Freedom Is Not Free

Good morning... Remembering the valor of the men and women who have served our country over the years, Ronald Reagan speaks our truth in the video below. "Their lives remind us that freedom is not bought cheaply, it has a cost." Wikipedia explains: "Valor generally refers to great courage, bravery, and strength of mind, especially in the face [...]

Our 39th Anniversary

Good morning... Thirty-nine years ago, on Memorial Day weekend, Steve and I were married in my hometown of Berea, Ohio. This anniversary morning, we wake in Athens, Georgia, new grandparents to Charlie, who is a week and two days old. Our youngest daughter could not come to meet Charlie at the hospital, since she woke that day with [...]

By |2026-05-23T05:13:50-04:00May 23rd, 2026|Aging, Family and Friends, God's Love, Gratitude, Organic Growth|

Charlie Was Born By Prayer

Good morning... On May 14th, we got our son Kyler's first text at 2:14 am. "At the hospital! Pray for us. Chandler is doing amazing." I wrote our blog post in the middle of the night, sharing their request for prayers, then I headed back to bed for my second sleep. At 9:00 am, his next text came [...]

By |2026-05-18T02:55:56-04:00May 16th, 2026|Abundance, Family and Friends, God's Timing, Joy, Prayer|

Our Son Is Having His Son

Good morning... On Mother's Day morning, I received this photo, one of my favorites of all time. It's the mother-son dance at Kyler's wedding nearly four years ago. Now our first born son will soon have his first born son, what a regenerative gift from God. "Happy Mother’s Day!" his wife Chandler texted me on Sunday. "Love this [...]

“Welcome Baby Allen”

Good morning... I received a special package this week from our former exchange student from Norway. Margit lived with my biological family for a year when she was a junior in high school, my sister was in ninth grade, I was in seven grade, and my brother was in fifth grade. Margit became a soul sister and a [...]

By |2026-05-13T07:40:39-04:00May 13th, 2026|Abundance, Everyday life, Family and Friends, God's Love, Gratitude|

Life Is A Patchwork

Good morning... At Scott's Antique Market, I found this Mother's Day gift for my mom. I sent it with a card for her to hang on a doorknob in their senior living community in Ohio. The cross stitched treasure reminds me of the many handmade creations my mom made as gifts over the years. The words share a [...]

By |2026-05-12T01:52:08-04:00May 11th, 2026|Everyday life, Family and Friends, God's Love, Joy, Organic Growth|

Today My Dad Is 89

Good morning... Yesterday, my dad rang the bell, indicating the end of radiation treatment for his prostate cancer. Driving himself to nine weeks of five days per week was a huge, important commitment. What joy to celebrate the end of this life-giving accomplishment. Today, my dad turns 89 years old. For his birthday [...]

By |2026-04-29T06:10:57-04:00April 29th, 2026|Abundance, Aging, Everyday life, Family and Friends, Prayer|

Lessons For America

Good morning... On Sunday, I scheduled my day around being home by 7:00 pm to watch 60 Minutes. I did not want to miss the interview between Scott Pelley and Ben Sasse, offering lessons for America. Now, up in the middle of the night, I revisit the transcript and share portions of the exchange which touch me most [...]

By |2026-04-28T03:46:16-04:00April 28th, 2026|Community, Everyday life, Faith, Family and Friends, God's Plan|

Lacing Cancer With Love

Good morning... "I wanted to thank all of you who supported Eliza’s Entourage," wrote Cathy Darland, Eliza's grandmother and a beloved member of our Wednesday afternoon class. "This weekend we raised over $544,000 for Childhood Cancer research! It was an amazing evening! The night was very emotional, but our sweet Eliza was certainly the star of the show. [...]

By |2026-04-24T02:24:21-04:00April 24th, 2026|Community, Family and Friends, God's Love, Gratitude, Prayer|

Eliza On The Rally Runway

Good morning... Tonight is a very special night for four-year-old Eliza. In front of an adoring crowd, she will walk the Rally Foundation Runway at the Georgia Aquarium. The Rally Foundation exists to fund the most promising research in the treatment of childhood cancers. "Eliza has requested that we all wear pink," said her grandmother, Cathy, who is [...]

By |2026-04-17T01:18:35-04:00April 17th, 2026|Community, Family and Friends, God's Love, Healing, Light In Darkness|
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