I've already shared Part 1 of this story with you, but there's more... The call came at 9:25 AM. Was I in town? Could I come talk to a young mother? Yes... and yes. So began my journey down a new path. I was scared. But this time the story isn't about me. It's about her. ... Keep Reading...
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Scared is the New Brave
The call came last Wednesday at 9:25 AM. Was I in town? Could I come talk to a young mother? Yes... and yes. So began my journey down a new path. I was scared... yet I felt brave – and confident. I had no idea what I was walking in to, but I knew I wasn't going alone. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 A short time later, I found myself sitting at a picnic table with (not her real name) Krystal, her preschool-age son playing on the playground nearby. I listened for a long time, ultimately encouraging her to temporarily relinquish guardianship of her child. Even with ... Keep Reading...
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When ROAD CLOSED and Red Lights = GO
Two weeks ago today I hosted a meeting to introduce a new "caring for children and families in stress" resource to my county: Safe Families for Children. We started a conversation, encouraging the Church to step into its God-given responsibility: love one another care for orphans It's not an easy conversation – and there are no easy answers – but there is a right answer. Beyond that, I guess we have to learn to trust. I'll be a perpetual student... As I drove to the meeting, I couldn't help but smile when I saw this up ahead. Of course. Ever notice how when you're trying to do what God wants you to, everything tries to slow you down? Oh, you have? Well, I chose to see those slow-me-downs ... Keep Reading...
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Jumping from the frying pan into the fire…
I'm an advocate for orphans and other vulnerable children. I haven't always been. Actually... If a child had stood before me needing a voice, I'd have spoken up – because I can be a real Mama Bear when there's a hurting child involved. But when it came to the children not standing before me, for the most part I was silent. Ignorant. The bottom line is: ... Keep Reading...
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Weekend wondering…
If your week was as busy as mine, you might need this gentle nudge as much as I do. I'm planning to carve out a little "be still" time in the weekend to get me back on track. If you need to do the same, I hope you will! I'm joining Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound. ... Keep Reading...
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The odds were against this mother…
Mothers – and Motherhood. So many preconceived ideas, mixed emotions, shoulds and shouldn'ts... Aah, the "voices in the head" when it comes to thinking of what makes a Good Mother. Anybody know what I'm talking about? Today, I want to share with you a beautiful Motherhood success story. It's still a work-in-progress, but it's on the right track – and the odds were greatly against it ever happening this way. ... Keep Reading...
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The Dark Side of Hope: Failure to Forgive
If you've visited here a few times – or simply read my About page – you know that I sometimes share stories of the kids served by Hope Unlimited for Children. Often, as with Patricia, they're stories of success. Stories of broken cycles of poverty and abuse. We've been blessed to see a lot of those. Occasionally they're peeks into some of the demons our children face. I've never shared a story like this one. ... Keep Reading...
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Hope Unlimited graduate to lead worship at international orphan conference
I can't post this fast enough this morning. I'm so excited! Patricia, a Hope graduate, will be leading worship music at the national Christian Alliance for Orphans conference. A former street child. Think about it. Click her (and husband Bruno's) pic below to go to the live stream of the conference. It's all great, but her part should start at 9:45 AM Central. More about this fun story soon! UPDATE: If you're just now getting here, you missed the live stream of the event, but let me tell you... Truth (sung through Patricia) brought down the house! As 2500+ people sang "God of the City" in English – and Patricia sang in Portuguese – I grabbed this picture from the live stream. That light ... Keep Reading...
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Mother’s Day gift idea for the SPICY Mama!
What? Not what you expected? I first heard of Penzeys Spices about a decade ago when a cute little brown cardboard box arrived in my mailbox – four glass jars of grilling spices inside protected with bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, and whole nutmeg. How's that for eco-friendly packing material? The gift was a little thank you from a friend – and it made a big impression! Since that day, I've ordered Penzeys gifts (and gift cards) online for lots of people, but I was never near a Penzeys Spices store ... until just the other day. I walked into this one in Raleigh, North Carolina. It was all I'd hoped it would be – and then some! So many good ideas! There's even a section of the store ... Keep Reading...
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I am ROCKIN’ IT this week!
Oh, my goodness, it's a crazy-busy week here at My Place. What's it like at yours? You know the #RiskRejection posts I wrote? The ones telling you about deciding to put our old house on the market continuing to downsize our life–to upsize our faith preparing for a broken heart – and researching needs of children in my own community organizing workshops for the Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit – sharing Hope Unlimited's successful residential model with orphan care providers worldwide talking taboo – and volunteering to be a CASA – and hoping to facilitate another movement in my community All of those things are picking up speed this week. ALL of them! The sign is in the yard, showings are ... Keep Reading...
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An Angel’s Perspective on Easter (A Reprise)
I once shared An Angel's Perspective on Christmas. If you didn't see it (or want to refresh your memory), you may wish to read it now and then come back ... because this is Part 2 of the story. Characters: Finney - new resident in Heaven Zyor - Finney's guardian angel Elyon - Creator of the universe, God Michael - archangel The angel who viewed Christmas as "the heart and soul of the cosmos itself" continues... "And just when we thought Elyon could not surpass this greatest miracle with another, there came the greater one." Zyor stood, and his voice trembled, not only with awe, but now with unmistakable anger. "That little hill, where little men were permitted to do unspeakable things to Elyon's Son. ... Keep Reading...
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Easter Notecard Party
It's time for another Notecard Party at A Haven for Vee. My theme this month is Springtime Whites. Here are a few I think could make nice notecards... There's another Springtime White I could have included. We saw it today. SNOW! Yeah, that's right. Two days after a warm, sunny weekend that included hanging ferns, iced tea, and sleeveless tops, we saw fluffy, white snowflakes. There's something absolutely gorgeous about the intermingling "lace" of dogwood blossoms and snowflakes... So what's "hopping" at your house? I hope you have a wonderful rest of your week and a very happy Easter. I'm planning to get some "grand" hugs ... and celebrate a two-year-old's birthday! Seems like we were ... Keep Reading...
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The Secret All Seasoned Tablescapers Know…
Seasoned tablescapers know: All-white dishes are power players in the dish pantry. They can be "dressy" – as I recently experienced them at The Cliffs Preserve in Chile... ...or "casual" – as I enjoyed them at the girls' residential care home while sitting around another "table with heart". White dishes are the perfect foundation for any meal. BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER DESSERT Do NOT try to tell me you've never made a meal of dessert... Even a SNACK is tastier when served on an all-white plate. If you’re just starting your collection, I hope I've convinced you: Invest in a set of all-white dishes and you'll be "set" for a lifetime of versatile ... Keep Reading...
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Do you like sushi? Thank Hugo!
There he was in his blue jeans, red shirt, and knee-high rubber boots... walking along the beach. Walking out to sea. His name is Hugo. He's a seaweed harvester. So are these men and women... If you like sushi, you can thank Hugo and his friends. They work hard to gather the various kinds of seaweed that make sushi so beautiful and tasty. Sorry, Hugo. I only like the beauty of sushi! Theirs are lives of much uncertainty... When the weather cooperates and they can gather and dry the seaweed, they have a good day. But when it rains, the fresh water renders their already-gathered seaweed "ruined". Obviously, timing is critical... Although Hugo's life is one of subsistence living, Renaissance Man and I were blessed to see ... Keep Reading...
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#RiskRejection: Let’s Talk Taboo…
The subject makes me physically ill – and angry. Every one of us should be held accountable – because we can all do more to prevent it. To stop it. It lurks closer to home than many of you think. Trust me... So what's the problem? We're not comfortable talking about it – and so we don't. ... Keep Reading...
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Lessons From An Old House Renovation
For many years, the idea of rescuing an old house was synonymous with living a fairy tale. Yes, I'm a hopeless romantic... And then I actually got to rescue an old beauty – and live out the fairy tale. The experience was 80% Cinderella at the ball and 20% staying ahead of the Big Bad Wolf. For the past ten weeks, I've been sharing with you our Old House Renovation Story. We began with the rebuilding of the front porch, toured every room, and ended up back outside in the gardens. If you missed anything, the chapters are all listed HERE. (Scroll to the bottom and start with "In the beginning...".) Throughout the process, I learned a lot about myself – and Life. In no particular order, I'd like to share some ... Keep Reading...
