Now, more than ever, we need to hear some good news. We need to see a glimmer of hope. And right here, in our Wichita community, a program called Share the Season delivers on that need. This season, it’s important to remember not only to give back to your family and friends, but to find it in your heart to give to the community. To reach out to those you don’t know, and possibly change their lives forever. During the month of December, I’ll be highlighting a few causes that are near and dear to my heart, in hopes that you or someone you know will be inspired to support them with your time, talents or treasures. I’ve invited Shelly Prichard, CEO of the Wichita Community Foundation, to share a story about how this program touches …
There’s Tracy in the middle, and my “EE” friend Tracee on the right. 🙂
While everyone’s hoopin’ and hollerin’ about it being 12-12-12, I fear that an important day is being overlooked, my friend Tracy’s birthday. However, Tracy is probably thrilled people aren’t paying attention to her, and is going to turn 50 shades of red (embarrassment) when she sees this post. But, I also know she’ll forgive me, which is one reason why I love her. I’m blessed to know several Tracy’s in my life, and they’re all spelled differently. There’s Tracee, Traci, and Tracy (and probably a Tracey) in there somewhere. 🙂
But this is my “with a Y” friend Tracy. We’ve known each other for many, many years, but didn’t really become friends until we started attending the same Bible study …
This is what it’s all about. The joy of gingerbread magic! And I can’t make the toddler stay still enough for a non-fuzzy picture.
When I was nine or so, I happened upon a booth at our local Fall Festival, one that displayed delicious, artistic Gingerbread houses. I was mesmerized. Miss Paula, the master gingerbread architect, was a familiar face seen at my church, my school, and even taking our softball team pictures in the summer. So, I felt completely comfortable asking (begging) her to puh-lease make a gingerbread house with me some day. And being the generous person she is, she agreed. So, from then on, it was our little inside story, and every time we saw each other, we’d talk about making a house someday. But we never did. The years went …
This season, it’s important to remember not only to give back to your family and friends, but to find it in your heart to give to the community. To reach out to those you don’t know, and possibly change their lives forever. During the month of December, I’ll be highlighting a few causes that are near and dear to my heart, in hopes that you or someone you know will be inspired to support them with your time, talents or treasures.
For this first post, I’m thrilled to feature Jennifer White and ICT S.O.S., one mom and one mission to end human trafficking, especially in our local area (near Wichita, KS). Her passion is unparalleled and the ripples of her efforts have spread further than she ever imagined. She is amazing, and her cause is crucial. Please share …
I had a job interview this week, for a position I really, really hope I get. It’s ideal for me, for my family, and I feel that I would be great fit for the organization. It all seems to make sense. The interview went well, I built rapport, felt at ease, and gave an authentic representation of myself and my abilities. I left it all on the table. I shook hands, and walked away knowing I’d done my best. So why am I worried? Why am I anxiously checking my phone, my email? I know it’s in God’s hands. I know. And yet, I worry. Worry that if this doesn’t work out, it must mean I’m not good enough. But despite my level of anxiety, it’s nowhere near what it would have been six months …
Stick your head in the sand, and all anyone sees is an…well, you know. (image from thecycleseen.com)
Ostriches do not actually stick their heads in sand when threatened. They run. So why don’t we? Why do we, as intelligent beings, constantly stick our noggins in that proverbial sand? Sure, sometimes we bolt, sometimes we retaliate, but mostly, we hide. Or try to hide, anyways. We dive in, head-first, to whatever self-medication is most appealing. Food. Sex. Hobbies. Booze. Work. Drugs. Slots. Whatever. Anything to help us avoid the life struggles. The pain. The insecurity. We dive in, and pretend the hurt isn’t there. We all have a vice, or several. We all have addictions. All of us. Some “healthy,” some not. But they’re all diversions.
So what does living with head out of sand look like? I’d …