The weekend is here and it is HOT! We can suffer through it, stay cooped up in our homes, or we can have fun anyway! (I vote fun!) Here are a few ideas for beating the heat this weekend! Create some new smoothie recipes! Not only do delicious smoothies hit the spot on a warm day, but they are nutritious! Milkshakes are super tasty, but they do not leave us energized and ready to tackle life. If I recall, the last few milkshakes I had made me feel worn down and tired. Create at least ten smoothie creations and sneak in some greens and carrots. Sweet fruits cover a multitude of … [Read more...]

“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14-15, ESV) Do you fall asleep listening to music, watching TV, or alone with your thoughts? Typically, I set the timer on my remote and let the television lull me to snoozeland; but, last night, I decided to lie still and let my imagination do the work. As I lay there, my mind wandered all over the map. As often occurs in my daydreams, I drifted back to my childhood and teen years. In my … [Read more...]

One of Eric’s character traits that still amazes me to this day is his extreme lack of jealousy. When we started dating, I expected him to display a hint of suspicion on occasion, but he never did! What kind of a man is never jealous?! Though he expects me to be wise and stay out of compromising situations, he does not show any discomfort in my speaking to or befriending other men – of course, in an upstanding, completely appropriate way. When we were dating, there was never a “Who was that?” or “Why were you talking to him?” In the twelve years we have been together, he has only asked … [Read more...]

My grandma was a precious lady. Though she did not make a contribution to this world that will go down in history books, her value will always be present in my heart. It is easy to take our loved ones for granted – not just their presence, but their strength. By the time I came along, Granny Jones was a soft, cuddly, loving lady who seemingly lived to cook, clean, and give amazing bear hugs. As I got older, I began to see her as more. She was a strong lady. As a child, she worked in a factory and had to help her parents around the house since they both worked outside the home. She was not … [Read more...]

What happens after a loved one passes, at least in Southern Christian culture, is tremendous. Friends stop by with food, offer services, and pile on hugs and (mostly) comforting words. When my grandfather passed away suddenly in 1993, I was amazed at the outpouring of love from friends and family. No sooner did we get to my grandma’s house than the floodgates opened. People were everywhere hugging, bringing food, and crying together. Even to this day, I can remember the crazy amount of 2-liter sodas we had and there was, most definitely, plenty to eat. Nestled in that cocoon of love, there … [Read more...]