Not everyone has the same idea of what makes a nice holiday, nor does everybody give thanks in the same way.  This message of giving thanks is something that I learned when I was very young.  It is one of the lessons that I am most grateful that I was able to see, experience, and understand.  Giving thanks for all.  For me, the key to having a successful gathering is to allow my guests to be themselves.  I am grateful for each individual worker, communicator, consumer, and watcher.  Being present with those who are in attendance and prayerful for those…

There’s no question I was a “hare” most of my life, and I would never have imagined that I would turn into a “tortoise”.  I have been a confident risk taker, quick to take action.  However, my overall journey of life is based on faith and is steady and consistent.  I’m patiently waiting for Jesus to guide my way. For much of my life, I thought the “tortoise” and the “hare” were mutually exclusive.  How is it possible to quickly make decisions and take action, and also be slow and methodical about your decisions?   Seemingly incompatible with each…

Living life with a sense of peace does not eliminate suffering.  What I have found is having inner peace grounds me for any and all suffering that comes my way.    When my late husband died people said I was strong.  It was not my strength it was my inner peace knowing that whatever suffering comes my way Jesus will ground me and show me how to move through the chaos. That time was not without suffering, but I was able to move forward because I chose to rely on something greater than myself.  I gave control to Jesus and believed…

As I walked by photos that are displayed on the wall of our home, I realized the photos displayed something very different to me than the photos that are hanging in the home of my parents.  In the home of my parents, the photos generate warm and fuzzy feelings that are moments in time that are captured and that bring a smile to my face and inner peace.  In my home our photo gallery brings feelings of overcoming adversity, a wall of strength and endurance, highlighting what we as a family have endured. Looking at my kids’ photographs each…