Living Your Best Life! Newsletter

It's that time of year when we realize summer has zipped by us and our days of vacation and relaxation have come to an end. We are hurrying to prepare for school days and bringing organization and order back into our everyday lives.

Join Best Life this month as we give tips on your child's comfortable return to school and how you can get motivated once again for a new school year.

We welcome this wonderful fall season and graciously look forward to its bright colors, cool breezes, and wonderful aromas. Welcome fall!!!

September 2014

Getting Back on Track!

Executive Director,
Kathy Weckwerth

As a little girl, each summer we would make the long trek to Grandma's house. She lived by the river in a little town. It was a huge treat when I finally got old enough to travel alone. On one specific summer that I'll never forget, my folks put me and my 13 year old sister on the train for the 2 hour trip. It's so odd to think of it now, because nowadays, we would never send our children unattended.

Fortunately for me, I was seated next to a wonderful nun! I observed her plain black and white attire, her peaceful demeanor, and her gentle mannerisms. I remember fearing one thing ... that I would be on the wrong track heading the wrong direction. Over and over I looked out of the windows to see if there was anything at all I could recognize that would tell me I was headed in the right direction. I could see nothing (I was only 6).

The nun eventually understood my fears and asked me where I was going. I told her about my grandmother's home and she said she was from a church in the same town.

As she explained to me that we were exactly on the right tracks, I felt such a great relief, I can still remember that calming peace that came over me after the gentle nun comforted me.

And then she did something wonderful ... out of her little brown suitcase she pulled a small bag of M&M's. She poured several into my hand and I can still see them in my mind! Tan, brown, red and orange ... they tasted so good on that cool fall day.

Once I ate the candies, I began to see some familiar signs that let me know I was headed to the right place! And what a comfort when the train pulled up and my grandparents were there to meet me!

Sometimes life is like this train ride. We aren't sure we're on track. Maybe we've been neglecting a quiet time with God. Perhaps we're letting ourselves get worried about situations at work. Or maybe we're not taking care of our health properly.

Fall brings cool breezes and organized schedules. We get back on track with sending the kids to school and focusing on the tasks at hand.

It's time to get on the right track! It's time to put God right back at the top of those priorities, get plenty of good food and rest, and work on being your best!

Happy Fall!

Executive Director, Kathy A. Weckwerth

5 Tips for Sending Your Child Back to School

By Patrick Russell, Ed.S, Licensed School Psychologist

Quickly it has come ... the time of year that is dreaded by most children (college students included) - heading back to school.

A lot of opportunities are available to parents to help with acclimating children into, or back into, the school experience. I recommend that we as parents take full advantage of as many of these as we can.

1. Plan On Attending Open House Events. Open house events usually take place the week prior to the start of school. This is a great opportunity for your child to meet their teacher, see their classroom, put their supplies away in their desks, see some of their classmates, and perhaps even participate in some activities aimed at putting students to ease regarding the start of a new school year.

2. Call Ahead Before You Visit. This may even result in the student getting to meet their new principal or teacher (teachers will often be in their buildings before the start of school in order to get rooms ready).

3. Reassure Your Child. If your child does experience anxiety about going to school (or even riding the bus) reassure them that they can do it, that it will be fine, and that at the end of the day they'll be back home with you. Some anxiety is natural and often occurs when any of us are faced with something new or strange. If the anxiety seems more significant and your child is not comforted by your reassurance, then contacting your school counselor, school social worker, or school psychologist may be a good idea. The important thing is to talk with you child, listen to their concerns, and try to find the root of the issue.

4. Prepare Your Child Spiritually. Have devotions and prayer in the morning prior to heading out the door and getting on the bus.

5. Ask and Listen. Ask how they are doing and listen to what they are saying. What are they talking about? How are they feeling about classes, school friends, teachers. Do they have fears or concerns? Help them deal with things as they come up. This goes a long way in helping them to understand how to deal with things that may come up in a way that is both emotionally and spiritually healthy.

The best way to get your child ready for school is to reinforce a calm spirit, reassure them that they are loved, and remain supportive and encouraging!

Getting Motivated

The summer months are enjoyable, but typically, we get off track! We become lazy in our personal quiet times. It's time to refocus, restart, rethink, and reignite your time with God. Invest 30 minutes a day for memorizing, meditating, and making God a priority!

Scriptures to Motivate

Colossians 3:23, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."
I Thessalonians 5:16-18,"Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."
I Peter 4:10, 11, "God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another... Do it with all the strength and energy God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ."

A List of Goals

Keep a journal of prayer requests
Make a close friend hold you accountable
Join a Bible study
Read a Psalm everyday
Commit to 15 minutes to start, so you don't get overwhelmed

For I know the plans I have for you

Scripture for Day-to-Day Life

"Be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord."

Psalm 31:24

BLM's Best Off-to-College Finds!

Formula Multi-Floral Reverseable Bed in a Bag Set $ 44.95 at walmart.com

Room Essentials Stick Lamp $17.79, target.com

Kohl's Simple by Design Memory Foam Chair $44.99 Kohls.com

Urban Outfitters Around the World Letter. 2 for $20.00 Urbanoutfitters.com

Americana by Elite 3 i n 1 mini breakfast shoppe $49.99 (coffee pot, toaster oven, griddle). Kohls.com

Easy Back-to-School Cookies

Brookies (The Brownie Meets the Cookie)

Ingredients for Outside Brownie:

1 stick butter

3/4 cup flour

1 T cocoa powder

1 tsp. coarse salt

2/3 cup chocolate, cut up finely

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup dark brown sugar

3 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions for Brownies:

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and cocoa powder; set aside. Melt chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl. Whisk sugars into chocolate mixture. Let cool to room temperature. Add eggs to chocolate mixture and whisk until combined. Add vanilla and stir til combined. Fold flour mixture into chocolate mixture. Fill each prepared pie tin halfway with batter. Place pie tins on a large baking sheet and transfer to refrigerator; let chill for at least 1 hour.

Inside Chocolate Chip Cookie

1 cup butter, room temperature

1 cup light brown sugar

1/4 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 Tbsp vanilla

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

3 cups flour

2 cups chocolate chips

Directions for Chocolate Chip Cookie

Cream butter and sugars together.

Add in eggs one at a time and vanilla. Beat until mixed.

Add baking soda and salt. Add flour and mix until combined. Stir in chocolate chips.

Directions for Cookie Assembly:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Butter bottom and sides of six 4" pie tins.

Fill each pie tin halfway with chocolate batter. Chill for 1 hour.

Using a 1/4-cup ice cream scoop, scoop chocolate chip cookie dough into six round balls.

Press chocolate chip cookie ball into the brownie disc.

Bake until cookie is golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes, rotating baking sheet halfway through cooking time.

The Bottom Line Movie Review:

Maleficent

Rated: PG

Running time 97 minutes

Starring Angelina Jolie, this Disney movie, adapted from the 1959 classic Sleeping Beauty, had mixed reviews from movie critics everywhere.

Sporting a reported $180 million dollar budget, with elaborate characters, background scenes that were shot in Buckinghamshire countryside, costuming, and amazing cinematography, it's not a wonder why you are impressed with it due to the big budget production. Producers created a genuine storybook feel with creative twists and turns throughout the entire story line, frequently keeping the viewer guessing as to what will happen next.

The story begins with a narrator as we travel to an enchanted forest where Maleficent lives. She falls in love with a peasant, Stefan, from the kingdom, and as the years go by, she continues to protect her forest from the humans. Eventually, Stefan comes back to kill her and prove his loyalty to the king, but cannot kill her, so instead he cuts her wings off. Without wings, she cannot fly and much of her power is now gone.

To take revenge, Maleficent casts a spell on the king's daughter, Princess Aurora, that on her sixteenth birthday, she will prick her finger and fall into a never-ending sleep. The king sends her to live in that same enchanted forest with three protective fairies, but after years go by, Maleficent becomes friends with Princess Aurora and protects her as well as the forest.

The story has great visual effects, a lovely focus on protective love and care-taking of others, and a surprise twist that is very different from the original 1959 story line.

Expected to be released on blue ray on November 14, 2014, It's a great rental for the family, but plan on some popcorn and a few Kleenex. Enjoy!

BLM's 2015 CONFERENCE SNEAK PEEK!

What an exciting time for Best Life Ministries and your church!

Be one of the first 3 conferences to book for 2015 and get the opportunity to have a buy one get one free ticket offer. Contact: kathy@bestlifeministries.com for more information!

2015's topic for Best Life Ministries is:

Get on Track! Train for for Your Best Life

BLM's Favorite After-School Snacks:

Chobani Strawberry Greek Yogurt

Food Should Taste Good- Sweet Potato Chips

Lance Whole Grain Peanut Butter Crackers

Earthbound Farm Organic Carrots

Does your women's ministry need a Bible study? Connect with Executive Director, Kathy Weckwerth for her latest 10 week women's Bible study,

be.attitudes, a study taken from Matthew 5. Purchase yours today for $12.99.

Buying 10+ books? Receive a discount ($9.99 a book) by emailing kathy@bestlifeministries.com

purchase yours today at be.attitudes

for more information, log onto kathyweckwerth.com

This month, take some time to really work on getting back on track, back on schedule, and back to God.

Proverbs 16:3 says, "Put God in charge of your work. Then what you have planned will take place."

When we work, with God's help, to attempt to improve things about ourselves and our lives, we can become our best.

When you commit to trying, God will bless your efforts.

You can find out more about Best Life Ministries by visiting our website at www.bestlifeministries.com

Remember, it's never too late to make changes.

Start today. Start living your best life!

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