What Trajectory Are You On?

December 28, 2022 by Laurie Stroud

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Money Matters

Brought to you by: OneAscent Wealth, www.oneascentwealth.com

According to data compiled by TechJury, almost half of Americans report that they are workaholics. 77% say they’ve experienced career burnout. Nearly 66% of workers admit that they don’t have the work-life balance that they really need. A simple question to consider: is this life to the full and the journey God calls us into? Here are three things to consider.

1. Set priorities. Even if you are not a top-level executive, you can create margin. Simple changes like adjusting your sleep schedule can create valuable time that you can use to pray, exercise, read, and rest in the knowledge that you don’t have to chase after the sun; you are already God’s beloved. To some degree, you also have the power to create boundaries. That might mean setting a strict clock-out time and creating a ‘do not disturb’ schedule so you can be present where you are.

2. Monitor progress. Do you measure success in other avenues of life beyond the professional? If you notice you’re crossing off work tasks ahead of time but missing precious time with your family, those blank boxes where checkmarks should be will point you back to your schedule and your priorities list. Another valuable form of “measurement” is having people in our lives who hold us accountable like a mentor you’d like to emulate. Working with a financial advisor can help you stay on track towards short-term financial goals, like buying a new house, while also progressing towards long-term security in retirement.

3. Reevaluate goals. Your hopes as a 20-something college graduate were very different than your hopes at age 50. Once you near retirement age, the prospect of life without full-time employment will recalibrate honoring God means for you all over again. As you begin a new year, set aside time to reflect. Ask yourself, “What am I working towards?” Do the goals you had earlier in your life still apply? Or are you simply going through the motions and cashing a paycheck? Are you happy with the amount of time you’re able to devote to your faith, family, and friends?

At OneAscent we will partner with you as you walk out these questions. Our desire is to care for you and help you steward your values and your valuables. Let’s meet and discuss what life trajectory you desire and what steps you can take to walk on that path.

-John Beatty

Advisor at OneAscent Wealth

205-313-9142, [email protected]

Investment advisory services offered by OneAscent Wealth Management, LLC, a registered investment advisor with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

OneAscent is hosting two events on January 17 that you’re invited to attend. At 10 a.m., join OneAscent Investments for a Quarterly Market Update Webinar. At 11:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m., join OneAscent Wealth at the OneAscent office, 23 Inverness Center Parkway, Birmingham, 35242, for a Values-Based Investing Workshop.

December 28, 2022 by Laurie Stroud

bigstock Couple running bookshop 13904324

Legal Matters

Brought to you by: Community Partner Holliman & Holliman, www.hollimanlegal.com

When several members of a family work in the same business, just being family does not provide enough structure to handle succession planning or asset protection from creditors and taxes. A family limited partnership can also help avoid family contention. After all, disagreements over who is the favorite son, daughter, nephew, or niece are very common and can impact long-term relationships.

Families who share family businesses, real estate, publicly traded and privately held securities or other assets can use a limited partnership (LP) or limited liability company (LLC) to manage the business relationships among family members. When these assets are rapidly growing in value, families also use family limited partnerships for tax planning, creditor protection planning, and succession planning.

A family limited partnership (FLP) is a holding company owned by two or more family members and has two classes of owners – general partners (GPs) and limited partners (LPs). The assets held in an FLP may be owned by different members of the family currently, and the FLP can be structured with pro rata shares of the FLP which can help with succession planning. The GPs, often parents, manage and control the FLP and its assets and may be the primary or only current owners of the business. However, an FLP can also be structured to redistribute the ownership over time and define future GPs. The LPs are often the adult children or grandchildren of the GPs and are passive owners of the FLP. They have an economic interest and benefit from the FLP’s income, but do not manage or control the FLP. The LPs receive a pro rata share of the FLP’s income and are liable only to the extent of their investment in the FLP. This limitation of liability can be very valuable if the LPs’ personal assets differ a lot in size.

Obviously, a family limited partnership requires a good bit of thought and discussion with your family and your experienced estate and business planning attorney. Consider it as a New Year’s resolution to check into the possibilities for your family situation.

-Melanie B. Holliman, JD

Partner at Holliman & Holliman, PLLC

www.hollimanlegal.com

205-663-0281

No representation is made that the quality of the legal service to be performed is greater than the quality of service performed by other lawyers.

December 27, 2022 by Laurie Stroud

Special Feature

Do you feel stuck in life? Do you struggle to find your place or connect with others? Author and veteran newscaster David Lamb has written a book for you. 5 Pillars: How to Find Your People, Place and Purpose is a roadmap for overcoming life setbacks and living a full life.

5 Pillars cover — Although a short read, 5 Pillars is is packed with thought provoking content. Learn more at www.authordavidlamb.com.

Lamb wrote 5 Pillars after his brother, Mike, passed away four years ago. “This is the book I wished I would have had to give him,” Lamb says, adding that his brother suffered personal breaks in life, battled depression, and never truly found his way. After his passing, Lamb was angry at others and at God. “His death just did not make sense to me. I really struggled with it,” Lamb says. One day, he realized if he didn’t “do something with this, it’s going to eat me alive.” He started looking for something good to come out of his loss.

“I wrote the book that I wished I had had to give to Mike,” Lamb shares. In 5 Pillars, readers will find five pillars that Lamb believes if you center your life around, you will be on the way to a successful and fulfilling life. “I think these five areas, if you can focus your attention and get these five areas right, you’re going to have a life that you are grateful for.” The five pillars found in the book are:

1. Compelling Vision

2. Healthy Lifestyle

3. Rich Relationships

4. Fulfilling Career

5. Big Mission

In the book, Lamb shares real life stories of people who have struggled and conquered these five areas. The book writing process “started with a prayer for God to lead me,” Lamb shares. He prays that everyone that reads his book is encouraged and learns to lean into hope. Learn more about 5 Pillars at www.authordavidlamb.com.

-Melissa Armstrong

April 25, 2023December 27, 2022 by Laurie Stroud

Miracle Moments

Brought to you by: Molly Maid of Birmingham, www.mollymaid.com/birmingham

“In all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:6

I grew up in a rural part of Etowah County. My family was extremely poor, often going for extended amounts of time without running water or electricity. I lived with my mother, stepfather and several siblings, and emotional and physical abuse were always present in the home. My biological father, who was rarely present, altogether stopped visiting me when I was in the third grade.

Hank Wells School Picture — Seen here is Hank’s school photo.

In March of 1993, I was thrown out of my house. I walked to a friend’s home where I was welcomed to stay during the snowstorm and then for the next several weeks. I attended church with them one Sunday which happened to be the same church where Joe and Sherry Fain attended, a couple preparing to be houseparents at Big Oak Ranch. The Fains saw the need I had for a home. They spoke with John Croyle and Big Oak Ranch social workers, and it wasn’t long before I was on the winding country road that led me to the entrance of the Boys’ Ranch. I was met by people who listened to me with genuine concern. Their actions, character and words told me that I mattered. At 17 years old, I entered the Perkins Home and was the Fains’ first child at Big Oak. The Ranch helped me get my first job at Jester Door and Trim. My boss, Wes Ingram, and his wife, Virginia, ended up becoming my Resource Family for the Ranch. Pop Fain and Wes prayed with and for me- they were the first men to ever show me what a relationship with Christ is supposed to look like. The first time I had ever felt the love of Christ in my life came from my houseparents and resource parents. They faithfully invested in my daily life, expecting nothing in return from me, yet waiting in full expectation for the Lord to work in my life in His timing.

In high school, I met a girl named Leslie who worked at a local grocery store and soon started dating. After going our separate ways in early adulthood, the Lord brought us back together. The Lord has been sovereign over my every step. The Ranch gave me a foundation, while my houseparents and resource family invested in me daily. When I reconnected with Leslie, it all came full circle as I finally realized my desperate need for a personal relationship with Christ and received Him as Savior. We get to share the Gospel all across the world – from Uganda to Peru to local missions. My prayer is that God would use me- my story- to help others who have faced the same hardships.

-Hank Wells

If you have a Miracle that you would be willing to share, please email [email protected]. Subject Line: Miracle Moments or call 205-408-7150.

April 10, 2023December 27, 2022 by Laurie Stroud

bigstock Frustrated Depressed And Unha 439319753

Special Feature

What have you resolved to do differently this year? Lose weight? Get a better job? Break a bad habit? Maybe you plan to spend more time with your family or become more active in your church. You committed your life to Jesus and are discovering what it means to be a faithful follower of Christ.

New Year’s Resolutions come in all shapes and sizes, but they have at least one thing in common—a desire for positive change. Some will seek happiness through divorce this year. Is breaking up a resolution couples must keep? Is divorce the right solution for every troubled marriage?

January Surprise. January is called “divorce month” by lawyers because of the high rate of filings compared to the rest of the year. According to the Doyle Law Group, “It is commonly found that married couples, especially those with children wish to avoid disturbing the winter holidays and often hope for a last-minute change in a partner’s behaviors.” This finding is interesting, but not all troubled marriages are required to participate in divorce month.

God’s Plan. God is for lifelong marriage. When asked about divorce, Jesus said the couple is “no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.” (Matthew 19:6, NAS) Ending a marriage is a delicate subject among Christians. Some couples want to honor God in their decision. Others want to escape a miserable or dangerous situation regardless of the spiritual implications. Sometimes divorce is inevitable. For those who have walked (or are walking) this life-altering journey, be reminded that God’s grace is sufficient for you (2 Corinthians 12:9). Divorce is the breaking of a God-ordained covenant, and yet, He does not withhold His forgiveness or love from the divorcee.

Consider This. If you are a Christian in a struggling marriage, determine if you have exhausted all efforts to reconcile. Let God teach you how to love with no strings attached. Seek help from a wise biblical counselor. Finally, remember God is with you in your journey (Psalm 94:14). Freelance writer, Alysse ElHage, cites a study by sociologists Paul Amato and Spencer James, who found “when couples stick together through difficult times, remain faithful to one another, and actively work to resolve problems, positive long-term outcomes (while not guaranteed) are common.” God’s resolve is stronger than ours. He built marriage to stand the test of time. God and time—the perfect combination for healing broken love.

-Alonza Jones

President & Co-founder of Biblical Marriage Institute

BiblicalMarriageInstitute.org

@biblicalmarriageinstitute

December 27, 2022 by Laurie Stroud

Janet using a chainsaw during disaster relief

Ways to Serve in 2023

Natural disasters are often referred to as “acts of God,” but disaster relief efforts can be considered a different kind of act of God. These “acts” include teams of volunteers who put God’s love into action. Janet Adwell from Birmingham has been a disaster relief volunteer since 2017 when Hurricanes Harvey and Irma ripped through Louisiana and Florida. As a petite female volunteer and mother of two, I wondered what she had to say.

What prompted your interest in disaster relief? “When the April 27 tornadoes came through the Birmingham area in 2011, I went to where I used to live to see what I could do to help. A lone American Red Cross worker was there and used me to help distribute food. I didn’t realize that the food was provided by the Alabama Baptists, not Red Cross. I was hooked!”

With whom do you serve? “I work with the Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief (ABDR) and Samaritan’s Purse (SP).”

Are there any differences in jobs that females do versus males? “No, but it helps to know your own strengths and weaknesses. Some jobs I cannot do as fast as a male, but I have proven myself to be a valuable chainsaw team member.”

What teams are available on which to volunteer? “ABDR has laundry, childcare, showers, feeding (for workers), mass feeding, mud-out, chainsaw, and roof tarping. SP has basically three general teams.”

Janet cooking food for disaster relief — There are a variety of areas disaster relief volunteers serve. Janet Adwell shares that she always returns home after serving feeling blessed.

Where have you volunteered? “Mostly in the Southeast, especially Louisiana. I’ve also been to Florida, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Alabama. I have done a few one-day jobs locally.”

What would you say to someone considering serving as a volunteer? “If you have ever thought about it, give it a try. You come back feeling more blessed than before you left. I would encourage someone who may be feeling depressed to go. It will improve your disposition.”

Are you interested in getting involved with disaster relief? On January 27-29, you can attend Disaster Relief Training through the Shelby Baptist Association. Learn more at shelbybaptist.org.

-Karen Allen is a freelance writer and blogger. Her Bible study Confronting Cancer with Faith brings hope to survivors worldwide. Sign up for her blog at ewerblessed.com.

December 27, 2022 by Laurie Stroud

Ways to Serve in 2023

Vapor Ministries is a local nonprofit that meets needs, feeds souls, and elevates God in the poorest places on earth. We offer volunteer opportunities where you can make a difference around the world from right here at home at one of our Vapor Thrift Stores located in Vestavia Hills, Greystone, and Westover.

Vapor Ministries volunteer unloading car — Vapor Ministries volunteers can help receive donations, organize, sort and display clothing and hard goods.

As generous people donate gently-used clothing and household items, Vapor turns them into affordable goods for the local community and uses the revenue to provide clean water, food, healthcare services, education, and the Gospel to impoverished communities in Africa and Haiti. It’s truly a win-win-win!

Vapor Ministries needs volunteers to help make this effort possible. Individuals and groups of up to six people are ideal for helping receive donations, organize, sort, and display clothing and hard goods. There are also opportunities to assist with minor repair and construction projects. We want to build lasting relationships with our volunteers! This partnership is an excellent opportunity for solo enthusiasts as well as business outreach and church small groups looking for recurring or long-term opportunities.

Vapor Ministries Volunteer 2 — You can make a global impact by volunteering at one of the Vapor Thrift Stores right here in Birmingham. Learn more here.

To learn more or volunteer today, please visit us at www.vaporthrift.com/volunteer. †

January 3, 2023December 27, 2022 by Laurie Stroud

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Here’s to Your Health

An estimated 33% of adults age 65 or older have diabetes. Currently, it is the eighth leading cause of death in the US. When we eat, food is broken down into glucose and released into the bloodstream. When blood sugar goes up, the pancreas releases insulin into cells to use as energy. The presence of diabetes means the body cannot make enough insulin or can’t use it as well as it should.

There are two more common types of diabetes. Type 1 is generally acquired in childhood, and Type 2 can occur at any age. About 90 to 95 percent of diabetes cases are Type 2. In general, too much sugar from food stays in the bloodstream. If not managed, over time heart disease, stroke, vision loss, loss of limbs, dementia, and kidney disease may result.

5 Steps for Seniors to Manage the Disease. While there is no cure for diabetes, there are ways diagnosed seniors can manage symptoms to avoid disease progression to more complicated health conditions. Lifestyle and daily routine are key factors. Here are five steps to help keep it in check.

1. Monitor Blood Glucose Levels. Adhere to regular monitoring of your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels, as well as blood pressure and cholesterol. Today there are less painful and intrusive glucose monitoring systems, often covered by insurance, ranging from apps to subcutaneous implant devices and more.

2. Follow a Healthy Diet. A proportionate weight can make all the difference in the health and longevity of people with diabetes. One approach is to eat several small, healthy meals a day, spaced just a few hours apart, instead of three big ones many hours apart. In this way blood sugar levels remain relatively constant.

3. Exercise Daily. In connection with diabetes, movement cannot be underestimated. The same goes for a myriad of conditions and aging well in general. Being physically active works! Diabetes or otherwise, be sure to stay well hydrated when exercising.

4. Reduce Alcohol Consumption. Alcohol can sometimes exacerbate diabetes complications, including eye disease and nerve damage. It can also interfere with medication.

5. Quit Smoking. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) now says smoking is one cause of Type 2 diabetes.

If you’d like to learn the importance of having trained, knowledgeable Caregivers to support a loved one with diabetes or striving to manage a chronic condition, please contact one of our friendly and resourceful Amada Senior Care advisors by visiting www.AmadaBirmingham.com or calling 205-208-9466.

-Len Everts, Amada Senior Care

December 27, 2022 by Laurie Stroud

Senior Scene

At Brookdale University Park’s Clare Bridge Crossings, memory loss doesn’t have to mean all is lost.

It’s scary, the idea of a family member not knowing you. And that’s just one of many emotions you’ll experience. Our Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care communities, known as Crossings and Clare Bridge, want to help you see the more positive possibilities. Your mom or dad may struggle with memory and recognition, but they can still experience joy and accomplishment. And so can you.

Clare Bridge Crossings Solarium — Clare Bridge Crossings offers beautiful community spaces for fellowship between residents.

The Clare Bridge Crossings program- opening in early 2023- is a stepping stone between home or before Assisted Living and Clare Bridge to support those living with early-stage dementia. Our Crossings program has at its foundation a growing body of research that shows a structured program of cognitive workouts, regular and varied physical exercise and increased social interaction may help to slow the decline of those living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. This specialized programming preserves self-esteem and enables persons living with dementia to remain engaged with peers when they might otherwise struggle socially- and be more susceptible to depression- in a traditional Personal Care setting.

As a proactive discipline the Clare Bridge Crossings program may benefit individuals whose symptoms are just starting to result in the need for additional cueing and care. The Crossings’ daily path of activities features mind-and-body enhancing, socially engaging programs such as:

Art expressions
Vigorous mental workouts utilizing the latest technology
Activities that recognize prior occupational skills and interests
Outings which encourage learning and new knowledge

Clare Bridge Crossings Room — Here is a look at the beautiful living spaces available at Clare Bridge Crossings.

The Clare Bridge Crossings program offers private suites in comfortable neighborhood environments. Unique building features, such as an exercise room, art gallery and resident-use kitchen help residents stay engaged and socially active. The Clare Bridge Crossings program is, by design, a stepping stone in the Clare Bridge continuum of Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care provided by Brookdale. As such it is most beneficial for those in the early stages of these conditions.

When should you consider early-stage dementia care? Consider care when you or someone in your care:
Needs a bit of help with planning day-to-day activities

Doing well with reminders, reassurance and social interactions with others but may be struggling with initiation
Getting around without a lot of assistance
Mostly managing bathroom needs and personal care with only occasional support

What can you expect from the Clare Bridge Crossings program? You can expect innovative engagement, dining options, and purpose-built and designed environments.

Innovative Engagement. Engagement provides an opportunity to “stretch to improve” cognitive skills, and daily routine programs, including a specifically designed exercise program, helps residents stay socially connected, engaged and more confident in their abilities.

Clare Bridge Crossings Model Room — To learn more about the Clare Bridge Crossings program, visit www.brookdale.com or call 205-870-0786.

Dining Options. Dining at the Crossings encourages resident choice and participation to build self-esteem to help maintain autonomy. Healthy and delicious meals featuring optional Optimum Life brain-healthy menu help increase our residents’ nutritional health and decrease their risk for weight loss.

Purpose-built and Designed Communities. Intentionally designed programmatic spaces encourage continued learning and help our residents maintain connections with opportunities, such as:

Art and music workshops, live and active gardening spaces as well as fitness areas that feature the latest technology that exercise the mind and body
Outings that include learning opportunities, local interests and culture

We are proud to be pioneers in person-centered Alzheimer’s and dementia care. With a clinical focus and evidence-based practices, our programming creates a customized experience of engagement to meet your patient where they are at different stages of the disease. Come home to Clare Bridge Crossings for a different approach to early stage Alzheimer’s and dementia care. For more information about our Clare Bridge Crossings program, visit www.brookdale.com or call 205-870-0786. †

December 27, 2022December 27, 2022 by Laurie Stroud

Ways to Serve Big Brothers Big Sisters females drinking coffee

Ways to Serve in 2023

January 2023 marks Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham’s 50th anniversary. The youth mentoring organization first opened its doors in 1973. Its mission was simple–to match each child that entered the program one-to-one with an adult mentor, or “Big,” who could act as a positive role model to the “Little.”

At its inception, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham consisted of just a handful of staff, a very limited budget and a passion for serving the youth of Birmingham. Today, the agency has expanded to six counties (Jefferson, Shelby, Blount, Walker, Chilton and St. Clair) and serves over 700 children each year across six different programs. “The impact our program has on these children is so incredible to see,” said organization CEO Sue S. Johnson. “We’re not just serving these kids for a few years and then sending them on their way. Many of these Matches turn into lifelong friendships, and they all change lives for the better, both for the Big and the Little.” Johnson has served as CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham since 1999. Over the years, she has watched children blossom into versions of themselves that likely never would have been possible without the love and support of their Big.

“We see these kids come in, and a lot of them are being pressured to join gangs, or to do drugs at school, or to get in all sorts of other trouble,” Johnson said. “But then we match them, and it’s like a complete 180 once they start spending time with their Bigs. I’ve watched the Littles in our program go on to become doctors, serve in the military and do any number of other amazing things. Watching them succeed is why we do what we do.” Research supports the positive impact of mentors. A 1994 study by Public/Private Ventures found that after 18 months of spending time with their Bigs, Littles were: 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs, 27% less likely to begin using alcohol, 52% less likely to skip school and 33% less likely to engage in violence compared to children not enrolled in the program. The study also found that Littles were more confident of their performance in school and got along better with their families.

Johnson has seen the results of this study prove themselves time and time again during her tenure at the agency. “What we do matters,” she said. “When we match these kids and give them the support and encouragement they need to succeed, they’re capable of anything. They are our future, and I truly think we’re helping to brighten that future, one match at a time.” To learn more about how you can impact the lives of area youth through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham, visit www.bbbsbhm.org. †

What Trajectory Are You On?

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