life Archives - Page 12 of 12

Meet Me In St. Louis

“I see trees of green, red roses, too. I hear babies crying, I watch them grow, they’ll learn much more, than I’ll ever know. And I think to myself, what a wonderful world.” ( a weeping willow tree in Forest Park, St. Louis, Missouri)

Easter 2015 was extra special for my husband and me as we flew to St. Louis, Missouri, to meet up with our son and his wife. As we enjoyed a short, relaxing flight, I read through a book our daughter, Leah gave me as a Christmas gift, making plans to continue this blog: pages from joan, while pausing here and there to ponder a book I have just recently started writing.

There is something about the window seat of an airplane, looking over the sea of clouds that gets my heart reminiscing, the lyrics of Louis Armstrong’s “What A Wonderful World”, going through my mind.

Having only lived in St. Louis for six months, Jessica and Walker have learned their new city well and as usual, were wonderful hosts for our visit. Before our children moved here, we had never visited St. Louis. We have always wanted to visit, hearing about this place from many good friends that grew up here, and now, it has become one of our favorite U.S. cities!

Did you know there are seven things you must do in St. Louis in April 2015:

(1) Get Your Indie Fix-a slew of shows from some much loved, arty musicians like OK Go, Sufjan Stevens, Sleater Kinney, and British pop-rock band The Kooks. (2) Support the SL art community at The Makers Ball on April 18. (3) Get the Giggles at Touhill for the Chicago-based improv group The Second City April 22-25. (4) Sample S.L. at the “A Tasteful Affair 27” on April 19 which benefits Food Outreach, a Downtown nonprofit providing nutrition services to St. Louisans living with HIV/AIDS or cancer. (5) GET active! Join the S.L. Marathon on April 12, running past some of the city’s best-loved locations, the Gateway Arch, Forest Park, Citygarden, and Anheuser-Busch brewery. (6) Catch the Spring Fashions on April 9 and April 26 at two runway shows featuring fashions from top stores. (7) GO GREEN! Join more than 35,000 members of the local community as they celebrate our amazing planet at the S.L. Earth Day Festival on April 26 at Forest Park. (note: ideas taken from ALIVE St. Louis, April 2015 issue)

Walker and Jessica take a rest from paddling the ‘rents all around Forest Park on a beautiful Saturday afternoon.

On this visit, we stayed at nearby Chase Park Plaza, but next time, we will be staying at their new home, built in 1929, on Teasdale Avenue. It was so exciting to walk through the home that will be theirs come Mother’s Day Weekend 2015!

The Page Home on Teasdale Avenue, St. Louis, MO

[pullquote]Where we love is home – home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.”
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.[/pullquote]

We enjoyed dinner Friday night at the kids’ favorite BBQ spot: The Shaved Duck. Oh my, this was truly the most delectable BBQ we have had in some time!

Saturday, we awakened to a blue sky day and got ourselves started with a walk in the famous green space of the city: Forest Park, 1,371 acres of water, land and cultural museums, located in the western part of St. Louis, Missouri.

After walking for awhile, we hopped into a paddle boat and tooled around seeing the park from an entirely different

perspective.

Leah and Walker with a bunny, Easter 1995

Perspective is a funny word to me as it has a lot to do with “choice”. Waking up on the Monday after visiting our married children, I am reminded of how fast time is traveling by. I remember once again, that as of June 21, 2014, both of our

children are now married. When I scrolled through Facebook yesterday, I saw so many cute babies and young families at annual Easter Egg Hunts. This perusing caused memories of our own two, on Easter Sundays gone by, to come flooding back. During this current season of my life, I am making a conscientious choice about my perspective. Synonyms for perspective include outlook, view, viewpoint, position, stance, attitude, frame of reference, approach, and interpretation. My husband and I are parents-in-law to two amazing kids, we are living in a home where the extra bedrooms are empty for the most part, and while we remain very close to Leah, Walker, and their spouses, they have now become their own “family unit”, just as it should be.

If I sound “sad” here in these side remarks about perspective, I really am not.

However, the passage of time does give one much to remember and to be grateful for.

Now, back to our 2015 St. Louis Easter Weekend, the Walker and Jess cooked for us Saturday night : yummy caprese paninis, home fries, and a bottle of red. Following dinner , we hung out with their cat, Louis while playing Canasta. Dad and I finally ended up with a winning score, but with only 3 rounds played, this game is TBC. (to be continued!)

Donny, Walker and Jessica on the steps of Memorial Presbyterian Church, Easter Sunday.

WE completed our Easter Visit in St. Louis in the most wonderful way. We worshipped together in the church Walker and Jess recently joined, Memorial Presbyterian Church on South Skinker Boulevard.

Until next time, SEE YA LATER, Walker, Jess and Lou!

[pullquote]

Cherish your human connections – your relationships with friends and family.”

Barbara Bush

[/pullquote]

What is your perspective regarding the season of your life today?

Where Is He? He Is In Us

Right now that word joy may choke you...For anyone, newly grieving, to take even this first step is as difficult as learning to walk for the first time. You are, in fact, back at the beginning of learning to live again, to function, to participate in life. You are learning to live the second part of your life, so be patient with yourself. Eugenia Price, Getting Through The Night

As the family filed out of North Metro Church this past Thursday at Dr. Rick Gray’s Celebration of Life Service, the instrumental music played loudly “Crown Him With Many Crowns”. My girlfriend Sandy and I, and the rest of the congregation stood reverently by. Especially during unpredictable and devastating circumstances, many ask, “Where is God?” There is no doubt that Rick Gray and his family, along with our dear friends, The Reads, in Virginia, who have faced unimaginable tragedy in their son’s passing, believe in their gut that God is on His Throne. As painful as loss is, we believe in a God who is not only aware of what has happened, but he is worthy of our honor and praise regardless of our circumstances. We recognize that it is not something we can see with our eyes, but it is a truth we have intentionally chosen to believe.

We call it Faith.

With Holy Week upon us, my Father-in-law is still in the hospital. We are hopeful he will make a full recovery, but we obviously do not know what the future holds in this precarious situation. Donny’s Dad is a man of faith, believing in things he cannot see. This very personal faith gives him hope for his future, regardless of what his future might hold.

We do not stand alone in this belief. We belong to an enormous family of faith. My ADPi Sisters, a group of nine of us have been getting together for a weekend every single year since 1979. We all have Cookeville’s Tennessee Tech University in common. We do life together. We laugh, we cry, we call, we email, we text, we celebrate, we mourn together, but most importantly, we share a common and rigorous faith in God.

TTU ADPi Sisters, 1983 at Leslie’s in Knoxville, Tennessee

TTU ADPi Sisters, 2015 at Kelly’s in Abingdon, Virginia

We stand shoulder-to-shoulder in our faith journeys, sharing prayer requests with each other year in and year out. For something different in 2015, we decided to read the same devotional week after week together: The Joshua Code.

Together, we start a new chapter each Sunday. Ironically, the reading following Taylor Read’s recent passing reminded us: of the promise in Matthew 5:4, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” This week’s reading is called, The Proof is in the Pudding. According to this devo, the evidence in our personal faith in a God is three-fold: inward, upward and outward. Inward evidence (see Ephesians 5:19) is seen when we choose to have a “song in our heart” regardless of our situation. Upward evidence (see Ephesians 5:20) is seen when we continually choose to have an attitude of gratitude to our God. Outward evidence (see Ephesians 5:21) is seen in our service to those in our path.

Through the generations, many have asked the question”Where is God?” Two of these who have lived during my lifetime are C.S. Lewis and Lee Strobel.

Christians can have doubts and they can have questions, and the unhealthy way to deal with that is to keep them inside where they fester and grow and can undermine our faith. The healthy way to deal with it is to talk about it and be honest about it. Lee Strobel

I do know plenty of atheists, agnostics and skeptics who have become Christians through the years. In fact, several of my friends were once strong atheists but are now committed followers of Jesus. Lee Strobel

C. S. Lewis, (1898-1963), author of Mere Christianity, among many other books, and best friends with J.R.R. Tolkien., fell away from faith in his youth, but returned at age 32 for the remainder of his days.

After his wife’s conversion, Lee Strobel, (1952- ) one of the most well known atheist-turned-Christians and author of The Case For Christ, became a believer at the age of 29 after he did extensive research on the evidence for Jesus.

IN MY 56 YEARS HERE ON THIS EARTH, I HAVE CERTAINLY KNOWN SORROW, WITH BOTH OF MY PARENTS HAVING GONE ON AHEAD OF ME, ALONG WITH MANY MUCH-LOVED FRIENDS AND RELATIVES, INCLUDING A PRECIOUS NEPHEW, BRAD. I FIRST LEARNED OF MY FAVORITE BOOK ON GRIEF THROUGH THE PASSING OF A GIRLFRIEND, JIL CAIN ON AUGUST 5, 2005, A GRACE DISGUISED: HOW THE SOUL GROWS THROUGH LOSS, BY, GERALD L. SITTSER. I KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO HAVE THAT PHYSICAL ACHING, ANGUISH IN MY HEART AFTER HEARING OF THE PASSING OF SOMEONE I DEARLY LOVE, AND I BET YOU HAVE FELT THAT, TOO. I THINK GRIEF FEELS A LOT LIKE THE FRIDAY AND SATURDAY BEFORE THE FIRST EASTER SUNDAY. AS JESUS WAS BEING HUNG ON THE CROSS, SURELY HIS MOTHER, MARY, ALONG WITH HIS DISCIPLES, AND COUNTLESS OTHER FOLLOWERS HAD ACHING HEARTS AND WANTED TO LOSE ALL HOPE IN THEIR FUTURE. BUT THEN SUNDAY CAME! I AM LEARNING THAT THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE IN THOSE WHO GRIEVE WITH HOPE AND THOSE WHO GRIEVE WITHOUT IT. THE READ FAMILY CHOSE THE POWERFUL ANTHEM, LIFT UP THE CROSS, TO WALK OUT OF THEIR CHURCH TO. THIS SONG ILLUSTRATES HOW THEY WERE GRIEVING THE LOSS OF THEIR BELOVED SON, BROTHER, NEPHEW, AND GRANDSON THIS IS RELATED TO A PERSONAL FAITH JOURNEY.

It is both ultimately and intimately between each created human and God.

Where are you and I in our journey today?

How is there inward, outward and

upward evidence of faith in our lives?

Celebrating an anniversary with my parents. It makes my heart so happy and at peace knowing they are together today.

Despite the fact that I had been a Christian for many years before the accident, since then, God has become a living reality to me as never before. My confidence in God is somehow quieter but stronger. I feel little pressure to impress God or prove myself to him; yet I want to serve him with all my heart and strength. My life is full of bounty, even as I continue to feel the pain of loss. Grace is transforming me, and it is wonderful. I have slowly learned where God belongs and have allowed him to assume that place—at the center of life rather than at the periphery.”

Gerald L. Sittser, author of A Grace Disguised

In faith there is enough light for those who want to believe and enough shadows to blind those who don’t.” Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) a French mathematician, physicist, inventor, writer, and Christian philosopher, Pascal had poor health especially after his 18th year and his death came just two months after his 39th birthday.

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Choose To Not Be Blue Part One

My big brother, John Wade meets some new friends in Sona Bota, Central Africa, 1951.

The day was sometime in March 1950 when the small family of three, including a seven-month-old son, were dropped off at the port in New York City and boarded a big ship to set sail for Western Europe, Belgium, leaving all that was familiar to them back in rural Kentucky. Language and other mission work training would be a part of the next year after their lengthy trip across the globe. Following training, they would continue their long, arduous journey south, with Mama now expecting child number two, Mary Ann, as they started their medical missionary assignment in the heart of Africa. They would live there for nearly four years and have one more child, Amelia Kathryn, while serving the people in the Congo. I have often wondered what it would have felt like for their parents, their siblings, and friends to send them off so far away for such an extended amount of time. They were young, my Daddy, age 30, Mama, age 23, and my big brother, John Wade, barely walking by the time they began to plant their roots in the bush country. Though I know they were thankful for their dedication and decision to serve, I am quite certain there were days when their family back home, missing them, were blue about these circumstances. My sister Mary Ann and her family can relate to this as my niece, Amy lived for years in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil as a medical missionary from January 2003-January 2006.

Mary Ann and Amy serve together in Rio de Janeiro 2005. Amy is now married to Stephen and they are parents to eight month old Noah Ray.

One of the most crucial life lessons my Mama taught me is simple: If you find yourself feeling sad, blue, or even a little depressed, help someone out. Even a smile can turn someone’s day around. You can make a difference in another soul’s day.

You can choose to not be blue.

IMG_5184-2 — Melissa and Lauren at a going away gathering.

My friend, Melissa, and her family, had to make this intentional choice very recently when she helped her daughter, Lauren prepare for a mission assignment in South East Asia. Lauren and eight other young adults will be sharing The Gospel while serving in Thailand. The team, who will be working under the direction of Launch Global, arrived there just a few days ago to begin their work. Join me in praying for them. Their team members include: Lauren & Brady, Beth, Enoch, Lauren, Warren, Steven, Jenn, and Kimberly.

This Freedom Bag was packed with LOVE by my friends, Melissa, Rachel, and Debbie. The reason for doing this was to help a young and hurting woman, but the outcome was two-fold: it also encouraged and brought JOY to the packers!

As nearly three dozen women came together in our home this past Thursday night to bring their Freedom Bags, Melissa shared with me how much this process of shopping and filling this bag had encouraged her as she had been reflecting on how far away her daughter is now living. Lovingly selecting a new shirt and pants, comb/brush, a soft throw, chapstick, socks, a journal, etc. and knowing these items would go directly into the hands of a young and violated woman brought Melissa joy beyond measure. Melissa made an intentional choice to get up, show up, and do something for another person and the result was exactly what my Mama taught me it would be: Melissa felt better and more accepting of her family’s current circumstances.

Over 55 bags were packed and are ready to place directly into the hands of young women who have been imprisoned by the crime of human sex trafficking.

What will you do for someone else the next time you find yourself feeling blue?

First cousins, Walker, Amy, Leah, and Ricky enjoy some sightseeing during a mission trip to Rio in 2005.

Donny checks on a boy in the medical clinic, Rio de Janeiro, 2005.

Leah and Walker serve with their cousin, Amy, a medical missionary to Rio 2003-2006.

Worship Service in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, June 25, 2005.

I loved hanging out with some of the little children in Rio, 2005.

Leah visits with a Brazilian family and their puppy,along with team member, Brent, Summer 2005.

Walker works as part of the Eye Clinic Team in Rio, Summer 2005.

A few of the precious people we served during our week in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, June 24-July 3, 2005.

Our family at the famous Christ Statue in Rio

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.” Charles Dickens (1812-1870)

Eight Ways To Share With Others

My sisters and I love to share when we are together! Here is a Kentucky hanky that Mary Ann gave to Laura (’cause Laura Lea is the only sis born in KY!) and a picture of Kathy’s newest granddaughter, Noelle Victoria Findlan, born in September 2014.

In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.”
Khalil Gibran

Sharing just makes a person feel good. Robert Fulghum even included SHARE EVERYTHING as his number one thing to learn in life in his famous writing: All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.

My Mama taught me early, as the fifth child of a total of six, that sharing was a way to practice unselfishness. Mama showed us that when we share, we in turn, get an extra bonus and blessing in our days. I have found this to be so true as I have journeyed through my life.

Mary Ann and Laura Lea decide on some items that are ready to pass on.

Kathy and Mary Ann share some things they no longer wear.

(1) This past week, my three sisters and I met at our usual place, Cracker Barrel for our Sister Session. We try to make this happen every 2-3 months. When I am with my sisters, more than any other time, I feel like Mama is right beside us. It’s an opportunity to remember, to share our hearts and photos, update our family calendars, and laugh ’til we cry. We always share things with each other that we can no longer use…shoes, jewelry, clothing items, books and more. It is such a nice way to pass on things we love that we have no need for anymore, knowing that one of our sisters is going to get some use out of them. What’s in your closet that you still love, but just don’t use or wear anymore? Share them with a sister, daughter, niece, or a friend.

(2) Keep a “GIVE AWAY” box in your garage or basement and fill it throughout the week.

Once it is full, deliver it to Must Ministries, Goodwill, or some other charitable organization and then start filling it again.

(3) Be on the lookout for ways to give back. Currently a lot of my girlfriends are joining me in the battle against human sex trafficking by preparing Freedom Bags for girls who will be rescued in 2015 in the Atlanta area.

A Freedom Bag pulled together by our life-long friend, Karen.

To learn more, go to my earlier post entitled “What Is A Freedom Bag?”. Our friends, The Arntzens were recently touched by orphans in Cambodia and founded a ministry to aid them. Go to Saving Susan to learn more. There are so many needs in our world today. What mission is your heart being called to share a part of yourself with?

(4) Use your creativity to share with others. Our gifted sister-in-law, Jeanie, does this very well and this picture demonstrates just one example of how she shares in this way. Before our Sister Session, Jeanie mailed a homemade bag for each one of us, complete with the African continent sewn on. Since our parents were missionaries in Belgian Congo in the 1950’s , this gift was extra special.

(5) Recently, we had a party and we asked our friends to bring non-perishable foods for our local homeless shelter’s pantry. Here is how much we were able to gather in just one night!

(6) Share your story with trustworthy friends and family. This past weekend, we were with our two children and their new spouses. My husband and I took some time to share life experiences from our young adult years, our early days of marriage, and our parenting season, including mistakes that we had made along the way. Our Pastor Ike calls this a ‘courageous conversation’. Transparency and authenticity allows individuals in any relationship the chance to be true to themselves without the fear of judgment or criticism.

Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing we’ll ever do.”

Brene Brown, Author/Founder of The Daring Way

(7) Share Birthdays! They are Parties in our Souls! A birthday is a perfect chance to honor a person in our lives, not for what they do, but for who they are and for what they mean to us. An opportunity to say to them:

“Thank you for being born and being among us!”

Rita presents our dear friend, Jack with a cake for his special day.

Our son, Walker blows out his candles and makes a wish on his day!

(8) With each new day, share a smile with at least one fellow human you meet who shows up in your path. Sure, you may not receive a smile in return, but you will know you have made your attempt to bring joy to someone else’s day.

In what ways will you and I

share in the days ahead?

10 Life Lessons From Ten Famous People

It all started when a young , eleven year old girl named Rachel, from a small town in Virginia decided to write to famous people whom she respected or admired, to seek their responses to the following question:

“What is the most important lesson

you have learned in your life?”

Rachel had already asked this question of her parents and their responses were very helpful. DAD: “To persevere, to keep trying, and not give up.” and MOM: “That family was the most important part of her life.”

Not knowing if she would get even one response from the folks Rachel penned her letters to, it amazed Rachel that there were soon an abundance of notes filling her mailbox. Following, you will read some of these messages that were later included in a book entitled, The Most Important Lessons in Life: Letters to a Young Girl By, Rachel Chandler

John Mellencamp: “You can do or be anything if you work hard.”

Lily Tomlin: “One thing of importance that I can tell you: ‘The human mind cannot hold two opposing thoughts at the same time.’ So if you hold a positive thought, you cannot hold a negative thought.”

Mother Teresa: “Be the Sunshine of God’s Love”

Barbara Bush: “You have special talents and abilities, and you can make a difference for the better…”

Danielle Steele, best selling author, told Rachel in her letter that it was late at night and she had just finished her 60th book and was going to send it to the publisher. She wanted to answer Rachel’s letter herself, instead of having someone else do it for her. An excerpt from this long letter follows: “I agree with both your mother and your father. An important quote which I had framed for my children goes like this, ‘If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it.'”

Mikhail Gorbachev: “It is good for people your age to think about your future. The main thing is to respect your own human dignity and to value and respect it in others.”

Willard Scott: Observe the Lord’s Commandments and everything else will fall into place.”

John Goodman: “I wish I had better answers. But two very important things in life are reading and listening.”

Whoopi Goldberg: “Rachel, be true to yourself. The rest will fall into place.”

Elizabeth Dole: “I think one of the most important things to learn in life is how to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Sometimes it is hard work, however, in school and later at work, it is important to think of ways to help others by our efforts.”

The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

What lessons have you learned

in this life you have lived?

What Is A Freedom Bag?

Let us not be satisfied with just giving money. Money is not enough, money can be got, but they need your hearts to love them. So, spread your love everywhere you go.

Mother Teresa

As a mother, I cannot quit thinking about the issue of human sex trafficking and I know, I just know, that there is something we can do to have a direct impact on this horrific issue. That is just how I roll these days. Each one, reach one, one day at a time. Learn, then listen for ways one can make a difference.

After attending the Justice Conference in Atlanta on January 31, 2015, I decided one way we could positively encourage and help some victims of this crime is to put together Freedom Bags that are being collected by Operation Liberate. This is a huge undertaking, but my Mama taught me to dream big, so I am asking for as many of you as possible to come on board to join me in this huge project. more about Operation Liberate: “Doing What Is Required”, click here.

Since it may cost an estimated $150.00 to buy the bag and all O.L. is expecting to have included in each bag, this could be a great joint project between 2-4 girlfriends, mothers & daughters, a small group Bible Study, a Book Club, a Tennis Team, the ideas of ways to achieve this goal are limitless!!!!

Operation Liberate helps rescue women and girls with nothing but the clothes on their backs. They want to be able to bless each of these precious ones with a unique bag created with love and prayers to encourage these victims on their first step to recovery. Because of an upcoming large-scale rescue, Operation Liberate is trying to collect as many Freedom Bags as possible by March 15th.

If you are “IN,” please let me know, so that I can count you as a “YES.” Do not hesitate to contact me with your questions.

We are on a tight schedule as these bags need to be pulled together between now and my goal date of Thursday, March 5th.

The deadline for Operation Liberate is March 15th.

PLEASE SEE BELOW THE INFORMATION THAT WAS SENT OUT BY OPERATION LIBERATE:

“Thank you for your interest in helping Operation Liberate serve the many women and girls that the Lord is going to free in 2015!” To give each girl a special, one-of-a-kind Freedom Bag, please only fill your bag with NEW, unused items. If you are unable to pack an entire back yourself, consider partnering with your small group or church.

As you assemble your bag, please pray over the girl who will receive it – she’ll be so encouraged to know that she was prayed for. If you have questions or would like to get others involved, email Rachel at operationliberate7@gmail.com. Thank you for sharing Jesus’ love with these precious ones!

Instructions for Packing a Freedom Bag – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

Please select a NEW feminine tote, duffel bag, or backpack that is sturdy and roomy enough to serve as an overnight/weekend bag. Heavier items should go in the bottom. Clothing and blankets should be neatly folded. For smaller bags, clothing and blankets may fit better rolled. Toiletries that might leak should be packed in Ziploc bags. Utilize any pockets for smaller items, like lip balm or travel-size deodorant. Pack anything breakable, like sunglasses, last.

Print the following information on an index card and pin to the outside of the bag:

Woman (17+), teen (13-17), or child (under 13) & clothing size (XS, S, M, L, not numeric sizes)

If you’d like, sign the card “Hand-packed with love by [your first name]” or “With love from [church or ministry]”

Once your bag is assembled, please contact Rachel at operationliberate7@gmail.com to arrange a time for it to be dropped at Midtown Church BY MARCH 15th.

Fill your bag with the following NEW items

Toiletries:

Remember this is a gift intended to show the love of Christ, so treat it like you would a care package for your own child or best friend in their first semester away at college. PLEASE ONLY PACK FULL-SIZE TOILETRIES to guarantee that each survivor receives similar items.

Toothbrush, toothpaste, & floss
Shampoo & conditioner
Gentle face wash
Body wash
Deodorant
Chapstick
Hand sanitizer
Hair brush or comb
Feminine pads & tampons
Travel pack of Kleenex
Hard candy or gum

Clothing:

Please ensure that all items in your bag are the same size (small, size 2/4, etc. While we need mostly xs, s and medium, there is also a need for Large.)

Sweatpants
Sweatshirt or thermal tee
1-2 pairs of socks
1 pack of panties

Special touches:

PLEASE PLACE YOUR NOTE IN AN OUTSIDE POCKET OF THE BAG, as each note must be reviewed before being given to a survivor.

Every bag will include the Life Recovery Bible, which we believe is the most important element of the Freedom Bag. If you would like to cover the cost of the Bible for your bag, PLEASE INCLUDE A CHECK FOR $10 MADE OUT TO MIDTOWN CHURCH. YOUR CHECK SHOULD BE PLACED IN THE SAME POCKET AS YOUR NOTE.

Handwritten letter or prayer
Journal
Pens

Fun items:

Please include three or more of the following so each girl feels special and loved:

Nail polish
Lip gloss
Cross necklace
Small stuffed animal
Lightweight scarf
Sunglasses
Hair ties, clips, etc.
Colored pencils & sketchbook
Coloring book & crayons (can be great therapy even for adult women)
Slippers
Small, soft blanket or throw
Travel-size pillow

Click this link for a printable list for Freedom Bag Instructions.

If you have made it to the end of this long list of needs, I hope that means you have decided to make a difference in just one young hurting woman’s life.

Contact me today, and remember, this can be accomplished with a group if just one person will step up agreeing to be in charge of each bag, delegating needs to the rest of the group.

I can meet you anywhere in Metro Atlanta to pick up your Freedom Bag.

Once upon a time, there was an old man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach every morning before he began his work. Early one morning, he was walking along the shore after a big storm had passed and found the vast beach littered with starfish as far as the eye could see, stretching in both directions.

Off in the distance, the old man noticed a small boy approaching. As the boy walked, he paused every so often and as he grew closer, the man could see that he was occasionally bending down to pick up an object and throw it into the sea. The boy came closer still and the man called out, “Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?”

The young boy paused, looked up, and replied “Throwing starfish into the ocean. The tide has washed them up onto the beach and they can’t return to the sea by themselves,” the youth replied. “When the sun gets high, they will die, unless I throw them back into the water.”

The old man replied, “But there must be tens of thousands of starfish on this beach. I’m afraid you won’t really be able to make much of a difference.”

The boy bent down, picked up yet another starfish and threw it as far as he could into the ocean. Then he turned, smiled and said,

“It made a difference to that one!”

adapted from The Star Thrower, by Loren Eiseley (1907 – 1977)

Blaze Your Own Trail Dolly Parton: Dream More

I first posted these thoughts on January 26, 2015, and I am updating them here, because there has been some big news in the region where Dolly Parton was raised. Did you happen to catch NBC’s special about her life this past week? The title is Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love. DID YOU KNOW? Dolly Parton, who turned 70 on her last birthday, January 19, 1946, was raised in an unimaginably poor household. One of 12 children, yes, the home was filled with love abounding, but many times her big family found themselves both cold and hungry as they grew up in the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee area in the stunning Great Smoky Mountains. As Donny and I watched the show I mentioned above, I was once again reminded of how Dolly (along with the help of her Uncle Billy) never, ever gave up on her dreams to one day be a star. Dolly Parton, as we now all know, reached her dreams even more than could be imagined! As we also know, thousands in and around the cities of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge had to be evacuated on Monday night, November 28, 2016, due to horrific and rapid spreading fires throughout the Great Smoky Mountains. Parton agreed to directly aid each family who has been impacted by these wild fires and she is calling her response: “My People Fund.” What dreams do you and I want to carry out in the new year that is ahead of us? Let’s never give up on our dreams to leave the kind of legacy we would like to leave behind.

So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable.”
Christopher Reeve

As a fifty-something woman, I am always looking for fresh ideas and new energy. That is why I checked out a book on CD from Cracker Barrel for my recent five-hour drive to Abingdon, Virginia. I decided on Dolly Parton’s DREAM MORE: Celebrate the Dreamer in You, and I am glad I did.

Did you know that Dolly Parton’s Daddy, a tobacco farmer, could not read or write? He paid the doctor who delivered Dolly with a sack of oatmeal. Did you know that Dolly, the fourth of twelve children, announced “I’m goin’ to Nashville and I’m gonna be a star!” to all who would listen when she graduated from Sevierville High School in 1964? Not only did Dolly go and accomplish this huge dream of hers, but in 1995, she also developed The Imagination Library. Dolly wanted every preschool child in her native Sevier County, Tennessee to have his/her own collection of books. Imagination Library currently serves children in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., providing more that 560,000 children with a book each month! It was really fun listening to Dolly read and sing her way through this book on CD, as the miles from GA to VA clicked by. Dolly Parton highlighted four areas that I want to emphasize as I celebrate the dreamer inside myself and hope you will do the same:

Dream More

Don’t let the weeds grow around your dreams! Keep dreamin’ ’til you take your last breath.

Learn More

Keep reading, researching and learning as much as you possibly can.

Care More

There is always going to be someone less fortunate who shows up in your path. Care for them!

Be More

Follow the Golden Rule! BE the best YOU you can be.

While in Abingdon, VA, we visited the local Farmer’s Market on Saturday morning and got to meet a creative, young woman who is going after her dreams: Artist, Jenny Nichols, owner of Mountain Primadonna. Jenny designs unique jewelry and she had many things on display at the market. I purchased this “Blaze Your Own Trail” necklace from Jenny as I reflected on the message Dolly Parton had shared with “me” on my drive north. You can also meet Jenny on her blog Freedom to be.

As I go forward I want to keep my dreams alive and blaze my trail that is uniquely prepared for me.

A tiny spark can start the flame glowing for that dream you may have left in the dust long ago.

What is that aspiration that has nearly been forgotten that you want to resurrect in your life today?

A necklace designed by Jenny, artist and owner of Mountain Primadonna

…let’s follow the Light that is shining on our path…

We will encounter rocks and roots in our path, even so, let’s keep moving forward towards our dreams.

We’ve Got Your Back A 40-Year Friendship

Our first gathering following The Brown Wedding in 1978, Tullahoma, Tennessee.

Kay Green marries Joe Brown on December 9, 1978

“Some women pray for their daughters to marry good husbands. I pray that my girls will find girlfriends half as loyal and true as the Ya-Yas.”
― Rebecca Wells, Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood

It all began in the mid-late 1970’s when 9 girls, Becky, Kay, Susan, Delores, Leslie, JoAnn, Debby, Kelly and Joan moved themselves and their belongings to Cookeville, Tennessee to attend Tennessee Tech University. Each girl was far from home and began a search for friends who could make the years spent at Tech more fun, rewarding and meaningful. All 9 girls chose to join Alpha Delta Pi Sorority and that was the beginning of what would become life-long friendships. They certainly did not realize at the time that their common beliefs and love for one another would continue to bring them together in celebration of their friendships for decades to come.

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13 (Life Application Bible)

Taylor’s baptismal shell, a note from Meg’s confirmation class, and a bar of soap with the verse: Philippians 4:13 etched on it. These items were found in the rubbish, surviving the house fire.

Though this is a new storage box, all of the silver utensils that were wedding gifts back in 1982 came through the fire, along with pieces of fabric found folded together and made into a small (new) baby quilt.

On January 4, 2014, we 9 were together for our annual weekend sleepover when our friend, Kelly received a call from her husband telling her that their home in Abingdon, Virginia was burning to the ground. It was too late to make the 3 hour drive to Virginia, so we hunkered down with our dear friend and held onto each other. This scene, 9 of us in PJs, was symbolic of what our friendships had come to mean to each of us in the past 36 years. Much of our time spent together would be doing the usual things that girls do: share recipes, talk about everything under the sun, eat and then eat some more, showing family/travel pictures. But that night, it became more apparent to me than ever before how unique this group of girlfriends is. Everyone in this circle relies on their faith daily and we have come to depend on each other’s prayer support, too, as we have listed out specific requests year after year. We’ve been through marriages, births, and deaths side-by-side, and we’ve always had each other’s back.

The next day, we drove Kelly to her hometown to join her husband and to survey the damage. From what we saw, we assumed all was lost, and mostly everything was lost. However, with the help of many friends, family members, and neighbors, a few things were recovered.

Though their sweet dog, Belle perished in the house fire, all other LIFE was spared. There was much to be thankful for, even amidst such tragic circumstances. In the past year, Kelly and Paul have been a picture of grit and tenacity as they have moved forward and renovated an Abingdon, Virginia home that was built in the 1930’s. This past weekend, their home was the spot for our 37th reunion and as usual, we had a wondrous time together! The location of their new home has allowed them to enjoy this beautiful and historical community more than ever before. They are just a few steps from The Barter Theatre and a couple of blocks from The Virginia Creeper Trail, Whitetop Yoga, and the weekly Farmer’s Market!

after a yoga class at Whitetop Yoga in Abingdon, Virginia, January 2015

“Be present in all things and thankful for all things.”
― Maya Angelou

These strong friendships have seen us through countless life experiences: job losses, deaths of parents, births/marriages of our children, and currently, the births of grandchildren. We often agree as we sing our ADPi prayer:

“Hear us sing in one accord,

Praises for thy gifts, O Lord, For thy gifts of daily bread,

For thy paths in which we’re led, From thy throne of Love on High,

List to Alpha Delta Pi, AMEN”,

the unity that the 9 of us share has made our lives so very rich!

a quilt given to Kelly and Paul following their house fire

Tough Circumstances Hold onto the Power

It’s December fifth which means that Christmas Day will be here in just twenty short days. Now that truth will get you running to the 4-7-8 breathing exercise, won’t it!?!

Sometimes our light goes out, but is blown again into instant flame by an encounter with another human being. Dr. Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965) a German theologian, organist, philosopher, physician, and medical missionary

I have spoken with three close girlfriends in the past 24 hours and we have talked through personal issues. What great comfort and therapy it is to have a girlfriend, a heart friend, that you know you can trust with your deepest concerns! How much lighter the burden is when shared! As we bantered back and forth, these friends and I, it was confirmed to me once again how hard this life is. In fact, the first line in the book, The Road Less Traveled: LIFE IS DIFFICULT.

Even though the circumstances I discussed with each of these friends was very different, the bottom line was the same…LIFE can deal you some pretty tough cards. And believe me, I know. After 4 short months of being very ill in 2006, my Mama died of cancer and I still recall easily the physical ache in my heart following her passing.

Along with getting ready for Christmas, many I know are dealing with difficult and tragic circumstances…a recent death of a kind, generous friend named Jimmy, age 55, from my high school & college…two young adult sisters with their Dad, preparing for their Christmas celebration without Mom, Laura, our dear friend who was in our small Bible Study group and passed with breast cancer in May 2014…dear friends, a couple, dealing with the repercussions of a very serious illness earlier this year…my friend and author, Echo, who lost her musically gifted Dad just one day ago…and a college friend, Delores’ husband dealing with a scary medical situation which will require a huge lifestyle change. Many others that we know and love are dealing with other trying circumstances related to their health. The holiday season is also a time of remembering those who are no longer with us. This may be the first Christmas you are spending without someone who has passed on. This will be my second Christmas with both of my parents gone. No matter how many Christmas seasons go by, we will always miss our peeps and we’ll continually recall sweet memories in our hearts of those who have gone on ahead of us, many at a young age and much sooner than we would have chosen.

Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you. Psalm 55:22a NLT

Thank goodness there is so much HOPE wrapped up in The Christmas Story!

Many times, how we play the cards life deals us determines how the future unfolds. However, more likely, we will have times that we just have to let go and accept things as they are.

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19

My Mama raised six children and as we grew into adults, I remember her saying that she was not “worried” about a particular situation, but that she was definitely “concerned.” She and Daddy would also use the words, “guarded optimism” often. I wrote a post about this called, Don’t Borrow Trouble From Tomorrow.

Maybe this was their way of caring, without carrying the burden that was in their hearts. This reminds me of the Serenity Prayer that I believe is vital as we walk through our days:

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference.

Reinhold Niebuhr, American theologian (1892-1971)

One thing that I do know is that the power that is in God is a power I would not want to live without. Recently, our community had a rough rainstorm and we lost all electrical power in our home for more than three hours. As I meandered through our home in candlelight, I would flip a switch and receive no light because of the outage.

Once our power was restored, I began to think what life would be like without power…and worse, what if we had no Divine Creator to turn to, to pray to. Where would we be?

I ask for not a lighter burden, but for a broader shoulder. a Jewish Proverb

All three of my heart friends I mentioned here at the beginning of this post seek God in their journey and the Word promises that when we seek Him, we will find Him. Let’s seek Him, always, in good times, mundane times, and tragic times.

The Word promises that when we seek our Creator, we will find him, every time. Won’t you reach out to him today

There is much power in seeking and finding the Living God and we can be assured that there will never be a power outage with Him.

A SOJOURNER Life Is A journey

“You only live once-but if you work it right, once is enough.” Joe F. Lewis

You and I, we are sojourners on this earth. The Webster’s dictionary defines a sojourner as follows:

“…one who is having a brief, temporary stay; a brief residence”

WE are sojourners on this earth because this earth is not our home.

“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” James 4:14

Last night, as I worked for several hours organizing my thoughts, my story, in anticipation of sharing with the recovering ladies at the Women’s Extension Center, it quickly became apparent to me how far God has brought me in my life.
HOW ENCOURAGING!!! My main prayer has become two words: “Thank You.”
As a 50 something woman, (or any age woman!) I believe it is positively cathartic, very freeing, to think through, and even possibly write down your story, your personal testimony.
As I have expressed before, I have kept a journal for more than 20 years.
This simple tool has so often aided me in working through issues that have burdened my heart in my day-to-day life.
If you are not sure how to get started, try setting a timer for 10-20 minutes and just WRITE, WRITE, WRITE until the timer chimes…or TYPE, TYPE, TYPE…whichever is most comfortable for you.
In sharing with these women, I came up with the following verses to guide me:

Matthew 6:26-27
Lamentations 3:22-23
Galatians 5:1

“If you won’t be better tomorrow than you were today, then what do you need tomorrow for?” Rabbi Hahman of Bratslay

Today, I encourage you to consider yourself as a sojourner as you contemplate your life journey. How far have you come?