Heavenly Valentine
I have always had a special affection for valentines—not those five-dollar cards that require extra postage or the commercial packages of kid’s cards with their tiny envelopes. Not even the beautifully decorated heart-shaped boxes of candy, though I wouldn’t turn any of them down. No, my love of valentines goes way back to a…
Read More >A Happy and Thankful New Year
Nothing beats an “interruption” in life to shake us up and give us a new perspective. And what better time to happen than around the New Year, overshadowing those time worn resolutions to lose weight, exercise and eat healthy. Oh, there’s nothing wrong with those goals. In fact, we should make them part of our…
Read More >Friends and Resolutions
New Year’s Resolutions seldom work for me—I never keep to the diet, stay off chocolate (okay, that wasn’t really a resolution) or stick with the exercise. So this year, instead of making resolutions, I am counting my blessings, many of which are “girlfriends.” Not just one or two best friends, but a “passel” of friends….
Read More >Christmas in Any Language
One of my favorite Christmas traditions is baking and sharing homemade “goodies.” One year, just before Christmas, a new family moved into our neighborhood—two houses up and across the street from us. Since I was already baking some Christmas teacakes covered with red, green and yellow sugar crystals, I made an extra dozen for our…
Read More >Letters from Louise
My youngest son, Jay, was born on a late April night in 1976. After the initial shock of learning he had Down syndrome, our pediatrician informed us that he also had a heart murmur and referred us to a pediatric cardiologist at Children’s Hospital in Oklahoma City. So at six weeks old, Jay had his…
Read More >Which Car Would Jesus Drive?
Recently, I had a difficult decision to make. My faithful 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan finally sputtered its last, making it necessary to replace the car. I am not a fan of change. I like the familiar, the ordinary and the comfort of routine. Now, here I was checking newspaper ads and making multiple trips to…
Read More >Home & Garden: Frugal Fairy Tales
Keri Yanchick’s enthusiasm is contagious as she spills out one creative idea after another on how to have a beautiful wedding on a limited budget. Founder of Frugal Fairy Tales, a website that has averaged 75 new members a month in the short time it has been in operation, Keri shares tips and do-it-yourself videos…
Read More >Letters from Louise: Marvelous Mentors
I am a lucky woman! Besides having a wonderful mother, an older sister and two grandmothers as excellent role models while growing up, I had mentors – godly women who cared about me and shared their knowledge, time and skills. Betty Keeton was a pastor’s wife at the church I attended during high school. She…
Read More >A Woman for All Seasons
When it comes to a woman for all seasons, Pat Lenhart definitely qualifies. A former nun, nurse, semi-pro softball player and educator of 63 years, this 80-year-old dynamo is not slowing down or retiring. “I told my family I was going to teach until I was eighty,” says Lenhart, whose smile lets you know there…
Read More >Love and Commitment
June is here and “weddings” are in the air! I often wonder why so many couples choose June to exchange their vows. I need only look back at my own wedding to answer that. Trust me, March is not the best month of the year to be married, especially in a cold climate. My husband…
Read More >Healthy Disorganization
The month of May has always been busy for me. Not only are there three family birthdays, but it is also the month for State Special Olympics, Mother’s Day and—drum roll, please—spring-cleaning! Yep, you read that right. Years ago, I would round up my kids, map out all the dirty chores (they didn’t know about…
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