Female in Motion

On the last day of kindergarten at El Paso Elementary School, our teacher, Mrs. Chailland, promised us a picnic. Because I was so excited, my mom made a special last-day-of-school outfit for me. Mom was a great seamstress, and sewed clothes for us kids quite regularly. For this big occasion, she made a yellow and white polka-dot sundress with yellow shorts. When the big day came, I made my way down Farmington Drive to Brian Hudson's house. (We always walked together to school.) The warm, sunny day was a perfect end to the school year. Once we got to the classroom, we found out the picnic would be held in front of the building, in a pretty field of clover. Halfway through the picnic, a bumblebee stung me underneath my chin. I started to cry and then I panicked. Instead of informing the teacher, I began to run up the hill towards home, and didn't stop until I was in the front door and sobbing to my mother the whole sad story. After Mom doctored my wound and dried my tea...

I had the privilege, on Friday evening, to show the young ladies of our church how to set a skin care routine. Having sensitive skin and a history of melanoma means I've spent lots of time in a dermatologist's office. It soaks in. This event, called Daughters of the King, is set aside for our church women to lead by example with our girls. We spoil them with a fun dinner and delicious desserts, then a Bible study, silly games, crafts and loads of girl time. The theme was "I am God's Masterpiece," and I loved showing the young ones how to scrub gently in small circles with the face wash, pat dry and smooth the moisturizer up towards Heaven. Our pastor's wife came up with this concept and I believe it is important to demonstrate Godly modesty and womanly strength to our girls. They need to know their value and that we care. So many youngsters are left to their own devices in today's society, with their only mentors on Wikipedia and Facebook. If we ...

I have a confession to make...I have broken places.  My life is not perfect. I struggle with failure and the guilt that comes with it. In the last five years, The Hubster and I have both battled cancer, lost our business, struggled with medical and credit card debt and have been shut out of one of our family member's life. There are days I feel hopeless and despondent. Other days, I embrace God's grace. Self-pity is not something I want to succumb to. Work is my respite. I feel needed, and I know God placed me there for this season. In Bible times, Elijah and David dealt with failure. They didn't handle it perfectly, either. There is fresh hope to reach for, friends. James 5:16 (KJV) Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. The Hubster and I have doubled up on our mutual and individual prayer time and Bible study. We are digging deeper than ever in the W...

Hebrews 4:12 (KJV) For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.    My coworkers know me. They think I am hard-working, albeit pretty silly. And I'm always up for a party. My friends know me. They see me as a fun, loud person, who likes to give out hugs and can keep a secret. My doctor knows me. I'm not sick very often, but when I am, it's a doozy. My doctor knows I am a two-time cancer survivor and tough as an Army boot. My mother knows me. She likes to talk to me about the day we met, especially on my birthday. We are very close, and I can talk to her about anything. She is the only person I talk to about my parental failures. Mom's a great listener. The Hubster knows me. More than anyone else on this planet, that man knows everything about me, and yet, he still loves me. ...