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Luke 12:48

Luke 12:48 is one of my favorite bible verses. It says, “To whom much is given; much is demanded.”

I have had people over the years immediately get their dander up when I talk about this verse and tell me that the reason they don’t go to church is because it is all about money. What? I tell them that there is nothing here that says Jesus was talking just about money. Jesus talked about money a lot but in this case He is talking about all our gifts but let’s talk about money for a minute.

The bible is clear that everything on Earth is the Lord’s so all the money we have is His but He let’s us use it and we are supposed to be wise with it. The only time He asks us to test Him is in Malachi 3: 9-10 when He says that if we tithe we will see the blessings and he even says to test Him. Does this mean we don’t get to Heaven if we don’t tithe? No, but when we tithe and share our blessings our lives are enriched.

I think that people forget the gifts that they have because too often we only think of gifts in a monetary way. There are gifts of art, music, writing, speaking, hospitality, organizational skills and I could go on and on. We should certainly use our gifts to make money if we have the opportunity but we should also remember to make sure as Christians that we always ask if Jesus would be welcome to come to the event or see the work we just completed and how we completed it.

As Christians we also need to remember to use our talents in a volunteer way too. I knew an attorney who would do at least one adoption a month and never charge as he considered it a way to give back. I know doctors who spend a week or two a year doing surgeries free in poor areas or countries. There are musicians who will not charge for certain church events or fund raisers and artists who will donate their time and talent for a fund raiser. All these people are practicing the tenets of Luke 12:48.

When I talk about this I hear all the usual excuses. I’m too old. I’m too young. I didn’t go to college. Then there is my all time favorite; I would love to but I don’t have the time.

First off if you are a more “seasoned” member of the human race then you have a ton to offer. You have insight and wisdom that only comes with the years you have lived. You are probably more patient too. You know that the expression, “This too shall pass.” is a true statement. Call your church or nearest Senior Citizen Center and I guarantee you that you will find that your talents, even the ones you acquired just from living, are in need somewhere. Using them will make your life all the richer.

If you are young then you have energy and stamina. You also have innovative ideas that as we get older we often push to the back of our minds because everyday living gets in the way. There is no end to the number of agencies that will grab you up in a New York minute if you offer your time. Remember even if you don’t have a specific talent your hidden talent will come to the forefront.

You don’t need to be a college graduate in order to have something to offer others. Maybe you are a great cook, baker, sewer, mechanic, plumber, electrician etc. All of these talents as well as numerous others can be used by various organizations. If you are a college graduate and have a professional talent it won’t take long for you to find a place that would love your assistance.

Too busy? Really? I bet if you look at your schedule you will find that you have chosen to put yourself under the proverbial gun as you go day to day. I know people who are busy with jobs and families but find time to put even a couple of hours a week or month toward a volunteer endeavor. You must decide what your priorities are day to day. The Lord gives all of us 1440 minutes each day. What we do with them is on us. Remember you can do a lot things with those minutes but you can’t save them. We need, as Christians, to make sure we are using them correctly and to God’s glory.

This is what Luke 12:48 means to me. I hope that if you agree with me that you will reevaluate your daily schedule and look at where you might volunteer and help to make your community a little richer. If you already are doing that, well, as a member of God’s Kingdom I thank you.

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Getting Ready to Travel?

I love to travel and have been blessed to see a lot of the world so far and am hoping to see much more of it. It got me to thinking about what I learned the hard way about being properly prepared. So, for those of you thinking about leaving the country this year I have some hard earned tips for you.

First make sure your passport has at least six months left on it. Many countries will not let you enter unless you have at least six months left on your passport. Make a copy of your passport and a copy of everyone in your immediate travel group and have each person carry a copy of those with them. On that paper also have the cell number of everyone in your immediate group as well as the person heading up your tour if you are with a tour group. It doesn’t hurt to add the name of the hotel you are staying at too.

If you take prescription medication make sure that the medicine is in the original bottles and that the labels are clear and not ripped. Make sure you bring a few days more than you think you will need as you never know what can happen to delay your leaving. I was at the airport in South Africa once and a women in the group waiting for flights was also on a Buddy Pass as were we and she was very upset. I asked her what was wrong and she explained that she took thyroid replacement medicine and only brought enough for her stay and now it didn’t look like she was getting on a plane. Fortunately for her, I also took the same medicine and was able to help her because unlike her I carried more than I needed.

Living in the United States we are a bit spoiled regarding the safety of the medication that we take for headaches or other routine ailments. You don’t want to be buying those products in some countries such as in the former Eastern bloc. I suggest you bring the following over the counter medicines: head ache/muscle ailment tablets, anti-diarrhea and gas pills ( new and different foods can cause issues), triple antibiotic cream and band Aids, anti- itch cream, sun screen and anti-burn cream. Make sure these are in their original packaging also. If you are someone who can get an infection easily you can ask your doctor for a prescription of a wide spectrum antibiotic. If you have a touchy stomach or are leery of trying different foods then you might want to bring a daily multi-vitamin along too.

I never travel without a money belt. This is worn under your clothes and around your waist. I keep my passport, a copy of the passports and some cash in there.

Make sure you have traveler’s insurance. It is not expensive and can be a real blessing if someone becomes ill or luggage is lost, a trip is cancelled etc. I usually get mine through AAA as I personally find theirs the best where coverage is concerned.

Make sure you pack a power strip so you can plug in more than one item at a time. Many hotels in Europe do not have many outlets. Also, make sure you have a converter for their system for the strip.

If you are bringing your cell phone be sure and check with your carrier regarding the cost of using it in Europe for the time you are gone. Most carriers offer a plan where you can buy a month at a time in order to have service in those countries.

Make sure your credit card company knows that you will be using the card out of the country and which countries you will be in so that they will approve the purchases.

When you start to pack remember not to pack to the top of the suitcase. You will want to have room for souvenirs. If you are talking a typical seven to fourteen day trip then you can manage with less than you think. For a twelve day trip that I am taking this summer I will bring one big suit case and a back pack. First off wear a long pair of pants or jeans for the trip. Even if it is hot where you are leaving bring a jacket or sweater with you and wear it around your waist if you must but then you have a long pair of pants and jacket without it taking up space in your suitcase. Make sure you are wearing your good walking shoes also. Trust me when I tell you that walking all day in sandals or shoes with worn down heels will only leave you with a sore back, legs and feet. I save old underwear and then take it on trips so that I can throw them out each day. You can also sleep in your shirt from the day and save on packing a lot of sleep wear. One nice neutral color skirt with a couple of nice tops should do it for the occasional evening out. If you are on a cruise then washing out a shirt is no problem. If it is a land trip you can do this on the nights that you are in a city more than one day. A couple of easy to wash and hang dry tops are a must. I find that rolling clothes allows you to pack more than just folding them and putting them in to the suitcase. For females some churches in Europe expect women to wear a head covering so a scarf is good to have on hand. In some countries in Eastern Europe churches want women to wear a skirt that covers their knees. When I was in Russia I brought an inexpensive A line skirt that I could roll in my back pack and take out to wear if I wanted to go into one of the beautiful churches. Again, leave space. If you want to you can fill some of the space with boxes of snacks and packets of water flavoring. I bring those because in some parts of Europe “bubble” water is the most common and I don’t like it “straight.”

Do not bring expensive jewelry. You don’t want to stand out as a target. A thief knows the real pieces and will lose interest in someone who is wearing pretty but inexpensive bling. I bring an assortment of earrings and rings but they are all costume jewelry that looks great but if I lose one I don’t have to cry.

When packing your toiletries I find that the minor cost of buying travel size items is best. First you can’t carry anything big in the carry on and second there is less chance of a lot of liquid going all over your clothes. Plus, as you finish one you can throw it out as these take far less space than large bottles. I always bring a small container of a liquid laundry soap in case I do want to do a small load or even a few things in the shower. Keep everything in a storage bag in case of a leak. Bring throw away wash cloths as many countries do not offer them along with their towels. If you are reader like I am make sure it is a book you can leave behind when you are done. If you use a Kindle or similar device remember that electronic devices are often a target so I suggest you stick to a book.

I carry a small backpack in my main suitcase. This is for during the day when I am out and about. It is specially made for this kind of travel and can’t be cut into or the straps cut and it is RFID protected. I always have some of the stomach issue medication with me as well as some wet wipes, small rolls of toilet paper (a month or two before I leave I start to save rolls when they are down to a half inch or so) and hand sanitizer. Also, if you buy souvenirs you don’t have to worry about carrying a bag.

Remember to check each countries or areas policies on tipping. In some countries it is considered rude to tip.

Do not bring an expensive camera especially one that is bulky. Taking pictures on a trip should not be a chore. Use your phone or bring disposables. If it is a picture of something huge it is better to buy the post card. When I was in Cologne, Germany it was impossible to get a good picture of the cathedral as it is so big. I bought a post card and added it to my pictures.

Keep a journal. When you get home I promise you that without one you will get confused on what day you did such and such. Plus, it is a good way to put those immediate feelings and thoughts down when they are fresh.

Those who know me know that I am a Conservative but when I am on foreign soil I am an American plain and simple. I was surprised over the years at the number of people who will bluntly ask your opinion of the sitting President. I always answer that he is my President and and that I am on vacation enjoying their beautiful country and I don’t want to talk politics. I say this with a smile and that usually ends it. I never speak ill of my country or anyone in government when I am standing on foreign soil.

Now, start packing and get ready to have an awesome time as you see more of this beautiful world that God gave us. Get ready to make new friends and memories to share when you get back home.

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The World Needs More “Lerts!”

I always told my girls to be careful and to be alert whenever they left the house. Over the years the response became, “Yes, Mom, because the world needs more lerts.” We always laughed but I had gotten my admonition out and that was what I cared about. Well, I have been thinking lately and you know they are right. The world does need more lerts.

When I told my girls to be alert I was of course referring to when they were driving or when they were out and about. I always reminded them to listen to their “gut” feeling and if something didn’t seem right get away from it. Look around and know your surroundings especially when walking in a parking lot. Sound familiar? I bet most of you parents told your children, especially, your girls the same things. I think we all need to take this a step further and as adults we need to be “lerts” everyday.

We need to be a “lert” where our neighborhood is concerned. When I was growing up we knew our neighbors. Now, everyone is running hither, tither and nigh and barely know their own families let alone their neighbors. We need to be alert to this situation. We should know if a neighbor is sick or dies. Why, you ask, because that is what a community should do and our neighborhoods should be small communities. If what I just described is your neighborhood then I suggest thinking about having a neighborhood get together. Get neighbors onto a computer site where you can let people know if someone is ill, has something for sale or is looking for a service for example.

We definitely need to be “lerts” where our government is concerned. I mean this not just in regard to our Federal Government but local government too. If you aren’t aware of what your local government officials are doing then don’t be surprised if a porn shop opens on your corner. Go to your local community meetings and be alert to what they are planning. As for the federal level I can only suggest that you be wise in what news you listen to on a daily basis. Make sure they are telling you the facts and not their opinion. Research on your own the facts you are given. Be alert to the fact that some reporters have forgotten their role of giving the facts to the viewers and then letting them come to a conclusion.

We need to be “lerts” when it comes to a special breed of toxic people. These are people who try to pit one group of people against another just because their political views are different. I am a Conservative but I have friends who have a far more liberal view of the direction we should go as a nation but we are able to discuss things in a rational and kind manner. We are also able to joke about issues too and do it all with a respectful manner. I also “had” a friend who stopped any communication with me because I was a supporter of President Trump. Be alert to these people as they contribute nothing of value to our daily discourse or where we are going as a nation.

We need to be “lerts” when it comes to entertainment. The moral bar regarding what is funny has gotten so low it is dragging in the mud. There is a song that children in church often sing and it is, “Oh, Be Careful Little Eyes” and it goes on to say be careful little eyes what you see, ears what you hear, tongue what you say etc. I believe that we as adults need to be just as careful. I can be in my car listening to a song from my high school years, that I haven’t heard in decades, and the words come right back. Young people need to think about what songs they are absorbing because they might be in their car with their children or grandchildren one day and what words will they catch themselves singing out loud? Regarding comedy we need to remember that what we laugh at says a lot about our character. When I was young you could listen to a comedy routine with your children and parents and not worry. Be alert to what you are watching and absorbing but be twice as alert to what your children are exposed to in the entertainment world. Don’t be afraid to tell your children it is “no” because I said “no.” Sometimes they are too young to understand why and other times, well, it is as simple as, “because I am the parent and I set the rules.” Remember as long as people are willing to spend their money supporting these people they will continue to create their vulgar, anti-christian routines and songs.

We need to be a “lert” where technology is concerned especially video games. We have a generation of young people who are horribly stunted in the ability to interact with other humans because they have had computer games as their friends for so long. One psychologist recently stated that some students are so stunted that they can’t go to a basic job interview, after college, because of their lack of ability to have a one on one conversation. This is tragic! As parents we must be alert to signs that our child is spending too much time on technology and not in the real word. This is especially horrifying when you see children a young as five and six spending hours with a video for a friend and not outside with a real flesh and blood friend. Don’t get me started on the violent video games. I don’t believe that violent video games lead anyone to commit violence but I do believe it desensitizes our young people to the realities of violence and it isn’t mentally healthy.

I applaud all my “lert” friends as they charge out and try to make their world a little better one square mile at a time. And the next time you hear someone say, “Be alert!” smile and know that you are a “lert” everyday.

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This Isn’t A Dress Rehearsal

When I was teaching I always reminded my juniors and seniors that this is not a dress rehearsal; this is your life. I think this is important for people of all ages to remember.

We get one body and if you wreck because you didn’t take care of it then it is on you. As we age we really get to see the damage poor decisions make on our body. Sadly, too many children are on the road to poor health and they have no say in that decision.

I see way too many parents especially single parents and those where both parents are working who are relying on too much fast food or easy to make packaged food which means that sensible eating goes out the window. Now, I am not some health food nut who is telling people that eating a Big Mac is going to be their downfall but I am promoting moderation. These parents often know the importance of organization in other aspects of their lives but for some reason preparing meals isn’t on that menu so to speak. There are lots of web sites to help in this area. It doesn’t take a lot of time to prepare food ahead of time on the weekend and freeze things ahead. The selection of easy to steam vegetables is endless and it sure doesn’t take much time to microwave a “real” potato.

When I was homeschooling my youngest daughter I used to say that if you are what you eat then some days I am “fast, cheap and easy” especially when it came to lunch. However, our dinners were always balanced and she along with her older sisters had a love of vegetables and fruit. She also exercised regularly with karate classes and was active with outside activities.

Today I see far too many obese children. Yes, obese is accurate and all you parents who want to believe that at the age of 12 your child still has baby fat, well, I am sorry to be the one to tell you but that is not the case. For some reason parents either don’t want to make their children do anything they don’t want to do, are too lazy or tired to cook or they are also obese so that leads us to a generation of children who are looking at a limited life span. Not to mention a less than fulfilling life because of the obesity. Add to this the fact that these children often spend hours and hours on video games or in front of a TV and you have a recipe for disaster.

It is estimated that one out of five children are obese and that rate is rising. The rate of obesity rises with age and by the ages of 16 – 19 nearly 40% of teens are obese!! What are we doing to our young people? What kind of future will they have? How many have to put the career they hoped for on hold because they can’t pass a physical?

Recent studies show that obesity rates in this country have contributed to the rise in Type 2 Diabetes in people under 30 which was almost unheard of previously. Experts are referring to this increase as an epidemic. The CDC (Center for Disease Control) has predicted that one third of all children born in the year 2000 will develop Type 2 Diabetes unless diets change and exercise increases.

People don’t seem to realize that over time diabetes leads to life altering health issues such as heart disease, kidney disease, amputations and blindness. According to the National Kidney Foundation 44% of all new kidney failure diagnoses are due to diabetes. Nearly 50% of patients with Chronic Kidney Disease have diabetes! Diabetes and hypertension are the top issues related to Chronic Kidney Disease. Both of the those conditions are directly related to obesity.

It is not easy to be a parent. I know. I have five daughters and eight grandsons. However, if you are going to dive into this difficult job and it is a job like no other, then you have to do it right. Don’t let lack of organization or taking the easy way out everyday where meals are concerned keep you from giving your children a good start in life. Life is hard enough without having to face it with health problems early on that could be avoided. If your child is already over weight and you want to get a hold of this problem now then see your pediatrician and have a serious talk about how to get a handle on this problem. Make sure you take part too in the change of lifestyle. Taking walks together and making nutritious meals can become fun family activities. Don’t visit on your children heartache that can be avoided.

Remember there are no do overs. This is not a dress rehearsal!!

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Sticks And Stones Will…..Actually It Is Falls

Osteoporosis is a disease of the bone that makes it more porous and thus weaker and more fragile. Yes, age, gender, ethnicity and family history are risk factors but the factors you can have some control over are the ones you need to focus on when considering your odds of falling prey to this devastating medical issue.

The first thing I recommend is to get a bone density test which will tell you if you have any weak bones before you break one. Ask your doctor is you should have one done. This test is non-evasive and can help you stay on top of an issue that can have life altering effects. Remember that weak bones become brittle and can break under even a small amount of stress such as bending over or even coughing. It doesn’t have to be a fall. Most breaks related to osteoporosis are in the hip, spine and wrist.

When getting a yearly physical make sure your doctor included blood work to check your thyroid. The thyroid gland controls a lot of aspects of our metabolism and this includes building bone cells. Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can lead to bone loss. If you have either of these thyroid issues be sure to discuss with your doctor as to what you can do to off set the bone loss. This can include taking selenium supplements as well as thyroid replacement medication.

Some prescription medications can lead to bone loss too. Make sure you ask your doctor or even research for yourself the medications you are taking regarding this issue.

Smoking is another factor. It was recently discovered that smoking creates proteins that contribute to the breakdown of bone cells. If you smoke add this to the list of reasons why you should quit!

As we get older we often tend to get into a more sedentary life style. Too many people come home and sit in front of the TV for hours and that is after sitting at a desk all day and then sitting in a car for the ride home. If this is you I suggest you purchase a step tracker. See what your average day reflects on the number of steps you take. Then start working toward 10,00 steps a day. You will feel better and may even see some pounds disappear. Then look at adding some weight bearing exercise into your day. This you can do while watching TV! All of this can be accomplished without a gym membership if you want to avoid that. If you are looking for a gym and you are on Medicare check to see if you qualify for the Silver Sneakers Program. Bottom line – exercise helps to build bone cells.

Sun Block cream has become such a part of our society today that we forget that our bodies need vitamin D which comes from the sun. No, we don’t want to get melanoma but the facts according to the National Institute of Cancer show that medical complications from a lack of Vitamin D far surpass the chances of complications from skin cancer by nearly 10 to 1!! The number of people in the United States suffering from Vitamin D deficiency has soared over the last decades. Many doctor’s believe that besides leading to osteoporosis it also increases the chances for heart disease and diabetes. So, get some sun on a regular basis. This doesn’t mean you need to roast for an hour at high noon but get some of those awesome sun rays each week.

If you are being treated for any of the following conditions be sure and ask your doctor how your bone density might be affected and what you can do about it. These are Chronic Kidney Disease, Chronic Liver Disease, digestive issues, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Endocrine gland problems and cancer.

The issue of vitamin and minerals to assist you in building bone is huge. There are many sites to research to get the information on what is important. The same for foods that are big in helping the building of bone cells. Protein makes up about 50% of the volume of your bones and about 1/3 of bone mass!! Calcium is another important aspect of our diet that far too many Americans are short on today. You must do your research and along with your doctor determine what you need to change in your lifestyle regarding these two issues.

When we are young we don’t think about issues such as osteoporosis but the reality is that loss of bone mass can begin in females by mid thirties. For the most part men are tens years later showing symptoms. It is important to take steps to prevent the problem from ever starting. If you already have symptoms then make sure you take the necessary steps to begin to correct or at least slow up the bone loss.

Life is too short not to enjoy every day to the fullest. You can’t do that if you have a broken hip.

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There In Lies the Problem

I just read that Lori Loughlin, the actress who along with her husband Mossimo Gianulli was charged in the college cheating scandal, does not understand why she is being charged. The article states that she feels there is nothing wrong with what she did as she has the means to do it and that any mother with the money would do it too. I don’t know which is more tragic. The fact that she doesn’t understand why what she did is wrong or that she figures all mothers have no ethics or values speaks volumes about her. She obviously doesn’t think it important to raise ethical human beings who will one day contribute in a positive way to their community.

I taught for 15 years and during that time I saw my share of “helicopter” parents who want to smooth the way for their children and who have taught their children that nothing is ever their fault. It was always the teacher’s fault or the book wasn’t clear or they never heard the directions (even tho’ everyone else in the class did) and I could go on and on. These parents set their children up for failure in life and I find that very sad. These are the adults who will not be able to function in a job because their boss doesn’t know what he is talking about or some other self-serving reason on the part of this now dysfunctional adult. How do you become a contributing member of society if you have never learned accountability, to respect authority, to work with others without getting all the glory and to understand that accomplishments in life take hard work over time? I salute the parents out there who fight everyday to stay on top of what their children are doing, despite their own busy schedules, as they work toward raising successful adults.

I don’t know how Lori or her husband were raised. Maybe this belief that they were special started way back or maybe they allowed money to corrupt them. Remember the Bible is clear. It is not money that is the root of all evil. It is LOVE of money that is the root of all evil. (1 Timothy 6:10) What matters now is that Lori Loughlin doesn’t see what was wrong with tying up two places on the crew team even though her daughters had never rowed. The fact that students who had worked hard over a long period of time to earn those spots and now wouldn’t get them meant nothing to her. This is a terrible reflection of her character. One student explained that she was up at 4:15 in the morning so she could be on the water a little after five in the morning for a two hour rowing work out before classes. To lose a spot to someone like Lori Loughlin’s daughter, who has never rowed, left a bitter taste in her mouth at the unfairness of it all.

We need to give more attention in the media to the students who despite various and often tragic circumstances are accepted to a college and then succeed after hard work and perseverance. Sometimes these students accomplish great things despite having less than ideal parents.

No, the world isn’t always fair and our young people need to learn that early and know that they can’t let that fact knock them off of their road to success. However, blatant acts like this need to be identified and prosecuted. Yes, these parents need to be taught a lesson. Fines won’t do it because they have money and it is what they figure will always keep them from paying for their intentional misdeeds. They need to see the inside of a prison and not just for a few weeks but for a decent amount of time so that others will think twice about trying to buy their or their children’s way into college.

I have no problem with the fact that someone with the money Lori and her husband have can buy many things. I don’t care. When they start to think they buy their way past people who have worked hard toward a goal then I care. There are certain playing fields that can not be corrupted by money or we will be become no better than a Banana Republic that sells all its positions to the highest bidder. People with money always carry influence and that is okay to a degree but this nation was built on the belief that hard work and a fair shot at your goal is all you need to be successful. As long as we, as a society, accept the fact that rich people get special privileges, when ever and where ever they want them, then this issue will never be resolved. And there in lies the problem.

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Deciding To Just Do It!

In an article that I wrote a few months ago I talked about using the rear view mirror of your life to keep on track as you move forward and not to let it control you or block you from moving forward. I decided to take my own advice. After several friends told me I should get my own web site and even expand what I write about I prayed and thought about what they said and then decided to do it.

This was not an easy decision because computer dynamics are foreign to me. Fortunately, I have an awesome neighbor Marlon Bernard who worked with me and got me set up. I have always loved to write and wrote for different papers over the years. I have done some editing but writing is my first love.

Over the last few years my life revolved around my husband who had been ill for some time. When he died, despite the support of my incredible family, I felt like I was aimlessly wandering and it was a friend who told me it was time for me to find out what I wanted to do and just do it. Initially I gave my family all of the energy I could muster but as the months passed I found myself starting to think about what I wanted to do. I started my first blog and it has now become this web site. I hope it is successful and that can only become a reality if people read it and find it helpful. My goals are to bring smiles, let people know they are not alone in their feelings, give insight, guidance, advice, share my opinion and always to remind people that prayer is a powerful tool offered to us by an all powerful God!

Please take the time to check it out and please, please let me know what you think and if there is something you would like me to write about.

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About Me

My name is Mary Lillard and I am a mother of five daughters and eight grandsons. Yes, God does have a sense of humor.

I have a B.A. from Daemen College in Amherst, New York.

My main job over the years was taking care of my family but in between I have held a variety of jobs including free lance writer. The jobs that impacted me the most were when I worked as a free lance writer, an advocate for victims of crimes and when I taught for fifteen years teaching AP American History and AP United States Government at a private, Christian, University Model School.

I retired last year and had planned to spend more time with my husband but then a few weeks later the Lord took him home. I was lost and bereft for quite a while as I searched for my new normal. I love to write and share my thoughts so that is what I am going to do. I hope you enjoy the web site. Let me know if something I write helps you, makes you think or even annoys you.

Mary