verse, and I try to keep it always in my mind,” she said. To learn more about the Godoys and Black Sands products, visit: www.blacksands.com.

-Cheryl Wray is a freelance writer and book author who lives in Hueytown and directs the Southern Christian Writers Conference. Learn about the 2023 SCWC at the blog, www.southernchristianwriters.blogspot.com.

 

PJ in front of school bus

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James “PJ” Spraggins has toured the world as an award-winning jazz drummer, but he still cherishes his roots and life in the Birmingham area. Spraggins discovered a love for and honed his skill in music by playing in the church at an early age in Bessemer. And today he gives back to the community he said nurtured him by working with children and inspiring people with his jazz creations and performances.

PJ with drumsticks
Spraggins has toured many foreign countries as a drummer with various jazz groups. Highlights include playing on U.S. military bases in Bahrain, and jazz festivals in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Photo Credit: Dokk Savage Photography

A Love for Jazz. If you’re a fan of jazz, you probably know of Spraggins. In Birmingham, he’s played with local icon Eric Essix, just returned from the “Soul Train” jazz cruise where he played with legend Peabo Bryson, and over the years has worked with the most popular jazz musicians in the industry; he’s also released his own solo work, including “The Light of Day” (2006), “Pure Logic” (2012), “Time to Heal” (2015), and his most recent digital EP “Up from Here” (2021). He’s currently writing, producing, and recording an upcoming full album, which has already released a single entitled “Stick it Out.”

“I have a recording studio in my home in Birmingham and that’s where I record all my music, and I also record drums for other artists virtually. Very rarely now do you get together in a studio to record with other musicians,” Spraggins said.  “I’ve had three full length albums and another one coming out in May.” Spraggins’ popularity sometimes even surprises him, referencing his song “Nocturnal Drive,” which currently has more than 5 million views on Youtube. Comments on that video compliment Spraggins’ creation with such statements as: “When I listen to music like this the best parts of me come to life” and “This song by this gifted drummer is a smooth jazz standard for all enthusiasts who love great music.” He says that his “Light of Day” album, recorded in 2006, still remains his most popular among fans, and his music is available on Spotify, Pandora, YouTube, and his website (jamespjspraggins.com) where you can purchase downloads and CDs.

Spraggins with his parents
Spraggins poses with his parents, James and Hiawatha Spraggins, at the Jazz Music Awards in 2022, where his song “Grace & Mercy” was nominated for Song of the Year.

According to Spraggins, jazz is a unique musical genre that appeals to people for many different reasons. “Jazz music is music without lyrics, and the instruments play the melody instead of someone singing it,” he explained. “In jazz, you can be as expressive as you like to be. It’s also just fun to listen to and makes you hear different things when you listen to it. I was drawn to that,” he said. Spraggins said that jazz is experiencing a resurgence, with new bands of young musicians with large followings. It’s a universally appealing form of music that he prays will never go out of style. His own attraction to jazz began at a young age when he discovered the drums at just 8 years old. “I was of course beating on things around the house and my mom and dad saw that and decided to invest in that,” he said. “They got me my first professional drum set at age 8. No one had to tell me to practice. I just did it on my own.” Spraggins is mostly self-taught, and he still remembers teaching himself by listening to the radio and drumming along. He began to ask his mother, Hiawatha, if she thought he was good enough to play in their church, Greater 14th Street Baptist in Bessemer. “She was kind of the gatekeeper of that,” he remembered. “She finally said I was good enough, and I began to do that. In fact, she and my dad always encouraged me to keep working. They have been my biggest supporters from day one, investing time in everything me and my brothers did.”

“Once they knew this is what I loved, they encouraged me to go after my dreams,” Spraggins says of his parents who were both educators in Birmingham. Spraggins attended McAdory Junior High and High School in McCalla. He went on to attend Alabama State University on a scholarship where he majored in broadcasting communications and minored in music. Eventually, though, he focused more on his music. 

PJ with kids at school
Spraggins surprised the students at Bryant Elementary School in Birmingham with an appearance with the Eric Essix band. The children were excited to find out their bus driver was a well-known jazz drummer.

A Community Connection. Today he works at what he calls “the perfect job” for his musical endeavors, as he drives a school bus for the Jefferson County School System. Spraggins worked in the past as a Lyft and Uber rideshare driver, but the more stable bus driving position allows him to build a daily schedule that gives him plenty of time for his music. At Bryant Park Elementary School, Spraggins drives students in kindergarten through fifth grade. His work schedule lets him work and record during the day and also after dropping off students in the afternoon; he’s also able to take off time when needed, including the week he recently took off to play with Peabo Bryson on a musical cruise. 

Until recently, the students at Bryant had no idea Spraggins did anything other than drive a bus. “The group I play with (the Eric Essix Group) performed at the school for Black History Month, and the kids couldn’t believe it,” Spraggins said. “They had no idea that I was a drummer, so it was very cool to do that. They were pretty excited when they found out their bus driver is also a decent drummer.” Spraggins loves living in the same area he grew up in, even when he could live anywhere in the world as a jazz musician. “I love Birmingham,” he said. “It’s always been my home. It’s a great place to live and play music.”

Spraggins playing drums
Spraggins developed a love of music in the church, and still uses his gifts as a drummer at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Mountain Brook.

Roots in Faith. The encouragement he gives the students under his care is just one way Spraggins tries to live out the faith that was instilled in him at a young age. Spraggins grew up in church and credits his parents for showing its value to the entire family. “We were there every Sunday, and of course, we didn’t have a choice as children and adolescents, but when we became preteens and teenagers it was more of a choice for us, but they made it clear that we might want to make the right choice,” he said, laughing. “Dad would tell us if we didn’t go to church, he expected the house to be clean when they got home.” Today Spraggins is an active member of Birmingham’s New Rising Star Baptist Church and also plays drums for St. Luke’s Episcopal in Mountain Brook.

According to Spraggins, almost every jazz musician he plays with has some sort of background in the church. And for him personally, faith plays a huge role in the type of music he writes, records, and performs. “My faith is very important to me, and it’s conveyed through a lot of my music,” he said.  “All of my music is positive. Even the titles reveal how I’m trying to encourage my listeners.” He points to his latest single, “Stick it Out,” which focuses on building relationships even when it gets hard or following through in everything you do. His 2019 song, “Bounce Back,” encourages listeners to be strong amidst struggles and come back from those setbacks. “A large part of my music has to do with my faith,” Spraggins said. “Music is very powerful, and my job as a musician is to uplift people.”

-Cheryl Wray is a freelance writer and coordinator of the Southern Christian Writers Conference. Learn more about the 2023 conference at southernchristianwriters.blogspot.com. 

 

 

Pam in hospital with nurses

Cover Story

Pam Huff was getting ready to go on air at ABC 33/40 this past July when she got the news from her doctor that would change her life. With just 45 minutes before airtime, the longtime Birmingham television news anchor received the message: “It’s not good. You’ve got triple negative breast cancer, and we’re going to move fast.” Her life changed drastically immediately following that moment, as she began treatments and had a lumpectomy on January 31. Huff said she relies on prayer, faith, and the support of her family, friends, and viewers as she battles cancer and vows to “come out on the other side stronger than ever.”

Pam in hospital with nurses
Treatment for Huff’s aggressive breast cancer began as soon as she received her diagnosis. She’s received treatments of the chemotherapy drug commonly called “The Red Devil” (doxorubicin) while also having a lumpectomy and radiation treatments.

Cancer News. Huff’s cancer diagnosis came as a shock, as she’d always been a strong advocate of regular mammograms; she’s had them annually for decades, and her latest one just twelve months before had been clear. “I never expected to go through this in my 69th year,” she said. “I’ve never missed a mammogram since I was 35. Every time it’s been fine, but this time was different,” adding, “With that news, my world absolutely changed.” Huff’s type of cancer is the most aggressive of all breast cancers and has required equally aggressive treatment from the very beginning of her diagnoses. Following her most recent surgery, she’s been on 33 straight days of radiation treatment. Through it all, she’s stayed dedicated to her work–and, in many ways, it’s been a lifeline for her. “I’ve worked as much as I could through it, even though those first four weeks were difficult. I had to adjust my work schedule some, based on when I was taking Taxol (a chemotherapy drug),” she said. “Other than that, I’ve been here. I may have had to pump myself up to work for an hour, and there were days when I went to work, came home, and slept. But being here has been important.” While she worked, her dedicated viewers and fans saw a new side and a new passion to their favorite local broadcaster. 

Pam Huff at J. Wigs
Huff gives huge credit to the staff at J. Wigs in Helena for providing her with excellent service and support as she got to the point where she needed wigs following chemotherapy.

Huff has used her experience to encourage women to get annual checkups, including mammograms, and has been buoyed by stories from women who’ve changed their ways because of her story. It’s something she’s been vocal about on air, through social media posts, and through personal interactions throughout her cancer journey. She said she’s had women ask how to help a friend who’s just been diagnosed with cancer, while others ask honest questions about the disease. “People have told me they never had a mammogram, but that I convinced them to go,” she said. “I hope and pray and believe that I may have saved a life because of my story.” According to Huff, the last months have reiterated what she already knew–that Birminghamians are some of the most loyal and caring people anywhere. “People are very loyal to broadcasters in Birmingham,” she said. “They become part of your family. I try to share as much with them, and they’ve in turn told me they’re praying for me. It’s been so special.” Love and support have also come from her co-workers. One of her first calls when receiving her cancer diagnosis was to friend and fellow broadcaster Brenda Ladun, who is a breast cancer survivor herself, and her co-workers at ABC 33/40 have been with her every step of the way.

Huff said that Birmingham broadcasters are unique in the business; many of them have stayed in the city for years, even decades, because they love the area, their viewers, and their fellow media members. Huff’s partners at her station, and at other media outlets in Birmingham, have put their full support behind her. They’ve even gone with Huff on trips to her favorite wig store- J. Wigs in Helena. They’ve shared their love in public statements of support. And they’ve prayed for her. “We’ve created a huge prayer chain during this time,’ she said. “It’s incredible.”

Pam Huff and daughters
Pam Huff appeared with her then teenage daughters on the cover of Birmingham Christian Family in 2002. Today, Lauren and Jennifer work as professionals in Montgomery and Birmingham. Giving their daughters a stable childhood is one reason Pam never moved to a bigger city and broadcasting market. Photo credit: Holland Photo Arts

Love for Birmingham. Huff has called Birmingham home for more than four decades and became Alabama’s first female ever assigned to a prime-time nightly news anchor position in 1977. She won an Emmy for her work in 2007 and currently anchors “The News at 4” and “The News at 5” on ABC 33/40 while also providing special reports on state politics, local government, and public education in the state. Huff grew up in West Virginia, graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism from the University of West Virginia, and then lived in Fla. with her husband Bill (who was a native of Scranton, Pennsylvania). When Bill decided that he wanted to attend Cumberland School of Law at Samford University, she considered working in Birmingham and took a visit to check out the city. That visit–and two particular experiences from it–convinced her that they were meant to be in Birmingham.

Huffs Coworkers at J. Wigs
Huff’s co-workers at ABC 33/40 visited with her at J. Wigs and supported her through the process. “All of us went together to try on wigs,” she said. “They’ve just been amazing in so many ways.”

“We were in town, and someone handed me a Coca Cola. I remember thinking that this was the best Coke I’d ever had,” she recalled, laughing. “And then we were trying to find Vulcan, and we met a nice man who told us to just follow him, and he’d get us there. He was a stranger, but so willing to help us. I told my husband, ‘This is where we need to be.’ We’ve been here ever since.” They settled into life in Birmingham, welcomed two daughters into their family, and never considered going anywhere else. “Bill has always been so supportive of my career and was willing to leave if I wanted to go somewhere else,” she said. “But we love it here and never really wanted to leave.” Today Bill works as a federal prosecutor in Birmingham, and their daughters are grown with their own careers and families. Lauren, 37, works at the attorney general’s office in Montgomery and Jennifer, 36, is a clinical psychologist in Birmingham. Grandchildren Tate, 8, and Lulu, 5, have added extra meaning to their family. Huff said that telling her grandchildren about her disease has been one of the toughest parts of the last months, but that they’ve handled it with love and the sweet support that only young kids can give.

“Telling my granddaughters about my cancer was hard. It’s something you never want to tell them,” she said. “My whole family went to my wig shop in Helena with me. Lulu had her pom poms to cheer me on and said, ‘Go, Mumzy, go.’ And they told me that I was still beautiful.” That support from her family has been integral, Huff said. “My husband and children have been wonderful,” she said. “I’m a type A personality and I can be big and brash and bold. My belief is that as long as I can do something, I’m going to do it. But I need others to be there for me.”

Pam Huff with husband
Huff and her husband, Bill have made the Magic City home for more than 40 years. According to Huff, the love and support of her husband has been integral during her cancer journey.

Family and Faith. Huff was raised in a Christian home and attended a Southern Baptist church as a youngster in West Virginia. She became a Christian when she was 8 years old and says she has felt God with her throughout her life. “It was a childlike faith and of course it has to grow,” she said. “I’ve always been a Christian; I grew up knowing about the Bible. It’s all I’ve ever known.” Huff and her husband have always made faith in their family life, and today attend Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham. Her faith, Huff said, has been integral in how she’s approached her cancer diagnosis, and admits that she’s both struggled and grown in her relationship with God during this time. “I’m an extremely strong and independent person, but I just fell on my knees. I told God that I didn’t know how to do this,” she said. “Prayer became very real, very fast.” In her first on-air announcement about her cancer diagnosis, Huff told her viewers: “I want you to know I am a woman of great faith. And I know that God has me every single step of the way. I’ve already seen that. He’s not finished with me yet. So, I’m going to work through this. I’m going to come out on the other side stronger than ever. But right now, I ask for your prayers.” The outpouring was overwhelming and reiterated her belief in the people of Birmingham and in her faith system. “I don’t know the outcome. Only God knows the outcome,” she said. “But I’m confident in Him, and I know that the support I’ve received during this time as been amazing. I can’t give enough thanks for that.”

-Cheryl Wray

Heather Brown and family

Cover Story

Perfection and comparison. Birmingham-based podcaster and lifestyle blogger Heather Brown says that perfection and comparison can rob Christian women and families of joy, but that she aims to provide a realistic and healthy understanding of life via her social media presence.

Heather Brown in white sweater
Heather Brown named her “My Life Well Loved” blog with the intention of helping women realize that every aspect of their life is worth loving and pouring into. “It’s not about health or fitness or fashion,” she says. “All parts of your life are important.”

“If you don’t have joy in Christ, it won’t come from exercise or a diet or anything else,” she says. “I want to let women know that no one’s perfect, and that you can have a healthy balance.” Brown’s “My Life Well Loved” blog, “Healthy with Heather Brown” podcast, and other online channels continue to gain followers and fans, as she engages with more than one million women each year.

Humble Blog Beginnings. While blogs and social media channels are ubiquitous in society now, they haven’t always been everywhere- and Brown was on the ground floor in the health and lifestyle blogging industry. A journalism and mass communications major at Samford University, she started her first blog in 2010 after a friend encouraged her to share her knowledge about couponing and meal planning with others. Brown’s husband, Eric, had recently given up his accounting job and decided to go back to school to train to be a nurse practitioner. To save money, she began “heavily couponing in order to pinch every penny” they could. “I got really good at it,” she recalls. “I’d walk out of CVS and they’d pay me money.”

She and her friend sat in a coffee shop and talked about her expertise, and before she’d left her friend had started “Saving Money and Living Life” for her. That blog led to her work with Birmingham-based emeals.com, where she produced its blog, and then eventually back into business for herself. All along the way, Brown says, God orchestrated signs and opportunities for the changes in her career. She talks often of “doors”- both opened and closed- that have pushed her in the direction God wanted her to be. “God just kept opening doors and challenging what I thought I could do on my own,” she says. “I asked God to both open and close doors for me, and we took many leaps of faith. Looking back, He blew every expectation I would have had on my own.”

Heather Brown and family
Heather and her husband Eric are intentional in their Christian upbringing of sons Leyton and Finn. They try to integrate Bible study, devotions, worship music, and prayer into everyday moments of their family life.

When Brown was pregnant with her first son, Leyton, she knew she didn’t want to go back to work full time and instead decided to “put a toe in the water” to see where God would lead them. She began working part time in real estate, teaching Pure Barre, and spent the other 20 hours a week working on the “My Life Well Loved” blog.  She asked God to “slam any doors that needed to be slammed” and soon found that she was making more money on her website than in her part time jobs. She and Eric took that as a sign to finally devote full time energy to the blog. “I don’t want to do it if you’re not guiding me,” Brown told God, and the rest is history.

Today, Brown’s blog provides a wealth of information and inspiration through articles, e-books, a newsletter, and an accompanying podcast. Visitors to the blog will find stories on everything from recipes to parenting to beauty to healthy lifestyle issues. When naming her blog, Brown says she wanted it to incorporate all the areas that women struggle with and celebrate. She wanted them to know that every aspect of life can be loved. “I wanted to have different doors I could go into and explore,” she says. “I want to let women know that you can love your life in every aspect.”

Journey of Faith. Brown’s mother tells her that she first accepted Christ when she was just three years old and while she can’t remember the instance herself, she credits her family with providing a Christian example that has stayed with her since then. “I did deal with doubt many times since I was so young when I first believed, and I’ve recommitted to Christ over the years,” she says, “but I know that the Lord has been so sweet to me. He guides and leads me and my family.” Brown recalls hearing when she was young that missionaries are not just those who serve far away. She’s learned throughout her faith journey that anyone can serve Christ- whatever their career, location, or life may be. “People want to separate so much in their lives. They want to say you can only be a missionary, or only be a doctor, or only be a faith blogger, but as Christians, we’re all missionaries in our jobs and our homes,” she says. “I’m what you’d call a health and lifestyle blogger, but if you read or listen to me for very long you see that I’m a Christian.”

Heather Brown with sons
Heather will appear at the Birmingham Home Show in February, offering a presentation titled ““The Power of a Sunday Reset for a Healthier Home.” She encourages families to have one day each week in which they can focus on how to make the next week even better. “Talk with each other about what worked last week, what didn’t work, what irritated me,” she says. “Then have a reset as a family.”

Brown grew up in the Birmingham area and attended Shades Mountain Christian School, and today her family lives in Hoover and attends Christ Fellowship Church. She and Eric do whatever they can to incorporate Christ’s teaching in their daily life with sons Leyton, now 7, and Finn, 4. As a working mother, she captures every moment she can with her sons to instill a sense of faith and belief. In addition to attending church, she and Eric have a Bible verse they focus on each week; she practices the verse with her sons on the way to preschool in the morning and then prioritizes the verse’s meaning in her parenting throughout the week. She also utilizes a family devotional time once a week (she recommends the ones from “Deep Roots,” which include cut-out cards, stickers, and other tools to accompany the devotional). They also sing “Jesus Loves Me” and “The Doxology” every night before bed. “I just try to make things as natural as possible,” Brown says. “Tell the boys about Jesus as just part of our daily life.” Brown also stresses that she and her husband keep each other accountable. “You never really feel like you hit the perfect balance, but we are working toward balance,” she says. “He’s my accountability partner, and we want to make sure our priorities are on the same page.”

Expectations and Social Media. As a social media influencer, Brown says that the internet can be a wonderful thing- but that it can also be extremely harmful if things aren’t put in their proper perspective. Brown says she experienced this on a personal level after the birth of Leyton, when she had a fourth-degree tear and also suffered from postpartum depression. “Because of the traumatic birth, I couldn’t even walk to the mailbox for six months. That truly rocked me to my core, because I had to put things into perspective. I realized that I’d treated my fitness like an idol,” she recalls. “And that led to postpartum depression, and I went down such a rabbit hole.” Brown learned that joy came not from external activities, but from a relationship with Christ. 

That whole experience taught her that so many women believe their lives have to look a certain way and that they’re a failure if it doesn’t. Social media, Brown says, only exacerbates the problem. Brown now strives to be honest in her online storytelling and encourages women to find their worth in more than what their lives look like or what they accomplish. “I want women to know that it’s normal to have this experience,” she says, “and I try to use my story, whether it’s me talking about postpartum on my blog or sharing my faith on my podcast.”

Heather Brown
Heather attended Shades Mountain Christian High School and then Samford University; she’s proud to call Birmingham home and raise her children in the area.

Brown also encourages mothers to watch for signs of social media dependence in their children and recommends that children not be given phones and internet access until they’re older. “Communication is so important,” she says. “Know what your kids are looking at, and don’t be afraid to talk with them.” Children and teenagers are bombarded with similar ideas as adults are, and they are similarly challenged with ideas of perfection and comparison. “I keep hearing the verse that says the enemy is here to lie and deceive and steal,” she says, “and we need to remember that Tik Tok and other platforms can be used by the enemy.”

Plans for the Future. Brown recently expanded her business to include her “Healthy with Heather Brown” podcast and plans to focus on it more in 2023. After becoming a bit disheartened by Instagram and her inability to share her faith effectively there, Brown decided that podcasts were a good way to focus her energy- and share her faith more freely. The first season of the podcast focused primarily on physical health, but the upcoming second season will focus more on mental and spiritual health. “The podcast lets me talk longer about my faith, and I’m able to bring on guests who can share about theirs too,” Brown says. The podcast can be found on Spotify, Apple, and Google. As she looks to the new year and new opportunities through such things as speaking engagements and personal coaching, Brown says that she is staying in tune with where God wants to lead her. She’s chosen the word surrender as her personal word for the year and streamlined for her business. “I want to be openhanded in my life,” she explains. “God has shown me many times in my life that I just need to surrender to him.”

-Cheryl Wray

 

Walt Merrell and Family

Cover Story

If you have a difficult time communicating with your teenager, Walt Merrell has a simple piece of advice for you: get outdoors. Merrell, founder of the “Shepherding Outdoors” community and author of two books of the same name, believes that enjoying God’s natural creation is key to building relationships, starting conversations, and strengthening families. Today he shares his experiences and wisdom through his books, church ministry, and work in the community as the elected district attorney for Alabama’s Covington County.

Stepping Outside his Comfort Zone. Merrell lives in Andalusia with his wife Hannah and three daughters Bay, Cape, and Banks. He was raised in church and in a close family but said that meeting Hannah and joining her family made him have a more “appropriate” understanding of what being a Christian meant. He and Hannah met at the University of Montevallo, and he points to that as a turning point. “God had a plan all along, and I was oblivious to it until he brought us together,” he said.  An additional turning point–and one that changed the trajectory of his calling–came in 2015, when he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. “I had an ocular tumor in my eye socket, and doctors had a hard time diagnosing me. I had biopsies that said it was sarcoma, after almost every pathological lab couldn’t figure out what was wrong with me,” he recalled. “At the time I figured I had about two years to live, and I was going to use that time to pour into my children.”

Merrell family in wet suits
Walt Merrell’s experience as an attorney has convinced him of the importance of fathers in today’s society. “To reduce crime and to solve so many problems, we need to put an engaged Dad in the lives of children,” he said. “I’ve seen over and over again how men have abandoned their children, or abused them, or embraced addiction more than their children.”

“I prayed that I could take advantage of those two years, and one day I was walking around with my daughter in our yard and we were picking up sweet gum nuts and throwing them against a tree,” he said. “I remember thinking, ‘here’s our common ground.’ Spending time together outdoors was what we could do together, and I began to ask myself questions. What about kayaking? What about camping?” The idea for Shepherding Outdoors came from that time in his life and when Merrell experienced healing from his cancer the ministry remained. “I don’t like to call myself a miracle, but I do acknowledge His authority and ability. But I don’t like to shine that light on me,” Merrell said, “but I’m grateful for that time because it was when Shepherding Outdoors was born.”

Merrell encourages parents to spend quality time with their children outside and said that the process doesn’t have to be complicated. Simply find what works for you and your family. He, in fact, had never had much experience growing up doing such activities. And he and his daughters had rarely done so. “We’d hunted a little bit, but we started doing more things outdoors,” he said. “The first time I took my girls camping, I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to light the fire. Not being able to do something like that can be hard on a man, but all you have to do is try. You don’t have to be an expert.” Over the years, Merrell has taken all of his daughters on solo outdoor trips–including ones when they each turned 12 years old. He took his oldest daughter Bay, now 20, on a five-day trip down the Buffalo River in Ark., paddled across the Everglades with middle daughter Cape, and hiked part of the Appalachian Trail with youngest daughter Banks.

Merrell Family in boat
When spending time outdoors with teenagers, Merrell said there are two important rules to remember: Make it low-tech and low budget.

“When I took Bay on that first trip, it was really transformative and she came back stronger,” he said. “We camped, built fires, and it forced both of us to engage with each other. At 12, children are beyond mindless chatter and want to have meaningful conversations. And it gives us a chance to get to know each other as maturing adults.” Merrell said that 12 is the perfect age to spend one-on-one time with daughters, and he also encourages fathers to spend time outdoors with their sons. Lessons from the outdoors, according to Merrell, can be varied and valuable. “Anytime you go outside with your kids you have the opportunity to say look around and consider whether you think this was all happenstance or intentional. Being outdoors gives you the opportunity to talk about how awesome God is,” he said.

Meet Walt Merrell at the Celebrate the Family Expo on September 16, 2023 at the Hoover Met Complex’s Finley Center. Watch the video below to learn more!


 


Writing His Story. Alongside spending time with his daughters while he was sick, Merrell also began to write down the lessons he wanted to leave behind to them.  “When I was sick, I didn’t think I’d ever be able to tell them everything, and that evolved into me writing stories for them. They were stories just for the girls,” he said. “And when I found out my tumor wasn’t a tumor anymore, I just kept writing.” He eventually built up the courage to share one of his stories on Facebook, and he received affirmation from readers and God about this new way of sharing. He’d learned about the practical side of sharing his stories online from his mother-in-law Brenda Gantt, who has gained a substantial following through her “Cooking with Brenda Gantt” Facebook page, videos, and books. She encouraged him to share his stories, and he started the “Shepherding Outdoors” page on Facebook. According to Merrell, his stories are “all 95% true” and focus on personal experiences and lessons learned from them. His audience is other parents like himself who yearn to build experiences with their family members; he also strives to share his faith with his readers. 

Merrell Family
Walt and Hannah’s three daughters are Bay, 20; Cape, 17; and Banks, 13. Even their names reflect the love the Merrells have of the outdoors. They live on a small farm in Andalusia, and hunt and fish on their own land.

While he’s a trained attorney, he grew up writing and he remembers his first real experience with recording his stories. “When I was 12, I went to Dog Island, Fla., to work at an inn there called Pelican Inn. There was no television and no telephone, and before I went my mom gave me a notebook and pack of pens. I still have that original journal, and dozens of others filled with stories or just rambling thoughts, even speeches I wrote as an adult.” Birmingham based Hoffman Media published Merrell’s first book of stories, Shepherding Outdoors: Short Stories from a Southern Father in 2017 and also recently published his second book, Shepherding Outdoors, Volume 2: More Short Stories from a Southern Father (www.hoffmanmediastore.com).  The book’s synopsis describes its contents like this: “Armed with the knowledge of trusted fellow outdoorsmen, the love of his wife, Hannah, and his ever-faithful dog, Lincoln, follow Walt through even more tales of fatherhood, the teachings of nature, and the strengthening power of faith and family.” Click here to also read about his latest book of short stories releasing in November of 2023 and available for preorder, Shepherding Outdoors: Three Dog Days.

To keep up with his writing demands and deadlines, Merrell said he writes almost every day; some of his stories are posted immediately to his social media accounts, while others are saved for later or not used at all. “I write every morning from about 4:30 a.m. – to 6 a.m., then I go to work. I leave evenings with the girls,” Merrell explained. “I’ll continue to serve as District Attorney, because I believe God called me to that job.”

Ministering to Men and Families. Merrell’s outdoors ministry stems from what he has learned from work as a district attorney and a church ministry he’s been involved with that serves fathers and their families.  “A lot of my men’s ministry efforts come from what I’ve seen at work,” he said. “Years ago, our church put together an event where we had a WWF wrestler come speak and had steak and baked potatoes. We never said a thing about Jesus when promoting it, but we had more than 400 men come, and they heard the testimony. Twelve people were saved that night.” The ministry was aimed at unchurched men, and his church began doing a similar event every month. “It’s amazing to see what God did through that,” he said. “I’ve seen lives changed professionally and personally.” Today Merrell’s ministry has extended into other churches, schools, and other groups where his message of enjoying the outdoors is shared with both parents and children.

Brenda Gantt with granddaughter
Walt Merrell’s mother-in-law is Brenda Gantt, who also lives in Andalusia and hosts the immensely popular “Cooking with Brenda Gantt” videos and operates a bed and breakfast in the area. Read her faith story here.

His message to fathers? Children have many things vying for their attention, and that the outdoors provides a them with common ground. “You may wonder how to communicate with your daughter who just dyed her hair pink,” he said, “but you still have things in common.”And his message to teenagers? Life is changing at your age, but you can still trust God and His leadership. “I try to speak to the issues that children or teenagers of a particular age are facing,” he said. “I recently spoke to 1500 students of different ages at a private school in Tenn., and I did a revival not long at a 2000-member church in Ga. I tell my story and pray that it makes a difference in an individual or family’s life.” Learn more about Shepherding Outdoors on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and at www.shepherdingoutdoors.com.

Cheryl Wray writes from Hueytown, Ala., and is the mother of three and grandmother of six. She coordinates the Southern Christian Writers Conference.

Megan Alexander holding book

Cover Story

Who Could Know? When a baby girl was born on February 15, 1980, in Seattle, Wash., no one on this earth knew where this girl would go or what she would do, or who would ultimately direct her life. No one could know she would be gifted with such honors as Emmy-nominated national news correspondent, host, emcee, speaker, wife, mother, producer, actress, and author. No one knew faith in Jesus Christ and standing true to His principles would solidify her worldview or that this faith would affect her family and career and even society. No one on this earth knew, but her Heavenly Father emceed it all (Proverbs 16:9).

Megan Alexander in red hatMegan Alexander credits her mom and dad with wisdom that helped her maneuver through life’s hard messes. Her dad’s treating people of all walks of life with dignity and respect- whether the building’s security guard or the company’s CEO- modeled invaluable life skills. Her mom’s sage advice for forming friendships proved priceless: be open to new relationships; when you feel left out at school, keep your eyes open for others who might feel left out, too. God can use us when we allow ourselves to be available to Him and seek out new friendships and new people.

Crucial Relationship. However, Alexander came to a crossroads. Through Christian school, her parents, and her church, God had always been part of her life. That wasn’t enough in middle school. She asked herself what she believed apart from familiarity. Was the road to Jesus Christ really for her? Was something called a “personal relationship with Him” even possible? Ultimately, she chose the path less traveled, and that has made all the difference: the difference that helps Alexander as a long-time Christian stay true to her beliefs in a secular industry, to discern when it is appropriate to share her beliefs in a professional setting. Alexander married her husband, Brian, and they have two sons- Chace and Catcher- and one daughter- Capri. The boys love baseball, and weekends are often filled with ballpark activities or taking day hikes in surrounding areas. Another favorite family treat is strolling through Gaylord Opryland’s botanical gardens, locally called “the jungle.” The family attends Bethel World Outreach Church in Brentwood, Tenn. where Alexander volunteers with Meals on Wheels. “I fell in love with Nashville when I first moved here in the fall of 2002. My college roommate was from Nashville, and I came home with her that spring. I instantly knew this is where I wanted to work and raise my family someday. My very first night in Nashville I slept in my car parked in the parking lot of the Grand Ole Opry- just so I could say I did. That seemed like the perfect introduction to a life of excitement in Nashville. My Mom was appalled! After a detour to Texas and NYC, I finally got back here ten years ago.” 

Megan Alexander in green sweater
Megan Alexander is a national news correspondent, host, emcee, speaker, producer, author, and actress.

Earning a Seat. Alexander formulated a life philosophy centered around “table”—earning a seat at the table, the table that allows her a voice in influencing society. Toward Jesus’ standards of love and accountability. She has long wanted to be known for good work first, for gaining the respect of colleagues, letting them see that she will deliver for them, that she is a team player and will get the job done. She thinks of this as earning her seat at the table. She enjoys working in television, turning a story, and making deadlines. She is convinced that doing good work gains people a seat at the table where they then can have a platform to share. During rare travels, Alexander spends enough time with colleagues, whether it’s breaking news or when they’re covering the Super Bowl, that sharing many of life’s ups and downs- births to deaths- occurs. “When opportunities arise [I can] share how to get through life and what comforts- living out faith in Jesus with others.” 

Faith in the Spotlight. Earning a seat at the table comes in various ways, and for Alexander one way is through writing. Her book, Faith in the Spotlight: Thriving in Your Career While Staying True to Your Beliefs (2016) expounds on principles of faith in Jesus. She speaks to the issue of how Christians can thrive in a secular world rather than merely complain about not being represented in the media or being silenced in popular culture. She writes about the importance of mentors, coping with rejection, handling high-pressure situations, and the ways being a Christian fulfills her role in a superficial society. She knows how difficult it can be for Christian women to get ahead in their careers and simultaneously navigate their roles at home and in their faith. She offers a fresh millennial-centered perspective on how to build a successful career while being married and focusing on family. She gives inspiring, real-life examples of why women can- and should- lead in the workplace. Alexander reminds Christians that God’s Spirit will tell us what to say, where to go, and what to do (when we look to Him for guidance. Believers in all walks of life are sent by Jesus into the world to make a difference for Him- to take their seats at the table, raise their hands, and offer another viewpoint. 

The Magic of a Small Town Christmas cover
Megan’s new book celebrating the joys, wonders, and traditions of a small-town Christmas is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Books a Million.

One More Hug. Continuing to define her seat at the table, Alexander wrote a children’s picture book undergirding family, One More Hug (2019). For children ages four to eight and their parents as well, One More Hug was inspired by her eldest son when his getting on that big, frightening school bus for kindergarten was an opportunity for her to provide confidence through hug after hug. There’s always time for one more hug and unconditional love to help a child navigate life, even when it’s time to go off to college. 

The Table Expands. Alexander presents another glimpse into her career and wide experiences as she navigates Christmas across the country through her UPTV series, Small Town Christmas, and her latest children’s picture book, The Magic of a Small Town Christmas. The book is a beautiful rendition of family values, heart, and the joy of the holiday season in the spirit of her TV show. “I believe our small towns are the heartbeat of America. And they come to life in magical ways during the holidays. Whether it’s the large Christmas tree located in the center of the town square, the kids laughing at the local ice-skating rink, a church filled with Christmas music, eating yummy gingerbread cookies, hanging handmade stockings, sharing a home-cooked meal, or the glow of candles in the windows- These small-town scenes are heartwarming to see and experience. I have traveled the country for my TV show and have experienced how so many small towns and their people celebrate Christmas in special ways. From longtime local traditions to classic Christmas sights and sounds, I tried to capture an element of each of these towns and incorporate them into this book. I hope to write more books.”  Heartbeat Falls may be an imaginary town, but Alexander hopes that when you turn the pages, you will see a little of your hometown, your local holiday traditions, and your neighbors in the words and illustrations, just as she does when she celebrates with her own family. 

UPTV ScheduleHosted by executive producer Megan Alexander, the second season of UPTV’s docu-series, Small Town Christmas, airs on December 4, 11, and 18 at 8 p.m. central time. Each televised episode spotlights a different small town around the country to show how its people ring in the Christmas season. The series focuses on local businesses and towns that make the holiday season special in their unique way. The residents of these towns know the beauty of a small town doesn’t merely come from its size but from the love shared by its people. Viewers experience small town foods, drinks, entertainment, and faith highlighted in local businesses. “I’m producing and hosting the Christmas show because I want to contribute positive content to the world. I want to be able to read [books] and watch [programs] with my kids. My full-time job is mom of three and author and owner of my own production company. We are working on producing movies, and I would love to film one in Middle Tenn. I believe in the people.” 

-Sheila E. Moss: Living to Matter: Mothers, Singles, and the Weary and Broken; Interrupting Women: Ten Conversations with Jesus; and international publications derived from teaching Bible and Christian ethics in Africa, Ukraine, Venezuela, and England; teacher of Bible classes for 35+ years; mother of five adult children and grandmother of eleven grandchildren

Brenda cover

Cover Story

As the holiday season approaches, popular home cook and social media personality Brenda Gantt celebrates with a lots of inspiration for upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings. Gantt, who has become a Facebook sensation with more than three million followers, reaches out to the world from her home in Andalusia, Ala. through her “Cooking with Brenda Gantt” videos and a brand new cookbook, Linger Around the Table Y’all. Her popularity exploded in 2020 when she began sharing her simple, Southern recipes online. Today, she continues to build a loyal following–while expanding with speaking engagements and the publication of two popular cookbooks. Ultimately, Gantt says that her story is one of faith. She makes sure that all of her work is sprinkled with the love of Jesus. “People tell me that they feel a connection to me and my faith,” she says. “Along with my recipes, I make sure I share Jesus with my followers.”

Brenda Gantt Sewing
While cooking is still the main part of her Facebook page, Gantt has expanded into sharing gardening and outdoor help as well. “I’m doing yard work, telling them how to root plants. I’ve even had a video on line dancing,” she says. “I want to show some of my life outside the kitchen.”

A Continuing Witness. Gantt, who operates The Cottle House Bed and Breakfast in Andalusia, has always been an avid cook; she cooked for her family and often encouraged young people to learn how to cook. One day during the early part of the coronavirus pandemic, a young man from her church asked her how to make homemade biscuits; on a whim, she recorded a video on her personal Facebook page and shared it with church members who’d requested the biscuit recipe. The video was shared thousands of times, and within two weeks it had a million views. Her son-in-law, Walt, soon suggested that she set up a separate page away from her personal information. “Cooking with Brenda Gantt” debuted in April 2020, and she began recording “official” videos almost immediately. 

Since then, her visibility and popularity have continued to grow–and so has her feeling of responsibility to reach out and help people. While her followers are in the multi-millions, Gantt attempts to stay personal and accessible. She wants to always be a strong Christian witness, helping people when she can. “It’s overwhelming sometimes because I can’t answer all of the questions,” she says. “I encourage my followers to help me out. If someone asks a simple question–maybe the difference between plain and self-rising flour–I encourage followers to answer that person.” She gave as an example a recent video about peach cobbler that garnered 60,000 comments. “I just can’t get to all of them,” she says, “so I love it when my followers help.”

Brenda cover
Read Brenda Gantt’s inspiring faith story here.

Even more meaningful than the questions she gets about cooking are the situations that involve people’s personal lives and struggles. Gantt says that she always strives to provide encouragement and love and has been bolstered by how her “simple” videos seem to touch people. “I’ve encountered all kinds of situations,” she says. “Divorce, wayward children, illnesses. I’ve had some people fighting stage-4 cancer who said they don’t have the energy to cook, but they can sit and watch me cook. My videos are uplifting to them, and they looked forward to my smile. Hearing things like that is just wonderful. It reminds me of how I can make a difference.” Gantt says she is particularly attuned to any needs and requests online that are spiritual in nature. She scrolls through comments on her videos and responds whenever there’s the opportunity to build someone up. You never know, she says, when you may be introducing Christ’s love to someone for the first time. “I want to get my followers into their kitchens, to give them confidence in cooking,” she says, “but I also want to let them know that Jesus loves them. I always bring some Scripture into my videos, and I tell stories that show my faith in a non-threatening way.” According to Gantt, she understands the way some people will react to her faith story. “You have to be careful because not everyone wants to hear that much about Jesus. I do it gently and try not to come across as pushy,” she says. “I follow God’s lead and give what I can.”

You can meet Brenda Gantt at the Celebrate the Family Expo on September 16, 2023 at the Hoover Met Complex’s Finley Center. Watch the video below to learn more!


 

Brenda Gantt cooking biscuits in the kitchen
Gantt learned about cooking at the feet of her mother and grandmothers. They taught her to cook, and also shared with her the value of spending time together at the dinner table.

Recipes & Stories. Once Gantt’s cooking videos went viral, requests for her recipes came in on an almost constant basis. Her first cookbook, It’s Gonna Be Good Y’all, was published in 2021 by Birmingham’s Hoffman Media; it included more than 100 recipes from Gantt’s private collection. Gantt’s newest cookbook, Linger Around the Table Y’all, was released in October of this year and works as a companion to her first book–but with additional recipes and more personal stories. The book, which sold out of its original pre-orders, is available now from www.brendaganttbook.com with limited inventory. The title of her second cookbook, Gantt says, was a very deliberate choice. “There’s something to be said about families sitting around the table together,” she says. “We need to find at least one meal a day–it can be breakfast, lunch, or supper–where we can gather around the table together with no phone and no television.” According to Gantt, families today are busier than ever before; it’s especially important to find time to eat together, amid travel ball, dance lessons, school, church events, and other activities. She says she and her late husband prioritized mealtime with their children. “When I was raising my children, we didn’t have cell phones. But we had phones that had to be taken off the hook, and our kids knew at mealtime that the phones were off the hook,” she recalls. “We ate together and talked. When they were teenagers, they wanted to eat and quickly get up from the table. I’d say no, we’re going to sit here and talk.”

Gantt’s new cookbook provides more than 100 additional recipes (“it’s not fancy recipes, just common sense food”), as well as inspirations from Scripture and stories about how she grew up “lingering” around the dinner table and then fostering table time with her own family. She says she still treasures the memories of having breakfast each morning with her parents since her father worked late into the night. “He worked at Hunt Oil in Tuscaloosa, and Momma would often take us to his office for supper and we’d visit while he ate,” she says. “I vividly remember those times of eating together. It showed my Momma’s love for my Daddy.” Gantt’s original motivation to write a cookbook was to pass along such stories (and recipes) to her children and grandchildren. “It’s important to leave that legacy to our family.”

Linger Around The Table Yall cover
Learn more about Gantt’s new cookbook Linger Around The Table Y’all at www.brendaganttbook.com. A limited number of copies are available for purchase on the website. Find one of Gantt’s delicious recipes from her new cookbook here.

Holiday Celebrations. Linger Around the Table Y’all includes recipes for holiday dishes (with a chapter on holidays titled “O Holy Night”) and Gantt says that her memories of the holidays are often intertwined with food. She’ll never forget the Christmas when her father smashed a real coconut with a hammer on their family’s carport. Her mother planned ahead and punched holes beforehand so that the children could drink the milk from the coconut. “Mother and Daddy peeled the skin off the coconut and then she made a tall, 3-tiered coconut cake,” she remembers. “She put it under a big glass dome and set the entire cake on the back balcony. If we wanted cake, we had to go outside to get it.”

Gantt says that holidays are about making memories, and she encourages families today to teach that they are special times. “We always dressed up for Christmas dinner,” she says. “Dress up, even if it’s just you and your little bunch because we are celebrating something great. We’re celebrating Jesus!” Just as her new cookbook proclaims, it’s the gathering together that’s vital. She stresses that being together doesn’t have to be fancy; it just needs to be intentional. “There’s nothing fancy to a lot of my recipes and ideas,” she says. “You can have a picnic with your children out in the woods. Or you can gather together on the porch or in the kitchen. Just eat together and talk. It doesn’t have to be complicated.”

Future Plans. When asked what her plans are for the future, Gantt says that she will “keep doing what I’m doing until the Lord changes my direction, and I haven’t heard that yet.” She plans on continuing to post on her “Cooking with Brenda Gantt” Facebook page and being open to new avenues and challenges. She limits her speaking engagements to select events and continues to welcome people into The Cottle House–where she serves as hostess and cooks meals for guests. “It’s a 1905 farmhouse with a wraparound porch. We redid it and it has that country feeling,” she explains. “I cook breakfast every morning for guests, and they tend to want to eat together these days. People are coming from all over the United States, and I think they need that connection.” She also continues to support and love her children and grandchildren (Dallas and Hannah, their spouses Anna and Walt, and grandchildren Isabella, William, Bay, Cate, and Banks) and honor the memory of her husband, George, who passed away in 2018.

Gantt encourages people to continue visiting her Facebook page and inviting new people to discover her online. She finds it hard to believe she has more than 3 million followers, but she is always ready to welcome more. “It’s crazy when you think about it, and I don’t know how big it will get,” she says. “But I want people to keep finding me, so I can help them. I’ll keep doing my thing until God tells me otherwise.”

-Cheryl Wray

Meet Brenda Gantt at the Celebrate the Family Expo on September 16, 2023! Learn more here.

Sonya with black dog

Cover Story 

Sonya King still gets quizzical looks when she explains that her animal rescue organization is a faith-based ministry. Her answer is that all of God’s creatures must be cared for and protected and that through serving animals she can be a witness to people. “God can use everything to connect with someone, to develop a connection, to build a relationship. The opportunities are right in front of us,” she said. “I can tell you story after story of how our animal rescues have shared the love of God with others.”

Sonya with Two by Two foster parents
Two by Two is always looking for volunteers. Founder Sonya King encourages anyone who is interested to get in touch with her. She is seen here with Deb and John Sellers who are donors and foster parents. Learn more at the website www.twobytworescue.com.

Two by Two Rescue. Two by Two Rescue operates out of Helena, Ala., and is run with the mission to save unwanted, abused, and abandoned animals. Founder and owner King operates her work with the promise that all possible animals will be served, and that none of them will be killed. King, who first attended college with the plan to be a broadcaster and then ended up with a law degree, felt God’s calling to start an animal rescue after seeing the proliferation of stray dogs in the community. She began picking up stray dogs one by one, feeling compelled to “do something with the struggling dogs in the area.”

At the time, then Helena Mayor Sonny Penhale told King that there wasn’t anyone who wanted to care for the stray animals in the community; the town didn’t even have an animal control service. King began as a volunteer, and then Penhale encouraged her to do it in a more official manner; she agreed, but she had to go by the rules she felt so strongly about based on her faith. “I said, every animal lives. And he said okay,” she recalled. “That was 20 years ago.” Today, Two by Two rescues not just dogs but also cats, horses, and other animals and its services stretch into 24 states other than Alabama. King and her volunteers get donations from around the world. “When people call us from Mobile or Huntsville, or other states, we take that as a high compliment, because it says something about our integrity,” King said. “We do as much as we can with the resources we have.”

Sonya with black dogs
Sonya King grew up in Montgomery, moved to Helena 21 years ago, and started the Two by Two Rescue soon after. The organization still works out of Helena but will travel anywhere to assist with an animal rescue.

At the time of its inception, Two by Two was one of the very first cities in the state to offer a no-kill policy. More cities and communities have followed that lead, but King said that animal shelter euthanasia is sadly still common and generally accepted. The way societies–cities, states, and nations–care for their animals says a lot about their priorities, King said. There are many improvements still needed in Alabama, she said, and she does her best to raise awareness of the issue. “I honestly wish our services weren’t needed, and that’s my dream and prayer that the Lord would change the way we treat animals,” she said. “We need our government to realize that we need fair, basic laws to protect our animals. It’s about being a good steward.”

The animals rescued by Two by Two come from a wide variety of places–and King said they don’t say no to any of them. They receive calls from law enforcement about animals, or someone will simply call or email that a dog is running up the road. Families in crisis, who’ve experienced a death or a divorce, will call because they have an animal that can no longer be cared for. Some requests for help have come in simply because King or a staff member has worn a Two by Two t-shirt at dinner and it started a conversation about an animal in need. “We’ve had people tell us they have a financial issue where they could either pay for their dog or pay for medicine for a spouse,” King said. “Unfortunately, when we say we’ve seen and heard it all, it’s true.” Two by Two offers care and takes the financial burden in most situations. “If we have, for example, a veterinarian come in with an animal whose care can’t be paid for, we will pay for the care or they will relinquish the animal to us,” King said. “We can’t say no to animals in need. Thankfully, we have a lot of great volunteers and supporters.”

Two by Two also offers foster opportunities, and King stressed that they always need volunteers for this program. Fostering involves bringing abandoned animals into the homes of volunteers who care for them until a permanent home can be found; all the costs of fostering (food, bedding, vet care, etc.) are taken care of by Two by Two. “We believe that a home is where the animal should be, and we also like to know our animals first. See how they are with children, things like that,” King said. “Foster parents are there to supply love and security, and we need those volunteers.” King said she sometimes marvels at how she went from her original life plans to directing an animal rescue with such a huge scope. She believes ultimately, though, it goes back to her belief that God desires mercy and care for His creation. “The Lord has placed a mantle of justice on me,” she said. “It started first with my interest in law, when I thought I was going to go after the bad guys. But I know now He was pointing me in this direction.”

Sonya with Dog
To learn more about Two by Two Rescue and find out how you can get involved, visit twobytworescue.com.

Christ-Centered Work. King grew up as a preacher’s kid and has always felt led to live out her Christian faith; she said that, although she didn’t realize it, her calling to work with animals came from God at a young age. She still has a photo of herself at just 7-years-old, when she brought home her first stray dog. “That’s where it’s totally a God thing,” she recalled. “Back then we didn’t have cell phones to take pictures, but someone snapped a photo of me and this big black dog with me. It was the start of it all.” She named her animal rescue after the story of Noah in the Bible, and she follows Biblical principles in her work. “Noah obeyed God’s voice, and that story tells us that the Lord values creatures. If He wasn’t concerned about them, He wouldn’t have made them a priority,” she said. “The breath of all creatures comes from God, that includes us as humans, but also all creatures.” She also points to Jesus’ own words to minister to “the least of these” and stresses that it can apply to any of God’s creatures that are not given priority in society. King often gets the opportunity to share her vision with others, and she said that other Christians often question her about her work. They haven’t stopped to consider, she said, that work with and for animals is a mission in and of itself– and that it can lead to other ministry opportunities. 

Sonya with black dogs on bench
To view adoptable dogs, visit www.twobytworescue.com.

The work of Two by Two does just that- often extending a helping hand to owners who need help. The group recently responded to a woman standing in front of her house with a basket of puppies and a “Free” sign. She sobbed about the fact that her husband had just left her and her son, and she no longer had the money to care for her pets; she couldn’t pay for her son to play little league baseball, and she didn’t even have money to pay her electricity bill. “We told her we’d take care of the puppies, but we’d also get her electricity turned on and sponsor her son’s baseball season,” King said. “We were able to love on that family in that dark moment.” She and her volunteers have also heard from non-believers who were witnessed to because of Two by Two’s work. King said that she recently received an email from a man who’d scheduled his suicide, but then saw how the rescue group had taken care of his animal. She and the man–who was an atheist–became friends, and he gave his life to God. “He saw that we were able to save the dog, and not send it off to be killed. He said he’d give his life another day,” King remembered. “We were opposites, in our personality and politics and more. But when it came to dogs, he softened. He’s become a champion for us,” she says.

“We truly believe this is a ministry,” she said. “Your work and ministry are often right in front of you. Use your passion to serve others, and God can do great things.” 

-Cheryl Wray


Save the Date for Barktoberfest!

Boy with dog at BarktoberfestTwo by Two animal rescue will sponsor its annual Barktoberfest on Sunday, November 6, at the Amphitheater at Buck Creek in Old Town Helena from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Activities include food trucks, items for sale, veterinary clinic, dogs to adopt, a dog park, vaccinations, family picture with dogs, owner-and-doggie costume contest, and entertainment. Two by Two owner Sonya King said that the annual festival is an effective way to get the word about their work, but also is fun for dog owners. She encourages anyone who has adopted to come to the event and celebrate at the alumni booth. “We’d love for you to come over after church, and bring your dogs with you,” she said.

 

Cover Story Wes Wyatt behind weather desk 1

Cover Story

Wes Wyatt knew he wanted to be a meteorologist when he was just a kid. In fact, he remembers his elementary school teachers saying that they couldn’t get him to pay attention because he was looking out the window watching the weather. “I was fascinated by weather at a young age,” Wyatt said. “All of my childhood friends would tell you that Wes always wanted to be a weatherman.”

Today Wyatt serves as the Chief Meteorologist for WBRC Fox 6 in Birmingham, where he understands how important it is to provide resources to a community that knows first-hand how severe weather can change lives.

Wes Wyatt
Chief Meteorologist Wes Wyatt leads a team of six meteorologists at WBRC Fox 6 with the goal of helping Alabamians be weather aware in every season.

Finding his Path. Wyatt’s journey to the Magic City began as a youngster in southern Tuscaloosa, where he graduated from Hillcrest High School and then attended Mississippi State University to pursue his dream of being a meteorologist. After graduating with a degree in broadcast meteorology, his first job in the field was in Meridian, where he rose to the position of Chief Meteorologist for WTOK-TV; his years there, he said, provided him with wonderful training and a quality work environment. But, when he got a job offer from his hometown of Tuscaloosa, he jumped at the chance to come back to Alabama. 

He returned to Tuscaloosa and served as Chief Meteorologist for seven years at WVUA-TV on the University of Alabama campus. “When the University called and asked me to come to their new station at the college, I jumped at the chance,” he recalled. “It was a blessing and rarity to work where you’re from,” he said, adding, “To have the opportunity to cover the weather in the area where I grew up was something I never imagined I’d get to do. There was a great sense of comfort getting to be there again.”

According to Wyatt, that career move to Tuscaloosa paved the way for many blessings to come–something that, he said, is evidence of God working in his life. On his first full day back in Tuscaloosa, Wyatt met his wife, Nicole. “The good Lord has a path laid out for us,” he explained. “In my situation, I enjoyed where I was but when I decided to move back God revealed that there was a plan for me. I was introduced to my wife when I moved back, and then things went a new way. And then the opportunity to come to Birmingham was opened. It could only be laid out by God.” Wyatt moved to Birmingham in 2010 and served first as the Fox affiliate’s weekend evening meteorologist and severe weather analyst before moving into his current position as chief meteorologist.

Experience with Severe Weather. Wyatt’s time in Tuscaloosa–both during his growing-up years and during his time as a meteorologist in town– gave him a new understanding of the important role meteorologists have for communities, as he witnessed a number of devastating weather events. He still vividly recalls the landfall of Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and the blizzard of 1993 (the unprecedented “storm of the century” that dumped at least 17 inches of snow in the area). “Seeing those events, and then just experiencing snow as a child in Alabama sparked my imagination about weather,” he said.

Wes Wyatt with family
In addition to being Chief Meteorologist, Wes Wyatt is a proud husband and father. He is seen above with his wife Nicole and son Landen.

After experiencing the outbreak of deadly Alabama tornadoes in 2000 early in his career (and seeing it strike Hillcrest Place in Tuscaloosa where he grew up), Wyatt was especially affected by the reality of a meteorologist’s impact. “Seeing that devastation showed the significance of my job to me,” he said. “I have a responsibility as a meteorologist. What we do is important because it helps to save lives.”

As the years have gone by, Wyatt has continued to see the dangerous impact of severe weather on Alabama and specifically the Birmingham area. The deadly and unprecedented spate of tornadoes on April 27, 2011, made a huge impression on Wyatt and others in the weather industry–and reminded him of why he does what he does. “It always amazes me when you think you’ve seen it in all with mother nature, and then you see something like April 27,” he said. “I never thought I’d see something like it.”

In his current role at WBRC Fox 6, Wyatt leads a team of six at a station that broadcast 60 hours of news a week. His job is to manage the team of meteorologists during “normal” and severe weather coverage (which includes television coverage, and various social media platforms), and to be the face of the station in the community. Community engagement is vitally important to his work, and Wyatt enjoys serving the Birmingham area through both his presence on television and his appearances at schools, weather events, and other places where he can share the importance of weather awareness. “We really focus on being true, timely, and accurate,” Wyatt said. “I want my viewers to take comfort in knowing that I’m the guy who is looking at the radar, looking at all the data. I’m there on TV to give you the information you need.”

Residents of Alabama, he said, have a unique relationship with the weather because of the severe weather they experience. He said, though, that it’s important to not get complacent. “We are very aware and well educated about weather in Alabama,” he said. ‘It’s important to remember that this time of year is the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season.” Wyatt said that September and October present specific weather concerns from the hurricane season; there are risks along the coast, and risks upstate from such things as wind gusts, excessive rain, and spin-off tornadoes. “People underestimate the rain that can come with tropical storms,” he stated. “Rain and storm surging can cause the most deaths.” During this and all other times of the year, Wyatt said that Alabamians should check weather forecasts, plan ahead, know where a system is going, and stay tuned to the weather. Keeping backup batteries for flashlights and having supplies in case of power outages are other important things to remember. “Emergency situations can come up,” he said. “It’s better to be prepared.”

Faith in Times of Trouble. Wyatt said that weather situations can reveal God’s goodness–something that, as a Christian, he values and recognizes. “Whenever a bad storm comes through, we stress prayer for the communities involved,” he said. “We witness so many times how it really makes a difference.”

Wes Wyatt with guitar
Wes Wyatt’s love for music started at a young age. He taught himself how to play the guitar and still writes music today.

Wyatt grew up in a Christian home and saw faith evidenced especially by his mother, who lost a battle with cancer when she was only 51 years old. “A spot was discovered on her lung, and it took doctors months to figure it out,” he said. “Melanoma had spread inside her body, and so many times she heard from the doctors that they couldn’t do anything. To see her going from being the mother we knew to someone who was in such pain
it was so hard.” Through it all though, Wyatt said that his mother evidenced the faith she had raised him and his brothers with. She got bad news “over and over again” and still never wavered from her faith. “She held onto her faith, and we saw what it meant to her and how it helped her get through every day,” he remembered. Today he still relies on her memory to inspire him to be strong in his own faith–and to be a testimony of it whenever he can.

According to Wyatt, he feels comfortable sharing his faith within his circle of influence and said he tries to stay true to it every day in his work with weather. “I’m firmly rooted in science, but I also know that there’s more to it than that,” he said. “I’ve seen the power of faith and belief and what it can do, so I find it very easy to share.” 

Wyatt’s mother also influenced another important part of his life. She instilled in him a love of music—something he continues to do today as a songwriter and performing musician. “Mom sang in a gospel quartet, and then cousins and friends had a quartet,” he said. “I taught myself how to play guitar, my brother plays drums. I used to play every weekend in college, and while I’m busier now I still spend time doing it.” He continues to write music today and is also working on a book-length project. “If I come up with a cool idea, I tell myself ‘I need to write a song.’ It just flows from me,” he said.

Looking to the Future. Today Wyatt enjoys a full life with a gratifying career, an enjoyment of music and writing, and time with his wife and young son Landen. “My job really is my dream job. I grew up watching the station, and it’s sometimes hard to believe I’m working there now,” he said. “And Nicole is a wonderful wife. She understands the job and my responsibility.” Wyatt doesn’t know where else the future may take him, but he’s content with where God has led him thus far. “The Lord laid out things for me in ways I never imagined,” he said, “and I’m very blessed.”

-Cheryl Wray

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