Blog and News

Skirting the New Year

One of the most enlightening conversations over the holidays was about my tree skirt. No, I’m not talking about a skirt with trees on it or a skirt made from trees, although bamboo is big in textiles these days. Imagine instead a skirt that circles the base of a Christmas tree. For many years, I...

Monday, January 13, 2020

Good Grief

The song written for the timeless TV special, "A Charlie Brown Christmas", goes on to say, "Happiness and cheer, fun for all that children call their favorite time of year.” I beg to differ. Presuming it is a joyous, season-of-choice for all is truly a stretch. For some, Christmas is an especially...

Monday, December 2, 2019

To Tell the Truth

I admit I am wary of actions that put me in physical danger. I am sitting in the urgent care lobby, waiting and writing while my husband is getting stitches on a couple of good-sized gashes. He’s a handy guy with a can-do attitude. He’ll try just about anything before he calls a contractor.

Monday, November 4, 2019

Try This At Home

I admit I am wary of actions that put me in physical danger. I am sitting in the urgent care lobby, waiting and writing while my husband is getting stitches on a couple of good-sized gashes. He’s a handy guy with a can-do attitude. He’ll try just about anything before he calls a contractor.

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

WITH or WITHOUT?

Is it just our human nature to focus on our lack instead of our gain? Even if we make change in our diet to improve our health, we think about what favorite food we are giving up to reach our weight loss goal. Why is it that the WITHOUT seems to outweigh (pun intended) the WITH?

Friday, August 30, 2019

Monumental Moments

I asked my friend, “How was your weekend?” Under usual circumstances, that is a simple question to ask. However, depending on the timing and context, the answer can be quite complex. She is in the middle of major life change—a we-will-never-be-the-same kind of life change. Her answer to my...

Thursday, August 1, 2019

Lord Give Me Patience—Right Now!

​As part of their legacy to me, my two grandfathers doled out lessons in patience. My Papaw Arthur had little tolerance for grumpy grandkids. If a pouty attitude crept out onto a protruding lip, he would be quick to say, “I’m gonna to put a rooster on that lip!”

Wednesday, June 5, 2019

Accept Except?

Monday, April 29, 2019

Unintentional Influence

Monday, April 1, 2019

Perspective is Everything

Friday, March 1, 2019

Perfect Parenting?

Monday, January 28, 2019

Two, Not Twenty

There will always be more good ideas than there is capacity to execute. Especially with your student and even more so during the holidays.

Thursday, December 20, 2018

No Lawn Mowers Needed in December

When we can put away our parenting lawn mowers and work on our sideline skills instead, we are helping our students build the confidence to handle future challenges with independence and grace.

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

No Matter What

If we believe God brings a return on investments that appear to be lost, can we also trust Him to restore our children who are struggling?

Monday, November 5, 2018

Phone Home

You're hoping for a phone call. You receive a two-word text from your son or daughter. You're not alone.

Friday, October 5, 2018

Staying Focused, Standing Firm

Is your student ready to stay focused? What can you as the parent do to help?

Tuesday, September 4, 2018

Ready When They Are

School is about to begin. Getting the sense the balance of control within your family is shifting? Take heart. In the midst of change, rest in the One who never changes.

Wednesday, August 1, 2018

Life Choices—Served with Pie

Students face many important decisions in their first few years out of the home—especially related to college. The right "coaching" can make all the difference in helping them navigate this exciting time.

Thursday, June 28, 2018

Big Lessons from Small Mistakes

Parents hope their young adults have already learned major lessons in academic integrity, managing temptation, and setting priorities in the right order. The fact is they are no less human than when they were in middle or high school. When the mistakes happen, what can parents do to keep anger,...

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Conquering Anxiety: A Professor's Journey

Fears, whether about real dangers or imagined, often hinder us from living the life that God desires for us. We can either let fear continue to inhibit our faith or we can let our faith conquer our fears. These are some ways God used to free me from the grip of anxiety.

Tuesday, May 29, 2018