In my region, we’re recovering from massive floods precipitated by Hurricane Harvey. On my block alone, 18 of the 29 houses took on water. The devastation is unimaginable. My family’s home didn’t flood. When the rain finally stopped falling, people started asking how we were. My initial thought was to say, “We got really lucky.” Of … [Read more...] about Do Hardships Indicate That You’re Not Blessed?
current events
Dos and Don’ts of Donating After Disasters
Here in the Houston metro area and the surrounding region, we’re reeling from the flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey. The needs are so numerous that they’re virtually impossible to catalogue. Aftermaths like this are faced each year in various locations around the world after earthquakes, wildfires, floods, tornadoes, and other … [Read more...] about Dos and Don’ts of Donating After Disasters
Should I Start Buying Ebooks Instead of Print Books?
My husband and I have come to a crossroads. We’ve been debating how to proceed in regards to purchasing books: Should we continue purchasing print books or should we begin purchasing books in an electronic format? In my household, we’re all bibliophiles. Subsequently, we have hundreds of books. After a year and a half in our current … [Read more...] about Should I Start Buying Ebooks Instead of Print Books?
Helping Kids Understand that True Beauty is on the Inside
When I look at my daughters, I see the two most beautiful girls in the world. However, the older they get, the more I realize that I need to help them understand that the beauty that truly matters has nothing to do with how a person looks. Our culture teaches the exact opposite. If we listen to the messages conveyed by most TV shows, … [Read more...] about Helping Kids Understand that True Beauty is on the Inside
The Surprising Environmental Impact of Clothing
Last year I read a couple of eye-opening articles about how clothing impacts the environment. The impact of the manufacturing of clothing, our use of clothes, and how we discard unwanted items is pretty shocking! We’re causing significant harm to the environment with items as seemingly innocuous as t-shirts. What do I mean by this? Each … [Read more...] about The Surprising Environmental Impact of Clothing
Summer 2016 Preview
Summer is officially underway. This means that life is about to become a flurry of activity for many of us! What will occupy your time? A family vacation or staycation? Completing projects in the yard? Going camping? Attending a family reunion? We’ll be busy with a number of things, the most significant of which is welcoming our second … [Read more...] about Summer 2016 Preview
Flag Code Primer for U.S. Households
My daughter and I go for a walk through our neighborhood almost every day. There are many things I love about our neighborhood, including the way many of our neighbors show their pride in our country and their support of our troops by flying the U.S. flag. Unfortunately, I’ve noticed that many of my neighbors fly their flags in manners that … [Read more...] about Flag Code Primer for U.S. Households
How to Have Respectful Conversations About Politics
The current political scene in the U.S. is unlike any I’ve seen before. Candidates and issues are garnering unprecedented amounts of attention. Regardless of if you are liberal or conservative, it’s likely you will find yourself discussing some political issue with family members or friends in the coming months. Here are some great … [Read more...] about How to Have Respectful Conversations About Politics