With the recent Supreme Court decision that affected the legality of abortion in the United States, adoption has become one of the most talked about topics of the year. Talking about adoption has long been taboo, but it is now becoming more acceptable, and its stigma is slowly being removed.
I remember a time when many people did not know they were adopted or who their birth parents were until later in life. It usually was a big secret not openly shared amongst others. People did not talk about giving up a child because there was a shame associated with being young, unwed, and pregnant, or unable to take care of a child. Efforts to find birth parents proved difficult or impossible because the connection with them was lost, many birth parents did not want to be found out, or proper records were not kept.
But today, the situation has changed for the better. I believe people are no longer shamed into hiding if they happen upon a situation where they are not able to care for a child, and adoption offers a better solution. People learn early in life they were adopted, and contact with birth parents is often kept. If contact with the birth parents is not maintained, people can more easily find them with the help of government agencies and other resources, including DNA test sites.
The new movie Lifemark touches on adoption eloquently and beautifully. Based on a true story, David discovers that his birth mother wants to connect with him after eighteen years. He wonders whether he should pursue this new relationship and what that would mean. David’s adoptive parents allow him to make his own decisions and support him through every step. This adventure takes David into relationships that he never knew he had.
Due to its overwhelming success, Lifemark is making an extended run in theaters through September 25th and possibly adding more dates. “We are thankful this story of celebrating adoption was welcomed with open arms nationwide,” said Executive Producer and actor Kirk Cameron. “Despite the odds against a faith release such as this one, we appreciate this audience, who once again demonstrated their desire to see wholesome family entertainment.” Lifemark brought in $2.9 million in the first week in theaters.
Click here to find a theater in your area showing Lifemark.
Giveaway Winner Announcement In conjunction with the opening of Lifemark in theaters, we recently offered a giveaway for our readers. I am pleased to announce that the winner is
~~Desiree K ~~
Congratulations, Desiree! Yeah! You have won a $10 Amazon gift card. We will be in contact with you about getting your prize!
Stay Tuned for our next giveaway!
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Today my wife and I are celebrating our 23rd wedding anniversary.
It seems like only yesterday when many twists of fate brought us to work at the same organization in 1996. We met when her division moved into the same building I worked in. Our paths soon crossed. We learned that even though we came from different backgrounds, it was God’s plan to bring us together. I grew up in a small rural town in central Missouri, while she is a big-city girl. We would talk into the early morning hours and realize that we shared many similar interests and beliefs. Our friendship grew strong, and love blossomed.
We married on September 11, 1999.
J and T in Assisi
We are often asked what the keys to a successful marriage are. You do not need formal training to be a marriage counselor or expert. You just need to be willing to seek God’s wisdom as the guide for your marriage.
I wanted to share 23 things we have learned through the years that have made our marriage strong and a pleasure to be a part of. I will share them in a four-part series, starting with this post.
1) Pray First Not a day goes by when we do not pray for each other and our marriage. This is by far the most important factor that I would tell anyone. We would not be where we are without thanking God for our spouse and His blessings, asking Him to strengthen our marriage, and seeking His wisdom in making decisions. We pray whether we are at home preparing for a day at work or if we are on vacation. It doesn’t matter. We always pray, every day.
2) Communicate Often A successful marriage cannot happen if we are not talking. Talking is the only way that we will get to know each other. The more that we alk, the closer I get to her soul. I find out what her needs are and what her dreams are. I learn about things in her past that have shaped her current behaviors and beliefs. The longer we are married, the more important it is to continue the conversations. Life happens, dreams change, and a whole new set of circumstances must be discussed. Talking never stops.
3) Best Friends
We found out early in our relationship, before we were married, that we listened to many of the same types of music, watched the same television show genres, and shared many political and moral beliefs. Spending time together was not a chore but a treat because we enjoyed the same leisure activities, like hiking, shopping, and road tripping. We are best friends in every sense of the word and focus on keeping that in focus.
4) Never Go To Bed Angry In the almost 25 years we have known each other, there have been times when we have not agreed or may have been angry with each other about a specific situation. We have made a point that we work out the situation before going to bed. I want to know what is causing that disagreement and what can be done to fix the situation. A healthy marriage cannot allow strife to linger around.
5) Say I LOVE YOU Often
I LOVE YOU is a simple phrase we often say to each other. Whether we are talking on the phone, leaving off to work, or going to bed at night, I LOVE YOU is always a part of the conversation. I don’t want her to assume anything. I want her to know. It has become a regular part of our conversation. It seems a bit odd if I don’t do it. If I forget, I make sure I do the next opportunity I get.
6) Quiet Hugs There is something special about a hug that can bring us closer together when life’s situations get in the way. A hug can relieve a stressful situation or lessen the burdens of a bad situation. Many times no words are spoken, just a quiet hug, holding each other close and squeezing each other tight. And it is not just a short hug, but one that can last for several minutes. The closeness is broken only by an encouraging word with a kiss and then another hug, followed by an I LOVE YOU.
More keys will follow in more posts that will be written this week. We are celebrating our anniversary all month long.
There are many reasons why you might need to reduce fatigue. Extreme tiredness can wreak havoc on your personal and work life. Here’s how you can use yoga and lifestyle changes to greatly increase and manage how much energy you have during your normal week.
Manage Nutritional Intake Unhealthy eating is a major contributor to low energy. A, B, C, and D deficiencies, among other specific vitamins and minerals, will result from this. Good nutrition provides minerals like iron, folate, and magnesium, which are necessary for sustaining energy levels throughout the day (learn more). A medical condition, however, might prevent your body from absorbing nutrients. Try different supplements, such as tablets and drinks, to absorb vitamins more effectively.
Reduce Stress and Anxiety One of the worst side effects of stress and anxiety is extreme sluggishness. Your energy will be depleted, and you won’t be able to carry out your daily tasks effectively. This is due to the lethargy brought on by high levels of pressure and anxiety. Although it is well known that exercise can reduce stress, rest and relaxation are also beneficial. You might think about talking to a licensed therapist if you continue feeling stressed after removing external stressors.
Yoga Poses to Reduce Fatigue Yoga is a powerful tool that can help with all ailments, including fatigue. Although yoga is exercise, some poses can significantly reduce the effects of chronic pain, such as:
– Cat/Cow Pose: helps by improving digestion and relieving chronic back pain. – Legs Up the Wall: reduces tiredness by easing blood pressure and lower body pain. – Savasana: enhances mental health through relaxation, focus, and reduced stress.
Of course, there are many other yoga poses that can help you improve your well-being and overall energy levels. But these are some of the easiest you can do pretty much anywhere.
Take Breaks at WorkAnother possibility is that you are working too much. Overwork is the primary source of stress and anxiety that results in heart attacks, strokes, and heart disease. Even though you might have obligations at work, you should always make time for yourself. When working, be sure to take breaks and try to avoid working long hours every day. Due to this, you won’t have time to recharge, and you’ll feel exhausted. Instead, use your vacation days for breaks if needed.
Reduce Your Intake of Alcohol Your energy will be sapped by alcohol and illegal substances. That is an undeniable fact. So reduce your alcohol consumption if you have no energy for work. Around a week after you stop drinking, the effects of lowering alcohol will start to show. And you’ll notice a return to normal energy levels. If you have a drinking problem, though, this might take longer. If you find it difficult to adjust, get professional assistance for drug and alcohol treatment from a professional.
Summary You can reduce fatigue by adjusting your life a little. This includes getting your body’s nutrition, using specific yoga poses, and reducing how much alcohol you drink every week.
What do you do if you are a young teen-aged girl and find yourself pregnant and feel you have nowhere to go? What about adoption?
I know I am hitting you in your face. However, there are more young girls than you know who are contemplating these questions every second of every day.
In collaboration with MOMENTUM Influencers and WTA, Bubbling with Elegance and Grace had the opportunity to preview the new LIFEMARK movie and offer this giveaway. The LIFEMARK movie, opening in theaters on September 9th, is based on a true story inspired by adoption and hope. You do not have to be a biological mother and father to be a loving parent. This movie will have you laughing and crying because you feel like you are literally on a theatrical roller coaster ride.
David discovers that after eighteen years his birth mother wants to connect with him. He wonders whether he should pursue this new relationship and what that would mean. David’s adoptive parents allow him to make his own decisions and support him through every step. This adventure takes David into relationships that he never knew he had. LIFEMARK is from executive producers Kirk Cameron and the Kendrick Brothers, who are the creators of War Room, Facing the Giants, and Fireproof. When you watch LIFEMARK, you will know that no matter how you see your situation, God always has you in His hands. You may think you are great where you are, but God opens up more doors to make your life richer and more fulfilled. The actors portrayals in this movie are so real that you can feel every heartfelt emotion and that every one of us matters.
LIFEMARK movie opens September 9th. To purchase tickets, please go to Lifemarkmovie.com. I encourage everyone to see this movie. You will not be disappointed and will renew your faith in a parent’s love for their child.
Please watch the trailer of the movie below:
Collaborating with Momentum Influencers and WTA, one of our readers will win a $10 Amazon gift card.
It is simple to enter the giveaway! Leave a comment below if you would meet your birthmother if she contacted you after 18 (or more).years?
The giveaway runs through Friday, September 16th at 11:59 pm (Central Time).
One comment will be selected randomly, and the winner will be announced on Saturday, September 17th.
**Please Note: This giveaway is limited to only residents of the United States.
Disclaimer:
Many thanks to WTA Media for allowing Bubblingwithelelganceandgrace.com to preview the movie for this review. The opinions are 100% my own.
Where has your confidence gone? If you wonder about this multiple times daily, you need to start doing something about this. There are a lot of different ways that you can get your confidence back, and we’re going to be discussing some of them in this article. Keep reading down below if you would like to find out more.
What Are You Wearing? First, you might want to look at what you’re wearing. When you get yourself dressed in the morning, do you think about what you’re wearing, or do you just throw on some of the clothes that you have? What you wear could be a great start if you want to boost your confidence. You can even look into shapewear pieces if you are worried about how you look under your clothes.
If you find fashion difficult, then you can speak to a professional. They will be able to help you choose the right clothes for your body shape and help you look and feel fantastic. But, we will say that if you don’t like any of the pieces, you don’t have to wear them. It’s important that, above all else, you feel comfortable with how you look in these clothes because if you don’t, then it’s going to be impossible to be confident.
Where’s Your Head At? Something else to think about is where your head is at with everything. If you find things in your daily life affecting your moods, then you must work to fix this. You don’t want to be faced with extreme stress or anxiety as you won’t be able to function correctly. Speak to a professional who will be able to help you get your head straight about what is going on in your life.
Smile! One thing that can give you an incredible confidence boost is smiling. When you smile, your body releases happy hormones to encourage you to do it more. However, if you don’t feel like smiling, then you will have to get to the bottom of why. Lack of smiling can leave you feeling down in the dumps and miserable every day. Nobody wants that for you. People around you love to see you smile.
It may be a case of not liking your smile; this is why you don’t do it. If you have issues with your teeth, either due to the shape or the color, there is help. You can take a trip to the local dentist who will have a look at your teeth and suggest recommended treatment for you.
We hope you have found this article helpful and now see some of the things you can do to find your confidence. While it might seem like an impossible task, that doesn’t mean that it is one. We promise that if you put in the effort, you will be able to gain your confidence back once more. We wish you the very best of luck with this and hope that you manage to feel good in your skin again.
Learn More About JT Bubbling with Elegance and Grace is a place for life long learners. The Bubbling With Elegance And Grace team was created 14 years ago. A passion for fashion sparked a lifestyle blog for our Elegant Community to enjoy. We are thankful and in gratitude to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for those who have been with us from the beginning and those who have just started riding with us on this lovely journey.
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