motivation | encouragement | support
Hospitality is the practice of graciously receiving someone. Being friendly, open, and welcoming to guests, visitors, and strangers. The spiritual gift of hospitality is a special ability to warmly welcome and share care and concern for others, particularly those in need. It is a gift of God through the Holy Spirit for building and serving … Read more
Oprah’s Book Club is a long-running book discussion group created by Oprah Winfrey. It began in 1996 as part of her talk show and became a cultural phenomenon, helping to catapult many books to bestseller status. Oprah selects books that resonate with her personally, often focusing on themes like self-discovery, resilience, and complex relationships. Let’s … Read more
Have you ever set a word of the year? A word that resonates with you that you want to use to set a tone for your year. I’ve never done this before, but I’m experimenting with the idea this year. Will you join me? Why choose a word of the year? Selecting a word of … Read more
There is a rich tapestry of stories of women in the Bible who shaped history, demonstrated faith, and led in ways that continue to inspire us today. These women—Deborah, Esther, Hagar, Hannah, Lydia, Martha, Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of Jesus), Miriam, and Priscilla—are often underrepresented in traditional studies, yet their lives offer profound lessons … Read more
Let’s think about some mindful living strategies that help us be our best selves. I’d like to focus on small, meaningful changes that foster joy and balance. Who is with me? Ten mindful living strategies: 1. Learn new things. This has always been important to me. It was especially important when I was still teaching, … Read more
I first enjoyed tortilla soup at a friend’s house, and it was amazing! (Everything was amazing at her house!) 🙂 She and I both managed to lose the recipe, and I’ve been searching for a good one ever since. What I’m sharing here is a vegetarian version of the soup, but you can easily add … Read more
I am always looking for book recommendations. I enjoy reading, and it’s such a great avenue for learning. My aunt has shared her new book club list with me, and it’s always full of good recommendations. I am happy to pass them on to you! Read on for brief descriptions of each book in my … Read more
An enthusiastic five-star book review of Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga! Other Words for Home, a Newberry Honor book, is a beautiful novel in verse. It follows the journey of a young girl named Jude who has to leave her home in Syria and move to America with her mother. The story captures … Read more
In a world that often feels fragmented, collective prayer can bring hope and unity. Praying for your community is an expression of love. It shows a deep commitment to the wellbeing of those around you. Community prayer weaves together the diverse threads of our shared lives into a beautiful picture of connection and care. When … Read more
I love historical fiction, and I’m especially drawn to books set during World War II. The Dutch Wife by Ellen Keith delivers a compelling story from that time. Intertwined with that storyline is another one set in Argentina in the 1970s. I knew nothing of that slice of history, so I learned a lot from … Read more