Last Christmas Joey Santos, my direct supervisor, gave all of us on the communications team Jim Cymbala’s book, You Were Made for More. I remember thinking, “Yeah, right. I’m almost 55 and most of my life is behind me.” I haven’t read the book yet, but I think I’ll take it to Africa with me. Yes, Africa. You see since Christmas I’ve been given an opportunity to go on a missions trip to visit my daughter Valerie who serves in Mombasa, Kenya. She came home in May and stayed with …

This past weekend ushered in a flood of emotions, begining with Friday, my husband’s and my 33rd wedding anniversary. We didn’t exactly celebrate it as planned because our daughter came in a day early from Gaylord, MI. But still it was time together even if it was on the road to Upland, Indiana, to pick her up at 10 pm. Then it was Father’s Day on Sunday. My dad and I both cried as I read aloud the sweet card Valerie helped me find for him on Saturday [Nothing like …

Do you ever have one of those days where God simply stretches your strength and endurance? Last Wednesday, June 10, was such a day for me. Besides driving to the airport in an early morning downpour, taking Mom to the Med Center, enjoying a staff luncheon, and working the clothing ministry, God provided an afternoon for my daughter Valerie, our senior pastor Chris Philbeck, and me to be interviewed at the local Trinity Broadcasting Network affiliate. Whew! What a day! Valerie was interviewed mostly about her shared ministry with Carly Cerak …

My life is currently full–to the brim actually. My parents, 84 and 88, need me and now reside in an assisted living facility close by as opposed to their hometown 80 miles away. Then our daughter who’s  a missionary in Kenya is home on furlough and has energized our household. And I’m working full-time in a busy position as the marketing coordinator for Mount Pleasant Christian Church. Our son who now lives near Baltimore surprised me a few weeks ago and beat his sister home from Africa by 30 minutes. …

I have such good friends. So many of you have been incredibly supportive of this Bible study, Real Mothers. In fact, you’ve been a part of what’s becoming an above sales average for a new book, especially one written by a first-time author. So I really appreciate all you who have bought this study and plan to dive into God’s Word. I can think of no greater joy than to read and study God’s Word and then apply it to our lives. I pray Real Mothers does that for women …