Selecting Guardians for Your Children

July 27, 2022July 26, 2022 by Laurie Stroud

bigstock Happy Family Having Fun Time A 450288511

Legal Matters

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

While attending a baby shower, a friend in her late 60s wondered if the parents-to-be had taken time to consider very carefully who they would like to be their baby girl’s guardians if they were both gone. That’s so much more important that the nursery wall color.

Sometimes a guardian choice is obvious such as a sibling whose parenting style you like. But siblings often live far away. Perhaps close friends are better choices so your children would already know them well, and your children’s day-to-day life would have more continuity after major trauma. If you’ve set up trusts for your children through your estate plan, the trustee is another possible guardian. However, you may like your trustee’s financial expertise more than their parenting expertise.

Not only is selecting potential guardians for your children a major decision, but your will should include at least two backups of either couples or single individuals. When reviewing their five-year-old will, one couple was stunned to realize that of the three couples they had selected, all three were now in drastically different situations. The wife of their primary choice had died, and her husband was dealing with grief and had moved to Georgia. Their secondary choice had divorced and had a complicated relationship. The third couple had divorced, and both had married other people. This situation is a perfect example of why we encourage clients to review their wills at least every three years.

Your own life may change in ways that should trigger a reassessment of your choices of guardians such as moving to a different state. If you have more children, perfectly competent guardian possibilities with larger families of their own may become inappropriate because they would be stretched too thin to raise your children, too. Obviously, you need to keep your wills updated. Long before you meet with your estate planning attorney, talk seriously with each potential guardian, and get their agreement to serve as guardian. Ask them to let you know if their situation changed in ways that would prevent them from accepting the responsibility. And then update your will.

-Melanie B. Holliman, JD

Partner at Holliman & Holliman, PLLC

www.bradfordholliman.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.

July 26, 2022 by Laurie Stroud

bigstock University Or College Students 439832522

Money Matters

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

As your teen prepares to go off to college for the first time, they’ll have to learn to manage their money well. It comes as no surprise that most teens struggle with this the first year or two but teaching your child these five lessons early will help prepare them to be successful in college.

1. Teach them that bills always come first. When your child is living independently for the first time, they will be tempted to spend their money on fun things they’ve never had before. However, if they’re not careful, they won’t be able to afford the essentials. Make sure you go over a budget with them and teach them that they should always have enough to pay bills before spending for leisure.

2. Be clear in how much support you will provide. If your child goes to school full-time, they may only have time in their schedule for part-time work. It is essential to be clear on how much financial support you will provide and stick to that plan, so they learn to be responsible for the rest.

3. Teach the value of saving. While your child may be living on a tight budget, it’s important to teach them to save while in college. Even the smallest savings can help if they lose their job, have an emergency, or want to do something fun over the summer. As little as $50 a month can add up and help them feel more secure while away from home.

4. Use credit cards wisely. Helping your child get their first credit card can be a wise way to help them start building credit and ensure they can pay for emergencies. However, the temptation to use it irresponsibly will be strong, so make sure your student knows the responsibility of a credit card and takes it seriously. If used irresponsibly, credit cards can harm their credit instead of helping it, so have a conversation about responsible payment before signing them up.

5. Remind them that college is an investment. Most kids don’t realize the magnitude of the investment that is a college degree. College is expensive and sometimes comes with massive amounts of debt. They need to remember that the return on investment is much higher if they finish and make good grades.

With these tips and a little bit of learning as they go, your child will be well-equipped to handle a college campus. You can start teaching these lessons as early as you want, just as you can start saving for college at an early age through various investment avenues. If you’re ready to learn more about college saving plans, contact OneAscent today.

-Heath Morris CFP®
Senior Lead Advisor
205-313-9142, [email protected]

April 25, 2023July 26, 2022 by Laurie Stroud

Miracle Moments

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

At Big Oak Ranch we say often, “A small thing repeated is not a small thing.” The reward for the daily, committed work in nurturing the hurting places in our children is frequently found in the glances, in the smiles, in the subtle comments that bring us to our knees.

Not too long ago, a 6-year-old girl joined our family. A little girl who, despite past hardship, is always smiling, loving and friendly. She’s a typical child who enjoys coloring and has a fascination with frogs. The day she arrived at Big Oak happened to be the day her new Ranch family had plans to leave for a beach trip. So, she joined right in and they talked, laughed and connected during that 5-hour drive. She then stepped onto the beach for the very first time.

Most of our kids don’t come to Big Oak, only to leave for a beach trip with their new family that day. But that circumstance was specially appointed by God. Since that trip, her houseparents have watched her grow and weave into her new family. Even the chores around the house she does with a sweet spirit, including making her bed every morning with no reminder. Well, except for one day – her first day of school.

After all of the children were off to school on the first day, her housemom walked past the little girl’s room and noticed her bed wasn’t made. Realizing this was unusual, her housemom lightheartedly asked the little girl about it when she got home. She said, “Were you just so excited about your first day that you forgot to make your bed?” The little girl replied, “Well, no ma’am. When I woke up, I thought I was late and didn’t want to miss breakfast.” She recalled how, before she came to Big Oak, she used to rely on breakfast at school but because she was always late to school, she often had to do without breakfast. Brought to her knees, the little girl’s housemom assured her that she would never go without breakfast and that she would always make it to school.

Each morning, this young girl enjoys breakfast and a devotion time with her family before school. She is learning to trust and growing in confidence. And, as a bonus on that first day of school, she found a special connection with her school teacher around a great love of frogs.

At Big Oak Ranch, one of the greatest gifts we give our children is a private, Christian education through Westbrook Christian School. They receive the opportunity to dream and strive toward the plans God has for them, and it changes generations.

-Big Oak Ranch

www.bigoak.org

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.

July 26, 2022 by Laurie Stroud

Best Books

Your past doesn’t define you. Your present doesn’t define you. But who you choose to trust does define your future.

We have all experienced a “meanwhile” in life when God is strategically laboring behind the scenes to work all things together for His good and for His glory. Sometimes a “meanwhile” can be an interminable and challenging “meanwhile.” Such is the story of Joseph of the Old Testament… and it might be your life story as well!

Joseph was a victim of circumstances, family dysfunction, slavery, unfair accusations, and sexual harassment. However, none of those undeserved conditions impacted the ability of Joseph to walk in his destiny.

Best Books Meanwhile Carol McLeod Photo Ironstream August 2022 BCF — In addition to writing, Carol McLeod is a popular speaker at women’s conferences and retreats. Learn more about McLeod here.

You are the “Joseph” of your own story. There are relationships, abuse, and rejection that work against you but will never determine your God-ordained destiny. No matter what you are going through and regardless of how Satan has attacked your family, your productivity, or your freedom, you can trust that God is at work behind the scenes of your life. What the enemy meant for evil, your God will certainly use for good! In Meanwhile- Meeting God in the Wait, author Carol McLeod takes the reader through a Bible study of Joseph of the Old Testament.

McLeod is a best-selling author of 15 books. She was awarded the 2021 Alumna of the Year for Service to God by Oral Roberts University and the Director’s Award for nonfiction at the 2022 Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writer’s Conference. McLeod hosts two podcasts and writes a weekly column for Ministry Today. Her weekly blog, Joy for the Journey, has been named to the Top 50 Faith Blogs for Women, and her YouVersion devotionals have reached four million people worldwide. Her latest book, Meanwhile, is available now. †

July 26, 2022 by Laurie Stroud

Best Books

What does the future hold for our local churches? What needs to change and what needs to be revived? Do we need to double down on what we’ve been doing, make minor adjustments, or radically re-evaluate everything, including the fundamentals? What is the real purpose of the church anyway? What is the point?

While these are questions you may not have considered before, I can assure you that most pastors are thinking about them. And they should be. Church attendance has fallen nationally by 25% in the last twenty years. In 2018, the percentage of Americans who attend church declined to a historic low, and that was before Covid disrupted everything. Even more alarming is the rapid decline in attendance of young adults, who are increasingly suspicious of the church institutions of their parents and dismayed by a perceived disconnect between the Gospel of Jesus and the social views represented in the churches they once called home. Sadly, many of their suspicions are not without merit.

In their new book, Next Sunday – An Honest Dialogue About the Future of the Church (IVP Press), Nancy Beach and Samantha Beach Kiley share two perspectives on what the church has been and what it can become. Beach worked in an evangelical mega-church for years. Her daughter and co-author, Kiley, is a creative arts pastor in Austin, Texas. Together, they reflect different hopes and expectations for the church. Although they share a desire to see their church be what God intends it to be, they recognize that churches are made up of humans, and humans are anchored to culture. The gospel does not change, but how we express our faith does. There has never been one true, universal paradigm for church polity and practice. The question, therefore, is not whether churches will change, but how and why?

Beach and Kiley offer an insightful, honest, and valuable conversation between two women of faith who have different dreams for the church. As such, reading Next Sunday can be a catalyst for thoughtful contemplation on the future of your own church. Whether you are a pastor, active member, or occasional church guest, Next Sunday may be a rich resource for reimagining what your church should look like in the future, for both you and the community it serves.

-Darrel Holcombe, Owner

Sanctuary Christian Books and Gifts

Colonial Promenade, Alabaster

www.sanctuarychristianbooksandgifts.com

205-663-2370

July 26, 2022July 26, 2022 by Laurie Stroud

camp spotlight shocoo springs Blob on the lake

Special Feature

Congratulations to our Readers’ Choice Winners for Summer Family Fun!

Entertainment Spot: American Village
Recreation Spot: American Village
Summer Camp: Shocco Springs Camp & Conference Center
Travel Spot: Greater Gadsden Tourism

Thank you to all of our readers who participated in our Readers’ Choice Survey! As a thank you for taking the survey, reader Rachael Montgomery from Birmingham won four tickets to Alabama Adventure & Splash Adventure!

Congratulations to the American Village for being the Readers’ Choice for Favorite Summer Entertainment Spot AND Recreation Spot! American Village in Montevallo welcomes you to enjoy red, white, and blue fun all summer long. From August 1-31, enjoy free self-guided walking tours of the 188-acre campus. For a complete schedule of events, visit www.americanvillage.org.

Congratulations to Shocco Springs Camp & Conference Center for being our Readers’ Choice for Favorite Summer Camp! Centrally located on over 900 acres in Talladega, Alabama, Shocco Springs is an all-inclusive camp and conference center where you can relax and unwind in God’s incredible nature while holding your church or school group’s next event. Shocco Springs has an abundant selection of meeting spaces, lodging facilities and dining choices, whether you need space for 10 or 1400. Learn more at www.shocco.org.

Greater Gadsden Tourism is our Readers’ Choice for Favorite Summer Travel Spot! The area includes Noccalula Falls Park and Campground with hiking and biking on the black creek trails, an animal habitat, botanical gardens, and the spectacular falls cascading over 90 feet into the Black Creek ravine! For updates on offerings all summer long in Greater Gadsden, visit www.greatergadsden.com.

For more ideas on Family Fun click here. †

July 25, 2022 by Laurie Stroud

bigstock Rain In City Two Women With U 456810511

Parenting Points

We live in a world where people feel alone. From the social separation of the pandemic to the distance of social media, many people feel like outsiders. As followers of Jesus, we are called to care for outsiders.

In writing to the church at Philippi, Paul wrote of Jesus coming from heaven as an outsider into our broken world. He left heaven’s perfection to go into our world’s brokenness. The true outsider became an insider to rescue people like us living as outsiders on the margins, lost in our brokenness. In describing this picture of Jesus to the church, Paul writes that Christians should “let each of you not only look to your own interests, but also the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4 ESV). We have been invited to join Jesus in engaging the outsiders in the world around us.

Who are today’s outsiders? The outsider could be the single mom at church who doesn’t have a place in the church’s small group structure. The outsider could be the Afghan or Ukrainian refugee who has moved to your community. The outsider could be the new student at your child’s school. The outsider could be a widowed neighbor down the street. Here are three ways our families can seek to care for outsiders.

1. Notice the Outsider. It is easy for us to get busy with our lives and miss the people God is putting on our path. Noticing takes both time and intention. Pray that God would open you and your family’s eyes to the outsiders around you.

2. Engage the Outsider. Start a conversation, take them a meal, invite them to come to sit at the lunch table beside you, and tangibly show them love and grace. Be willing to get to know the outsiders around you.

3. Befriend the Outsider. Let the engagement be the launching point for the relationship. Bring them into the life of your family. Let them join the lunch group in the elementary school cafeteria. Go together to the ball game.

As we engage outsiders by inviting them to be a part of our family, we will be able to point people by our love and friendship to Jesus, who took outsiders like us and made us part of His family.

-Dr. Ben Birdsong

Missions Minister at Christ Church Birmingham

Writer and Speaker

www.benbirdsong.com

July 25, 2022 by Laurie Stroud

Welcome back to first priority kids holding gospel sign

Welcome Back to Class

Did you know that as of last school year there are 163,814 students in 270 schools across Greater Birmingham? First Priority represents 93 of those schools. That means there are 177 schools without a First Priority/Priority Kids club. We are working hard to expand this fall and start new clubs. The vision of First Priority is to share the hope of Christ with every student before they graduate high school. First Priority unites the local body of Christ with a plan of action to influence the school with the Gospel.

First Priority Club — As area students head back to class this fall, First Priority and Priority Kids will play a critical role in helping our youth establish positive peer groups and grow in their faith in Christ.

Did you know that suicide is the second leading cause of death among teenagers? Students are depressed, lonely and looking for a safe place to belong. Christ’s love is the answer and First Priority gives them a great outlet to connect with others who may be going through similar situations. Launching new clubs will allow more students the opportunity to hear the life-changing Gospel of Christ, develop leaders and connect local churches to mentor students.

Priority Kids is a strategy for churches and parents to partner together around schools to empower elementary and intermediate students to influence their school with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We do this by teaching them “What Jesus Said” in the Bible. We believe as they READ IT, SEE IT and LIVE IT for themselves they will have a desire to TELL IT to everyone they meet. A young boy recently told his mom the only reason he wants to attend school is to go to Priority Kids.

First Priority and Priority Kids clubs are much needed on school campuses as they provide a safe environment and positive peer group for students. Will you help us expand this year and launch new clubs? There are multiple ways you can be involved. Visit www.firstpriorityal.com for more information or email us directly at [email protected]. If you would like your elementary student to participate in Priority Kids this fall or if you would like to volunteer, visit www.prioritykids.com. We hope you’ll be a part of this unique movement to reach every last student with the hope of Christ! †

August 29, 2022July 25, 2022 by Laurie Stroud

Welcome Back to Class

Banks Academy partnered with Huffman Baptist Church for a new location! “We are excited to have such a great Christian high school utilizing our facility enabling our church to further serve the surrounding community,” says Rob Paul, Pastor of Huffman Baptist Church. “The Huffman Baptist facility has everything we need to grow the school to 300-400 students and fulfill our mission of empowering Birmingham area students to fulfill their potential through delivering excellence in education, character, and life skills to live productively in a diverse community,” says Darryl White, Board president and school founder. Banks Academy was founded in 2015 by alumni of the old Banks High School in Eastlake. The school has grown and just celebrated its fourth graduating class continuing its 100% graduation rate and 70% attending higher education.

The school is run by Dr. Cathy Trimble, a nationally recognized and awarded educator. “Our mantra for the next five years as the Banks Academy Jets is ‘to Soar to Higher Heights.’ Soaring means continual improvement in character, faith, academics, and athletics.” Banks Academy offers a dual curriculum of college prep and technical and trade through a dual enrollment program with area colleges. Banks Academy is accredited by ACSI and Cognia and is a member of the Alabama Independent Schools Association. The school offers football, girls’ and boys’ basketball, girls’ volleyball, cheering, and track and field. Applications are still being received for the 2022-23 school year. To apply, go to www.banksacademy.org. Come celebrate with the board and faculty at the Open House on September 13 from 5:30-7 p.m. at 700 Huffman Road. Free event, RSVP requested, [email protected]. For more information visit www.banksacademy.org. †

July 26, 2022July 25, 2022 by Laurie Stroud

bigstock Surreal Landscape With A Split 339866500

Publisher’s Note

We have two roads that lead to our home- one road curves sharply with lots of hills and valleys, the other road is basically straight. Although the routes are very different, they both take about the same amount of time to reach our doorstep. Growing up, my son Jonathan loved to take the curvy route. Older brother Benton preferred to “go straight!” Son Trae vacillated between the two. He liked both routes and faithfully served as my accountability partner, reminding me whose turn it was- “Mom, don’t forget, Jonathan’s way this time! Turn Mom, Turn!”

As Christians, isn’t it wonderful to know that even though we may not each take the same path, as long as our hearts and minds are set on “getting home” we can be assured that we will reach the same heavenly destination. At times the path may be filled with hills and valleys, at other times it may seem to be a “boring” straight line, but He is with us all the way- leading us His Way to our heavenly home.

Check out our August giveaways here!

-Laurie Stroud Franklin