My life experience has told me: PRAYER MATTERS. If your experience is the same, I invite you to join me, Renaissance Man, and a whole host of others to pray for the children I often mention here. Children who once knew no hope... but now do. Here's the invitation directly from Renaissance Man... Dear Friends: Last year we at Hope Unlimited for Children invited our friends, supporters, and partner churches to join us for 30 Days of Prayer for Hope. The response was overwhelming. Without any question, we received more positive feedback from that simple request than anything we had done previously. We quickly realized that we needed annually to set aside a time to pray together. ... Keep Reading...
By
How about a FREE trip to a museum near you?
Looking for something fun and "easy on the wallet" this weekend? You can thank my sister for this heads up! Just click on the image to find a participating museum near you—wherever you'll be this weekend! You can get two FREE tickets per household. Isn't that nice? If your Saturday is already full... I did notice that some museums closed on Saturdays are observing Museum Day on Sunday, September 28. I've got my tickets! When you get yours, leave a comment and tell me where you're headed. What kind of museum is your favorite? What's the last museum you visited? ... Keep Reading...
By
Starting over…
It's Monday—and the first day of Fall. A brand new week—and season—stretches out before us like a blank canvas... What project will I start—or finish? What reset button do I need to hit? What neighbor will I love? What picture will I paint on this blank canvas? What will I do today—this week, this season—to change a trajectory? To make a new ending... for myself—or someone else. What will you do? ... Keep Reading...
By
Weekend Wondering: Can you barter with a pinecone?
Well, can you? Barter with a pinecone? I honestly don't know. I've never tried. Have you? I've filled baskets with pinecones, used them in tablescapes, hung them from Christmas trees... I've even shown you how to clean them! I haven't ever tried to bleach them, but some of you have. In fact, it's quite the craze here in Blogland in case you haven't noticed. For me, pinecones signal a change of seasons, bringing thoughts of steamy-hot soup, snuggly-warm throws, and early-dark nights. They've always held happy memories; serving as an unexpected symbol of security. Until ... The investigation began when the child showed up at a ... Keep Reading...
By
Death of a Southern Beauty
A few months ago, I wrote these lines... Thankfully, the thaw has come, but not before the Winter of 2014 wreaked havoc in the garden. Many plants experienced such trauma that their only hope was found in a drastic springtime pruning. Others, once treasured, are now no more than treasured memories – their blank spaces in the landscape recently filled by tiny replacements... as if one could really replace a treasure. For still others, like our stately magnolia, the verdict is still out. We worked so hard to save the Southern favorite – the arboreal beauty that's shaded our century-old house for many decades – but I fear its days are numbered. Every time I look out my kitchen window and see another brown leaf fall to ... Keep Reading...
By
Little Man goes to school: Dear World…
It's a big day in our family. Little Man starts school! Although he's spent half-days at preschool a few days each week, today begins "the real deal." Today is the first day of the K-12 Experience—the one that brings a new lunch box, new clothes, new school supplies. New friends, new teachers, new influences. New subjects and new choices to discuss 'round the family dinner table. That multi-year experience that foresees smiles and laughter, disappointments and challenges, and character-building opportunities. Plenty of character-building opportunities. If you're feeling a little teary-eyed about now, you probably know a little one heading off to school this year, too... Wasn't it "just yesterday" I ... Keep Reading...
By
It’s time to start thinking about holiday linens
I just can't help myself. When these images start dancing before my eyes, my mind starts thinking about the holidays. Yes, I know it's 90+ degrees here in Tennessee this week—and no, I don't really want to think about the holidays yet—but it's just the way I'm wired. And thinking about the holidays makes me think about holiday linens. Apparently I'm not alone. Last week there was a run on Restoration Linen Cleaner in my Etsy shop. Some of you must be taking advantage of these final weeks of sunshine! The rest of you needn't worry... My shop is restocked and ready for you! Here at My Place, the holiday linens are already laundered, but all of the Restoration sales reminded me ... Keep Reading...
By
Living with pink…
I can't remember the last time I joined the party at Pink Saturday, so I decided not to miss another chance to share with you a few of the pinks that have been in my world lately. I'd love to see yours, too! It's hard to believe almost two weeks have passed since I was here. I've reeeaally wanted to be, but Life kept happening... so I let myself go with the flow. I'm learning it's much easier that way. So what's been going on at My Place? Here's a peek... Writing design guidelines for our local too-long-neglected historic district ... and explaining them at a public forum The old downtown district is where Renaissance Man's office ended up after its cross-country move. We've seen a few improvements in ... Keep Reading...
By
Are you feeling abandoned? Lonely? Discouraged?
Two little girls – abandoned by their mother in front of a church. A couple took in the youngest girl but didn't want the oldest. She was sent to us at Hope Unlimited for Children. The first month, she didn't speak. Not one single word. That was 2009. Hear the story (with name changed) as it was told to us back then by Philip Smith, co-founder of Hope Unlimited: Before I left the office for the evening outing, I pulled up Beatrice’s picture on the computer screen. Together with the office staff, we prayed that Beatrice would smile and talk that evening. While at the video arcade with the birthday children, I kept her close by my side and talked “at” her. She showed no interest in anything. ... Keep Reading...
By
How dirty is your faith?
Do you ever feel like something in your faith is missing? That going to church, studying the Bible, and tithing just aren't enough? There has to be more, right? What would it look like to truly follow Christ and not just believe in him? Such were the questions at our house that led to a life-changing writing experience for my husband – and copy-editing experience for me. Sixteen months ago, Renaissance Man began a conversation with Bethany House Publishers. Shortly thereafter, he had a book contract – and an October 2013 deadline. And yesterday, as you went about your business, this book was released. I'm pleased to say that Dirty Faith is not just another book ... Keep Reading...
By
Mental Gymnastics and the Border Crisis
In recent months, I've done both: Tuned out. Mentally flailed for answers then – finding none – tuned out. The crisis on our southern border is a tough subject, seemingly becoming tougher every day as more and more unaccompanied children leave behind familiar but unsafe surroundings to travel long distances through treacherous territory in search of "the promised land". It's also a politically volatile subject, but for those of us who profess to be Christians, the desire to "not be political" cannot replace our responsibility to love our neighbors. I realize there are virtually limitless opinions about how to do that, but opinions don't meet the needs of the children, and so we have to DO ... Keep Reading...
By
Weekend Wondering…
Have you ever noticed that during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season people talk about how we should be generous year-round... not just during the holidays? Yeah, I've noticed that, too. So why is it that when we're given a super easy way to BE that mid-year generous person (and even get something in return), most people can't seem to be bothered? I really appreciate it when a corporate entity like Balsam Hill wants to be generous. They've offered 10 blogs an opportunity to raise money for whatever charity they desire, and Balsam Hill will match funds raised up to $1,000 per blog. That's $10,000 the company is willing to give away. My Blogland friends, Heather and Vanessa, jumped at ... Keep Reading...
