Today we celebrate and honor the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., and how his legacy is relevant today. We as Americans are so divided and unity is needed now more than ever.
What we need now is love. Love, you say? Yes, we need to show love because so much hate is being driven through social media. Do we bury our heads in the sand like nothing is happening? No, but we cannot filter in the garbage in day in and day out without getting depressed, complacent and overwhelmed. Is all social media bad? No, but we really have to be selective of what we see and hear.
What do you think Martin Luther King would say today? Would he still think there’s a dream?
MLK in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, August 28, 1963. The purpose of the march was to advocate for the civil and economic rights of African Americans.
The reflection we see in the mirror is where it starts. What are we doing for ourselves to make that change. No matter how big or small, what are we doing to make a difference?
Right now some people are traveling but many are not, take a look at the 360 view of the Martin Luther King memorial in Washington, DC. Give us your thoughts of what you are feeling as you watch.
As a people we don’t run from a challenge we get energize and fight for love in the trenches. I think having a life of meaning we come keep Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dream alive in each of us. You may disagree with Martin Luther King, Jr.’s speech but I say how can you disagree with loving one another no matter what our differences.
As a part of our church my hubby and I are going through 21-days of prayer and fasting and we are on day 8, and it’s amazing how you can see more clearly and a time to reflect and see what really matters.
Did you know that money worries are the most common cause of stress among adults in the United States? If you’re concerned about your financial situation, or you’re eager to try and get out of debt and back into the black, here are some tips to help you take control of your finances.
Analyze your accounts
It’s very easy to lose track of where you are in an age of tapping to pay, one-click ordering and direct debits. If it’s been a while since you checked your balance, or you tend to chuck credit card statements on a pile of papers on your desk, now is the time to analyze your accounts and get an accurate idea of your financial situation. Write down the figures and if you’re in debt, make sure you know how much you owe and who you need to pay. Once you know what the situation looks like, you can take the next step. It can be scary to take the plunge and delve deeper into your accounts, but it’s always best to try and tackle debts head-on, rather than burying your head in the sand.
Dealing with debts and understanding your rights
The vast majority of adults are in debt. The trouble is that some debts are much more dangerous than others. If you have a mortgage, or you’ve taken out a loan and you’re up to date with repayments, there’s no need to panic about being in debt. If you’re borrowing more money, you’re using credit cards, or you’ve taken out a series of high-interest loans, there is a risk of debt spiraling out of control. Understand your rights and know who to trust. You may have come across Debt to Success System scam imitators while looking for advice about dealing with debts, for example. Be aware that there are scams out there, and make sure you choose reputable, dependable, trustworthy organizations and genuine debt management and discharge programs. Seeking expert advice will enable you to explore the different options that are on the table, and it can also provide peace of mind. There is always a way out of debt and there is no shame in asking for help.
Budgeting and spending limits
Many of us spend money without really giving it too much thought. We can click the order button on an app, tap to pay in stores and transfer money from one account to another in an instant. If you tend to spend money on things you don’t need or want, start drawing up a budget and setting your spending limits. Figure out how much disposable income you have once you’ve covered essential costs, set a budget for other outgoings and try and put any cash you have left over aside. If you have a savings pot, you can treat yourself on a rainy day or use your fund to ease stress if you need a cash injection due to losing work or receiving bills out of the blue for car or house repairs, healthcare or veterinary treatment.
For many of us, money worries contribute to sleepless nights. If you’re keen to take control of your finances and ease pressure, hopefully, this guide will prove useful.
Teenage is a difficult stage when hormones change, there is a lot of indulgence in social media, and peer pressure is rampant. Whether your teen is enrolled in a public or private school, they could be struggling. Especially now, with many schools going virtual because of the continual struggle with COVID. If a teen is not proud of their school performance, they may not be forthcoming about it. Below are some of the top warning signs to look out for when your teen is struggling in school.
Photo by fauxels from Pexels
They evade conversations about school It is common for teenagers to give blunt answers when you ask about school. However, when they become defensive, aggressive, or continuously change the topic about the school, this a warning sign that they are struggling. Also, if your child used to talk about school all the time and suddenly stops, there could be a problem.
Poor grades despite studying If your child scores poorly in an exam, most parents will automatically assume that they did not study enough. Be active in their studying habits, monitor, and offer help whenever they need it. This will help you determine if their low grades result from poor studying behaviors or if they have a learning disorder.
Teens with learning disorders display a lack of interest in schoolwork or become easily frustrated and irritated. Some of the learning disorders are dysgraphia and dyslexia. If you notice that your teenager has a problem with their hearing and it is affecting their grades, consider gettinghearing aids.
You receive concerns from their teachers When teachers express their concerns about your teenager, don’t ignore them. This is a sign that your teen is struggling with school. Teachers spend a big part of the day with your teenager than you do. Therefore, take some time off to speak with the teachers to determine the problem and what you can do to solve it. Indiscipline could mean that there is a deeper-rooted problem.
A sudden change of activities and friends Peer influence is common during adolescence. However, when your teenager starts walking with a different set of friends, it could be an escape from their struggles in school. As a parent, you know the activities that have always interested your teen since childhood. When they no longer want to engage in those activities, and it is accompanied by poor grades, there is a problem that requires sorting out.
Eating and sleeping problems Poor eating and sleeping habits are often a result of anxiety. Low scores in school can cause your teenager to miss meal-time with the family or keep them awake due to anxiety. Also, they could be struggling because of a lack of sleep and poor nutrition. If you notice that your teen is staying up late to play video games or chat with friends or is skipping meals, it could be the reason why they are struggling.
Bottom Line Teenagers go through various changes that can cause them to struggle with school. Take note of warning signs toknow why your child is performing poorly. If you receive concerns from their teachers or notice a change of friends and activities, this could be warning signs. Also, look out for learning disorders, sleeping and eating problems, and evasion of topics concerning school from your teenager.
I hope everyone is enjoying your day, and are healthy and safe.
My hubby and I are celebrating our twenty-one year wedding anniversary today, September 11th. We wanted to share a little bit about what is on our mind as we celebrate this wonderful occasion.
Engagement Photo: 1999 / Easter Portrait: 2020
She Said: The Keys
I am grateful and thankful. I didn’t have a role model of what I thought marriage should look like when we first got married; so we had to create it. To create it we had to make sure we put God as the center and we intentionally communicate with each other. Being married to your best friend is a blessing but not always perfect. I often would hear marriage is not about work, but I found out to make your marriage fruitful, it does take work from both people. Sometimes I feel that I do not measure up because right now we don’t have any children and people can look at us funny. Even church people look at you funny like what’s up with you if you don’t have children hanging on you or around you. Children are lovely but they’re not the sum total of who we are as people. It took time for me to realize that God made each one of us special and no one is bigger or better than you because there’s only one you.
I have so much more to learn but four key takeaways include:
1. To communicate with each other
2. Be a cheerleader for your spouse
3. Listen to your spouse when they are talking to you and make eye contact
4. Plan for a date night every week just the two of you
Vinny, our thirteen-and-a-half tri-collie went to be with the Lord this past weekend. We are heartbroken, however, we know he had a great life and he knew that we loved him dearly. I was saying and thinking that we can’t have any fun because we needed to mourn and to reflect on the ways that Vinny blessed our lives.
However, we know that God brought us together so we have to celebrate this gift of marriage and be life long learners.
Joyce Meyer Ministries sent this scripture as a piece of artwork below to us and it speaks volumes.
HOPE
BELIEVES
BOLDLY,
DECIDES
DARINGLY,
SPEAKS
FIRMLY and
PERSEVERES
Passionately.
See Romans 15:13
He Said: The Journey
Wow! 21 years!
How can that be possible? It seems like only yesterday that we went on our first day to the Art Museum back in 1997. Right from the start, I know you were something special. You had a way about you that I had never seen in a woman before. You cared for me, even when I did not deserve it. You stuck with me, even when I was not acting right. I thank God for bringing you into my life.
Our journey started out as friends, but the relationship grew closer and stronger right from the start. We had so much in common that it was hard for me to believe a small-town country boy could fall in love with a big-city girl. It did not take long for me to realize that my life’s journey would be incomplete without you. I wanted you by my side for the rest of my life.
Today, I love you more than the day we walked down the aisle together. You are more beautiful than the first day I laid eyes on you. You are more compassionate, more caring, more creative, more intelligent, more everything.
While on the journey, you lifted me up out of the valley and cheered for me when at the mountain top. Because of you and your love, I am a better man, a better husband, a better Christian, and a better employee. You have made me better in every way.
I look to what the future holds for us and I am excited about the next steps of our journey. When I look into your eyes, I can see many great and mighty things for you and for me. A future filled with increased hope, with great joy, and many shared dreams coming true.
Take me by the hand and let us continue with that journey we begun 21 years ago today. I pray that God continually blesses you with an abundance of joy and happiness.
I have been really battling with myself on what to say and what can I do. I am frustrated with thinking we are constantly going around and around in circles and saddened by Police taking another person of color’s life.
We have to make a change!
It saddens me that in response to George Floyd’s murder more violence has occurred. David Dorn, a person of color, a retired police captain of 38 years, was shot and killed by a looter in a Saint Louis pawn shop. His killer, also a person of color has not been found yet.
David Dorn, Retired Police Captain
I stand with the peaceful protestors who are marching online and in the streets for better laws in states to protect Black Americans. Black lives Do Matter and the only way to show that is to speak up and be heard.
We have to make a change.
I stand yelling with a humble cry for ways to educate and make a positive change.
George Floyd
I know many of you have signed the petitions that brought the three police officers to face charges with Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd. It’s not over so we have to continue to pray and stand strong.
We also have to take a stand for Breonna Taylor whose birthday is today, she would have been 27 years old.
“Breonna Taylor was an award-winning EMT and model citizen. She loved her family and community. She worked at two hospitals as an essential worker during the pandemic.
One month ago, a division of the Louisville Police Department performed an illegal, unannounced drug raid on her home. Not a single officer announced themselves before ramming down her door and firing 22 shots, shooting Breonna 8 times, killing her.
Not only were the police at the WRONG HOUSE, but the man they were looking for had already been arrested earlier that day.”
The officers have not been fired, arrested, or charged with any crime.
Please sign the petition at Change.org calling for justice. I found out about this on Katy Perry’s Facebook page. She’s right it takes two minutes or less. #JusticeforBreonna #HappyBirthdayBreonna
I hope you are having a blessed day. Today, we celebrate the most important day in the Christian faith. The significance of Easter is far more important than that of Christmas. If it were not for Jesus Christ defeating death, hell, and the grave; we would not have the everlasting life promised to us. All I can say is, “Thank You, Jesus!”
We all know that Easter 2020 is not like any other Easter that any of us have ever experienced. For the first time since the resurrection of Jesus, people are at home celebrating this holiday. Church buildings are closed and people are not able to gather together and share in their faith. This virus has caused the world to cease normal activities and seek safety in our homes.
Although we could not gather in person with our church family, we were still able to get together through Facebook live streaming the service. Thanks to technology we are able to still see our family and friends, meet up with colleagues and attend concerts in another city. Could you imagine what it would be like if we didn’t have this technology? We definitely would be alone, and I know many of us would not be able to cope with it.
One tradition that my wife and I usually do after we get home from Easter service is to take a few family portraits. You know, for new profile pics on Facebook and Instagram. And this year was no different. My wife picked a blue lace dress that she had bought last year and I picked a shirt, pant, vest combo that coordinated with my blue. We didn’t want what was going on in the world to stop us from keeping up with our traditions. It would be so easy to say, “WHY? It’s not worth it!” We can’t let the circumstances of what is happening today to stop us from living our life. We can’t let the devil win! We need to remember that the church is not a building we go to, but we are the church. Wherever we are, the church is right there! So that is why we decided to get dressed like we normally would do for Easter Service and take part in our annual photoshoot. The only difference was this year it was inside because it was raining here at the time.
Easter Service was so good and yes we can be at church in our homes watching the service on the television or our smartphone or tablet.
The message was, “Put Jesus in the Center of the Crisis”
Some of my notes from the message from my pastor. For one is that God is for us and we have to make him bigger than the virus.
How big is your God today?
What do we need to make Christ the center of the crisis?
Believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God and died for our sins and rose again.
Accept him as your Savior.
Make him my Lord and put him first. Give God the first part of every day
Share the love of God with someone.
It was so moving to watch Andrea Bocelli performing at the Duomo Cathedral in Milan, Italy. Amazing Grace really touched me. If you haven’t seen it please watch this performance of hope for the world please watch the video below.
Happy Easter! May your day be filled with the peace and joy that comes from knowing the Risen Savior!
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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