How can we describe Winter? Let’s see… Go-anywhere adventure buddy. Snuggle bunny. Certified joy dispenser. This sweet sugar cube happily soaks up every ounce of love you have to give. She won’t bark when the doorbell rings or get anxious with thunder. After all, Winter is a rock star. Haven’t you heard that deaf dogs rock?! Maybe you could be the one to “sign” her up!
Winter has a heart as big as her playful spirit. Silly and full of joy, she enjoys basking in warm sunbeams, car rides for pup cups, romping with doggie friends, and being your love shadow around the house. Her little underbite will absolutely own you! Looking for “some bunny” to love? Consider Winter, the Snow Queen of the Hop scene! Applications are open at www.twobytworescue.com/adopting. If you’re ready to grow your family by four feet, visit our website to see all our fabulous fur kids up for adoption at www.twobytworescue.com. 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 and operates out of Birmingham, Ala. †
“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and truth.” 1 John 3:18
I was 13 years old when my brother and I were placed at Big Oak Ranch. I felt like I was stuck without a choice. My Daddy died when I was very young. My mom did the best she could for my brothers and me. We had a loving home. My Mom had severe medical issues and we were poor. We ate beans and greens or macaroni and cheese every night. We did not celebrate Christmas one year. My brothers and I did not even realize it. We walked everywhere we went. Grocery store, school, anywhere we wanted to go, we walked.
Robert is seen here during his years at Westbrook Christian School.
Mom would often get sick and be admitted to the hospital. Some of these times, my three brothers and I would stay home by ourselves. Neighbors would make sure we were okay.
Mom’s health continued to deteriorate. My brothers and I needed to be somewhere else. Our sister Donnice found Big Oak Ranch and took me there one afternoon. Asking what I thought, I told Denise that I did not want to live at the Ranch. She brought me anyway. Donnice visited and checked in on me, knowing that this was the right direction. Now, Denise and I are close as ever. Big Oak was exactly where I needed to be.
Robert Campbell and his wife enjoy visiting the Ranch for reunions and more.
Before coming to the Ranch, I got picked on a lot! Fights and getting into trouble were constant. On the playground at my new school, brothers also living at the Ranch were playing with a hacky sack and asked if I wanted to play. Those fellow Ranch brothers didn’t make fun of me. They were cool to me. It made me feel like a person. Life was different at the Ranch. I didn’t have to fight anymore. I had friends and Ranch brothers. Every day we were outside – riding bikes, playing at the baseball field, or fishing in the pond. I got to play football at Westbrook Christian School.
We were all equal at the Ranch. My house brothers and I were treated the same. My houseparents called me son and made me feel like I was a part of the bigger mission. My houseparents took the time to get to know what was important to me.
Completion, finishing the task, winning the race. These are all moments that we long for. We can’t wait until our workweek is done to get to the weekend. We all long for completion and the end. As Jesus comes to the end of His time on the cross, He makes a statement of completion that stands at the heart of the Gospel story. He says the single word in Greek, “tetelestai,” or as John 19:30 in English says… “It is finished.”
This statement stands as a cry of victory. It is the battle cry of our salvation. The word tetelestai is one a banker would write at the top of a bill, stating that it has been “paid in full.” It is a word that a judge would write over a case file of a man who has been released from prison. Tetelestai is a word of victory. When Jesus cries tetelestai at the cross, He marks the end of a great battle. At the cross, Jesus purchased a victory over sin, hell, and the devil. Those who lived under the weight of the payment due for their sin can live a new life of freedom because their debt has been paid in full. Those who lived in prison due to their sin and its consequences can now walk free because their case is dismissed. Tetelestai is a moment of great freedom and victory, not only for Jesus but also for everyone who will follow Him.
Yet as Christians, so often, we forget tetelestai. We begin to live like salvation is something that we can earn. That our performance somehow impresses God and helps us to earn His favor. We forget that it is finished means that Jesus’ work for us is enough when our work could never begin to be enough. We also forget tetelestai when we fall back into the old ways of sin. We go back to the bank and live like we are under outstanding debt. We go back to the prison cell and wrap ourselves back up in the chains that Jesus broke for us at the cross. We run back from the place of freedom that we were made for back into the comfort of our past bondage.
When we forget tetelesai, we forget the Gospel. We forget that the same message that saves us is the message that sustains us. One of the keys to following Jesus is a daily reminder that Jesus paid it all, that my performance is never enough, and that I need Jesus to live His perfect life through me.
So today, are you living in light of tetelestai? Are you embracing the ongoing work of Jesus in your life? Are you running from the lure of sin and bondage and walking in true life and freedom?
-This devotion is an excerpt from Ben Birdsong’s book Words from the Cross: 7 Statements that Will Transform Your Life. It is a 7-day devotional exploring Jesus’ final words on the cross through devotional reflection and illustrations by Pete Collins. Words from the Cross is currently available on Amazon.
In a time when more children than ever need safe, loving homes, Called to Foster? arrives as both a compassionate guide and a courageous invitation. Releasing May 5, 2026—and available for preorder now—this powerful new resource by Dr. John DeGarmo and Jen Lilley encourages families to answer the call and embrace the journey of foster care with faith and confidence.
Blending warmth, wisdom, and refreshing honesty, Called to Foster? offers a real-world look at what it means to open your heart and home to a child in need. From navigating paperwork and licensing to parenting children who have experienced trauma, the authors walk readers through every stage of the process. Their tone is practical yet hope-filled, filled with candid stories, helpful guidance, and soul-strengthening encouragement.
Jen Lilley—an award-winning actress known for her work in television and film—writes not only as a public figure but as a foster and adoptive mother through the Los Angeles County system. Dr. John DeGarmo, founder of The Foster Care Institute, brings decades of experience, having fostered more than sixty-five children alongside his wife and trained agencies and families worldwide. Together, their combined lived experience creates a resource that is both deeply personal and highly practical.
Whether you are prayerfully considering foster care or already walking this challenging and beautiful road, Called to Foster? reminds readers that they are not alone. For families, churches, and agencies alike, this book is a timely and essential guide to loving well—and making a lasting difference. Learn more at shop.ironstreammedia.com. †
Want a good laugh? Watch men shopping with their wives. There’s the eye roller, the pacer, or the guy who holds his wife’s purse like a football while she tries on clothes. No matter his age, culture, or creed, many husbands will hear these four terrifying words from his wife: “Babe, let’s go shopping!” His response may set the tone for what happens after the outing. Here are three comments a husband might want to refrain from making while shopping with his wife.
1. “I’ll wait in the car.” Say this at your peril. Your wife may see this decision as a win-win proposition. She can flow from aisle to aisle in peace while you relax in the privacy of your vehicle. After the first hour, you may find yourself voicing a prayer similar to Asaph’s in Psalm 79, “How long, O LORD? Will [she be in there] forever?”
2. “How many more stops?”This is a classic rookie mistake. This question reveals a misunderstanding of the buying versus shopping process. Most husbands go to the store to buy something specific. If it’s not there, they leave. The process is transactional. Most wives examine, explore, and envision possibilities. The process is an adventure.
3. “Do we really need that?” There is an old adage: A man will pay ten dollars for a five-dollar item he needs. A woman will pay five dollars for a ten-dollar item she doesn’t need because it’s on sale. You and your wife won’t always agree on needs and wants. Assume everything she buys… uh, shops for is a need. View her as a Proverbs 31 woman who plans ahead for her family. Verse 21 says, “When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.”
For the shopping-averse husband who can think of a million other ways to spend his Saturday, consider this: Your wife is the Lord’s gift to you. Christ bought her with His blood and presented her to you to love sacrificially. Shopping may not be your thing. Still, as a Christian husband, you are called to place your wife’s needs above your own (Philippians 2:4). Cherish every moment you share with her. Your patient presence outside the dressing room will not go unnoticed. And that’s no joke!
-Dr. Alonza Jones
Teacher, Writer, Speaker
President and Co-founder, Biblical Marriage Institute
Brought to you by: Community Partner Still Waters Counseling and Education Center, www.mystillwaters.org
The season of Easter holds the full spectrum of human emotions, the deepest of grief and the most profound joy. We mourn and we celebrate.
The story of Easter begins in sorrow. The disciples watched the one they loved suffer and die. Their hopes seemed buried with Him. Fear, confusion, and loss filled the silence of that long weekend. Many of us know that kind of silence. We have faced moments where the future feels uncertain, and the weight of disappointment or grief feels heavy.
Yet Easter does not end in sorrow, but in a turn of events that gives way to overflowing joy. The empty tomb reminds us that God’s work is not limited to what we can see in the moment. Resurrection means that even when a story appears finished, God is still writing. What looks like the end may actually be the beginning of restoration.
In counseling, we often meet people who feel as if their story has reached its final chapter. They have prayed, tried, endured, and carried burdens for a long time. Some come believing they have already used their last chance. Hope can feel fragile when life has delivered repeated disappointments. But the message of Easter speaks directly into that place. The resurrection of Christ tells us that despair does not have the final word. Shame does not have the final word. Fear does not have the final word. The power that raised Jesus from the dead reveals that God brings life where we may only see loss.
Healing often unfolds quietly. It may look like getting out of bed on a difficult morning, asking for help, choosing forgiveness, or taking one small step toward change. These moments may seem small, but they reflect courage and movement toward life. Good therapy helps us understand and experience how minds and emotions heal. Faith anchors us in the Truth that we do not carry our burdens alone. Together, they create space for real restoration. Scripture offers this promise: “He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” 1 Peter 1:3
Resurrection is not only a past event. It is an ongoing reality. God continues to bring renewal into broken places and life into weary hearts. If you are in a season where hope feels distant, know that your story is not finished. If you think you might benefit from professional counseling, Still Waters would be honored to be of service.
Still Waters is currently looking to add a few therapists. If you are a licensed therapist with theological training, we would welcome an initial conversation to explore whether you might be a strong fit for our practice. Email [email protected].
Ovarian cancer is the fifth deadliest cancer among women, causing more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2026, approximately 21,000 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and more than 13,000 will lose their lives to the disease.
This will be the 11th year for Whitney Woodard, her twin sister Laurie Forester and older sister Amy Mitchell to participate in The Motherwalk and lead the Mama Mitchell team in honor of their mother who lost her battle with ovarian cancer in 2015.
Often referred to as the “silent disease,” ovarian cancer presents with vague or subtle symptoms and currently has no simple or reliable screening test. As a result, only about 15% of women are diagnosed in the earliest stages, when the five-year survival rate is highest. Increasing awareness of the signs and symptoms is critical to improving early detection and saving lives. Symptoms may include persistent pelvic or abdominal pain, bloating, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly, fatigue, unexplained weight gain or weight loss, back pain, painful intercourse, nausea, menstrual changes, and changes in bowel habits. “Unfortunately, a simple and reliable screening method is not currently available for ovarian cancer. A Pap smear does not screen for ovarian cancer,” says Ashley Thompson, Executive Director of the Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation (NLOCF). “Paying attention to your body, recognizing persistent symptoms, and maintaining annual gynecological exams are the best tools we currently have for earlier detection. A woman knows her body best. If something feels abnormal or continues for more than a few weeks, she should contact her physician right away.”
Save the date for the 23rd Annual Motherwalk 5K and Fun Run with the Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation on May 9, 2026, at Homewood Central Park, 1632 Oxmoor Road, Homewood, 35209.
In recognition of Mother’s Day, the Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation will host the 23rd Annual Motherwalk 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run on May 9, 2026 at Homewood Central Park. This meaningful community event celebrates women, raises awareness of ovarian cancer’s often-silent symptoms, remembers those who have lost their lives, and honors survivors and those currently battling the disease. Motherwalk will feature a morning filled with purpose and celebration, including music, a kids’ zone, educational displays, merchandise vendors, a Photo Memory Mile, and a moving dove release ceremony. Whitney Woodard, current NLOCF board member and the volunteer coordinator for Motherwalk 2016, is still heavily involved in this event. Last year, she and her two sisters recruited a team of 100 to run in honor of their mother, who lost her battle with ovarian cancer in 2015. “It’s a fun event. You don’t have to be a runner. You can be a walker. Or maybe you just want to come and support the effort,” says Woodard, adding that it is so rewarding to be a part of an event that raises awareness for the signs and symptoms of the disease and raises funds for ovarian cancer research at UAB and provides assistance to women in our community battling the disease.
With an anticipated 700 runners, this inspiring event promises to be both uplifting and impactful. The community is invited to join this powerful celebration of hope, remembrance, and action. For more information about Motherwalk, visit www.cureovariancancer.org or contact Executive Director Ashley Thompson at [email protected] or 205-999-8021.
Learn more here about how NLOCF is actively working to fight ovarian cancer- including raising funds for research at UAB, raising awareness and providing assistance to those battling ovarian cancer in our community through the Just a Need program.
Are you a Christian woman who struggles with body image and food restriction issues? Brittany Braswell is a registered dietitian who is passionate about helping women find freedom in these areas. “One of the things that I love when it comes to food and nutrition is that it’s so practical. It’s something that everybody has to do every single day. And so, my perspective on it is that it doesn’t need to be full of guilt and shame. It needs to be full of joy, and it needs to be something that we can enjoy with family and friends in non-pressure situations,” Braswell says.
Registered Dietitian Brittany Braswell helps Christian women find a “Christ-centered, grace-filled approach to food and body image that’s actually sustainable.” Find one of Brittany’s recipes here.
Braswell often focuses on ways to adopt a healthy, non-diet approach to food with her clients. Her services are unique because she incorporates a faith component into her approach. “One reason for that is because the Lord gave us food. He made our bodies to need to eat. And so, it makes sense to invite Him into that process and for that to be part of the foundation for, not just what we choose to eat, but taking care of our bodies in a way that makes us a good steward,” Braswell explains. One practical way Braswell helps her clients have a better relationship with food is by letting go of moralizing labels. “Being able to throw out the good food, bad food kind of language can really help you start having a healthier relationship with food, and not just healthy, but beneficial.”
Click here to listen to Braswell’s Faith-Filled Food Freedom podcast. She also loves speaking at events. Learn more here.
Over the last 13 years, Braswell has walked alongside more than 300 clients as they learned to trade rigid food rules for real body wisdom. Her mission is “to help Christian women break free from the never-ending cycle of food guilt and body shame by guiding them toward Christ-centered food freedom. Through faith-fueled coaching, we’re ditching diets, silencing the scale’s grip, and renewing minds so women can nourish their bodies with confidence- without the obsession.” Braswell strives to guide her clients to a foundational level when it comes to food and body image. They explore questions like: “What do you really believe, not just about food or your body, but about the Lord and your relationships? How does that all play into your identity and how you’re viewing your worth and value?”
Braswell’s services are offered completely online. Women can find freedom with Braswell, whether they’re local to Birmingham or living in Georgia, California, and even the United Kingdom! She offers one-on-one coaching options in addition to her curriculum for group coaching called The Joy-Filled Eater Course. Braswell also hosts a podcast called Faith-Filled Food Freedom. If you’re ready to live free from food guilt and the number on the scale with faith-fueled strategies, visit www.brittanybraswellrd.com or email [email protected].
Want to learn more about eating with a healthy, non-diet approach to food? In the video interview below, Brittany Braswell explains how this can be achieved.
For 30 years, Birmingham-based Oasis Counseling has been providing high-quality counseling to financially vulnerable women, children and families. The Oasis Counseling team creates a safe haven that offers dignity, access and hope to those who might otherwise go unseen or untreated. Anne Bruno LaRussa founded Oasis in 1995 and is heralded as a visionary who saw an egregious gap in mental health care in the Greater Birmingham area. At a time when community centers treated only serious mental illness (SMIs), those with more common mental health disorders lacked affordable, accessible support. Driven by compassion and conviction, LaRussa established Oasis to ensure these services were available.
Lulu Gribbin will be the keynote speaker at the Oasis of Hope Luncheon on April 7 at The Club. Visit oasiscounseling.org and click on the Oasis of Hope tab for all the details and to purchase tickets.
Marking the milestone of providing help and hope to nearly 50,000 individuals, Oasis Counseling is hosting its annual fundraiser “Oasis of Hope” Luncheon at The Club on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 from 11:30am-1pm. The event is focused on increasing awareness about the importance and benefits of mental health care and all monies raised will directly support Oasis’ mental health care services provided in the Birmingham Metro area and 20 plus Alabama counties- via in person and teletherapy appointments.
Event attendees are sure to be encouraged by the powerful story of fighting back and rising up that will be shared by keynote speaker Lulu Gribbin. The 17-year-old survived a terrifying shark attack just two years ago. Her experience, coupled with her inherent competitive nature, intelligence, gratitude and faith, makes her a gifted speaker, captivating audiences with confidence and emotional clarity. According to Catherine Pittman Smith, Director of Development, “Lulu’s remarkable journey of faith, resilience and recovery is a testament to the power of healing. Her inspiring story reflects the practices at the heart of Oasis’ mission—compassionate, effective mental health care that fosters renewed hope and lasting healing.”
Kenneth Byrd, Jr. is this year’s Oasis honoree because of his longtime commitment to advancing Oasis Counseling’s mission. He is the Senior Vice President of Protective Life.
Oasis serves adult women, ages 19 plus; boys and girls, ages 3-12; adolescent girls, ages 13-18; and families through affordable, life-changing counseling services including, Play Therapy, evidence-based & trauma-informed therapy modalities – Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Lifespan Integration (LI), Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Family Systems Theory.
At the 21st annual luncheon, Oasis will honor Kenneth Byrd, Jr., Senior Vice President, Protective Life, for his longtime, unwavering commitment and service to advancing Oasis’ mission and critical work. As the 2026 Anne Bruno LaRussa Visionary Award Recipient, he is being recognized for his humble leadership, passion for community service and advocacy for mental health. For tickets to attend and to learn more about Oasis Counseling, click here.
Learn more about the history and impact of Oasis Counseling on our community from Oasis’ Executive Director, Kathryn Bowden. Video Courtesy Blue Cross Blue Shield.
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