Refuge for a Single Mom

Very soon, ‘Refuge for a Single Mom’ will be jumping head-first into bigger and better things!  *smile*  This includes efforts to assist victims of domestic violence.

As with anything, education is power!  Therefore, I would like to acquaint you all with a Lifetime TV film, airing on Wednesday, July 4th.

Lifetime TV, July 4th

On July 4th at 9pm ET/PT, Lifetime will air "Devil's Pond," a film starring Tara Reid and Meredith Baxter. The film deals with the issue of domestic violence as Julianne, played by Tara Reid, realizes just how little she knows about the man she married as his possessive streak begins to threaten her life.

For a complete synopsis of this movie, check it out at Lifetime TV.com

Find out more about domestic violence at the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

For your convenience, I’ve reproduced the warning signs of domestic abuse/violence here.  I must admit, this was a real eye opener for me!  Courtesy of  Help Guide.org

If you want or need to talk to someone, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at: 1-800-799-7233 (1-800-799-SAFE)  If you need help immediately, call 911.

Signs of an Abusive Relationship

Your Inner Feelings and Thoughts

Do you :

Labels: Charities, Way of Thinking

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.  Isaiah 40:31

This morning, I had my whole blog thought out, typed up and ready to go.  As I went to label and save it, I realized that today is May 1st.  There are a lot of great things about the first day in May.  It becomes a little more evident that Spring is here and Summer is near.  It`s also a new month, full of new hope and promise!

Around our house however, it is a rough day emotionally.  Today would have been my Grandmother`s birthday.

I considered using the blog that was done and ready, but then I got to thinking about this incredible woman, about the incredible daughter she had that I know as “Mom”, and the important roles these women have played in my life.  I wanted to pay tribute to Grandma and share a bit about her!

Once upon a time...my Gramdma divorced my Pappy because he was having an affair with her best friend.  She had to take on several jobs to support her daughters and my Mom was left to raise my Aunt.  Nowadays, this is a pretty common thing, but then, it was pretty rare!  Grandma didn`t let that phase her.  She did what she had to and she did a fantastic job.  She didn`t moan and groan and complain about it or get bitter either!  She just stood up straight and moved forward.

Well, moving along to the things I actually remember about Grandma - I`m the oldest grandchild, but I only remember bits and pieces now.  I`m trying to reminisce as much as possible and hang on to the memories, because my brother and cousins remember even less!

A real `hoot` for me was when she would take me to work with her.  It`s so funny now, because with insurance stipulations and guidelines, I`m sure that would never happen today!  I used to spend the night with her all the time.  That was also a real treat for me, because Grandma lived in `town`.  I grew up in the country (and I like it that way) so getting to stay in town and play with the kids in her neighborhood totally rocked!  I read somewhere just this morning about staying out late and playing “Hide & Seek” in the dark.  That was the best!

Later on, when my brother and cousins came along, we all used to go to the lake.  This was one of Grandma`s favorite things to do.  She would take a bunch of food and just sit and watch us play for hours on end.

Grandma bought this piece of property (10 acres) in the middle of nowhere.  She used to drag everyone out there for family outings.  We used to eat a lot of food, play ball and throw horseshoes all day long!  It was always important to her to have family around and to spend time together!  She was one of those people that `made up` occasions if she had to!

Not too long after that, Grandma was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Initially, she kept trying to live life the way she was accustomed, but it became harder and harder.  She was in more and more pain and the cancer continued to spread.

My Mom got on as her substitute so that Grandma could get the time off from work that she needed for doctor`s appointments and such.  Mom still has that job today!  Perhaps a part of her is `at home` doing the same job that her Mother did over 20 years ago?

As Grandma got worse and became bed-ridden, I moved in with her and tried to help take care of her.  (I was 16 at the time.)  I have to admit, looking back, I really hated doing it.  There wasn`t too much about it that was advantageous for me.  I couldn`t hang out with my friends or go anywhere.  The worst part of all was that her new husband was a real pill.  He used to treat me so poorly!  However, I really did want to help Grandma and take care of her.  She needed someone so badly and she was so appreciative.  I can still hear her apologizing because I was the child and she should be taking care of me – not the other way around.

After fighting this miserable disease for 11 years, Grandma died when I was 17.  One of the last things she said to my Mom was that she was tired and done fighting - that she was ready to go home to be with her Lord!  How amazing is that?

Well, even today, I still miss her so much.  I think about how much she`d love my kids!  I often wonder if she`d be proud of me.

So, although I miss Grandma very much and I know that my Mom does too, we have to find comfort in the fact that she is with her Heavenly Father now.  She is no longer in pain and she is walking!  She is no longer affected by the sickness and disease of this worldly life!


Breast Cancer Awareness month is October, but I encourage everyone to be informed!  Read the information available to you!  Know what to look for!  Go for regular testing and screening!  Early detection is everything!

Finally, if you feel so inclined, while you are there, contribute to the cause and help to find a cure!

National Breast Cancer Foundation

Labels: Breast Cancer Awareness, Charities, Remembrance

In today`s world, there is so much heartache, sadness and tragedy.  Words cannot describe the horror at Virginia Tech this week!  So much senseless death!  So much madness!  I cannot even imagine what those parents, husbands, wives, sisters, brothers, friends and classmates must be feeling!  (I pray that I am spared such heartache!)

Honestly, it seems like the more that we reach out and connect with people, the more knowledge we gain, (via media, internet, word of mouth) - the more we are exposed to.

17 And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.
18 For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.  Ecclesiastes 1:17-18

I`ve found lately, that I`ve been bombarded with prayer requests!  Somehow, people know that my family and I will be lifting them and their loved ones up in prayer.

Recently, a very sad and grievous prayer request was announced on one of my favorite forums.

One of the owners, Heather, has been diagnosed with a brain tumor.  I`ve only been getting to know Heather since February and she has totally touched my life!  She is such an inspiring young woman!  I immediately felt a connection with her.  I could tell right away that she was sensitive, warm, loving, kind, honest, loyal and most of all, she loves her Father with her whole heart!

She is married to Mark and they have three precious children.  When I read Heather`s blog, I identify with her and her concerns.  She isn`t afraid to `die` so much (I mean who wouldn`t want to escape this crazy world and go home to be with our Savior?)  She IS however, afraid to leave her children behind!  What mother in her right mind wouldn`t be?  (Especially a single mom!  Do you know where your children would be placed?)

Now, Heather needs me - she needs us!

Wednesday, April 18th has been cited as “Love on Heather” day.  On Wednesday, April 25th, she and Mark will be seeking a second opinion and medical treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota - the number one neurosurgery hospital in the country.

Funds are being raised in order to ease the financial burdens that Heather and Mark are faced with so that they may better be able to concentrate on the issue at hand, Heather`s healing!

I encourage you to read more from those who know Heather best or read more about Heather`s story from her.

More about “Love on Heather”

Read Heather`s blog and follow her journey.

Most importantly, I encourage you to donate.  We all get a little nervous when it comes to giving money on-line, but wouldn`t you want the support if you needed it?  

And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.  II Peter 1:7

The money is collected securely via Pay Pal and goes straight to Heather and Mark.  No one will know if you give or how much, but God will.  Sow a seed of charity in Heather`s direction!

Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.  I Timothy 1:5

char•i•ty

• generous actions or donations to aid the poor, ill, or helpless
• something given to a person or persons in need
• a charitable act or work
• a charitable fund, foundation, or institution
• benevolent feeling, esp. toward those in need or in disfavor
• leniency in judging others; forbearance
• Christian love

Search your heart!  If you truly cannot give, the Lord knows that and He knows your heart!  If you can, remember that the smallest amounts will add up if we all respond to the call!

Most precious of all, lift Heather, her family, her friends and her co-workers in your prayers!  


Dear Father in Heaven,

We know by Your Word and Your promises that You are a healing God, that anything is possible, that even in today`s crazy world, You perform miracles!  You have the power that leaves doctors standing in amazement at unexplained recoveries!

Lord, we stand in agreement here for Your immediate control over this situation, for Heather`s healing, for her family`s peace of mind and reassurance that You are bigger than anything they face!

Sweet Father, we just ask that You put Your loving arms around our precious Heather and her family right now so that they would feel Your love, hold steadfast to You and that they would have the strength, determination and courage to conquer this situation!

We pray that You would use Heather`s victory to show the world Your supernatural power and healing, that her testimony will bring many of our brothers and sisters back into the fold!

In Jesus` Precious Name, Amen!


And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.  Acts 3:16


More participating blogs and sites to check out!

I Should be Folding Laundry

5 Minutes for Mom

Labels: Blessings, Charities, Encouragement, Friendship, Kindness, Prayer

As some of you may or may not know, I am the owner of Personalways™, an on-line gift shop dedicated to personalized photo gifts.

This is NOT an advertising campaign or a sales ploy, but a request for your help!

Every so often, I am blessed by the opportunity to help people.

Currently, we are working hard to put together team shirts for “Jenna’s Team”.

Jenna’s Mommy (Jennifer) and Daddy (John) never really got to ‘meet’ Jenna, as she was still born at 8 ½ months.

It’s a heartbreaking story.  (I cried the whole way through!)  You are welcome to read it here:  www.johnabone.com

By the way, her daddy is an awesome photographer!

Please, join us in supporting Jenna’s Team!

Visit Jenna’s page on the Personalways™ website, where you can sponsor Jenna’s Team securely via Pay Pal:

Jenna’s Team at Personalways™

Or, you may sponsor Jenna’s Team directly via the March of Dimes website:

Jenna’s Team at Walk America

If every reader that visits my blog, through April 21st, donates just $1, Jenna’s Team would raise hundreds of dollars for the March of Dimes!

Please search your heart and donate generously!  Each of us really can make a difference in the fight against still births, premature births and birth defects!

Thank you so much!

Labels: Charities, Jenna's Team, March of Dimes, Walk America