Family Vacation Memories

September 5, 2025September 5, 2025 RefreshHer2 Comments

This Labor Day was the third Ham Fam Vacay, the first being 2017 and the next, 2022. We had the blessing of a three bedroom condo in Pigeon Forge – just perfect for all three families to have room to sleep, cook and play for three days and nights.

We are blessed with family relationships that are not stressful or forced. We can only credit this to each of us having a relationship with the Lord. He models perfect love and acceptance to us that we then strive for towards one another. Of course, we often miss, but for the most part, we enjoy a human love based on God’s Divine love.

We wanted to enjoy meals at the table together in the peace and quiet (well, kind of quiet!) of our condo, and also as a way to reduce our cost, so my girls and I divided up the mealtimes and each of us were assigned certain meals. We did go out for one special lunch – more on that in a minute. First, let me give you a sampling of what was enjoyed in our condo…

Continue reading →

Coasting Into Heaven

September 3, 2025August 29, 2025 RefreshHerLeave a comment

There is so much more information on the Refresh Her podcast. Listen here.

I heard a statement last weekend that I’ve pondered over and over in my mind. Here it is:

God doesn’t want us to just coast into heaven.

Something that coasts has been in motion, then comes to an eventual stop. The comment was made toward senior citizens and was referring to their gradual decline in serving the Lord. They were once busy, but are obviously slowing down. The encouragement was to not come to a complete stop this side of eternity.

As we age, I’m sure it would be easy to think, “I’ve done my share of work (in the church, in Sunday school, VBS, being hospitable, witnessing, etc), it’s my time to be retired and rest.” However, the Lord has something for us to do for Him until He calls us home to heaven. A shut-in, an invalid, a blind person, a person with no mobility or transportation can all serve the Lord. Consider:

Continue reading →

Uncategorized

Labor Day Plans

September 1, 2025August 31, 2025 RefreshHerLeave a comment

Oh, the last holiday (perhaps vacation time?) before the autumn season is here! We have some fun plans that I’ll share with you on Friday. It involves a little travel, time with family, a celebration, and of course some good food! Be sure to check back at the end of the week for all the details!

Here’s one thing I made for the celebration. Picture was taken mid-way in the process.

Continue reading →

Family life · Marriage · memories · traditions

Memorable Moments at Hilton Head Island

August 29, 2025August 28, 2025 RefreshHerLeave a comment

Our loving and kind Heavenly Father is so good to precede us with blessings from His hand. After a very busy summer of serving, we were given a week to rest and refresh on Hilton Head Island, one of our favorite vacation destinations. HHI holds many memories for us from bringing our girls here beginning when they were about eight and fifteen. We first started vacationing there when we lived in Indiana. To travel from snow in the early spring to the deep south where temps were definitely warmer, was such a wonderful reprieve. Bike rides, ice cream cones, days in the surf, and seafood dinners are part of the memories from every year we’ve gone.

Continue reading →

Grandparents

Grandmother with a Purpose

August 27, 2025August 25, 2025 RefreshHer2 Comments

Being a grandmother, Gigi, Nana, Gran…or whatever you’re called is a special blessing, but it’s also a special calling. Listen to what Paul says about Timothy’s grandmother…

2 Timothy 1:4,5 Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

Lois had a profound impact in Timothy’s life!

Louisa May Alcott said, Every house needs a grandmother in it.

How special a grandmother makes a child’s life! She can add so much fun and adventure, but God’s Word elevates a grandmother to an even higher position. When she deposits the Word of God in the lives of her grandchildren, she can have a profound influence in their lives.

How can we do that? Here are two important areas in which we make an impact…

Continue reading →