And That's a Wrap

Somehow 2016 flew away without me wrapping everything up and placing a nice little bow on top. Pun intended. In fact, as I look back over the blog, there are so many things I forgot to tell you about. No worries though, here is a quick synopsis since you last heard from me in October.

As always, November and December were very busy months for Creation Health. At the beginning of November, I had the pleasure of speaking to the Breast Cancer Support Group @ Takoma. I basically gave them an overview of the CREATION acronym principles as they apply to their journey and sent them home with cute tote bags full of goodies. It is always inspiring to be with people who face life's toughest battles with such positive strength and grace, surrounded by their faithful supporters.

I do not have a picture, but I also got to speak to the Greene County Partnership Youth Leadership group as they took their annual tour of the hospital for one of their leadership training days. Again, I gave an overview of the letter principles and gave them books to take with them. Working with students is one of my favorite things to do and this group is the cream of the crop as they have to apply for acceptance into this competitive program.

For the second time, I got to be apart of the Worthington Industries Health Fair. I just loving working with companies who are encouraging their employees to be healthy and providing opportunities for them to do just that. Mostly, I passed out materials and information while promoting our awesome Creation Health Nature Trail located right here in town. 

It was a privilege to have Des Cummings Jr., one of the authors of Creation Health, here at Takoma in November as well. He gave a wonderful presentation on Creation Health as it relates to healthcare & distributed copies of his new book "Live Life to the Fullest" (which is not yet available for purchase) to everyone in attendance. This will be another great resource for all of us who are together on this journey to better health.

In December, I got to be apart of the Diabetes Holiday Health Fair @ Takoma for the 4th straight year. It is always a fun way to kick off the holiday season with friends, as we pass out materials to help people on their wellness journey, even showing them ways to stay on track during the holidays.

In addition to these events, I spent a lot of time the past few months revamping our coaches program (which I will tell you more about soon) and spent even more time working alongside my fellow Greene County Health Council Members to make Greene County a Let's Move community by reaching goals related to physical activity and nutrition, among other things. 

I am happy to report that I hosted a Creation Health Coaches Christmas Breakfast in December to celebrate my new and existing coaches, and got to celebrate with my fellow health council members as we received gold medals in all 5 Let's Move categories, officially making Greene County a Let's Move community and giving us the opportunity to become a Let's Move All Star community. I must say it was pretty cool to have Mayor Daniels present us with a plaque and letter from Michelle Obama, complete with the White House seal!

I'd say it was another successful year for Creation Health! I will be back soon to report 2017 happenings, hopefully in a more timely manner. Hope everyone is enjoying the new year so far!

About the Author: Erin Franklin is the Creation Health Coordinator for Greene County, the Head Volleyball Coach at Greeneville High School and the Founder/Director at Worthy of the Prize Sports Ministries. Erin has a BBA in Marketing and Management from TCU and a Masters of Christian Education in Church Recreation from Southwestern Seminary. She is a published, award-winning author and poet. Purchase her book Worthy of the Prize Sports Camps: A Church's Guide to Implementing an Effective, Community-Reaching Christian Sports Camp to be used as an outreach tool for your church or mission organization, and her ebook find joy in the journey: how 12 women could face tomorrow just because He lives for inspiring stories of women who found overwhelming joy despite their circumstances. Erin is the wife of Aaron, the Minister of Music & Senior Adults at FBC Greeneville, and the momma of 2 sons, Anderson and EJ. Click here for full bio.

Fall Happenings!

Now that volleyball season has come to an end, I am hoping to get back into a more regular blogging routine again. For now, I wanted to give you an update of some of the things Creation Health as been apart of in Greene County this fall.

In August, I had the privilege of speaking to the Christian Women's Club @ Cumberland Presbyterian Church about Creation Health. I simply gave them an overview of the program and what the letters in the acronym CREATION stand for, C - Choice, R - Rest, E - Environment, A - Activity, T - Trust, I - Interpersonal Relationships, O - Outlook and N - Nutrition, as well as how each impacts our overall health and well-being.

In September, we were apart of several events. In fact, on two different occasions in September, we had the opportunity to present an overview of the Creation Health program and pass out materials to the youth and adults involved in the Greene County Partnership Leadership program, as we do each year. I also had the opportunity to share with the Diabetes Support Group about A - Activity, how it affects our health and well-being, and how it specifically relates to diabetes. At the end of the month, we hosted our 3rd retreat for hospital leaders, to give them an update on Creation Health happenings in Greene County since our last retreat, as well as upcoming plans. Here are a few pictures...

At the end of October, we wrapped up another successful 8-weeks of seminars for the City of Greeneville employees. So far we have had 55+ participate, including police officers, fire fighters, town hall, parks & rec and public works!

And these first few days of November have been spent taking inventory, so that we can order new materials for all of the exciting things we have planned for the end of 2015 and 2016. Thanks for being apart of our journey to a healthier community!

About the Author: Erin Franklin is the Creation Health Coordinator for Greene County, the Head Volleyball Coach at Greeneville High School and the Founder/Director at Worthy of the Prize Sports Ministries. Erin has a BBA in Marketing and Management from TCU and a Masters of Christian Education in Church Recreation from Southwestern Seminary. She is a published, award-winning author and poet. Purchase her book Worthy of the Prize Sports Camps: A Church's Guide to Implementing an Effective, Community-Reaching Christian Sports Camp to be used as an outreach tool for your church or mission organization, and her ebook find joy in the journey: how 12 women could face tomorrow just because He lives for inspiring stories of women who found overwhelming joy despite their circumstances. Erin is the wife of Aaron, the Minister of Music & Senior Adults at FBC Greeneville, and the momma of 2 sons, Anderson and EJ. Click here for full bio.

More Events!

As usual, I have been out and about in the community, talking to various groups of people about Creation Health.

In fact, in the past month, I have set-up a table at Hardin Park for Kids Day put on by the Boys and Girls Club and one out at the Greene Valley Wellness Fair for employees. At both events, I passed out various Creation Health materials including books, bookmarks, dvds, brochures, coloring books and crayons.

I also had the privilege of speaking to the Greene County Partnership leadership council at Takoma last month, giving an overview of the 8 principle areas that affect our health and well-being....choice, rest, environment, activity, trust, interpersonal relationships, outlook and nutrition. Each attendee received a goody bag containing a Creation Health book and other treats.

And finally, I had the opportunity to speak to the Town of Greeneville employees at both Town Hall and Fire Hall this past week about the importance of keeping our mind and body active, encouraging them to strive for at least 1 hour of physical activity per day, as part of the 5210 initiative here in Greene County. We discussed easy ways to incorporate more activity into our daily routines and I gave them Creation Health books, water bottles and a handout of chair exercises that they can do at their desk at work.

I have partnered with the 5210 campaign because it is a perfect compliment to Creation Health, encouraging people to eat at least 5 fruits and veggies per day, participate in no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time per day, get at least 1 hour of physical activity per day and consume 0 sugary drinks each day. I frequently use the 5210 reminder and complimentary materials when I teach Creation Health, particularly when working with kids.

Let us know if you need a speaker or vendor at your next event!

About the Author: Erin Franklin is the Creation Health Coordinator for Greene County, the Head Volleyball Coach at Greeneville High School and the Founder/Director at Worthy of the Prize Sports Ministries. Erin has a BBA in Marketing and Management from TCU and a Masters of Christian Education in Church Recreation from Southwestern Seminary. She is a published, award-winning author and poet. Purchase her book Worthy of the Prize Sports Camps: A Church's Guide to Implementing an Effective, Community-Reaching Christian Sports Camp to be used as an outreach tool for your church or mission organization, and her ebook find joy in the journey: how 12 women could face tomorrow just because He lives for inspiring stories of women who found overwhelming joy despite their circumstances. Erin is the wife of Aaron, the Minister of Music & Senior Adults at FBC Greeneville, and the momma of 2 sons, Anderson and EJ. Click here for full bio.