Patience, Muffins, and a Soul Recharge
Before our trip to Tulsa, I took my car to the dealership for my 45,000-mile checkup. “It’ll take about two hours,” they said. Perfect, I thought — time for a little quiet, a complimentary blueberry muffin (bless them), and some writing time with my laptop. I found a cozy corner, coffee beside me, and settled…
Clothed in Strength, Dignity… and a Little Sparkle
Sunday night I traded my election badge for a runway pass! Our fearless leader, Anita McGinnis, planned another one of her creative “Sweet Tea” events — this time, a holiday fashion show. Twelve of us “models” (and I use that term loosely!) headed over to Posh Mercantile, a new dress and accessories boutique, to find…
Wherever He Leads
Sometimes our journeys take us through wonderful places — those seasons when everything feels right in our world. The road is smooth, the view is beautiful, and we’re humming along, windows down, hair blowing, singing off-key but loving every minute of it. But then… the GPS of life suddenly reroutes. We find ourselves grinding up…
Tools in the Master’s Hands
I’ve often wondered what my life would look like if I could peek inside God’s workshop. I picture shelves lined with tools — some shiny, some worn — each one uniquely shaped for His purpose. And right there on the bench? A little name tag that says “Donna’s Tools.” The truth is, every one of…
Muster Up and Vote!
It’s decision time, friends — early voting has officially begun here in Austin! And once again, Carl and I are stoked (yes, stoked!) to be serving as election officials. No, this isn’t a major presidential primary — but don’t let that fool you. State and local propositions are where a lot of real-life decisions are…
We Were There — Opry100!
Oh, what a night! The Grand Ole Opry’s 100th Birthday Celebration was everything we hoped it would be — and more. Before the doors even opened, we sat outside by the grand stage under a perfect Tennessee sky, snapping photos, soaking up the golden glow of evening, and thanking God for such a just right…
Eight Months & Eighty Years — Got Milk?
This weekend was one for the memory books. We celebrated my dear Carl turning 80 — and oh, what a celebration it was! His daughter outdid herself: a gorgeous cake made by Pavla, beautiful hors d’oeuvres, a buffet fit for royalty, and a room filled with over 55 friends and family. Carl was the gracious…
Let’s Flex Our Faith
Some phrases just stick. Our Lamplighters Bible teacher, Zack Dawes, tossed one out Sunday morning while we were diving into the book of Daniel: “Flex your mighty right arm!” That’s straight from Isaiah 51:9 — a bold, beautiful prayer:“Awake, awake, arm of the Lord, clothe yourself with strength! Flex your mighty right arm!” It’s an…
Take a Deep Breath
Ever take your breath for granted? I do — until I’m lying awake at night and sleep doesn’t come. That’s when I remember to inhale deeply. Slow, full breaths really do help me drift off. And apparently, there’s science behind it. Deep breathing calms the nervous system, lowers stress hormones, delivers oxygen to our cells,…
The Less Is More Mindset
I sold our Sapulpa, Oklahoma home back in 2010 after my late husband moved on to glory! That’s when the “less is more” mindset first started tugging on me. I’ll never forget opening the attic, boxes of receipts, lumber scraps, holiday décor enough for the Macy’s parade, and keepsakes stacked to the heavens. I stood…