Embrace the Place
It is almost eight months since my move to Austin. I arrived to my place with no hot water in an icy, snow-covered city. But that was a blessing to have water at all. The pipes had frozen and busted in the building. The other residents were trailblazers for the rest of us who moved…
The Greatest Advice I’ve Ever Received
I was delighted to say “yes” to being on a panel of four women from various backgrounds for the “SHE — Girls Night Out” on Friday night at City Reach Church here in Austin. What a great opportunity to speak from my vantage point about life and the way I have navigated many unchartered…
Seeing Through God’s Eyes
Last Sunday I heard a beautiful message. “Imagine you are a blank slate and there is no data in you. No more past failures or troubles. No influences. On this first day you find out there is a God who created you in His own image. (Genesis 1:27). Really? I’m like God! Awesome! Then the…
God’s Grace. My Grace.
First let’s talk about God’s good grace — His unmerited favor on us. It was God’s “Amazing Grace” how sweet the sound that saved ME and saved the day FOR ME way more times than I deserve. And, close to home, was God’s grace to my beloved nephew many times over in his life, but…
When it Rains, it Pours
Oftentimes, we hear that phrase and it comes with negative connatations. But thank you, Lord, for the rain! Twice, recently when I was on a usual 30-minute trek home and while driving across Lake Travis’ dam, came another rain downpour. Wednesday night, on the way home, I could barely see the road. It was intense…
Well, What Do You Know?
That’s a phrase we might say when we’re surprised about something, like a vowed bachelor announces he’s getting married. If someone asked me the question: “What do you know?” It wouldn’t be because of a surprise factor. I’m not surprised at all that I KNOW God loves ME! I know that God is NOT dead.…
Total Recall Matters
Monday, my 54-years-of-life son ran his 54th 26.2 marathon. And it gets better. It was his 13th-in-a-row Boston Marathon run. That is enough to celebrate, but for this mama, it represents “Nothing is impossible with God!” These photos represent God’s goodness and mercies, which includes our precious Shawntel who is Ryan’s most devoted cheerleader and…
Things Kids Really Want to Inherit
Things Kids Really Want to Inherit This blog was inspired by a friend who told me her garage is filled with “stuff” and she finds it hard to let go of it all because her kids may want some of those things. I told her I was so grateful for downsizing and to be living…
Are You Buff, Toned, and Muscle-Bound?
Me? No! My grandsons? Oh. My. Soul. They are muscular hunks. The oldest is a body builder and competes at an extreme level. And the youngest two spend one to two hours a day in the gym. They are athletes and working out is a regimen that gives them confidence and super athletic abilities. And…
Our Way Maker and Doomsday Defense
Global warming. Pandemic. World hunger. Inflation. Immorality. Murder of innocent lives. I hear those daily reports and I retreat to my safe and happy place of peace on earth, good will to men. I purposely avoid conflict, controversary and complainers. That means I rarely watch the news and the incessant doomsday reports. Ah, that just…