Happy Friday to all! Have you ever made caramel apples? Until this week, I had not ... but now I'm a pro. Just kidding! Tomorrow is the 22nd annual Yard Sale for Missions at our church, and it is a BIG deal, raising $20,000-$30,000 for local and global missions. Our congregation is not large, but it's filled with very dedicated members, and for the past three evenings I've hung out in the church kitchen with several of them making caramel apples. Community members have been pre-ordering these babies for weeks! Here's a quick peek at the process... Tomorrow starts before the crack of dawn with set-up and prayer time—then it's "off ... Keep Reading...
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MOOD SWING: Summer to Fall
Finally... The first day of Fall! Hello, old friend! I've looked forward to your return for a whole year. I'm beginning to feel the mood swing coming on. Summer's sunflowers are moving out . . . and warmth and texture are moving in! The metamorphosis of seasons is upon us! At this time of year, some people like to decorate with the traditional: vibrant colors of red, orange, gold, and brown ... pumpkins, gourds, and colored leaves ... corn stalks, bales of hay, and chrysanthemums. While I sometimes do that, too, Fall decorating for me often includes ... ... Keep Reading...
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Breaking the silence
When it's quiet here at My (virtual) Place, it's almost always noisy at My (in real life) Place. It's been quiet here for quite awhile. I've really missed you. At home it's been crazy-noisy, ridiculously yo-yo-ish, and an emotional roller coaster. It's been a long time since I've experienced a period so chock-full of travel on top of Life... and it's not over yet. Through it all, I've been a student. Sometimes intentional. Sometimes by necessity; almost unwillingly. Learn to walk slowly through the crowd. When you truly understand God's abundance, there is no good reason to be in a hurry. Summit Leadership Foundation newsletter Since April we've celebrated several birthdays, ... Keep Reading...
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ONE WOMAN’S IMPACT: Pat Summitt (1952-2016)
It is what it is. But, it will be what you make it. Pat Summitt Legendary Lady Vols basketball coach University of Tennessee Pat Summitt, the "winningest" coach in NCAA Division I basketball history, died today—two weeks short of her 65th birthday. This post is not about sports. If you're interested in women's basketball, you already know Pat Summitt "by the numbers". They're very impressive. She was impressive, and flags fly at half-staff today here in Tennessee in celebration of her life and legacy. There is, however, one number associated with Coach Summitt that gets my ultimate respect: 100% of her student athletes graduated from college. She set the bar high for ... Keep Reading...
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When Grown Men Cry
The first time I visited Alex's home, he had built only its block walls, but I was impressed by his choice of location: a bluff overlooking Hope Mountain— in gratitude for what Hope did in his life. Our group prayed with Alex, asking God to bless the house he was building—and the home that would one day be created there. The next time Renaissance Man saw Alex, he learned of his engagement to Adriana (not her real name), and called me with the good news. You see, unlike Alex, Adriana has a rich heritage of family. When their wedding day finally arrived, our missionary friend and Alex were tasked with picking up Adriana's parents. Before Adriana's father would leave his home, he ... Keep Reading...
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BEAUTY FROM ASHES
A week ago, Renaissance Man and I arrived in Brazil. A day behind schedule already, we hit the ground running, not even slowing down to rest after our overnight flight. So much packed into the first few hours . . . Re-connecting with old friends—and making new ones Rejoicing over campus improvements at the City of Youth Visiting the newest Hope Unlimited for Children thrift store Grieving with a friend who lost his wife very suddenly a few weeks ago (H1N1 flu? Test results not available for 90 days...) and rejoicing with a young staff couple over their precious 5-month-old son. . . . My tired body grasping for a balance of emotions. Early the next morning, we headed to the airport—again. And after ... Keep Reading...
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UP, UP AND AWAY… Made it to Brazil!
Finally . . . Familiar sights (Some nicer than others.) After a smooth (though delayed) overnight flight, we arrived in São Paulo, Brazil and rode almost two hours to the city of Campinas—and straight to the City of Youth where we were welcomed by children, staff, and board members of Hope Unlimited for Children. It's been two years since I was last here, and it's been a nice day of seeing campus improvements, familiar faces, and new faces of children who now have life-transforming hope. The U.S. board and the Brazilian board met together this evening; joint efforts on behalf of children once abused, abandoned and neglected, often by the very ones who should have cared for them: their ... Keep Reading...
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UP, UP AND (no)WAY
My, my, my... What a day. Yesterday, after a busy morning of work and errands, we packed Renaissance Man's truck with suitcases and tubs of goodies (your Valentines, soccer uniforms, and things for Hope Unlimited's thrift stores in Brazil) and headed to the airport. Too many miles down the road—but not close enough to our destination—we stopped. Involuntarily. Fortunately we'd left home much earlier than necessary because the truck decided to go on strike. Seriously? It's not like we were asking it to take us all the way to Brazil! And fortunately... We were in the right lane, so when it went KAPUT and died, we were able to coast to the shoulder. And there we sat in the heat until our new best ... Keep Reading...
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Building on the Past — Envisioning the Future
It's finally happening. The too-long-neglected downtown in our community is coming back to life! Over a year ago, I told you it was a new day in the Mossy Creek Historic District, and I'm happy to report that we've stayed on track! Today we're crossing Ts and dotting Is—and getting ready to break ground very soon. Empty lots where classy old buildings once stood are going to become a Festival Park for community gatherings and family picnics. The park will include a grassy hillside amphitheater, event pavilion, restroom facilities, playground, and. . . insert drum roll . . . one of my favorite features: an oft-requested by our community Veterans Memorial The Battle ... Keep Reading...
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TABLE FOR TWO: Happy Anniversary, Renaissance Man
Twenty-six years ago we said, "I do." Today we celebrate the ups and downs, highs and lows, surprises and longtime dreams that comprise a marriage. We celebrate the commitment and the faith that are our foundation. We celebrate each other. No big plans this year. Our June calendar is packed full of travel and responsibilities, so today we'll take it easy. Steaks on the grill, baked potatoes, fresh asparagus, and apple pie. But I've set a Table for Two in preparation for our quiet evening at home. The inspiration was this gorgeous china Renaissance Man gave me for our 20th anniversary. And then I added the salt and pepper shakers his grandparents received on their 50th wedding anniversary ... Keep Reading...
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CONVERSATION OVERHEARD: Teaching the next generation
Dear young dad, I wasn't eavesdropping. It was just hard NOT to hear you and your daughter sitting at the table right behind me last night at dinner. Even as my husband and I conversed, I heard you order. Mini nachos and a taco, please. And a chicken chimichanga. I smiled when, mere minutes later, your daughter asked, "when is our food coming?" Hungry, was she? You and I both know how efficiently-run the restaurant is—and that food comes quickly—so it didn't surprise me to hear you chuckle in response. But I love that you chuckled! It seems many parents of young children are just angry and self-absorbed these days and don't speak to their children with kindness. Their children deserve better. Fortunately, your ... Keep Reading...
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RUSTIC WITH A PUNCH OF COLOR: Sunflowers on the porch
Happy Tuesday, all! It's a little early for sunflowers here in East Tennessee, but I'm working on plans for a Summer BBQ in Carmel Valley, CA . . . and sunflowers are on my mind. If you want to see my inspiration board on Pinterest, HERE 'tis. I remembered a shower Renaissance Man and I hosted last Summer that I never shared here, so it seems like a good time to do that now. The couple's wedding colors were turquoise and coral, and they wanted a rustic vibe. We've known the young man for years, and he's very easy going and "outdoorsy", so plans were made for a fun evening out at the farm. I wanted to "give a nod" to the upcoming wedding, but I didn't want the shower to be too wedding-y. Does that ... Keep Reading...
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A morning surprise in the mailbox
There it was when I opened my email this morning... Thank you for your site. Very sweet, encouraging, & interesting! Words of encouragement from someone I don't even know. Welcome words of encouragement. She didn't know I'd gone to bed last night feeling discouraged because I haven't been here with you since March! She didn't know how much I've missed my time to write and tablescape and take photos. She had no idea. But for some reason, she took the time to click on my contact button and write a few words of appreciation and encouragement. I've already hit "reply" and thanked her... but I'll thank her here, too. Thank you, Pamela—wherever you ... Keep Reading...
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Rustic Easter Tablescape: Humbled by the old, rugged cross
It was a table for 10. Shoulder to shoulder in our dining room, we ate and laughed and shared our hearts. Men and women, all fairly new friends of ours, but we hold one important thing in common: We celebrate Easter. Mikasa Italian Countryside dinner plates, Tiffin King's Crown glassware, and vintage damask napkins brought a simple elegance to balance the "rustic" feel of seagrass placemats and bird's nests. Three rock-filled vases of yellow tulips and carnations paired with blossom-filled pear branches to continue the rustic elegance vibe. At the base of each stood a cross. Easter is nothing without the cross. If Easter is all about the ... Keep Reading...
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The night Richard Simmons ate cake—and read my aura
A few days ago, Renaissance Man received a call from someone at the New York Daily News asking him to confirm that Richard Simmons (yes, THAT Richard Simmons) had indeed purchased a well for our Hope Unlimited for Children campus in Campinas, Brazil. Confirmed. Obviously they were working on a piece, and so we started watching for it to come out. Over the weekend, it did. The story raises so many unanswered questions—and brings back some really intense memories for me. I really don't know how to respond other than to sit here and write, putting those memories on virtual paper. Be forewarned: There are a lot of memories... I met Richard Simmons in August 2013—and shared the ... Keep Reading...
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The Back Side of Yesterday: Unmerited Favor
Yesterday was surreal. She got into my car in tears; said I had to help her. A story about a neighborhood dog running loose—and her dog getting loose... and someone complained... and a citation to appear in court. A citation she signed agreeing to be there—and the court date she wrote on the calendar. Feb. 26 But it was "dog court", and she didn't want to miss the class she'd just started to keep improving things for her and her family, so she'd called to see if she could reschedule. Reschedule? She'd already missed the court date; put the wrong date on her calendar. The paper said to appear Feb. 23 It was no longer just "dog court". It was ... Keep Reading...
