Have you recently read articles or books such as The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo? Instead of tidying your household items, letβs tidy up your legal papers.Β Β
Start by keeping your originals and copies of your estate plan in one place. Keep deeds, life insurance policies, and burial policies in the same place as well since your executor will need them, too. We have all heard of legal battles over which will of a famous, rich person is valid, and you do not need to cause that situation even if you are not famous and rich. Shredding is advisable. If you prefer to keep obsolete wills and powers of attorneys, clearly mark them as obsolete and what date new versions were created.Β Β
Donβt put your estate plan documents in a bank deposit box. Current copies should be distributed to your executor, agent for powers of attorney, and doctor for healthcare directives and DNR (do not resuscitate orders). Of course, review and update your estate plan if it is three to five years old, and review the designated personal representatives, agents, and executors to make sure they can still serve.Β If changes are made, contact these people, and give them copies. Collect the obsolete documents they have or ask them to shred them.
Veterans should carefully save their military service documents including their discharge papers. Some benefits for veterans and their families are dependent upon the specific times and places served. Saving these papers could make filing for benefits more successful later on.
Β Separately, keep a current file of medications, copy of healthcare directive, any DNR order, all doctorsβ contact info, and all health and Medicare insurance cards in a handy place in case you cannot speak for yourself in a health crisis. Everyone in your household should be able to easily grab the file and follow the ambulance. Take this file to most doctor appointments so that your doctors can update their records. We cannot guarantee that this spring cleaning of legal documents will make you happier or bring you joy, but you will have more peace of mind that your affairs are in order.
Hereβs what the financial forecast may have in store. It can be easy to overlook the nationβs solid economic fundamentals when the financial media splashes stories every day about an army of amateur traders, short-selling mania, and initial public offerings (IPOs) that double in price on the first day of trading.But a recent survey by The Wall Street Journal showed just how upbeat economists are aboutΒ 2021. Hereβs a quick summary of the highlights.
1. Increased projected economic expansion. Economists now expect the economy to expand by 4.9% this year, an increase from their estimate of 4.3% last month. The forecast has brightened due to the distribution of COVID-19 vaccinations and the prospect of additional fiscal relief.
2. They are less optimistic about employment. The group sees 4.8 million jobs to be added this year, versus a January 2021 forecast of 5 million. There is an ongoing worry that jobs may take longer to return to certain industries, such as leisure, airlines, and restaurants.
3. Brace for higher inflation. They project a 2.8% increase in consumer prices in June 2021 compared with a year earlier.Β
4. Decreased chance of an economic downturn. The economists believe there is a 17.5% chance of an economic downturn in the next 12 months, an improvement from the 21.2% risk estimate in January. Vaccines and the prospect for new federal spending are driving the optimism.
While the consensus is upbeat about 2021, itβs important to remain vigilant as economic trends unfold this year. An outside force can cause a sudden shift in sentiment, which is why we monitor surveys like the one conducted by The Wall Street Journal. Keep us in mind as you read information about the economy. Weβd welcome the opportunity to hear your thoughts.
This material was prepared by MarketingPro, Inc., and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting party, nor their affiliates.Β
Investment Advisory services offered through Investment Advisors, a division of ProEquities, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor.Β Securities offered through ProEquities, Inc., a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA & SIPC.Β Vision Financial Group, Inc. is independent of ProEquities, Inc.
Β Β Citations.
The Wall Street Journal, February 11, 2021
S&P Global Market Intelligence, September 21, 2020
Do you compare yourself to those whoβve done greater exploits? Or evaluate yourself against someone whoβs made smaller accomplishments because -perhaps unconsciously- it makes you feel better? Unfortunately, some of us do both! And all are left feeling defeated. No-one wins the comparison game, yet weβre tempted to keep playing it.
The Apostle Paul was clear that those who compare themselves among themselves are not wise. Thereβs absolutely no accuracy in it! All it does is cause pride to abound and dissatisfaction to destroy. Eventually, comparison distracts us from staying focused on our own unique, God-given purpose. You see, God wants YOU to be YOU. His anointing for your life will only flow through the authentic you. We can be deceived into thinking only those in βthe ministryβ are fulfilling a big purpose or only those who have a huge platform can make a significant impact. But the reality is God has placed purpose in your heart and whatβs currently in your hands is your calling to steward.
Being a businessman for thirty years, Iβve chased a lot of things. Whether it was accolades, materialism or titles, ultimately, I was looking for a sense of fulfillment. We know that most people in our world are searching for true meaning and significance but even for many believers, we struggle with thoughts and insecurities wondering if how weβre spending our days really matters. It wasnβt until I looked at what was in my hands that my calling became clear.
Through applying Kingdom purpose in every aspect of my life from business to faith and family, Iβve learned that God places dreams within the heart of every person and then sits back excitedly waiting for each of us to dare to pursue them. God-sized dreams are exciting yet intimidating. A perfect position for us to be in so that we can apply faith. But hereβs the thing- what we do every day doesnβt always feel God-sized. We have to recognize that stewards are responsible and accountable without prompting or prodding. The way we serve others through our talent and treasure, the way we love and serve our family- itβs the everyday decisions and moments that add up to our God-size calling. So, dream big about your unique purpose and look at whatβs in your hands to walk it out. Itβs never too late to start today!
One day, Jesus healed a blind man on the Sabbath, enraging the religious leaders of his day. Theologically conservative, they were deeply suspicious of Jesusβ innovative teachings. Faithful in their worship, they gathered every week to read the scriptures and worship God. Appalled by the moral laxity of those who did not share their religious views, they zealously called out sin. They were the righteous ones, the holy remnant, the people of God. Repentance was for the blind sinner, but not for them. In response to their opposition, Jesus proclaimed, βBecause you say that you can see, your sin remains.β
Paul David Tripp has written more than 30 books on Christian living and is an international conference speaker. He lives in Philadelphia with his wife, Luella.
Paul David Tripp’s new book, Journey to the Cross – A 40-Day Lenten Devotional, is a call to repentance. Tripp invites us to put aside our usual routine and focus our attention on Jesus and our ever-present need for God’s grace and mercy. Confronting our sinfulness leads us to contrition and mourning. That’s a good thing. Jesus taught us that those who mourn over their sin will be comforted. By implication, those who do not mourn over their sin receive no such blessing. As Tripp states in his introduction,Β “The cross confronts us with who we really are (sinners) and what we need (forgiving grace). Lent is about remembering the suffering and sacrifice of the Savior. Lent is about confessing our ongoing battle with sin. Lent is about crying out for the help we desperately need from the only one who is able to give it.”
At no point in my lifetime has the American church been in such desperate need of the observance of Lent, for the hindrance to revival is embedded deep within the heart of millions of Christians, not in the culture which surrounds us. We need to mourn. We need to reflect. We need to repent. Sadly, too many of us feel we have nothing to repent of. We should remember with caution the words of Jesus to those who believed their zealous worship, scriptural mastery, and conservative theology rendered them exempt from the need of repentance. “Because you say you see, your sin remains.”
Hope When Itβs Hard: A 30-Day Devotional For Adoptive ParentsΒ is more than encouragement for adoptive parents. Itβs a lifeline. You finally surrendered. You opened your heart when you said, βYes, God, Iβll adopt.β But now youβve discovered that opening your heart to the idea of adoption is the easiest part of the journey. Now comes the emotional ups and downs that only another adoptive parent can understand.
Hope When Itβs Hard offers words of encouragement to help adoptive parents navigate the emotional ups and downs of adoption. Regardless of where you are in the process- just beginning or now living with the teenagers you adopted as infants- there are struggles unique to adoptive parenting. Weaving elements of her own journey through adoption, author Jennifer Phillips helps you find hope as you begin to see Godβs adoptive heart toward you.Β
Jennifer Phillips, author of the widely praised book Bringing Lucy Home, is an adoptive parent to a loving little girl she and her husband affectionately named Lucy. A psychology graduate of Samford University, she served as executive director for the local Sav-A-Life, a national network of crisis pregnancy centers. She has four children, including one precious Chinese daughter Lucy, and now lives in Alabama. For more information, visit her blog atΒ jenniferphillipsblog.com. β
The 20th Annual Gardendale Magnolia Festival is set for April 16-17, 2021! The festival team is excited to welcome visitors safely back for the fun, family friendly event that includes live performances by Cotton Pickinβ Kids- a gospel and bluegrass group from Cullman.
In April of 2020, the Cotton Pickinβ Kids posted their cover of βFoggy Mountain Breakdownβ online and it went viral with 4.9 million views (and counting) on Facebook!
The Cotton Pickinβ Kids is a group of siblings that range in age from ten to eighteen who all began playing instruments at a young age. Savio (18) decided in 2017 to start competing in music competitions. Mother Elizabeth explains that this decision βinspired the other children to do the same.β This led to the children joining together as a group. Savio (18) plays mandolin; Therese (17) plays lead fiddle; Cecilia (15) plays the acoustic guitar; Rosalinda (13) plays harmony fiddle; Gianluca (12) plays banjo; and Giovanni (10) plays dobro guitar. Fabio, their father, sometimes joins in on bass.
At the Magnolia Festival, expect to hear some great music from The Cotton Pickinβ Kids including gospel and instrumental cover songs and several originals performed in the groupβs bluegrass style. βThey always try to have variety in their showsβ says mom Elizabeth. Where did the name Cotton Pickinβ Kids come from? Elizabeth says the group was at a competition but didnβt have a name yet. βMy husband went to sign the children up and they asked what the band name was. He hadnβt thought about that part,β she laughingly explains. βAll of the sudden the name Cotton Pickinβ Kids came to him and it stuck.β To get a sneak peek on the kids performance, you can listen to them on www.facebook.com/cottonpickinkids.
What else can you enjoy at the Magnolia Festival? There will be more than 160 vendors in addition to a car show, pooch parade, petting zoo, artisan demonstrations, pony rides, art classes for kids and more! What about food? There will be unique food vendors that offer cheesecake funnel cakes, shrimp and oyster poboys, polish sausages, collard greens, fried green tomatoes, foot long corn dogs, homemade ice cream and more! Learn more at www.magnoliafestival.org.
Staff and residents at Brookdale University Park celebrate the fifth vaccine clinic held January 22, 2021 for independent living. It was a “Taco Bout a Vaccine/Adios Corona” fiesta theme!
Through a strategic partnership with CVS, Brookdale residents and associates at eligible communities have already begun receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. At the local level, residents and associates at Brookdale University Park have all had the opportunity to receive both doses of the Pfizer vaccine. We feel honored that our residents and associates are among the first recipients in the country. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have remained committed to our residents and associatesβ health and safety needs .The COVID-19 vaccine allows us to continue working to protect our Brookdale family during this time. Brookdale associates and residents are excited to share their stories and experiences receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Receiving the COVID-19 vaccine is about so much more than protection. Itβs about bringing people together. And working toward a healthier future for all.
Showing the LOVE at Brookdale!Β
To celebrate Valentineβs, Britnee from Brookdale Dining Services made homemade cupcakes to deliver to some friends of Brookdale. Twenty-four Brookdale couples also received champagne packages on the Friday before Valentineβs.
Brookdale resident Betsy Precise is seen here on the day exercise classes opened back up at Brookdale.Β B Fit is one of the signature Brookdale programs residents love. Along with B-Fit, Brookdale is slowly and safely opening up the salon and dining as well.
An Invitation to Experience Brookdale
Residents of Brookdale University Park enjoy an engaging lifestyle with a selection of care options to meet changing needs. The community conveniently located off Lakeshore Drive offers a full continuum of care, including independent living, assisted living, Alzheimerβs and dementia care and skilled nursing and rehabilitation. Brookdale offers virtual visits and tours, live video chats as well as in person visits in which safety measures are taken to protect you, residents and staff. Face covering required (if you donβt have one, one will be provided), six-foot social distance maintained during visits, hand sanitizing stations throughout areas, temperature and health screenings at entrance of the community, 205-870-0786, www.brookdale.com.
-Leanne Messer, Brookdale University Park
Contact Leanne to participate in upcoming Brookdale educational offerings and to schedule a tour, [email protected], 205-613-0688
The Foundry is celebrating 50 years of ministry with the theme of The Year of Gratitude. This theme comes from the final phrase of Colossians 2:6-7 that says, βoverflowing with thankfulness.β As we have set our attention on this passage, we are examining these two verses and recently our focus was on the second line that reads, βcontinue to live in Him.β
For followers of Christ, the idea of continuing to live in Him can have a variety of meanings.Β For some the word continuing means to carry on in a consistent manner while for others it may have a more aggressive meaning of going deeper in Him. Regardless of how we may interpret the word continuing, it for sure implies the opposite of being stagnant.Β Β Β Β
How do we continue to grow in our life with Him?Β
1. Follow the right people. We are all being led by someone in some direction. There is a saying that says, βshow me your five closest friends and I will show you your future.β Those we choose to follow will lead us somewhere. Choose wisely to follow those who are genuine and have your best interest in mind. Align your life with someone who is where you desire to be in your walk with God and allow their example to serve you. Another way to think about this is to ask the question, βWho is your Coach?β
2. Engage in every opportunity. If continuing to grow in Him is the goal, then we may consider seizing every chance we get to fill our lives with opportunities that are often right before us. Maybe it is a small group or Sunday School class or maybe even just attending church again. For some, it is additional time in Godβs Word and a dedicated time of prayer. Regardless of what the opportunities actually are, the idea is to engage whenever possible.
Continuing to walk and grow with the Father is a beautiful thing but only happens when we keep moving.Β Β
TO SAY THANK YOU for reading and supporting the businesses and organizations that advertise with us and make spreading Good News possible, we have THREE GREAT GIVEAWAYS this month for you and your family!
A Ticket ($49) to Jurassic Quest Drive Thru at Alabama Splash Adventure through March 7. To enter to win, simply Like, Share the post on Facebook. For extra entries, comment on the post and sign up for our free e-newsletter/on-line subscription at www.birminghamchristian.com or on our Facebook page, Facebook.com/BirminghamChristianFamily. If you already subscribe to our e-news, simply tag three friends in the comments of the giveaway post and message BCF your email address on Facebook. Hurry!Offer Ends 3/1/2021. Winner Announced 3/2/2021 on Facebook so be sure to LIKE our page! www.facebook.com/BirminghamChristianFamily.
Congratulations to our February Giveaway winner- Genie Honeycutt of Morris receiving a $50 Gift Card from Aquascapes, Highway 280, Birmingham!
A Night Off in the Kitchen! A $40 Gift Card to Carrabbaβs Italian Grill, Birmingham! Simply Visit www.BirminghamChristian.com/Recipes, submit your recipe and get some great recipe ideas! Next Winning Entry to be drawn 3/16/2021.
Our Birmingham Christian Family(BCF) 2021 Teacher of the Year isβ¦Andrea Burk from Helena Elementary School! Readers voted on social media from among five top teacher finalists all nominated by readers. Burk will enjoy a two-night stay at Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tenn. with a one-day pass to SoundWaves(for up to family of four) plus a $40 Gift Card to Carrabbaβs Italian Grill in Birmingham. Upon surprising her with the news, Burk shared with us, βMy mission field is here- at the school each day. I enjoy these kids so much!β
BCF Readers have chosen Andrea Burk, a veteran kindergarten teacher at Helena Elementary School, as our Teacher of the Year! She is seen her with her Principal Mary Anderson.
From her nomination, read here how Burk is making a difference in our community. βWhen you get a kindergarten teacher that has been teaching for 36 years, you know one of two things to be true: she’s either crazy or your child has just been blessed with the woman by whom all future teachers will be measured. With Andrea Burk, you get the latter. Once your child becomes one of “Burk’s Bunch”, they have just entered not only a classroom of learners, but a family full of love, laughter, wonder, imagination, and dreams. Sure, Mrs. Burk can tell you of academic progress, current teaching trends, and the like, but her eyes light up when she tells you about the kindness she sees, the ability to collaborate to solve problems, or how the children take care of and love one another. She so faithfully demonstrates love, joy, patience, and forgiveness to each child that this sense of family weaves its way through to how the children treat each other. Mrs. Burk’s energy and zest for meaningful teaching and learning NEVER slows down. With her years of experience, she could easily recycle things that have worked in the past and coast through, but she doesn’t. The last day of the first semester, when many classrooms have taken down trees and cleaned up in anticipation of the break, Andrea’s tree is still glowing, FULL of handmade ornaments, and her tables have been rearranged to transform the room into the Polar Express for one more glorious day of fun.
BCF Teacher of the Year Andrea Burk with student, Anna Brooks Belew, whose mother Ashley nominated Burk for the award.
The stories of the commitment Andrea has as she devotes herself to helping her babies love to learn are legendary throughout Helena. There was the year that she converted her room to a baseball field the last week of school to keep students engaged until the end, or the time she turned the room into a campsite- complete with thematic reading and math stations that complemented learning requirements, or the countless Mother’s Day Teas she has hosted throughout the years. All of these things are well beyond what’s required to do, but she enthusiastically does them because she LOVES her babies. This year, in a time of so many changes, fears and uncertainties, Mrs. Burk has once again made her kindergarten classroom a place of safety, wonder, imagination and learning. To the woman who sets the bar unimaginably high for all future teachers, THANK YOU, and may you be blessed over and above for all you do.
-Nominated by: Ashley Belew, Parent of Student
Here are ways our other four outstanding finalists are making a difference! Click here to read their full nominations.
Connie Kakoliris, Meadow View Elementary School. βShe teaches second grade. This year, she is our lead teacher for our virtual students in Champions Virtual Academy. She is also our technology coach for our school. She wears many hats at Meadow View. Her innovativeness in technology has increased her instructional strategies and approaches that positively impact student achievement. She has also led several Professional Development classes on technology to help other teachers in our school. Her lesson plans are proof that she tries new ways to reach students in this digital age.β
–Nominated by: Principal Michelle Brakefield
Chelsea Shanks, Thompson Intermediate School. βFor us, the time not in school was devastating. My child has struggled to write, read, and comprehend math. His was progressing so much when everything came to a stop last March. And the regression for him was bad. But when he was able to return to traditional class, Mrs. Shanks dove right in and got Noah back up to where he left off last March. She did this while also assuring us that our son would do great. Now Noah can write independently and legibly. He is reading so much and comprehends it!β
–Nominated by: Cheryl Humpherys, Parent of Student
Racheal Trice, Chelsea Middle School. βMrs. Trice has exhibited all of the aspects that I have wanted in a leader as well as a physical education teacher. She is passionate about students and has a determination to grow each day. Her colleagues often depend on her for guidance and partnership. Mrs. Trice has served as a mentor to new teachers as well as being an integral part of our interview committee. She also has done a fantastic job while serving as our FCA and First Priority Sponsor.β
-Nominated by: Principal Caroline Obert
Lt. Col. Douglas Crabb, Thompson High School. βLt. Col. Crabb has created endless opportunities for his students to be engaged in curricular and extracurricular activities, providing a platform for students who would not have these opportunities in any other capacity. He not only creates opportunities for his students, but Lt. Col. Crabb makes Thompson JROTC a home and family atmosphere for his students to be safe, engaged, and successful. Lt. Col. Crabb encourages his students to be the best version of themselves and inspires them to make a difference in the world. Lt. Col. Crabb has a sincere passion for his studentsβ learning and success, and he is a strong advocate for each and every one.β
Brought to you by: Community Partner Bradford & HollimanΒ Β 
-Melanie B. Holliman, JDΒ 
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Hope When Itβs Hard: A 30-Day Devotional For Adoptive ParentsΒ 
