My Blog Story. On August 27, 2017 I published my first blog post, Uplifting Your Self – Worth. This was a milestone for me! I have been praying, dreaming and planning my ministry, website, podcast for about a year. Actually, my heart was bursting with this for years.
    It all started in the spring of 2013. I was feeling unsettled. I was working as a Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT) for 12 years and volunteering at a Pregnancy Resource ministry for 3 years. I liked being an MLT, but I loved volunteering at the ministry. I loved helping those women and sharing God’s love with them. It also opened my eyes to what many women are going through, Christians and non- Christians, and what the culture expects from them, but doesn’t help them when what is expected are really the wrong things and not ideal for a healthy and whole life.
      I voiced my complaint of the unsettledness to my husband. I really didn’t know what was wrong with me. It wasn’t unhappiness; I was happy with my life. My husband said, “Why don’t you go back to school? Get your Masters’ degree?” I thought about it and said, “Yes! Why not?”
       I searched for a few months all the different Colleges and Universities that offered online degrees and learned about Liberty University. They offered a Masters’ in Public Health; with my health back ground and my interest in health and wellness, it was the perfect fit.
      I loved most of the classes I took. I learned so much about health behaviors and how everything is influenced by a persons’ health.  That’s including their relationship with God or lack thereof. And it was awesome being able to use the Bible in my papers and talking about Jesus with your fellow classmates. This isn’t a plug for Liberty University, but I highly recommend it.
    Getting my masters wasn’t easy. I worked part time, was doing my daily family life routine, and did school stuff after the girls went to bed until about 11PM. On the weekends I was locked in our office doing the bulk of my school work. I had little sleep and was brain dead by graduation time. But I did it, with an awesome GPA I graduated on time 2 years later.
       Going to school helped a little bit with my unsettled feeling.  There was something starting to birth in me. I went a step further and decided to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam. It tested how well I knew the 7 responsibilities and competencies for a Health Education Specialist. I took it the April before I graduated. I received the results after graduation and passed with a good score!
      A few months into school I started working at a hospitals’ community health department, part of a pilot program focusing on people in the community who had a higher health disparity and would use the emergency department for non – emergencies. I loved helping these people; and educating them about better health practices. On occasion I even went with some clients to their Doctor appointments to make sure they were asking the right questions and the Doctor was treating them well. I was their advocate. The only thing that I couldn’t do was talk to them about Jesus. That was hard because I knew many of them were in search of God. So, I showed them God’s love by my actions.
      My volunteering, my job, and my love for Jesus is what led me into starting this blog. The unsettled feeling was my passion for Jesus and knowing how much He loves me and everyone, my passion for helping others, my passion for educating others about Jesus love for them and my passion for health and wellness needed an outlet!
      I started researching on starting a blog and wrote down my launch date. I had a goal in mind and I was determined to do it. I wanted to shout from the mountaintops and tell people of God’s love, their worth and purpose in Him! I want to help with the health and wellness journey for the body and life that is a gift. I want to educate on things that influence health (there are many factors that affect health, it’s not just what you eat or how much you exercise). Starting a blog was the first step. (There is something else in the works for She Who Honors that hopefully will be coming out very soon. I’ll keep you posted.)
      I love blogging! When I started LovesWayHealth, my unsettled feeling was gone. My ministry was in action. Even if I only helped one person it is worth it. I give all honor, glory and thanks to God for giving me the passion, ideas and the courage to see it through.
      Having a blog/website is not hard, but its not easy. It takes time and dedication. There is lots behind the scenes that goes into having a successful blog.
      What is your passion? What do you know about and would love to share with the world? What is your story? Why not start a blog to share your passion? It can be a blog, podcast, vlog (video), a picture story. We all have a gift to share with others.
      If you are starting a ministry or only have a Facebook group, consider starting a website. A website gives people insight about your ministry, mission, group, etc. It’s professional looking and show’s you are serious.
      You can create a high quality website, blog or online store withWeebly’s website builder. I use Weebly and I love it. I have no computer background and was able to navigate the web building tools with ease. Try it for yourself!
      Because this post is a little lengthy with my blog story, my next post will give you all the deets with how to start your own blog. I will give you the insiders tips of products, apps and tools that I use, love and highly recommend. Then you will have your own blog story!!!
      If you already have a blog or website, please list it in the comments or send me the details. I would love to visit your blog!
      Thanks for stopping by! Don’t forget to check out the Weebly website builder! Please like, comment, share and sign up for blog updates. Love ya! 

This is an affilite link. I use and love Weebly.

      A couple of years ago when I lived in southern Maryland, the church I attended had a mini summer camp for kids of an underserved community. I was one of the volunteers who assisted with the younger children. The main lessons were about having good values. The volunteers who taught the children were teachers and always had the best crafts and game ideas.
     One of the lessons was focusing on anger and watching what you say when angry. An activity to teach that concept was having them squeeze out toothpaste from the tube and then trying to put the toothpaste back in. It was funny watching them trying to put globs of sticky green toothpaste back into the tube. You and I know it is impossible, but because of the wonder of children, they tried their hardest. Finally, they realized that it can’t be done.
     They learned the lesson that the words we say cannot be put back. When words leave the lips, they can raise one up or put one down. Since this lesson was about anger it focused on hurtful words and its affects on the other person. This lesson hit home for the kids.
     Words have power. They can transform a life, they can cause confusion if not in the right order, they can wear a person down to nothing or lift a person up. Words have emotion, are emotions. Word can leave imprints on minds and never be forgotten. Words can be death. Words can be life.
     I’m writing about this topic because lately, so many people; celebrities, sports players, presidents and political folks included, have tweeted, posted or said things that they can never take back. These little words have affected careers, marriages, families, communities, countries, churches, ethnicities and themselves to a degree that they never thought of.
      As the wise Teacher has said in the book of Ecclesiastes (1:9), nothing is new under the sun. Humans have choked on their words for millenniums!!!
“Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.  The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” James 3:5-6 (NIV)
     The book of James hit it on the nose. It talks about how humans can tame wild animals but can’t tame our own tongues!!! How can we praise the Lord yet curse God’s creation? But remember James is talking to Christ followers. We are to live by the spirit and have God’s wisdom and really take the time to think before we speak. When we live by the spirit we are patient, kind, loving, peaceful, not slandering anybody, gentle and have self – controlled.
     The most powerful words are in the Bible. If we keep God’s words in our heart, live by the spirit and do what God says, the words we speak will be powered by love. They will be encouraging, uplifting, empowering and gently correcting. These words will help others not harm.
     Remember everything we do starts with a thought. Before you say or do something take a quick second and think if it is helpful or harmful, especially when in anger. “My dear brothers and sisters take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,” James 1:19 (NIV) When angry our brains aren’t using reason well. I talk about anger and its affects in the Lie of Hate post. Check it out.
      I repeat words have power. Your words can be life or death. Which do you choose?
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     I have a confession to make: I love to shop. I love the feeling I get when I get a good deal on my purchases. I feel like I really accomplished something! Do you know I rarely pay more than $20 for a clothing item?! My secret is probably not so secret: I shop the clearance rack first, then I check out the sales. If I have a coupon, it’s even better!
      Although I love to shop, I don’t go crazy. My tithe is given, bills are paid, we pay ourselves (savings), groceries are bought. I am aware of money spent and how much I can use to go shopping. Sometimes I can get tempted by sales and savings and have to tell myself, “you don’t need it.”  
      We live in a culture that wants us to spend money. These companies and business owners know how to persuade you to buy by using psychological triggers. You see it in social media feeds, on tv, newspapers, billboards, in movies, books, etc. They try to persuade you to buy things to solve problems you didn’t even know you had! Using words, colors, pretty faces, pain, love or pleasure to evoke emotions in us, compelling us to spend. Have you ever been compelled to enter your email address to get that free thing to help you make money? Or buy something because they say it is the last time the price will be this low? Feelings can be a strong motivator in us humans. I say can, feelings should not rule us. Remember we (believers in Jesus) have the spirit of self-control in us, among other things. You are more than your feelings. Don’t be roped in to buying things you don’t need or investing in business deals that are shady. Stop step back and think on it.
      According to financial experts there are spending guidelines to follow. The guideline is called the 50/30/20 rule. I will add in tithing and the new way to think about spending will be called the 10/50/20/20 rule;

• 10% of your income will be for tithing and/or charity. Remember God first in everything.  
• 50% of your after tax income is spent on living expenses. This includes mortgage/rent, groceries, bills, transportation, child care; all household expenses. Mortgage or rent should be no more than 35% of your income – 25% is best. You don’t want to be house poor. Having the biggest, baddest house, but no food, no furniture, or no life because you can’t afford it is not the best decision. (same with a car)
• 20% after tax income is used for flexible spending. Clothes, gifts, memberships, coffee shop drinks, etc.
• 20% for long term financial goals. Savings, college savings, emergency funds, credit card debt, student loans for example.

            What do you think of the new way to think about spending, the 10/50/20/20 rule? It may not be easy and remember it is a guideline, not the end all be all. Except the tithing rule – which is in the Bible.  
            This scripture sums it up. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV). When Jesus speaks we need to listen!
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Your homework:

• Meditate on the verse “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Write down what comes to mind. Where is your heart?
• Are you honoring God with your spending?
• Do a calculation of the 10/50/20/20 rule with your after tax income. Assess the percentages of what you are spending currently of your income for each category. Are you able to change the amounts? How do you feel of the 10/50/20/20 rule?
• If you are in financial troubles I recommend seeing a certified financial counselor or certified credit counselor. (Make sure they have a real accreditation, there are some scammers out there!)
• Try a 21 day spending fast. Only spend money on necessities – mortgage/rent, bills, gas, groceries, medicine for example. Whatever is left put in savings.  At the end of the fast reflect on how you felt. (I’ll admit it is a challenge!)
• Pray for wisdom and guidance for dealing with money.
• Remember God doesn’t love you based on how much money you have or don’t have!

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Reference: Williams, G.  A Guide to Creating Your Ideal Household Budget. U.S. News and World Report. https://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/articles/2014/06/03/a-guide-to-creating-your-ideal-household-budget   Published July 10, 2018. Accessed July 17, 2018