Family Togetherness

A lot of things have changed since we were all children. The price of everything has gone up like 200%, kids are playing more inside by themselves rather than outside with their friends, and family members can get so busy sometimes that they are barely able to communicate with each other.

With winter holidays just around the corner, family communication and togetherness is more essential than ever.

Because we here at Reach Magazine TV care about family, we’ve come up with a couple easy things that you can do at home to strengthen your family bonds and maybe even have a little fun along the way.

Church is obviously something that can help strengthen the love your family feels for one another.  After church, maybe set up a family tradition where you all go out and eat together, or you all go home and play an outdoors game like football or softball that the whole family can enjoy.

Another thing, dinner time should be family time, not stare at the TV screen time so turn it off when you sit down with your family to enjoy your evening meal.  Without the distraction, it will make it easy to have a nice conversation.

If you or your family members are having trouble coming up with things to talk about, play dinner games where you have to say something nice about someone at the table, or talk about personal goals for your week or month, and even tell your family what you are thankful for.

You will be surprised at some of the things your family has to say about you or other family members and that education will definitely bring you all closer.

Helping your community or the needy is a great way to bond. Sending cards to our soldiers overseas or donating cans to a homeless shelter are just a couple ideas you can do as a family.

What tradition does your family follow? None? Well, what are you waiting for? Start one!

Who is the first lady of Reach Magazine TV?

Reach Magazine TV co-host, accomplished singer/songwriter, mother and guardian to four–Sherrie Marlene has overcome many obstacles in her life, but because of her faith and perseverance she has come out on top. Sherrie Marlene hopes to reach out to young men and women through Reach Magazine TV, to be their influence and a good role model for living a positive lifestyle.

Q: When did you know you wanted to be in the entertainment industry?

A: Well, I have always loved to sing, but as a child I was faced with many challenges. I grew up in a home where my parents not only struggled with their marriage, but also with various addictions. As the oldest of three, I became responsible for my younger siblings at an early age. My family and I were faced with many obstacles which made making music a priority nearly impossible.

Q: How did you get into the music industry?

A: It was not until after I was married and had my two children that I really felt like God was calling me to my passion for music. I began to sing on the worship team at church, where I met someone who introduced me to the possibility of creating a name for myself as an artist. I have met some amazing people who are very familiar and experienced in the music industry, and I am very excited to see what path God has planned for me.

Q: What genre of music do you perform?

A: I am a fan of mostly all music, so it was hard for me to decide what style of music I wanted to devote myself to. I originally started with a rock style of music, which I loved, but I decided I had to focus on what I was raised with, which is pop and R&B. I love soulful music that makes you want to dance and sing along with. Growing up music was my escape, so my goal is to create music that people can relate to through my life experiences.

Q: Who is your inspiration?

A: God and my family. The possibilities are endless with God, and that alone is an inspiration for me. One of my biggest inspirations is my sister. I want her to see that regardless of how many odds are against you, you can still pursue your dreams. I want her to see even if you’re married, have children and many responsibilities; you can still succeed at what God’s called you to do. I want to live my life as an example to her.

Q: How has God been an inspiration and influence in your life?

A: God has blessed me with the opportunity of being a mother to my two little boys. He has also allowed me the opportunity to take on guardianship of my brother and sister the last 5 yrs. At the age of 20, I didn’t realize how much of a blessing the two crazy teenagers would turn out to be. God allowed me to take on such an important role in their young lives, and through that I learned how crucial it is for young men and woman to be influenced positively.

Q: What are you looking forward to accomplishing with Reach Magazine TV?

A: Young men and women need someone to relate to, they crave the opportunity to “fit” in. I believe through Reach Magazine TV that J-Love, J.O. and I will be able to positively reach out to young men and women. We’ll be able to demonstrate how to live lives according to God and still have fun and be “cool”.

My own personal goal is to reach out to teenage girls. After riding the many emotional roller coaster rides with my sister and all of the peer pressure she dealt with, I realized our younger female generation is not receiving the guidance necessary to make it to early adult years.