Cindy's Featured Book Author of the Week!

 Rhonda Crowder is a down-to-earth, genuine, authentic, God-fearing woman who effortlessly loves God with her whole heart. She exemplifies integrity and compassion. Through life’s cycles. Rhonda has exemplified great strength from being broken to standing strong. She's courageous and pushed herself through by stepping back, refocusing, and allowing an “Enough” spirit to dwell in her and be healed while being replenished. She's a mother of two beautiful and handsome children, Kaila and Jaydn. Rhonda's a graduate of North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University. She is a native of Monroe, NC by way of Charlotte, NC.

August 2014, Rhonda sat on the edge of the bed reflecting on her life and all that she had been through. She had come to a place in her life where she was tired of living and accepting mediocre things that weren't making her better. At that moment, she couldn't take it anymore and God said to her “Enough.” Having a live death experience and death death experience, broke her to the point where she had no strength to persevere. The day she fell on her face, was the day she said, "Yes" to a new life of learning who she was meant to become and heal the broken wounds. She was BROKEN! 

As of today, she can now say, "To God Be All The Glory" for bringing her out and releasing her into the LIFE God intended for her to have with Him taking the lead. Her saying is “God Loves Me Just That Much” goes a long way because it’s been only his grace and mercy that has kept her alive and strong even when she didn’t want to be. He continues to show her the overflow in her life and she will continue to push and minister to many and on all platforms.

Book Link: https://amzn.to/30J1Tad

Rhonda G. Crowder, Founder
Power Moves Education & Consultant, LLC
https://www.powermovesec.com/
Bus.Phone:407-231-5849

Facebook: broken2lifeministries
IG: broken2lifeministries`
Contact: broken2lifeministries@gmail.com

Cindy's Featured Person of the Week - Chuck Femia

CHUCK FEMIA

Chuck Femia has always lived a life of service. He has transitioned through careers and locations but has always been an advocate for those whose voice needed support.

He began teaching English and Performing Arts in Amityville, NY in 1977. Aside from the regular curriculum, he taught classes in History of the Theater, Acting, Death in Literature, Black Literature, Creative Writing, Gothic Literature, Video Journalism and Semantics.

After a few years as Assistant Director of the HS Drama Club, he took over in 1984. He produced over twenty shows, including Once Upon A Mattress, Arsenic and Old Lace, Fame, Bye Bye Birdie, and Footloose.

In 1990, he directed a theater group who performed at an HIV/AIDS fundraiser at the Hamptons estate of Yoko Ono.

In 1996, he helped organize the AIDS Quilt Remembrance Organization in the Amityville schools, where students and community created quilts for family and friends lost to HIV/AIDS. These quilts then became a part of the Names Project: AIDS Memorial Quilt.

In 2006, he recreated ACT- Amityville Community Theater and produced Guys and Dolls, which raised $10,000 for a local child with cancer, enabling his family to purchase a hydrothermal tank to help in his recovery.

After retiring in 2008, he and his husband moved to Buzios-RJ-Brazil. Buzios is a peninsula located three hours from the city of Rio de Janeiro. It has 23 beaches and has been called the “San Tropez of Brazil.” They opened a guesthouse and a restaurant on this beach and tourist locale, where they hosted and served guests both from within Brazil, as well as travelers from the US and Europe.

They were shocked by the number of dogs in the streets fighting for their lives. Most were sick, starving or injured, usually repeatedly hit by cars. They noticed the apathy and the lack of empathy toward these beautiful animals.

At this point, they knew they had to do something. They started locally by carrying food and water in the back of their car and leaving them in public places, joined efforts with others in the community and created “Teatro e Cultura Vira Lata” (translated as “Theater and Culture for the Street Dog”), an organization that used children’s theater to promote kindness and compassion for all animals.

They created a partnership with local vets and pet stores that assists and provides in the health and well-being of these homeless animals through fundraisers and donations.
When they left Brazil in 2014, they brought their own vira lata from the streets of Buzios. Still looking for a viable way to help, they created an eCommerce business in Miami Beach. A portion of all proceeds from the business is used to care for homeless animals in Brazil and other parts of South America.

While in South Florida, they volunteered at a rescue and decided on a new path. They traveled to animal expositions and conferences throughout the country, taking classes and discovering new trends in grooming and equipment.

On November 6, 2019, (Chuck’s mother’s birthday), they opened VLP Grooming & Day Spa, a brick and mortar business, to better attend to the needs of their four-footed clients in an eco-friendly environment. They offer grooming, daycare, and boarding for local dogs in the Miami Beach area. They supply free services to local rescues in order to help these dogs get adopted. A portion of all proceeds is donated to the street dogs in Brazil to help cover the costs of food and medical services, including vaccinations and spay/neuter procedures, to those in need.

In a perfect world, every dog would have a home
and every home would have a dog!

VLPDogs
1137 71st St.
Miami Beach FL 33141
Phone: (786) 558-4536
Website: VLPDogs.com

Cindy's Featured Business of the Week - CheroxieTravel

CHEROXIE KING

Cheroxie King of CheroxieTravel is a travel consultant offering customized travel packages to clients seeking a personalized approach to travel planning.

Cheroxie's been in the travel business since May 2000, selling packages part-time, then full-time, after retiring from 23 years of service in law enforcement. Ninety-nine percent of her clientele are referrals, which speaks volumes about her service and reputation!

Cheroxie believes your vacation begins when you leave your home, and ending when you return. She works diligently coordinating the best transportation itinerary available to your destination, the nicest hotels within your budget, and a destination experience you will remember for years to come.  She also feels everyone deserves a “Getaway”, therefore, clients are able to pay a low deposit and make payments on available packages.

The travel industry is exciting and always changing. To stay informed, Cheroxie attends travel industry shows, networks with industry professionals, participates in travel certification programs, and is affiliated with an Africa, Disney, and Villa Specialists.

                                                                                                          CheroxieTravel is a Full-Service Travel Consultant specializing in:

• Vacation Packages
• Cruises
• Escorted and Customized Tours
• Hotels, Vacation Villas, and Condominiums
• Group Vacations
• Destination Weddings
• Honeymoons
• Plane Tickets, Train Tickets, Car Rentals, Hotels and more...

Let Cheroxie help you plan your next adventure!!

Contact Information:  
Phone: 914-843-2042

Email: Cheroxietravel@gmail.com

Facebook: CheroxieTravel
Website: www.cheroxietravel.com

Twitter: @cheroxietravel
Instagram: Cheroxietravel

Ask AunT

     Trinette Collier Greene

Q: My husband is a sports enthusiast. He’s pretty much watching or attending sports events year round. His favorite sports are football and basketball and I’m finding myself competing, trying to get attention. He hangs with the fellas and often times they will bring their significant others to the events. I know without a doubt that he loves me. We have fun with each other and much more…I’m just not that in touch with the sports world. Am I being a whiney wife?

Signed: P.S.~Married to the Game

A: I know this scenario all too well! My husband is a sports fanatic and it seems like the seasons literally roll back to back! This is when I throw my hands up like “ I can’t win!” However, there is hope, Mrs. Wife! You are not a whiney wife and not alone. I suggest that you not compete with the world of sports…it will become exhausting and you won’t win, like that.

What you can do, if you have not already, is to schedule some days or nights to watch the games with him. I will do this because I don’t like crowds at the sports bars or it may be late games. While at home, I may order a pizza and wings (sports like foods) or make a dish. He will appreciate that and see that you are making an effort of wanting to watch the games with him. Dress up in his favorite jersey or purchase an inexpensive team shirt. I also recruited some girlfriends of mine to help understand the world of sports a little bit more!

Whatever you decide to do, make sure that it is fun and YOU are having fun. Remember to balance it. It’s ok if you don’t watch every game but be sure to do so here and there and also talk to him about taking up an interest of yours as well.

Until next time, take a moment to laugh, love, live and breathe life!

Love,
AunT

Trinette Collier Greene is a
Certified Relationship Stylist 

and
Contributing Writer

Submit your relationship questions to AskAunT@gmail.com

Model P31 Moms by Bridget McCray

To Repeat or Not to Repeat?

For anyone who’s been a parent for more than five minutes, we know that it’s tough, but an amazing job. Whether a birth, adoptive or foster parent, this role comes with tremendous responsibility, for we have the opportunity to shape future generations.

Some choose to rear their children the same way in which they were raised. Some don’t. Some had a loving, stable home with married parents. Others grew up with a stepparent. Still, others were raised in a single-parent home through the death of a spouse, divorce, or unwed parents. Sadly, some were even abused.

Our children don’t choose to be here. Our decisions as parents can often have a profound effect on them...and even on their children. Our relationship choices, our daily habits, the way we treat others, the way we handle finances: Would we want our children to emulate our current mindset & practices?

There are things in life over which we have no control, but there are others in which we have a great deal of control. The question is: To repeat, or not to repeat?

If we didn’t like our upbringing, we have an opportunity to do something different. If Dad didn’t say that he was proud of you, now that you’re a dad, you can make sure to let your child know how proud you are of him or her. If Mom didn’t hug you and say that she loved you, you can choose another path with your child.

No parent is perfect, including us. The good news is that we can count on the Lord for the wisdom needed to rear our children, and we certainly do need it. If we want better for future generations, it starts with us today. We can do it with God’s help. It’s available if we’ll only ask. So...to repeat, or not to repeat? The choice is ours.

Bridget McCray
Contributing Writer
Author, H.E.A.L.T.H.: It's Not Rocket Science (My Journey to a Healthier Me)

Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble in both paperback and eBook formats!

Be a light!
#Matthew5:16

Trinette Collier Greene

Q: My male companion and I have been dating for about three years. We are both Christians and very dedicated to our service. We have fun, love each other dearly, enjoy our families and the families enjoy us! We have experienced some trials and tribulations as a couple. We attend different churches and we have visited each other’s congregations. Recently, he stated that I wasn’t submissive enough for him to marry. However, he continues to say that I’m the perfect woman for him! I don’t understand…what should I do? I love him dearly but this is causing me to have some doubts. 

Signed: T. M. ~ Not Sure About Him

A: Thanks for writing and sharing. I believe this may be a tad bit confusing…for him. It sounds as though he may be experiencing misinformation about marriage, women, and submission. If he is speaking of marriage, this would be a great opportunity for you to suggest seeking premarital counseling or even joining a group for Christian Couples that could possibly discuss this issue. Also, I would suggest seeking the advice/wisdom of a trusted ‘elder’ of both families. However, don’t give up, pray for clarity and understanding.

Until next time, take a moment to laugh, love, live and breathe life!

Love,
AunT 

Trinette Collier Greene is a
Certified Relationship Stylist 

and
Contributing Writer

Submit your relationship questions to AskAunT@gmail.com

Model P31 Fit by Bridget McCray

A Change in Thinking

Four years ago this month, I was super-excited about the time I’d invested in myself at the gym one particular morning. Why? It’s because I was able to set FOUR personal records! So…what's the big deal about that? After all, it's just my physical body, which will ultimately die anyway. Right?

Well, yes, it will die. However, while I'm still living in it, I want to have the best quality of life that I can have for however much time I have left on this earth.

For me, the bigger issue was the battle going on in my mind. Prior to that day, I didn't THINK I could do the things I’d accomplished that morning. However, when I went then, I’d made a decision to give my best EFFORT. With God’s help and my hard work, I’d accomplished them!

So, again: What's the big deal? For me, it's that my thinking was changing. That day, there were impossibilities before me...at least, in my mind. They were unattainable no more!

I continue to realize that this does not just apply to fitness, but to EVERY area where God has called me to serve Him and serve others. Change starts in the mind!

May I ask: Is there an impossibility before YOU today? I would encourage you to give your best effort, knowing that the Father loves you and wants what's best for you. Though the process isn't always fun, know that the results will most definitely be worth the work! (Hebrews 12:11)

You CAN change your thinking; just give it a try! Here’s to a healthier you!

Bridget McCray
Contributing Writer

Author, H.E.A.L.T.H.: It’s Not Rocket Science (My Journey to a Healthier Me)

Available at Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com in both paperback and eBook formats!

Booking Information
Please visit www.bridgetmccray.com