At work, I attend multiple meetings focused on internet security and the many precautions necessary these days to protect ourselves and our data. Beyond that, I regularly take short, employee-focused security courses to keep myself informed and alert. After hearing a number of stories involving social engineering, spear phishing, and scams, I began suspecting just …
Our youngest daughter has worked at Honey Baked Ham for the past few years. And while they serve sandwiches and cater events year-round, their highest volume of business occurs over the holidays. In late November, people line up outside before the shop even opens, and customers stream in for days, eager to buy the perfect …
I like the movie, “Joe vs. the Volcano.” The plot involves Joe, a former firefighting hero turned sullen factory worker, relegated to a dark and dingy back office. Life has beaten him down and he’s lost sight of his true identity. One dismal day a wealthy stranger shows up, unannounced, at Joe’s shabby apartment and offers …
Our oldest son and his wife called us on FaceTime recently. Among other things, we discussed work. I mentioned I can hardly believe someone pays me to do my job! I get to learn so much, regularly face new challenges, and exercise my creativity in multiple ways. And I feel blessed to have work I enjoy. …
My life has changed dramatically over the past three years. My first career was as a full-time mom/household executive. When our youngest finished the first half of high school I felt change stirring in my heart. Over many months and a series of unpredictable, unprecedented circumstances, I eventually landed a job that I love in the Cloud …
As the parents of six kids, we sometimes found it difficult to appreciate their cleverness or cuteness at the time. That’s why we captured some of those special moments to enjoy later. We have hours of videos filled with birthdays, Christmases, dance recitals, cross country meets, Boy Scouts, marching band competitions, etc. But my favorites …
We grow a variety of flowers and vegetables every summer–thanks to my husband. But my sister-in-law surpasses our collection with her veritable botanical garden. These two green-thumbed siblings amaze me with their gift of gardening. Yet even I, the weakest gardener among us three, know the two key factors to successful gardening: sunlight and water. …
I Chronicles 16:24-26 Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples. For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; He also is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the Lord made the heavens. The Bible calls all of this world’s gods mere idols–but the Lord, who made the …
You never know what a day may bring. We’ve experienced that truth over the past few months. When COVID hit, our youngest daughter’s college closed its doors and she moved back home. One month later our oldest daughter, suddenly faced with drastic and undesirable changes to her living situation, also moved back home. I rearranged …
From over 30 years’ experience, I’ve noticed we can learn many lessons in the kitchen if we’ll pay attention. For instance, have you thought much about plastic wrap? Alone, its flimsy floppiness appears virtually useless. And left to its own devices, it mostly sticks to itself. Or, as if it had a mind of its …
Some of our family enjoys movies based on Marvel comic book characters. Ironman, Thor, Spider-Man, Captain America — these superheroes use superhuman power to fight bad guys. And while we see their flaws, we still root for them to win. They inspire us to keep going when the going gets tough. Did you know that …
This summer I work with a bright, ambitious young college student who, among other things, performs wonders with spreadsheets. When I draw attention to his solo accomplishments, he deflects my praise, saying “we” did it, because “we’re a team!” His humility catches me by surprise, and his unassuming manner reminds me of David in the …
