TO SAY THANK YOU for reading and supporting the businesses and organizations that advertise with Birmingham Christian Family(BCF) and make spreading Good News possible we have TWO Great Giveaways this month.
Offer ends Thursday, 2/12/26. Winners will be announced 2/13/26 on the Facebook Giveaway Post. So be sure to FOLLOW our Facebook page @birminghamchristianfamily.
Enter to win TICKETS to Cottontail’s Village March 6-8, 2026 at the BJCC, www.cottontailsfestival.com. 3 Winners, 2 Tickets Each!
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On my desk sits a small, faded, cut out paper heart Valentine constructed and given to me by one of my sons many years ago. It has sat on my desk for years. Its message is simple and scribbled, “I love you!”
In material terms, it’s just a piece of red and white construction paper. But to me, the message is priceless.
What message do we send to those we come in contact with every day? Is it a message that says, “I care. You are important. You matter.” Or is it a message that says, “I’m too busy. I’m too tired. My problems are more important than yours.”
As a child of God with the power of Holy Spirit living in us, we have been given the gift of God’s love to share with others. We have an important message to share with each other every day, “God loves you and I do too!” How can we show it today?
Although her journey initially led her into the classroom as a teacher, God’s plan did not stop there for Abby Schmucker. Eventually moving into the roles of being a stay-at-home mother of four and a middle school counselor, an epiphany during a volunteer session at her local community center led Schmucker towards her passion of being a private Christian counselor and life coach.
Abby Schmucker is seen here in her office which is located at 1216 1st Street North, Alabaster, 35007.
“I love helping people,” Schmucker said. “The overall goal for me is to help women get more freedom and hope that is offered through Christ as Christians.” That overall goal is what ultimately drove her to develop Magnolia Haven Counseling and Abby Schmucker Coaching. “It just seemed like a natural extension of what I already do,” she said. Through Abby Schmucker Coaching, Schmucker has had the opportunity not only to serve the women in the Birmingham area who can visit in person, but also women all across the world, thanks to remote coaching capabilities. Offering a free 30-minute consultation initially to determine what the client desires from her coaching, subsequent individual sessions cost $150 per hour, with each experience tailored to address the individual needs of each woman. “The first coaching session is going to be a lot of discovery about the client, getting to know each other by establishing those goals that the client wants to accomplish and any obstacles in the way of those goals,” Schmucker said.
A recent empty nester herself, Schmucker’s life has been full of illuminating life events and changes, including moving around the United States multiple times, choosing to pursue a variety of different jobs before founding her own practices, being a loving mother and wife, and even earning a master’s degree in counseling when her youngest child started school. Like everyone in the world, she has had her fair share of ups and downs, a notion she keeps in mind when working with each of her clients. “I have chosen to help women who need a little direction, clarity, encouragement with goals they want to accomplish, or a life transition, a difficult relationship, and maybe parenting challenges,” Schmucker said. “These things are just things that everyone experiences, and every once in a while, we just need someone else to help walk alongside us.”
For more information on Abby Schmucker Coaching and scheduling your free consultation, as well as more details on Schmucker herself, visit www.abbyschmuckercoaching.com. Have any questions? Email her at [email protected] or call 659-901-9784.
-Nicholas Wetzel
Want to learn more about Abby Schmucker? Click below to watch a video interview.
The Birmingham Christian Family (BCF) team partnered with local media outlets, podcasts, and more to spread the word about the 2025 Celebrate the Family Expo on September 13, 2025 at the Hoover Met Complex’s Finley Center. Check out a recap of the day here.
BCF Publisher Laurie Franklin talked with Mark White of The Mark White Show to discuss all things Celebrate the Family Expo. Listen to the podcast here.
Laurie Franklin sat down with JT on News Radio 105.5 WERC to discuss the exciting Expo details.
Talk of Alabama welcomed Laurie Franklin on the show to tell viewers about the Celebrate the Family Expo.
Laurie Franklin joined CBS 42 to share with area families all of the fun details of the Expo and what they could expect.
Richard Dixon, Valerie Vining, and Steve West of Talk 99.5 welcomed Laurie Franklin on the show to discuss 6th Annual Celebrate the Family Expo.
Laurie Franklin was a guest on WDJC-FM with Russell P and Jessica to discuss Expo details.
Jeh Jeh Pruitt from WBRC-Fox 6 News Good Day Alabama was onsite at the Finley Center on September 10, 2025 discussing all things Expo with Laurie Franklin and special guests during four segments of Good Day Alabama.
Special thanks to our Expo sponsors for making the event a reality and sharing great family resources, free entertainment and giveaways to attendees!
My daughter Cape and I lumbered through the snow and ice. Snow lay upwards of two feet deep outside the narrow footpath that we walked. We were without any sort of cleats or spikes, and the downtrodden path was either a slushy mush or icy hard. The ice was slick, so every muscle in our legs clenched, trying to hold our feet steady as we shifted weight with our forward momentum.
It was bitterly cold atop Mount Mitchell that morning and the forest was eerily quiet. Our steps announced our presence like elephants marching. Our breath froze and appeared like a dragon’s breath as soon as it left the warm confines of our lungs. “It was 17 degrees when we were at the summit,” I said to Cape. “I think it’s colder here,” she said, “these snow-covered trees are keeping the sun completely out.” I reasoned she was probably right. My breath was freezing to ice around my facemask and occasionally I pulled shards of ice from around the cloth that surrounded my lips.
“How much further, you think?” she asked inquisitively. “Just one more mile,” I responded. She laughed. The phrase “just one more mile” had been uttered countless on our expeditions. Searching for a wounded deer and curious about how much further we’d walk to find him… “just one more mile.” Paddling across the Mobile River Delta, running well behind schedule at near midnight… “just one more mile.” But for every mile we toiled, there was always rest and a reward to be had at journey’s end. This day it would be the view from atop a rock face near Missionary Ridge.
Walt is seen here with his daughter Cape during one of their many outdoor adventures together.
Paul, too, had miles to go before he found rest. On the road to Damascus, he encountered Jesus. As a consequence, Paul was left blinded by lesions over his eyes, but he knew he had encountered Jesus. A few days later, the scabs fell from his eyes, and he surrendered to the awe-inspiring authority of God. Like standing atop that rock outcropping, Paul could finally see. But Paul didn’t stop. There was work to be done. Cape and I could not have simply sat atop those rocks until we froze or starved to death. Despite the culmination of our mission, there was still work to be done. Paul knew he had work as well. He spent the next few years in tutelage with Ananias and others, forgetting his old ways and learning all that he could about the teachings of Jesus. You see, those old ways never fulfilled Paul. Those old ways were filled with an insatiable lust for causing pain and grief to anyone who followed Jesus. He never found contentment or happiness. No matter how many letters he carried, no matter how many accolades he received, no matter how much blood he spilled… it was never quenching. So, after his conversion, Paul committed himself to becoming a new man who reformed himself to the teachings of the One he knew to be true. For years, he studied, and then he commenced his missionary journeys all across what we know as the Middle East. From those missionary journeys came most of the books of the New Testament.
Most people abandon their New Year’s Resolutions by January 12 of the new year. Paul resolved to be a new man in Christ, and he spent years pursuing that resolve. What strengthened him? Christ. What do you resolve and what does it promote? Wealth, fame, glory? Those things promote the false god of self that only leads to the same feelings of dissatisfaction that Paul suffered during his quest to persecute Christiandom. Resolve to pursue Christ and you will be rewarded with the most glorious view of the setting sun that you have ever seen- the sunset of life with an eternity in fellowship with a loving Father. Like Paul, we all have continuous work to be done. Our mission never ends. Have the wrong resolve, and you will quickly find yourself abandoning the quest. Resolve for righteousness, and your quest will be fueled for a lifetime. Though you may be tired, your feet may hurt, and your breath may be labored… carry on, “just one more mile.”
-Walt Merrell is a Christian Outdoorsman who writes of his adventures with his family, with the hope that others might be inspired and encouraged to embrace God’s tapestry, otherwise known as the great outdoors, as a means of finding Common Ground. You can follow him at Shepherding Outdoors on FB, YT and IG and at shepherdingoutdoors.com.
I love hanging out with my husband of 44 years. During hunting season, it can be a challenge to carve out time with David, who is an avid deer hunter. So, many times I will pull on my camouflage clothes and go with him. There is nothing better than leaving civilization behind and heading out to the hunting club with my honey to enjoy a few days of respite and being immersed in nature, and hopefully filling the freezer with meat we harvest.
One such time, we headed to the hunting camp during the week, and to our surprise, we were the only two people on the 3,000 wooded acres in rural Alabama. David and I made our way to to one of the brand-spanking-new shooting houses on a beautiful and peaceful field at the edge of the deep forest. No one had ever hunted in it before. It was so new you could still smell the wood! We climbed into that shooting house, shut the door, and started to get settled in. It was a tight space for two regular-sized adults, but we were okay with that.
David and Danna enjoy time together hunting in the Alabama woods.
As we are getting all our gear, snacks, and seating situated, we heard a sound. A strange sound, kind of like metal on wood. You know, like a latch falling. Uh-oh… a latch falling? Can we get out? NO…the latch on the outside evidently slid back down of its own accord and locked us securely inside. The only ones on the 3,000 acres that day, we had no one to call to come let us out. Well, what are our options? We could kick the door out, but we didn’t want to destroy it. Maybe we should call someone from our family to drive the two hours from home to come let us out. Getting them here was the easy part; trying to help them find the right path to get to us in the wooded acres was a completely different situation. The next option was the narrow window. It was two feet wide and 10 inches tall. So, we decided that David would go feet first through the window and make the small drop to the ground. Yes, that should work.
Well, it’s a tight spot in there. We don’t have much room to maneuver. So, I think back to my cheerleading days when performing stunts and holding up other cheerleaders, and I brace myself to help hold him up while he tries to wiggle through that tiny opening. If a deer happened to walk by, what a sight it would see- two legs hanging out the window! All was going well until we got to his belt. It was too wide. No matter how much we tried, we could not get him and his belt through that little window. And neither one of us could turn loose of what we were doing to take off that belt. It was just too tight a squeeze. The decision was made to bring him back inside. So, I braced myself again and pulled him back through that tiny space into the little house. I don’t mind telling you it was awkward; we were breathing heavy, I was tugging and pulling, and David was too. He was scratched up a bit, but we did it! We finally got him back inside.
We tried it again minus the belt, headfirst. Again, I’m braced and holding his legs, and he’s wiggling through that tiny space. Then, whoosh, he finally falls through and catches himself for a safe landing. David came around and unlocked that faulty latch so I could get out- my hero yet again. We decided not to stay to hunt in that shooting house. We went back to one of our crusty, dusty, trusty old ones. It might not be new, and it might have a critter or two, but we knew we wouldn’t be in another tight spot! Enjoy David’s favorite venison recipe.
¼ teaspoon of: ground mustard, cayenne pepper, and black pepper
2 Tablespoons flour
1 large can sliced mushrooms, drained
1 can evaporated milk
1 cup sour cream
Instructions:
Brown meat in olive oil. Add spices, flour, and mushrooms. Stir well. Cook for 2 minutes while flour browns. Stir in evaporated milk until sauce thickens. Simmer on low for 20 minutes. Add a little water if it gets too thick. Take off the heat and stir in the sour cream. Serve over egg noodles. *Throw in a handful of frozen green peas for added flavor.
Does your closet look like it needs a makeover after a holiday season of wardrobe additions? Now is a great time to declutter your space while giving back to those in need. Bash Boutique in Hoover is hosting a Clean your Closet event on Thursday January 29 and Friday January 30, 2026. Bring your gently used clothing items to the store to be donated to The Foundry Ministries, a local non-profit organization restoring hope and rebuilding lives through Christ-centered recovery. As a thank you for your donation, you will receive 20% off a Bash Boutique item of your choice.
Give to those in need and reward yourself by participating in Bash Boutique’s Clean Your Closet Event January 29-30, 2026 in Hoover.
Clean Your Closet Tips. Bash Boutique has three tips to simplify your closet refresh and make it less overwhelming.
Think about how long it’s been since you’ve worn an item. If it has been longer than a year and it is not specifically for a special occasion, then let it go. Put a smile on someone else’s face and donate it.
Ask yourself, does the item fit my body now? Does it make you feel good when you wear it? If you don’t love the way it looks, then donate it to someone who will.
Do you have several of the same items already? If you do, keep the best one and donate the rest. This will help you purge in a way that can help you declutter and have less decisions to make when choosing what to wear.
So, let’s get started and plan a visit to Bash Boutique on January 29 or 30. It’s a win-win-win! Clean your closet, help those in need and receive a discount on something new you will love. The store is located at 2539 John Hawkins Parkway Suite 105, Hoover, 35244, www.bashboutique.net. †
New Year, new pet? Start 2026 on the right paw! Welcoming a new dog or cat into your family can be exciting but a little overwhelming at first. Here are a few tips to help your new companion settle in smoothly.
1. Give Them Time to Decompress. Many pets need space to adjust. Remember the 3-3-3 Rule: about three days to relax, three weeks to learn your routine, and three months to settle in fully.
2. Keep It Calm. For the first few weeks, limit loud noises and visitors, offer a quiet retreat space, and stick to routines. Consistency helps them feel safe.
Tater (dog) and Clover (cat) are just two of the adorable animals with Two by Two looking for their forever family in 2026.Read more about these cuties at www.twobytworescue.com.
3. Introduce Slowly. Whether it’s kids or other pets, go slow. Use gates or leashes, supervise early interactions, and never force introductions. 4. Reward the Good Stuff. Positive reinforcement builds trust. Use treats, praise, and play, avoiding punishment. A crate should always feel safe, never scary.
5. Training Strengthens Your Bond. Training builds communication and confidence. Even seasoned pet owners benefit from positive-reinforcement guidance, especially with rescue pets. If you’re ready to grow your family with a new pet, visit www.twobytworescue.com/adopt to see all the fabulous fur kids up for adoption. Two by Two is a faith based, no kill rescue whose mission is to give life to abandoned, abused, and unwanted companion animals. Saving animal lives for more than 20 years, Two by Two is foster-home based rescue operating out of Birmingham, Ala. †
Each month, Birmingham Christian Family highlights a local church leader who is making a difference in our community. As Worship Pastor at Meadow Brook Baptist Church, Dr. David Vaughan leads his church family in powerful worship each week.
What did your journey look like to your current position in ministry? Music and faith have always been the twin pillars of my life; I grew up in a musical family and never knew a time without the church. The true launch of my journey occurred at age seven when I realized God desired a personal relationship with me—a connection far deeper than routine church attendance. While this commitment changed my life forever, my specific sense of vocation arrived at age 17. During a concert, I felt an undeniable, overwhelming call to full-time music ministry. This pivotal moment directed my educational path, leading me to specialized training and degrees from Samford University and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. After 25 years of active ministry, I sought further equipping, completing a Doctorate in Worship Studies in 2020. I have been blessed to serve congregations across four states (Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Alabama) and am currently celebrating 14 years of ministry at Meadow Brook Baptist Church in Birmingham. My service has also extended to leadership positions with state organizations and on the Executive Council of The Southern Baptist Church Music Conference.
Dr. David Vaughan has been the Worship Pastor at Meadow Brook Baptist Church for 14 years. The church is located at 4984 Meadow Brook Road, 35242, www.meadowbrookbaptist.org.
Is there a particular person or life experience that impacted your decision to be a minister? I have been fortunate to have been mentored and influenced by great men in my life, notably Kelly Stephenson, Doug Smith, Lloyd Mims, Paul Clark Jr., Bob Hatfield, and Jack Gordon. Although their counsel came at different times and stages of my life and ministry, the most influential period that truly began my ministry trajectory was the combined experience of high school band, church orchestra, and youth choir. God used those experiences, and the people involved, even when I was unaware, to cultivate a deep love for music, the church, and Jesus Christ.
How would you describe your church family? Meadow Brook Baptist Church is a truly warm, welcoming, and multigenerational neighborhood family. Recognizing the gift of this diverse community, we are unified in our purpose: worshipping God, actively serving our neighbors and the nations, and together growing in the life-changing truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Dr. Vaughan’s wife Jill often partners with him in leading the church in worship by playing the keyboard and singing in the choir.
What is one thing you would like us to know about your congregation? Meadow Brook Baptist strives to live out the greatest commandment that Jesus teaches in Matthew 22:37-39 by first loving God with all that we are and second loving our neighbors near and far as we love ourselves.
Describe what a family can expect when they come to worship at your church? They can expect to see people of all ages enjoying worship that incorporates the treasured hymns of the church as well as new hymns and songs of the church. They will experience expository (verse by verse) preaching that is Biblically sound and applicable to all. There are small groups (typically divided by age) for everyone to be a part of for both Bible Study and personal connection with other.
Please introduce us to your family. I am privileged to be married to the incredible Jill Gordon Vaughan for nearly 32 years! Jill is a woman who can accomplish anything she puts her mind to—and she doesn’t just accomplish it, she does it exceptionally well (with the notable exception of marrying me!). She is a dedicated first-grade teacher and is also quite musical, playing piano for our Youth Choir and keyboard on Sunday mornings. Jill and I have two children, Jackson and Ella. Our son, Jackson, is currently the elementary school music teacher in Mountain Brook. A very gifted trombone player, he is actively involved as a deacon and musician at his church. Our daughter, Ella, recently married Connor Murphy of Birmingham. She also inherited the musical gene, being an excellent clarinet and piano player.
Give the gift of wisdom! Reflections on Happiness: In a Broken and Chaotic World, by Richard E. Simmons III explores the true meaning of happiness and why so many people today struggle to find it. We live in such prosperity, in a country where we are free to pursue our dreams. Yet, disappointment and despair surround us as we continue down the wrong path. It is a great paradox.
Through thoughtful reflection and practical insight, Reflections on Happiness introduces seven foundational areas—relationships, character, work and identity, purpose, health, depression, and mortality—that shape our sense of joy and fulfillment.
Rooted in timeless principles, this book invites readers to discover how living in harmony with God’s design leads not only to happiness, but to true inner peace.
Buy now on Amazon, on Richard’s website richardesimmons3.com/books or at one of our local vendors Little Professor, Siebels, and Church Street Coffee and Books.
Email [email protected] to purchase and pick up at The Center office in Homewood. Bulk discounts available! †
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