M. Scott Peck began his book The Road Less Traveled with this truth: “Life is difficult.”1M. Scott Peck, The Road Less Traveled: A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1978), 15. Writing this reality or reading it is one thing; accepting it is another. Are you wrestling […]
Category: Family Life/Caregivers
Michele Cushatt
(3x cancer survivor, author and parent of “children from hard places”)
There are so many amazing people in our community, going through hard stuff, navigating life, and making a difference along the way. We want to introduce them to you so you can be encouraged, inspired and above all, know that you aren’t alone. Meet Michele Cushatt. Today’s featured Wednesday Warrior. Read along to hear more […]
Finding Hope in the Unknowns of Faith
Colleen wrote the following journal entry about her thoughts, anxiety, and faith prior to a serious spine surgery she had in December, from which she is still recovering. A Journal Entry There’s something about the unknown that can be uncomfortable. I want to know the outcome of my upcoming surgery. But in addition […]
How to Have the Greatest Christmas of Your Life (Even from a Hospital Bed)
There was no getting around it; I had to walk through the very thing I had avoided for years. As I left the medical building, the sights and sounds of the holiday season were everywhere. The air was crisp, and the roads were packed with drivers who apparently believed they owned the road but forgot […]
What to Do When Life Takes You from DIY to Totally Desperate
“How to . . .” “How to . . .” “How to . . .” Sometimes the Internet leaves me wanting. You too? Having perused what seemed like every website and social media page on the Internet, I couldn’t find what I was looking for. I did find everything from life hacks to little houses, […]
Jolene Philo
of Different Dream
There are so many amazing people in our community, going through hard stuff, navigating life, and making a difference along the way. We want to introduce them to you so you can be encouraged, inspired and above all, know that you aren’t alone. Meet Jolene Philo. Today’s featured Wednesday Warrior. Read along to hear more […]
A Caregiver’s “Note to Self”
We were sequestered for thirty-six hours. My husband and I were the only two people in the room. They sent food to our room which was the only interaction we had with another human being. This went on for T H I R T Y – S I X hours! I am happy to tell […]
Lessons Learned on Life’s Battlefield
I never expected what happened while running errands the other day. The plan was to check some things off my to-do list while my husband and sons were home watching football. Being alone is a rare event, and the quiet always speaks to my soul . . . if I’m willing to listen. I had […]
How’s Your Health?
I wanted to run out of the doctor’s office when he asked that one question: “How’s your health?” My husband and I spent a full day at the Cooper Clinic for Dr. Ken Cooper’s complete medical check-up. Dr. Cooper is one of my heroes! He saved my dad’s life when he found some heart issues […]
What to Do When All Hell Breaks Loose
We had been sitting on the tarmac for over an hour . . . waiting . . . and . . . . . . waiting . . . . . . and waiting . . . . . . AND WAITING! Straight up, Jesus has fabulous job security with me on two of the […]
The Big, Bold Prayers of a Boy Who Wanted to Be a Big Brother
I’ve got great news! Last week I shared an article written by my Reframing Ministries project manager, Tiffany. I admire Tiffany’s character in abundance; her faith in Jesus is alive and authentic. As a Christ-follower, Tiffany has been called to be a “gestational carrier,” commonly known as a surrogate mother. Tiffany has birthed five babies: […]
Why You Must Have the Guts to Grieve
It wasn’t supposed to end this way. Jon had gone to bed, my husband had taken our older sons out to dinner, and I was home preparing for the week ahead. Typically, Sunday evenings are spent preparing for the week: packing lunches, putting away laundry, and picking up around our place. While I mopped the […]