by Ashley Corbaley For as long as I can remember Eleanor Roosevelt’s famous saying: “Do one thing every day that scares you” has been my personal motto. I had the quote pinned to my corkboard in my bedroom growing up. I wrote it in school binders...
by Erin Weist Recently, I was reminded of a group of teenagers who reached out to my mom’s brother as a youth and with that small act of kindness drastically altered the life of their whole family for the better. I can say with assurance that...
by Mekelle Tenney “It’s human nature!” This popular saying is often used to justify behavior. Human nature, or men in the state of nature, was a topic that we studied and debated a great deal in college. And it is something that I have been thinking...
by Kindsey D. Smith Suzie looks down, fighting back the tears as her mind processes what her husband George (names have been changed) had just said. “I’m done being a father and I’m done being a husband” is something that Suzie never thought she would hear...
by Laura Friend I looked over at my 13-year-old daughter and felt that familiar well of love spring up from deep within my heart – my, she has grown into such a beautiful young woman, I thought to myself. We were on our way to see...
By Ashley Corbaley When I was younger I accidentally broke a very special family heirloom. After several failed attempts to fix the precious heirloom, I decided to replace it. The replacement, however splendid or similar to the original, did not and could not replace the broken...
by Christie Masters Not too long ago, while worrying about one of my children and wondering how to approach her and attempt to solve a problem, the two words “build relationships” were like a whisper to my heart. Every time the worry tried to take over,...
by Whitney Ireland It seems that we are constantly hearing about how far the U.S. lags behind other industrialized nations in education. After testing more than 510,000 students in 65 countries and economies on maths, reading and science, the 2012 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) administered...
by Ashley Corbaley What is a friend? It’s someone who knows you, cares about you, and supports you. A friend is someone you trust and who will never leave your side – a person who knows all of your weaknesses but loves you anyway. Friendships are special....
by Jennifer Johnson When was the last time that you saw a meme or commercial that portrayed men doing something ridiculous, and you laughed because it was a “boys will be boys” scenario? How about the insurance company commercial during the Olympics that showed a man...
by Elise Ellsworth “FATSO.” With indignation, I poke my head out the door. Again, “fatso.” “He shouldn’t be calling him a fatso,” I tell my husband. “I know,” says my husband, completely nonplussed. It is hard to sit and write at the computer - kids keep wandering...
by Ashley Corbaley When I first moved in my house I could not help but notice how perfectly manicured my neighbors yard was. In the passing weeks, my husband and I tried our best to make our yard look as nice as theirs did, with no...
by Erin Weist Creeds from religious organizations throughout the world include a call to action: one that puts words into deeds, changing individuals and changing communities for the better. These actions usually revolve around the principles of love, kindness, respect, understanding, and empathy. So whatever your...
by Tashica Jacobson Family members have a responsibility to each other; and as each member fulfills his role the whole family benefits. There are many benefits that come from having a close relationship among spouses, and between parents and children. When children have a good relationship with...
by Diane Robertson The US federal government continues to push what it calls “transgender rights” on the American people and the American people continue to fight back. The Obama administration has come out with regulations for all hospitals that receive any federal funding and their physicians...
by Erin Weist I was listening to a speech recently about the merits of fathers in a society. The speaker started by saying he didn’t want to marginalize the work and importance of women & mothers, but he wanted to focus at this time on men...
by Mekelle Tenney It’s back to school season. Over the next two weeks kids will start going back to school. Education is one of those things that everyone both agrees and disagrees on. I don’t think anyone would argue that education should not be a priority...
by Diane Robertson The fight to maintain the natural family, parental rights, decency, and a respect for life in a society inundated with media that preaches the opposite is a hard fight. It’s hard to convince people that the opinions they once held about family, marriage,...
Studies show that simple things, such as sharing a TV show with your spouse, improves your marriage. By Jackie Bowles Recently, I had the privilege of participating in a graduation ceremony and accepting my very own diploma. This proved the end of a challenging time for my...
by Erin Weist I recently read this heartwarming story of Eliza McIntosh, a young woman who was lately crowned Ms. Wheelchair America, overcoming great odds and spending her time & energy encouraging others to live life to its’ fullest. Before birth she was diagnosed with a...
by Christie Masters Whether expressing their faith by giving honor to God, declaring their identity to be in Christ, or in sacrificing their chances of winning to do what is compassionate and honorable, we can find a much needed inspiration in many of the athletes competing...
by Diane Robertson The Charlotte, North Carolina school district has established new guidelines concerning transgender students that will mostly go into effect when school starts Aug. 29th. The guidelines said to prevent bullying are definitely confusing. How is this Confusing? First of all, teachers and staff are required...
by Peggy Sturgill We were very good at keeping the family secret when I was growing up. To the outside world, we looked like a normal, happy family, much like the Cleaver family in “Leave It to Beaver.” No one suspected there was a monster living...
by Erin Weist Once again a non-legislative bill introduced by the UN has worked its way into a country, not by the voice of the people but through unelected, unaffiliated bureaucrats with no sense of ownership or investment in the outcome. Panama, however, is showing them...
by Mekelle Tenney We’ve all heard the cliché “the family that plays together stays together”. Normally I don’t buy into cliché’s. But I make an exception for this one, because it’s true. I believe that families have specific needs in order to create life long bonds....