August 2020
Overcoming My Fears
Facing Life’s Challenges Just Because!
“For I assure you: If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” –Matthew 17:20 One holiday that caught my attention this month is National Just Because Day on Aug. 27. It stood out to me for two reasons: One, it’s my son’s birthday, and two, “just because” is all I do in life. There’s also National Mountain Climbing Day on Aug. 1, and to me, they tie in to the same concept. Each new project, activity, or what-have-you is something I started because I was interested in “just because,” and every endeavor I took on presented its own unique challenges that I had to overcome to accomplish it successfully. When thinking back on everything I’ve done in life, it’s a little hard to narrow it down to just one thing. A lot of this has to do with many things catching my interest, even if it’s not for very long. There’s an element in me that is always curious and wanting to learn. The topics that catch my attention range from really weird to very mainstream, and once I decide I’m interested in something, I learn as much as I possibly can about it. This kind of approach takes me on a lot of different paths, and scuba diving was one of them. At first, it was something I did strictly for my wife, Shelby. I knew that she’d always wanted to go scuba diving, but I was petrified of sharks. I’d always been interested, but my fears held me back. The first, obviously, was sharks, and the second was not being in control. The thought of being driven out on a boat that I didn’t drive was scary, and then the thought of not being in my element and embarrassing myself was also nerve-wracking. I was terrified of being the guy who turned the whole diving group around because I couldn’t handle it. But, I wanted to do it for Shelby — I wanted to take her out to Cozumel, Mexico, and dive with her. So, I got in touch with her dive guide, Stephane, who was a certified diving instructor, and on our trip to Cozumel, she dove around and Stephane worked with me and got me certified that same trip. We had so much fun on that trip that we’ve been back about three or four times. Since then, Shelby and I have gone on a lot of trips together, each with their own set of challenges. A few of those adventures have included climbing, though nothing like scaling a mountain. Just last year, we climbed the middle Teton, which was absolutely beautiful. During that trip, my wife really wanted
to see a bear, but I wasn’t so keen. I’ve always thought that bears — or sharks — would see me as a meal. Then, of course, we took that fantastic trip to Yellowstone that same year. Another challenge for me was that I had a goal to lose weight. During our trip, I didn’t want my wife to have to wait for me. Shelby never seemed to get
winded by anything, but I got winded tying my shoes. It was a challenge for me — my own personal mountain to climb — to get rid of all that, and it definitely paid off. I was able to keep up with her and even outpaced her a few times. In each of these moments, I’ve been very proud of myself for having faced challenges. I overcame my fears and had so much fun with each activity. Those curiosities and interests have always given me a sense of fulfillment, especially when I land on something I can enjoy for the rest of my life. If we take a look around us this year, the pandemic has created a high mountain to climb and left little room to enjoy what we’re interested in or to try something new, like scuba diving! However, if we keep our head in the game, play it safe, and take things one step at a time, we can face these fears and uncertainties and come out better and stronger than before.
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The Incredible Story of Zen Buddhist Chef Jeong Kwan Meals on Wheels doesn’t often get the credit it deserves. The international nonprofit ensures those who are unable to buy or make their own meals get the food they need to survive. Of course, for many recipients, the efforts of the organization go far beyond “survival.” For those who receive food daily or weekly, those deliveries may be their only source of social interaction. And during times of social distancing, the program became more important than ever. Meals on Wheels doesn’t just serve meals to the elderly and people with disabilities — it also serves those people’s pets. In 2019, Meals on Wheels Atlanta realized there was a huge need in their community to feed the pets of senior citizens. It stands to reason that if an elderly individual is unable to shop or cook for themselves, their pets may be in a similar predicament. And when someone’s pet is their entire world, making sure the animal is fed and healthy means everything. In response to this need, Meals on Wheels Atlanta began stocking up on cat and dog food, creating their own pantry to serve the local pet community. When volunteers made their rounds delivering meals to seniors, they made sure to bring cat and dog food along too. Food for Thought
The volunteer told 11Alive News in Atlanta that Jeffery and Grizzly “have their own special relationship.”
Larry loved Grizzly long before Meals on Wheels Atlanta started the pet pantry because he saw how much Grizzly’s companionship meant to Jeffery. Now, Larry enjoys
his service that much more since he gets to provide for Jeffery’s beloved pet, as well.
On top of delivering food to seniors and their pets, Meals on Wheels Atlanta also delivers pet toys and pet beds, and they are happy to take in any pet-related food or items for
donation. The organization says this endeavor was done out of love, not only for the people they serve but also for the whole family — wagging tails, fuzzy whiskers, and all.
One volunteer with Meals on Wheels Atlanta, Larry Auberbach, had a unique experience delivering meals to Jeffery Jones and his dog, Grizzly.
Another Semester Is Headed Our Way What Can You Do About Your Debt?
The payoff for college is much different today than ever before. Years ago, a person could work through the summer and pay for both fall and spring semesters at college. Unfortunately, that is no longer the case. Instead, it’s often necessary for students to take out student loans to help them through their college years. While loans may help these students obtain an education, this debt is something that will weigh on them for the rest of their lives. What’s more alarming is that when a student graduates, the jobs they get usually aren’t worth what they are paying in student loan debt. This is something that comes up regularly at the desk of Tim Thompson. “I see it all the time,” Tim says, “how much student loan interest all my clients are still paying, two decades later.” To help avoid or reduce crushing college debt, there are a few options open to you. One is to enroll in a work-study program. A federal work-study, as
defined by Federal Student Aid, is “A federal student aid program that provides part-time employment while the student is enrolled in school to help pay his or her education expenses.” In addition to this, a student must actively seek out and apply for these work-study jobs at their school, the availability of which vary from campus to campus. These jobs include clerks, tutors, assistants, research positions, or library positions and can be both on and off campus. Finding and applying for these positions is ideal for many students, especially when that position is similar to their education program. It not only gives them an opportunity to pursue and grow in their area of interest, but it also helps remove some of the weight of their student loans. With another school semester starting this month, it’s important to keep your eye out for anything that can assist you in your student debt. To learn more about work-studies or how you can approach student loans, visit StudentAid.Gov.
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From Paper Filing to E-Filing
SUDOKU
The Change the IRS Is Faced With The COVID-19 crisis is still happening, and with it comes near- constant change. In the past several months, everyone has experienced change in at least one part of their lives. One big example of this change was in our taxes. In late March, the IRS announced that they were extending federal income tax filing from April 15 to July 15. For many people in the country, this was a huge relief — taxes are stressful enough without having to worry about a global pandemic. While at first glance this may have appeared to be a blessing, there may be some repercussions to this decision. If someone realizes they have an error in their return and need to amend it, it has to be sent by paper. “I personally had one several years back,” Tim Thompson recalls. “It took over 11 months to get processed, and that was pre-coronavirus.” When COVID-19 hit the IRS, they shut down, and the mail they would have normally received on a daily basis was directed into trailers that extended a mile long. The last estimate the IRS gave to go through all of that paperwork was two years. An important note to keep in mind is that they closed down during the peak of tax-filing season. If it does take the IRS two years to catch back up to where they were before COVID-19, you don’t want to be caught in the paper amendment process.
RESTAURANT-STYLE FETTUCCINE ALFREDO
To help this process and aid people who need to make amendments,
the IRS has decided to start utilizing e-filing in the next
• Salt • 2 tbsp butter • 1 clove of garlic, finely chopped • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream • 1 large egg yolk • 1 lb fresh fettuccine
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano • Freshly ground pepper, to taste • Fresh parsley, chopped, to taste • 1 lemon wedge
month or so. “If we can e-file amendments,” Tim adds, “it doesn’t necessarily mean they get processed any faster, but they have to be processed more efficiently.” If anyone is looking to amend anything they’ve filed for 2019 and beyond, this is an important thing to keep an eye out for.
1. In a large pot, bring 6 quarts of generously salted water to a boil. 2. In a large, deep skillet, while the water heats, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant and sizzling (about 2 minutes). 3. In a bowl, whisk heavy cream and egg yolk until blended and pour into garlic butter. 4. Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir until hot, not boiling. Keep warm on low heat. 5. In the large pot, cook pasta until al dente. (The pasta will float once it’s done.) Reserve about 1/2 cup pasta water and drain pasta. Pour hot pasta into cream mixture and toss to coat on low heat. 6. Add Parmigiano-Reggiano and keep tossing gently until cream is mostly absorbed. If the sauce is absorbed too much, toss with extra pasta water. Season with salt and pepper to taste. 7. Serve with parsley and a squeeze of lemon.
The two takeaways here are that the amendment process should be getting easier for everyone in the next few months, and if you have to mail anything to the IRS — or have mailed them something
this year — expect a very long delay in response. And, of course, if you have any questions,
feel free to reach out to us at 877-829-7847.
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Inside
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Facing Life’s Challenges Just Because!
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The Story of Zen Buddhist Chef Jeong Kwan Student Debt and Work-Study Don’t Expect a Quick Reply Regarding Tax Amendments Restaurant-Style Fettuccine Alfredo
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Think You Can Be a Professional Bowler? Find Out!
B owling is a fun activity for all ages, and the game has been providing good times since 5,000 B.C. in Egypt. In modern history, bowling has had its fair share of glory, but if you think you have the aptitude to join the ranks of professional bowlers, then consider what it takes to become the best of the best. JOIN THE PROS The Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) and the Professional Women’s Bowling Association (PWBA) are the premier leagues for professional 10-pin bowlers in the United States. Unlike the NFL or MLB, in which players are drafted onto teams before participating professionally, it’s fairly simple to join the PBA or PWBA. Members either pay an annual fee or have to meet certain requirements: scoring a 200 or higher at each tournament they’ve entered, bowling at least 36 games, or having an overall average of 190 or better. To participate in the PWBA, bowlers must have a scoring average of 190 or higher in any recognized United States Bowling Congress (USBC) league. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE You may see a professional bowler score 190 at a regional tournament and think, “I can do that.” That’s the beauty of bowling! Anyone can score high, but comparing your Wednesday night league average to a pro is like Do You Have What It Takes to Become a Professional Bowler? THE BIG LEAGUES
comparing the score from your pickup game of soccer to the scores at the World Cup. For starters, unlike what you’d find at any standard bowling alley, the lanes in a professional setting are oiled specifically to create a more difficult path for the ball, forcing the pros to toss mechanical-like throws. This takes time and dedication to perfect.
FIND MONETARY SUPPORT Unlike many other professional sports, bowlers make very little money. The average bowler makes more than $40,000 annually, but they often have to provide their own funds for lodging, travel, and tournament entry fees. Some professional bowlers even have side gigs to supplement their income from the sport. However, many bowlers admit that it’s not about the money. Instead, it’s the friendly competition and the glorious sound of the pins that bring them back for more.
Learn more about these professional leagues at PBA.com or PWBA.com if you’re interested in picking up bowling as a professional sport or just a hobby!
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