I was 30-years-old when I voted for the first time in my life. Up to then, I had been apathetic to the choices I had, and like most people who don’t vote, I thought, my vote won’t count, so why bother?

Since I’ve become a Christian, I’ve come to realize that there are oppressed people all over the world who don’t have the same freedoms we do. We are so fortunate to live in a country where we have the First Amendment rights to Freedom of Speech, Press, Religion, and Petition. I can’t imagine living in a country, such as North Korea or China where people’s rights are non-existent.

I know I sound like I’m on a soap box, but Romans 13:1 says, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”

And shouldn’t we do our part? I look at what’s happening in our country, and I can’t believe how low the bar has become, and I’m afraid for my children and grandchildren. Shouldn’t we do our part to elect those who hold Christian values dear?

I intend to vote on Tuesday—not only to do my civic duty, but to be confident that I’ve done everything in my power to protect those I love and hold most dear.

Stand with me on Tuesday and vote. We can’t win the war alone, but perhaps together we can.

Being a wife can be difficult at times, right? Especially when we see how television portrays wives. They can do it all—work outside the home, cook gourmet meals, look glamorous, and still find time to be passionate when the lights go out.

I don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted just thinking about cooking a gourmet meal!

I just read Proverbs 31:10-31, and it is a must-read for all of us women who are married. But, be warned, this was written thousands of years ago, so read between the lines. What I love about this Proverb is that it describes the character and integrity of a wife, not the outward appearance of one.

After reading Proverbs 31:10-31, these were the main points I came away with:

• A wife of noble character is far more precious than jewels.
• Her husband has complete confidence in her.
• She provides for her family.
• She invests wisely.
• She works hard, and she’s strong.
• She is generous and helps the helpless.
• She is clothed with strength and dignity.
• She has a sense of humor.
• She is honored for the fruit of her labors.

Remember when I said this blog was probably more for me than for any of you? After reading Proverbs 31, I feel like a hypocrite. Women are under so much pressure to look their best at any cost (e.g., botox, hours at the gym, dental work). And I admit, I don’t want to age gracefully. But at the end of the day, wouldn’t it be far better to have a noble character than to look 20 years younger?

I’m struggling with this question, and I know some of you are saying, why can’t we have it all? Can we? If you have time this week, let me know what you think.

On May 23, I’m celebrating my daughter’s birthday, and my grandson’s birthday. What are the chances that two of my loved ones would be born on the same day?

Oops! There are no chances with God.

I can remember the day Monica was born—three weeks early. Imagine my surprise when my water broke. I was completely unprepared, but my delivery went well and she arrived perfect in every way.

Fast forward 28 years. Noah was born and he, too, was perfect in every way.

There is just something about watching a child being born, watching the miracle of creation. Can you imagine how God feels every time a child is born?

Jeremiah 1:8 says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you.” God formed each of us individually, with no two people exactly alike. Currently there are over 7.4 billion people on the planet. Imagine the power and creativity of God!

Psalm 139:16 says, “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” As a novice writer, I like to visualize a gigantic book, yellowed with age, with my name and days memorialized by God.

This weekend I celebrate my loved ones, just as I’m sure God celebrates them too. I give thanks to God for my daughter and grandson, for their unique personality, and for the individual walk they will have for and with God.

Hi Girlfriends!

I know you all must be running out of patience with me, because week after week I’m sharing one trial or another with you. Believe me, I’m so thankful for all of you!

This past week has been one filled with intrigue, regret, sorrow, worry, joy…all the ingredients for a novel. But at the end of the day I had to wonder if I truly trusted in God.

Monday is officially my last day of work, although the state has already paid me my final check. Talk about feeling inconsequential! I’ve also had some health issues I’m worried about, and worry I did! All week. And my poor husband paid the price for my anxiety, worry, regret, and sorrow. To hell with the joyful part of my life!

On Thursday night, after driving home from Sacramento, I had the option of either turning on the television for a bit of mind numbing noise, or I could walk upstairs to my lair and read the Bible—my instruction manual. I chose the latter. And I’m glad I did. I felt better after reading about Saul trying to murder David, and I thought, my life isn’t really all that bad!

I say I trust in God, but do I really? Do my actions speak louder than words? It’s easy to give this sage advice, but do I walk the talk? I had to spend some quiet time answering that questions. And here’s what I know: trusting in God is a choice. I’m still struggling with all my emotions, but I believe God has a plan for my life. S

Psalm 56:11 says, “I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?” That truth made my heart sing. I feel like I’ve taken off a heavy bear pelt and I could dance like an exquisite ballerina. OK, I have no idea what those two things really feel like, but I’m a woman with a wild imagination and a God who loves me.

Happy Mother’s Day to all my family and friends!

I can remember running down the lane to our home when I was a girl, because I couldn’t wait to share my day with my mother. She showered me with love, always took the time to listen patiently, and encouraged me without hesitation. Without her I wouldn’t be the woman I am today.

Fifteen years later, God blessed me with Phillip and Monica. I can still remember every detail of both deliveries, nursing both children,  and watching them grow into adulthood. I couldn’t believe the fierce love I had for my two children. And without them I wouldn’t be the woman I am today.

Two decades later, God blessed me again with grandchildren. I was in the delivery room as Kaylee, Ayden, and Noah were born. Once again, I couldn’t imagine the love I would feel for all my grandchildren, and without them I wouldn’t be the woman I am today.

Proverbs has quite a bit to say about the influence women have on their children. In Proverbs 6:20-22, the bible says, “My son, observe the commandment of your father and do not forsake the teaching of your mother; bind them continually on your heart; tie them around your neck. When you walk about, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk to you.”

You all have your own stories, and tomorrow is the perfect day to reflect on the influence you continually have on your children. This day also gives us an opportunity to acknowledge how our children and grandchildren shape our lives.

Women love unconditionally, we try to keep our children out of harms way, we hope to guide them, only to let them go when they reach adulthood. But our love and protectiveness doesn’t end there, does it?

To all the mothers that I know and love—I’m throwing out a huge hug to you all. I salute you and hope you have the best day of 2016!

I usually don’t know what I’m going to share with you until Friday evening or Saturday, and today was no exception—until I drove through the Savemart parking lot this morning and saw a former friend loading groceries into her new Lexus SUV.

The two of us had been inseparable for years, our families were friends, we traveled together, worked together, shopped together until our friendship began to unravel. And my becoming a Christian was the last thread to break.

So, when I saw her this morning, all my petty feelings rose to the surface. Within a few minutes I was consumed with my feelings of betrayal, envy, and resentment.

Leviticus 19:18 says, “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.”

Not hold a grudge, Lord? I know the Bible is my instruction manual, but I really want to hold on to my grudge because I’m justified!

I continued to drive to the gas station, and I took a deep breath. I do pray for my former friend and her family periodically, but seeing her unexpectedly brought out something in me that I didn’t like. I thought I had rid myself of these feelings, and I was disappointed to find that I had only been fooling myself.

Jesus said in Matthew 22:39, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Evidently, Jesus felt this worth repeating. I prayed, right then and there for my friend and her family and I also prayed for myself.

I left the gas station feeling better about taking one step toward conquering my pettiness and the grudge that I can’t seem to release. But I’m not where I want to be. Can anyone relate?

There have been times when I’ve been criticized for being a “career” woman—which meant I was ambitious and made decisions based on my career ladder or upward mobility. My family made some sacrifices as I accepted work assignments that took me away from home, but in the long run those decisions helped us financially.

Unfortunately, I still hear some of this criticism today as I watch the Gen X and Millennials take their place in the workforce and young women make the hard decisions to promote.

But, once again, I want to point us to our instruction manual (the Bible) to see that women in the workplace isn’t new and that they were very important to Jesus’ ministry.

In Luke 8:1-3, it says, “After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.

We don’t know how Joanna, Susanna, and others obtained their money, but we do know they had money to help directly support Jesus and his ministry and that they traveled with them in order to do so. Jesus wasn’t hampered by public opinion—imagine the gossips as these women traveled with Jesus and helped support him and his apostles!

In Acts 16:14, it says, “One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.”

Once again, we see Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth, who heard the message of Jesus through Paul, and persuaded Paul and his party to stay at her home. This happened on at least two occasions and I can only imagine Lydia holding a great dinner party to honor Paul and his companions—possibly even helping his ministry financially.

If Jesus respected and accepted women in the workforce, then who are we to judge those who choose to have a career and a family?

Rahab is my favorite woman in the Bible. Not because of who she was but because of who God is and how he uses people for his grand design. The story of Rahab offers me hope. (Read Joshua 2 for more about Rahab).

The Bible doesn’t disclose why Rahab is a prostitute. Perhaps her father was an invalid or her family was starving. But what we do know is that Rahab had a fear of the Lord and believed in our one true God.

Imagine Rahab in ancient Canaan, openly a prostitute at a time when women had no rights. She’s a woman who probably sees all types of men, and she hears about God, and the miracles He performed on behalf of the Israelites when they escaped Egypt. So when the spies from Israel show up at her door, she lies to the King’s men to protect them. And then strikes a bargain with the spies to protect her and her family if she helps them.

Stay with me, because I do have a point. The people who lived around Rahab probably shunned her. She was probably ostracized from the community—much like prostitutes are shunned now. If Rahab lived next door to me, I have to wonder whether I’d invite her into my home or out for coffee. And even asking that question of myself tells me much about my character.

I thank God for his mercy and grace. Thankfully God’s ways aren’t my ways or we’d all be in big trouble. Rahab teaches me a lesson in judging others. I’m simply not qualified. God blessed Rahab by giving her a husband and children. And she is privileged to be one of Christ’s ancestors. I think I’d be the privileged one if she’d accept an invitation into my home. Would she accept me into hers?

God created the moon and the stars, the oceans and seas, the flowers and every living creature on earth. When I look at our world, I see perfection. Why would woman (and man) be any different?

In the upcoming weeks, I plan to focus on how God views women according to our instruction manual, the Bible. I’m not an expert in what God thinks, but there are some truths that I’m sure we will all appreciate.

Let’s start at the beginning, when man and woman were created. Genesis 2:7 says, “Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.”

God knew it wasn’t good for man to be alone, so he created woman. God created every bird and animal from the ground, including Adam. But for some reason God created Eve differently. He created Eve from one of Adam’s ribs. I’m not a genius, but God made us differently than every other creation on earth. Why?

Obviously I don’t know the answer, but it’s a great question, right?

This week has been a difficult one—once again I was reminded of how flawed and fallible I am. I  have been so busy of late, traveling all over the state for work, trying to be a good wife, mother, daughter, grandmother, friend, co-worker—that my dearest relationships have suffered.

There are only 24 hours in a day, yet at the end of each day, what do I have to say about my accomplishments? That I took care of two personnel matters at work? That I paid bills? That I did the laundry? These are all important, but what I should be asking is, “Did I make a difference in someone’s life today?

My relationships with my family and friends are important to me. And my relationships are also important to God. In Acts 17:26, it says, “From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.” We aren’t here by mistake. Our families and friends aren’t determined by coincidence. God is and always has been in control.

So when I don’t take the time to call a friend or spend time with a loved one, I’m not the only one who gets hurt. We need each other, that’s why God put us together in this exact time in history and in this exact geographic location.

I made a promise this week to be a better friend and family member. If you find yourself in a similar situation, I encourage you to take time this week to contact someone who’s been on your mind lately. You’ll be happy you did.