Good morning... As my husband and I were away visiting my family in Ohio this weekend, our dog sitter retrieved from the front porch bag after bag, box after box, donated item after donated item. Yesterday, I spent time assembling and dropping off the fifteen Welcome Bags we created for the recovering women arriving for the ISP retreat [...]
Good morning... While we were on the women's retreat two weeks ago, I snapped this photo of a heart shape on the sidewalk. Revisiting it now, I sense a profound epiphany. When the dirt and the residue of our broken lives gradually loosen and fall away, what remains is the heart of Christ. As the song in yesterday's [...]
Happy Valentine's Day... At PAWkids, we beaded bracelets with the kids on Monday and created Valentines for ourselves with the adults on Tuesday. I wrapped up my handmade gift and card, excited to open them this morning when I wake from my second sleep. My bracelet holds one bead [...]
Good morning... Yesterday was a magical day and night. For Christmas, I gave my sister from Ohio a trip to Atlanta to join me for Kay Warren's talk at Peachtree Road Methodist Church. After a full day of crazy flying delays, Cathy finally arrived yesterday morning just in time for us to change clothes, hop in the car, [...]
Good morning... I notice a little moonlight shining through the slots in the shutters to grace our bedroom wall. Quietly, I move into another room, turning on a light in the midst of this dark night. I revisit a letter forwarded to me this week by a dear, dear friend. The ministerial staff at the First Presbyterian Church [...]
Good morning... As I walked with a young mom last week, we talked about the unique quality of friendships in the Atlanta area. So many amazing women come and go throughout the seasons of our lives. Without the regular overlaps which happen naturally in small town living, we need to be intentional about connecting with the important ladies [...]
Good morning... Last weekend, while watching a string of great football games, I noticed on all of the players' helmets two simple words: CHOOSE LOVE. Wondering the meaning behind this conscious decision, I googled, "choose love on football helmets" and this information popped up. "Choose Love" on NFL helmets and in end zones is a message of compassion, [...]
Good morning... Yesterday, after I spoke aloud the final prayer at the end of our Ministry of Movement fitness class, I intended to walk with a friend. God had a different plan. I left the church and drove to my friend's house. She greeted me with a long, loving hug, expressing her deep sorrow over the violent murder [...]
Good morning... After yesterday's post, Stoop Down. Reach Out., a friend texted me immediately: "Oh my goodness!!!! I'm so sad over here. When do you go downtown for group? I can send a zucchini bread for Mike Mike! (The same delicious zucchini bread she made our friend's 80th birthday party last Thursday.) Maybe if you go to drop [...]
Good morning... If you have ever been to PAWkids, you know Mike Mike. Humble and gentle, with a huge heart, Mike Mike is around to help in any way needed. On Saturday morning, Mike Mike found his mom dead in her bed, stabbed in her neck and her head. What a horrendous tragedy! "This family is so ingrained [...]
