Hello, Elegant Ones
We are back with a surprise announcement!
We recently offered a giveaway in conjunction with the theatrical release of HIS ONLY SON. Susan won a $10 Amazon gift card. Yeah, Susan! Congratulations!
We are excited to announce that we have a second winner! Congratulations to
~~ Lyndsey R. ~~
Yeah, Lyndsey! You will also receive a $10 Amazon Gift Card! We will be in contact with you about receiving your prize!
Hello, Elegant Ones
We pray that you had a blessed holiday. Easter is the pinnacle of our Christian faith. To fully understand the events that led up to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, my hubby and I also study the Jewish customs of the Sedar and Passover. 
During Holy Week, we reflect on what the resurrection means and how essential it is to our faith. Without it, there would be no faith, and our beliefs would be in vain. Our retrospect is a similar experience as musical legend Andrea Bocelli. Bocelli and his wife journeyed through the Italian countryside while on horseback, talking with other musical superstars about their faith and how that has carried them through the trials of their lives. This moving story was captured in the recent film THE JOURNEY. You can watch the trailer here:
With a limited time in theaters, THE JOURNEY was only shown during Holy Week. Be on the look for it coming to streaming platforms soon.
Giveaway Winner Announcement
In conjunction with the theatrical release of THE JOURNEY, we hosted a giveaway for our followers. Congratulations to
~~ KARA M. ~~
Yeah, Kara! You will receive a $10 Amazon Gift Card. We will be in contact with you about your prize.
Disclosure:
Many thanks to Trinity Broadcasting Network for providing an opportunity to watch The Journey and write this review. All opinions are 100% my own.
It’s never easy when you start to see your family dynamic change. At some point, we all have to experience that the heads of our families may begin to decline. Aging happens to us all, and it will happen to our loved ones at some point in our lives. While some may experience dementia, that won’t always be the case. Yet, there still will be preparations that you may need to make. Let’s now take a look at what some of them might be.
Photo by Gus Moretta on Unsplash
Adjusting Their Lifestyles
For starters, you may find that there needs to be a lot of adjustments for everyone involved. For your loved one, it could be that they need to change their lifestyles, homes, or routines. This can be hard to adjust to, so you may need to be patient with them. But not only that but as an involved family member, it might be that you will need to adjust too mentally.
Considering Care Options
But it’s not just your lifestyle that might need to change. It’s essential to recognize that, at some point, the level of care required might change. Now, it’s not always easy to know when the right time for memory care is, but it’s a bright idea to know your options. Even if you need assisted living support initially, knowing what to do can help when the time comes.
Discussing the Living Situation
As a step on from the care, you may find that you also need to think about the living situation you have in place too. Sometimes, it may be the case that you need to be having a discussion about the various options ahead of you. As much as your loved one may want to continue living in their own home, is this realistic? Would it be better to consider assisted living, a care home, or even the possibility of them living with you?
Providing the Right Love and Support
But this isn’t always about the logistical things. You’re going to find that you also need to ensure you’re just there. You can listen, provide the support required, and love them during this process. It will be scary and new for them, so it’s all about the emotional side of things and ensuring that this process is as easy as possible.
Learning Together
Ultimately, you’re going to find that this is a process you all learn through together. It won’t be something you’ve ever been through before, so you need to adapt in your own time. Overall, if you can be there for each other and prioritize honest and open communication, you can make it work. And if your loved ones are comfortable at the end of the planning, you’re in the right place.
Hello, Elegant Ones
While at church yesterday, we celebrated Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week, the most important week of our Christian Faith. Throughout the week, my hubby and I will meditate on and remember the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We will share what it means to each of us to have a Savior who died for us and how that connects us to our loving Father.
The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of our faith and the basis of how the life we that live. However, it is essential to remember that when we study the Bible, we find countless people in the Old Testament who are the foundations of our faith. Analyzing their characteristics teaches us how to apply these principles to our lives.
We need to study Abraham and Sarah from the Old Testament to understand faith and what it means to trust God fully. The new movie, HIS ONLY SON, examines the life of Abraham and Sarah and how they waited for God to give them a son. However, God’s second test is at the heart of this movie. This test would determine Abraham’s love for his son and, ultimately, for God. Watch this trailer for the film.
The movie has deeply interpreted the story found in Genesis. It is important to read and study the scriptures to understand the story and put everything within context.
HIS ONLY SON is in a theatre near you. Click HERE to purchase your tickets.
Giveaway Winner Announcement
We recently hosted a giveaway in collaboration with the movie’s theatrical release. Congratulations to
** Susan S. **
Yeah! Susan will receive a $10 Amazon gift. We will be in contact with you on how you will receive your prize.
We have another giveaway going on now, so click HERE for your chance to win.
A threat of a recession looms in 2023, according to experts. And in this uncertain economic climate, protecting your income has become more important than ever. Whether you are a salaried employee or a self-employed entrepreneur, losing your source of income can devastate your financial stability. Fortunately, there are several strategies you can employ to protect yourself against unexpected events like job loss, illness, or a recession. So, do you want to take control of your financial future? Here are eight strategies you can use to protect your income.
Know and prepare for the potential risks
As part of your financial planning and monthly budgeting, identify or consider all potential hypothetical scenarios that can cause financial instability. Think about everything that could go wrong in your financial life and how best to correct them. Create a plan should you lose your income or in case it is greatly reduced, and outline the potential short and long-term consequences. After doing this, determine what steps you can take to secure or restore your financial health. You can speak with a financial advisor to help you at this stage.
Don’t rely on the government for financial assistance
Many people expect their governments to provide financial assistance during economic instability. In the US, for example, many people received financial assistance from the government to help cover living expenses while they remained stuck at home due to COVID restrictions. While these expectations make sense, the last thing you want to do is place all your financial eggs in one basket, as there is no guarantee that the government will come through for you. Instead, look for other ways to secure your financial health. For example, consider spending below your means, saving for the future with an emergency fund, etc.
Consider income protection insurance
Income protection insurance is created to replace a percentage of your regular income in case sickness or injury makes it impossible for you to work for an extended period. This insurance can cover your daily living expenses while you focus on your recovery process.
Different insurance providers offer varying levels of income protection, so you need to speak with your employer to find the best policy for you. While income protection insurance isn’t a long-term financial security, it does offer some level of income stability to protect you during an uncertain period.
Start investing in your retirement
Photo by maitree rimthong: Image credit
It is never too early to start investing in your retirement, as you can never be too certain about the longevity of your career. Regardless of the field or industry you find yourself in, injury and any other form of health concern can force you into early retirement, severing your source of regular monthly income. Start investing in your retirement as soon as possible to ensure that no unforeseen event drowns you in financial uncertainty. Your retirement savings can provide a source of income in your later years and help you maintain your living standard after you stop working. If you’re already contributing to your retirement savings, consider increasing how much you contribute. Of course, only do this if the increment will not affect your financial status.
Develop marketable skills
The job market is evolving rapidly, and you must keep your skills current to stay relevant and employable. Take the time to develop marketable skills that will prove relevant no matter the changes in the general job market. It doesn’t matter whether you’re an employee or run your own business; such skills will help you create a steady source of income during an uncertain economic period. By developing skills in demand, you can increase your earning potential and reduce the risk of job loss. You can take courses or attend workshops to learn or improve new skills. And this leads to the next point.
Protect your intellectual property
If you’re self-employed or own a business, you should protect your intellectual property. Trademarks, patents, copyrights, models, etc., will need protection if they fall into the wrong hands. Doing this can help you maintain a competitive advantage and protect your income from infringement or theft by others, so feel free to consider this.
Find ways to secure your career
Try networking and building relationships with colleagues and industry professionals to help you stay informed about opportunities and trends. This way, you wouldn’t miss new opportunities when they show up. And even if you’re not actively hunting for a new job, keep your resume up-to-date to help you stay prepared for unexpected job loss or other changes in your employment status. Doing this will also help you identify areas where you can improve your skills and increase your earning. This may boost your job security and position you for long-term success, regardless of unforeseen situations, so feel free to consider this.
Moreover, it can help you recession proof your career. You should also have a strong work ethic, demonstrate reliability, and exceed expectations in your job. Think about pursuing certifications or additional courses to enhance your qualifications. And don’t be afraid to open up new challenges and opportunities while remaining adaptable to changes in your industry.
Diversify your income streams
Diversifying your income streams is another effective way to protect your income. It means creating multiple income sources outside of your main job or career. Income stream diversification is one of the most reliable ways to support or protect your career or business. If anything unexpected happens, you can rest assured that you have alternative income sources to fall back on. In other words, by diversifying your income, you can end your reliance on a single source of revenue, making you vulnerable to economic downturns or job loss. For instance, if you lose your job, having a rental income or e-commerce business can help you to stay afloat until you find a new job. You can also capitalize on your skills by starting a side job. In some cases, diversifying your income will free you from the burden of searching for a new job.
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