The Titus 2:4 Project - Women Mentoring Women

I was thinking about my sweet baby girl yesterday.   Well, she's not a baby anymore,  but as mothers, you know what I mean.  She's 23 and living in Nashville, Tennessee.   And I miss her.  A lot. I don't hear from her as much as I used to, now that she's settling in to her adult life.  A good job.  A sweet boyfriend.   A nice apartment.   A cute dog.  All is well. When she does call it's usually because she's had a bad day at work or some unexpected expense has popped up.  I'm always happy to hear from her, but I find myself feeling down when we hang up.  Sad that I'm not close enough to hug her.  Not rich enough to fix every financial woe.  I know what it's like to be hundreds of miles away from the loving embrace of your mother.  Even in the past few years,  I've had episodes when I've needed to just run to my momma.  I'd dial the number and wait for her to answer, but the mere ...

This blog post is about to fly in the face of many Bible - toting,  God - fearing, peace - loving folks.  So I will apologize up front and ask you to extend grace and mercy...and then hear me out, because I really believe this is something that God is leading me to share.   By now, I'm sure you're wondering what on earth I can say that would be offensive.   Well, here goes: Did you grow up singing the beloved hymn, "Count your blessings, name them one by one.  Count your blessings,  see what God has done...."  are you singing it in your head?  I am.    I would bet most of us know the hymn.  And we've used the line "Count your blessings" as if it came straight from the word of God.  Hang on to your hats though...that's not scriptural advice.  Not in the way many people are using it these days. Not when we count them for the wrong reason.    Breathe.  It's ok.  I'll explain.   ...

It's hot today!  Extremely hot.  So hot that the black wrought iron arms of my chaise lounge chair burned my arm.  I know...whaaaa! Right?  (I know I'm blessed to be able to do my "job" by the pool.)   My husband says I can't complain about the heat AND the cold.  And I'm sure we all can remember the extremely cold, seemingly long winter that finally loosened it's grip on us a mere four or five weeks ago.   I would argue that I CAN complain about both the heat and the cold, because in truth I'm not whining about the temperature.   I'm lamenting the extremes.  The TOO.  Too hot.  Too cold.  Too expensive.   Too lazy.  Too tired.  Too young.  Too old.   Can you relate?  We've all heard it said that too much of a good thing can be bad  and we've all also heard the argument to the contrary. "No such thing as too much of a good thing."   But that becomes the "never ...

You say it's your birthday?  It's my birthday, too!  Seriously.  It really is. After yesterday's post about saying thank you to people, I wanted to take a moment today for a public thanks to the best mom in the world...Mine.  Here's a Cliff Notes version of the story: April 1969, she's separated from her husband with a six year-old little boy to take care of.  She's feeling sick so she goes to the doctor - to discover that she's seven months pregnant!  Yep...she was one of 'those' girls that could be pregnant, not show and be losing weight.  (A trait I did NOT inherit.)  I was born in June (obviously, since today's my birthday.) Anyway, fast forward to December 1992 and I was having a conversation with my mom and grandmother about Pro-Life vs. Pro-Choice.  My grandmother was being very vocal about her Pro-Choice stance, when it suddenly occurred to me...back in 1969, during a time when it was all peace, love and flowers, my ...

Today I got to help deliver lunches to several school-aged children that the local school has labeled as the ones most in need of proper nutrition during the summer, when they are not able to get free breakfast and lunch from the cafeteria.  It's a city-wide program that some group organizes, then recruits other groups (like Rotary Club) to pick three or four days during the summer to provide meals.  That's how I got involved - as a Rotarian.  We delivered boxed Subway lunches, which always draws a smile from the little faces that peek through the window to see who's knocking on their door. Only a few (usually an adult) acted as if they expected or were owed this lunch for their children, but when we were greeted at the door by a youngster, their eyes lit up and they always thanked us, some in a mere whisper, others with a boisterous "Thank you!" as they waved enthusiastically.  That's why volunteers do what they do...for the happy faces left in their wake a...

It's that time of year...it's summer!  Finally!!  And that means our 'neighborhood' (God's country) becomes a tourist destination.  Outdoor enthusiasts from all over the Midwest make their way to Montgomery County, Indiana for camping, hiking and canoeing.  It's one of best things about living here.  (I highly recommend my friend's business, Clements Canoes!) Less than two miles from my driveway are some of the most beautiful natural treasures.  Sugar Creek winds through dense forest and along steep cliffs of Indiana sandstone.  It's breathtaking.  Bald Eagles soar along the tree tops, frogs croak from the banks, fish jump, snakes slither along and visitors take it all in, like stepping into one of the Discovery Channel shows. Yesterday was a perfect day for a short trip down the creek.  It was an impromptu event and we invited some friends along.  My friend and her husband brought three teenagers with them.  Everyone had b...

Yesterday I attended a funeral for a man I had only met a few times.  I went, not because he meant so much to me, but because I love and support his daughters and granddaughters, one of whom is married to my son.  This man has made a huge impact on my son.  To what degree, remains to be seen.  The visitation on the previous evening was well attended.  Hundreds of people waited in line in the heat while people hugged his widow and his daughters.  It's a large family, and they are very close, literally, because most of them live within a couple miles of each other.  They're not only family, they are friends, neighbors and co-workers.  They are a tight-knit group.  My son is fortunate to have married into such a wonderful family. Personally, I can't speak to the character of this man, but the sound of sniffles and the constant patting of people's hands on each other's backs as they embraced in long, tight hugs, spoke volu...