Female in Motion

I was nominated to take the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge by my bestie, Danice Sweet. Her mother, Gloria Clover, passed away from Lou Gehrig's Disease (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). My uncle Dale Ballew also died from ALS, so I was happy to participate. Just because I took the Ice Bucket Challenge, don't think I chose not to donate to this worthy cause. I did and you can, too, right here . Now comes the fun part! I want all my readers to participate, too. Either donate to ALS or do the Ice Bucket Challenge, or both. I want to hear about it, so email me your video, or post it to Facebook or Twitter and tag me. Don't forget to use the hash tags #ALSIceBucketChallenge, #FemaleinMotion, or #encourageher. Thanks, friends! God bless you!

The Hubster has a generous heart. He's not prideful and boasting about it, just quietly goes about brightening the corner where he lives. Not remotely a saint, he enjoys helping. When a friend or relative needs a loan, he gives them money and never expects to be repaid. The Hubster sees a stranger in the grocery store line that doesn't have quite enough to pay for their items, and provides the shortage. If he runs into a friend at a local restaurant, he pays for their meal. After having surgery recently, The Hubster greeted each staff member that entered his hospital room with a wide grin and a warm hello. "How's your day going?" he asked. Maybe it was the painkillers talking, but he was so kind to everyone there. I watched him this morning, after he had his staples removed, pass out boxes of doughnuts and Russell Stover chocolates to the nurses on 2 East at William Newton Hospital and Dr. Morrissey's office. When I fuss over a dwindling bank balance, ...

Deuteronomy 32:7 (KJV) Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee. My father was a motorcycle enthusiast. Riding an Indian when he was a young man, he won my mom's heart.  Years later, when he purchased a Honda cycle, I couldn't wait to take a ride. Never having been on one before, my dad taught me how to lean in to the curves and hold on tight to him. It was then that a tradition was born. I was an early riser in my youth, unlike my morning habit now. On Sundays, when the rest of the family was still tucked in their beds, my father and I would dress warmly, hop on the Honda and cruise the quiet streets of Derby. On our way home, we'd stop by the local doughnut shop and make a purchase. With three siblings, it was pretty rare for me to have any "Dad time," so our early-morning doughnut runs were rare and wonderful. Now that my father has passed away, I hold th...

Today is Female in Motion's 7th anniversary, or blogaversary , as I like to call it. Seven years!  Thank you, readers, for your loyalty, kindness and encouragement to this ministry. I wouldn't be here without you!

I sat with one of my besties this evening, drinking an icy Sonic beverage and having a heart-to-heart talk. Realizing it had been weeks since we last had a conversation, I was happy to spend some quiet time with my dear friend, without any interruptions. Life goes by pretty fast, and the volume is turned up loud! Considering the level of noise from media devices, traffic, neighbors and household appliances, a peaceful day devoid of the cacophony is much needed. The Hubster and I spent some quiet time last Saturday. We napped, watched old movies and stayed in. After two previous busy weekends, it was heavenly! What would you do on a quiet day? Turn off the TV Read a book Go to bed early  Take a walk Go on a picnic Pray together Make a bed island (My Saturday morning favorite!) The best part of an unplugged day is the results; your shoulders relax a bit, you breathe deeper and slower and your energy levels soar. I love that my creative juices seem to flow bette...

  Hebrews 10:23-24 (KJV) Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: In a hurry today? Me, too. With an endless To Do list, I don't know how I'll get it all done. If you're facing this kind of day, week or month, let me suggest something...helping others. When you're lifting someone up, shouldering their burdens, being the hands and feet of Christ, you are fulfilling God's commandments. He is so pleased with your service, our Heavenly Father will send others to lighten your load and may even reorganize your priorities. Life can be exhausting, and there are those who would spend all their time tearing others down, instead of laying a foundation of love. As you encourage those you meet, our Savior will send encouragers in your direction. Slow down and look around. Someone needs a hand up. God's time is unhurried. Why not try ...