Double Portion Inspiration

It's our birthday month! It's just one of the reasons why I love December. This month Roslyn and I will turn 49. What a blessing! I must say, my 40's is my best decade so far. I've learned so much about myself. There's just something about your 40's that's joyful, insightful and even challenging at times. As I reflect on the past 9 years, it's hard to believe, with God's grace, I've walked through some of the most amazing milestones in my entire life.  Became an Entrepreneur Saw my first born graduate high school Survived a pandemic Diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer Entered medical menopause Drew closer to God through some of the hardest challenges of my life! Celebrated 25 years of marriage Attended 30 year high school reunion So much more...... With all that's happened, here's 5 lessons learned: 1.  Do not worry. 70% of what we think and worry about, NEVER happens. Worry and stress can wreak havoc in your body.  2. Find your people . We wer...

My teenager! It’s hard to believe that in just a few short months, my oldest child will enter into her 20’s. When she was a toddler, I remembered hearing horror stories about raising teenagers. I’m thankful that I always rejected that notion. I never came into agreement with it. I do agree that parenting is never easy and raising teens is no different. Despite its challenges, I’m thankful for the experience of being a mother. Here’s a few things I’ve learned over the years: ·                      Surrender to the process . We have an obligation to raise our children in the training and instruction of the Lord. Even with that foundational training, parenting is full of ups and downs. Don’t have any expectations that you will be a perfect parent or that your kids will be perfect. There’s NO such thing. You will make mistakes and so will your teenagers. It’s all part of the process...

This summer I spent time with my daughter and Goddaughter. They've both successfully made it through their freshman year of college. During our time together, I asked for their top pieces of advice for high school Juniors and Seniors. Here's what they shared: Continue to build relationships in your Junior year . They stressed the importance of building relationships with teachers, counselors, and coaches in your Junior year. They will be important in your Senior year when asking for letters of reference and recommendations.  Apply for as many scholarships as possible.  There are so many scholarships available. Provide yourself time to apply for as many as possible. Use a calendar system to help remind you of scholarship deadlines.  Apply for college early in your Senior year of high school. Most colleges will open up registration for college admissions the summer before the fall semester begins. Take time to apply early so that you're not stressed by any deadlines.  ...

Photo credit:  Highlight Studios My husband and I recently celebrated our 24th wedding anniversary so why not write a post about marriage? I don't claim to be an expert on the subject by any means but, I'm often asked about marriage and how we've made it together for so long. Here are 3 questions I'm asked the most: 1. How did you know he was the one ? Our dating/courtship was very short. After 5 months of dating exclusively, he asked me to marry him. We were both young and knew without any doubts that we wanted to share our lives together.  All I can say is that I knew. I know that's probably not what you expected to hear but it's the truth.  I just knew ! It was unlike any other relationship in my past.  I will often share with singles that if you have to many questions about whether it's the right person on the other end of your relationship, it might not be the right person.  One thing love is not is unsure.  2. What is the key to marriage ? Alton and I...

2020 was a crazy year.    How many times have we heard that? I've heard it so much that I'm tired of hearing it. Even with 2020 being a year like non other, our mother became a published author! During a pandemic and in the midst of chaos, she followed God's will.   For nearly 10 years Roslyn and I have both wanted to write a book. We've written in our private time, but we knew at some point, God would take our broken pieces and allow us to share it publicly. Never in our wildest imaginations did we think, mom would become published before us. We didn't even know she was working on a book. She's a very private person so it doesn't surprise us that she kept the project all to herself.   In the book, "Age-Old Wisdom Sayings", she joins three other writers, Marsha Deveaux Johnson, Iris Deveaux Anderson and David Johnson to share priceless words of wisdom. The power packed 55-page book records sayings of old that we've heard so many tim...

Humanity is experiencing a constant stream of loss during this pandemic. The toll on human life as well as the loss of control over our emotions during COVID19, is a reality.  There are many ways in which we could be grieving in 2020: Loss of normal routines Loss of feeling a hug Loss of being around others Loss of not being in the hospital with a sick family member Lost of not meeting a new grand baby Loss of not being able to travel internationally Loss of control Loss of a loved one Loss of employment Loss of attending a concert We can start to feel buried by all the loss and pain. As the days of the pandemic continue, we can feel blue vs feeling full of life. If we are honest, life can feel like too much effort to live.  WHO will rescue us from all this pain? WHO will rescue us from these losses? WHO can restore what has been taken away? Focusing only on the situations happening around us can give us a false sense of defeat. We are definitely navigating some troubled times...

Two years ago, cancer found me. I became a part of a club that I didn't want to join. It's a diagnosis I never wanted to hear. So many people I know have overcome cancer and so many others have succumb to it. It's taken me nearly two years to share my story on this blog. I'm still moving through the cancer process but I'm so thankful to still be here! After waking up in the worst pain of my life in November 2018, Alton rushed me to the emergency room. I was quickly discharged after the physicians told me that a mass on my ovary needed evaluation by my gynecologist. That visit with my doctor never came. After passing out later that evening, the following day I ended up in an ambulance going in and out of consciousness. My daughter was home when the ambulance arrived. I vaguely remember seeing her sobbing and as any mother would do, I gently whispered, "I'm going to be ok." She knew that my situation was dire yet somehow I didn't even ...

Many times we limit our ability to be provided for by only the paycheck earned with a job or side hustle. We narrow our focus to only look at money in a bank account as a gauge of provision. God can provide beyond our wildest desires. I am on a mission to grow a " victory garden" . Victory gardens were grown during the recession as a way to sustain families. My victory garden is being grown to commemorate the chaotic year of 2020. I forever want to remember this moment in history. I've researched, watched YouTube videos and went to purchase the items needed, but really didn't want to make the investment yet . Yesterday, I started out for my morning run and a miracle was right in front of me. My neighbor was THROWING AWAY 2 bags of unused potting soil and variety of clay pots. Many of the pots had the tags on them. He had never used them. It's exactly what I needed to start my victory garden. PROVISION IN POTS Now it may seem trivial to get this excit...

How are you navigating these uncertain times? Does your heart constantly feel sad? Are you feeling that life is out of control? Are you extremely tired? Have you lacked motivation to get out of bed? Are you having restless nights of sleep? Are you experiencing heart palpitations? Are you walking through grief? If you are anything like the majority of Americans and me, you've had shifts in your mood and emotions on a daily basis. Keeping up with the ever evolving COVID19 updates, being a caregiver, learning the new "rules" to go back to work, being unemployed, loss of a loved one or even dealing with small children while working from home can add to our anxiety levels. Did you know that 1 in 5 Americans suffer with mental illness?  I found a great  resource to help me research a local therapist in my own area. Mental health matters . If you've been feeling like you are having some tough days because of isolation reach out to someone for a virtu...

It's been 8 weeks. Eight weeks of a solitude think tank for me. Eight weeks of being at home. Eight weeks of seeing my world quickly evolve. I don't think any experiences in our life are wasted. I believe it serves a higher purpose. I've heard many people say that God is trying to tell us something. Well, He certainly has my attention. The collective breath of humanity will persevere through this moment. Some people will come out stronger, some battered, some with scars and there will be some still wondering what the heck is going on. What are you learning through this process? What life lessons will you take away from this moment in history? I truly believe in the midst of this chaos God will provide clarity .  Clarity to know who God is. Clarity to know how strong we are in Him. Clarity to know our families more intimately. Clarity to know all the "busyness" of life is actually quite distracting. Clarity to understand what matters most....

Fear is defined as an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous and will likely cause pain. For some, it’s an emotion they feel daily. Everyone feels fear and everyone gets anxious at some point. Unfortunately, our world today nurtures an atmosphere of fear. Whether it’s through social media or news outlets, we’re bombarded with fear and anxiety. Often the two emotions travel together. If you’re not careful, instead of the emotions coming and leaving quickly, they will linger and before you know it, you are dwelling in both the emotions. Over the past few years, I’ve learned how to overcome fear. Not manage it but OVERCOME it! Its been a process but if you follow these four steps, I promise that your fear will subside. 1. Read the Bible - it is full of scriptures that help combat fear. 2. Pray - share with God what you’re feeling. Be open and honest. 3. Be thankful and focus on the good in your life - what yo...

The Lord’s Prayer is nestled in Matthew 6. It’s a model prayer that Jesus shared with His disciples. Even though the disciples walked with Jesus on a daily basis, they asked Him how they should pray. His response was a prayer that’s remained throughout time. I learned the prayer as a child and now as an adult, I've taught it to my children. The prayer begins with praise and adoration to our Heavenly Father. Before we escape into a prayer full of our wants and our needs, we enter into prayer time with a spirit of thanksgiving! Verse 11 shares 7 simple words: “ Give us this day our daily bread .” It’s a gentle reminder that our thoughts should only focus on TODAY . Tomorrow will take care of itself. Our Saviour that we worshipped and praised in the beginning of the prayer, is the same God that can take care of our DAILY needs. There are times when the cares of this world, take our minds into dark places. Thinking about what “could” happen can lead u...

We often pray for physical healing either for ourselves or someone we know. We all know someone that stands in need of physical healing. Whether its cancer, mental illness, dementia, lupus or diabetes, the list of areas where individuals need healing is overwhelming. The list of physical illnesses seem endless. We pray on behalf of our sick loved ones because being ill is difficult and takes its toll on everyone around. Praying for physical healing is powerful and a necessity but what about praying for your soul ? Have you prayed for your soul lately? Have you asked someone to pray for your soul? If you’re physically sick, I’m sure you ask them to pray for your healing, so why aren’t we just as quick to ask them to pray for your UNHEALED SOUL ? Your soul is the part of you that encompasses your mind, will and emotions. The soul is typically an area we refuse to address. It’s that part of you that can lash out in bitterness, anger and rage almost on a dail...

 This is the month that we celebrate our country's independence. We are blessed to live in a country where we are FREE! Free to speak our minds. Free to speak our truth. Free to worship and praise God! In the Bible, several scriptures remind us of our freedom in Christ. To live physically and spiritually free is such a blessing. It reminds us that God is always with us and when we keep Him at the forefront of our lives, we live in true freedom. John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free , you will be free indeed. 2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom . Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Ephesians 3:12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 1 Peter 2:16 Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. Treat everyon...

During a recent family meal, we each went around the table and shared one thing we loved about each other. Typically my 16 and 10 year old are on each other's nerves, so it warmed my heart to hear them being pleasant to each other. They were also surprised to hear each other's response. Do you ever ask similar questions around your dinner table? If not, try it. My youngest during vacation  As much as it was a blessing to hear them talk about each other, their answer to me was beyond words. My 10 year old started out first. I was pretty sure he was going to compliment my cooking. I've always felt like I take "rock star" status in his mind because I enjoy cooking his favorites on a regular basis. His world revolves around sports, video games, sleep, reading books, and eating. Typical kid stuff. Instead of him listing my participation in any of those activities, he quickly let me know that he loves how I teach him God's word. ...

What happens if I just get in my car and drive? Where will I end up? What will I see along the way? This is how many of us are pacing through life - NO plan and NO end goal in mind. I truly believe this is the reason that so many of us are stressed. Life is just happening all around us and we are numb and overwhelmed through all of it. Remember that feeling when you said, "Happy New Year" just a FEW days ago. You said to yourself, "this is my year". It was less than a month ago that many of us committed to ourselves that this year would be different . Do NOT let that optimism die. February 1st is this week and we can't afford to waste anymore time. For you to know where you are going, you must develop a PLAN.  Not just a broad plan but a very specific plan that will yield RESULTS. During my goal setting time, I like to create plans that are S.M.A.R.T. S = Specific M = Measurable A = Applicable R = Relevant T = Time Bound When you buil...

My Wombmate! Our MOST Special Thanksgiving ! Today is the day when many will enjoy a feast full of incredible Fall dishes. You walk into any Thanksgiving host home and the smells of Fall enter your nostrils making you even more hungry than when you arrived. There is so much activity that will happen around the Thanksgiving table - some people will rummage through retail circular ads planning their Black Friday shopping strategy. The tv, for some, is playing the coveted Thanksgiving Day football games. The kids will catch up swapping school stories as they countdown to Christmas break. Then there is the group that will debate the latest pop culture events and politics. In their opinion, they will solve the world’s greatest problems. Well for Renee and I, this week has been a test of grit, resiliency, faith and a reminder of our incredible bond. I know many of you have siblings but the bond between identical twins is something short of amazing. Renee and I can finish ...

I'm sure the title of my post offends some, however, it's the only word strong enough to share my level of disappointment and frustration over today's political environment. What happened to the days when we could sit down together and have a decent debate about our views? Sometimes we agreed and sometimes we didn't. So what! We would just agree to disagree and move on. Not today. This political environment is different. Way different. A difference of opinion today means that a person is judged for their beliefs. We're judged by how we vote, what we feel about the issues and where we choose to get our news from. If you believe in one Republican ideal you're labeled a Conservative. If you side with some of the Democratic ideals you're labeled a Socialist or Liberal. There's no middle ground or moderate voice in today's political dialogue. What happened? Whether you believe it or not, families are being torn apart. Friends are ...

Prayer is a conversation with God. It's an opportunity for us to talk to Him and for Him to talk to us. It's two-way communication and it should be continual as you move throughout each day. The God of the Universe, provides us the magnificent opportunity to have a conversation with Him! He wants to hear about our joys and victories and comfort us when life gets downright difficult. Here's the thing though, DON'T pray and then worry. It's like oil and water. They don't mix. They were never meant to exist together. If you're going through a difficult time, please pray about your situation and give it to God. He wants to take the cares of your world away but you must release it to Him. If you keeping worrying about the situation then you're doubting his ability to handle it. Philippians 4:6-7 shares the following: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to G...

Most Saturday's I wake up early and head to the trail for a 6 mile walk with my dear friend. We always seem to cry, pray and laugh together. We pray for each other, our families, and just life in general. A few Saturday's ago, my heart was heavy and I was overwhelmed by life. We were walking and talking but my mind kept drifting back to my worries. My mind was anxious and I couldn't even focus on what she was saying. Instead of holding it in, I was transparent and shared my concerns and situation. Even though she's walking through her own difficult situations, she immediately started to pray for me. Those few moments of prayer provided encouragement and a renewed strength. A weight was lifted off my shoulders. My perspective changed and I moved from anxious thoughts to grateful thoughts. I realized in a deeper way that: prayer always works prayer in partnership with others is a mighty weapon The results you're looking for aren't always i...