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5 on Friday: Blogs I read regularly

February 15, 2013

5 on Friday is a new weekly feature on the blog where I’ll share five things I’m reading, watching, listening to, enjoying, thinking about … you get the idea. Read the first one here.

There’s a lot of stuff to read on and off the Internet. Here are five blogging friends I visit regularly.

Abby Frye, blogging about her life with a chronic kidney disease, transplant issues and her very real feelings about being sick
Carol Cool, blogging about social justice issues and how ordinary people can make a difference in their worlds
Courtney Walsh, blogging about books and writing and trusting God with tough stuff
Kristen Hershey, blogging about deals for families, craft ideas, adoption and motherhood
Michelle Roberts, blogging about life “in the fish bowl” as a pastor’s wife.

Who are your regular reads on the Internet?

What love looks like

February 14, 2013

It’s Valentine’s Day and lots of people will be talking about love, doing loving things, buying things for the ones they love. That’s one kind of love. Another kind of love is this: “ Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” The folks at The Exodus Road are living this kind of love every day as they work to rescue women and children from sex slavery.

The following are some reflections from the group’s director and founder on a recent trip to Southeast Asia.

Victims of human trafficking are not lost forever, unless the very last one of us gives up.

And till the day they are free, I choose to hope and set my eyes on the horizon. There I see freedom coming– freedom for victims of human trafficking and freedom for me as I seek it for them. Freedom is the very aroma of God and love is his firm step. I have never known joy as I know it today, as I too take up the smell and step of God. Justice is the mix of these two elements, freedom and love. When both are present, the Kingdom of God is realized.

Last night I witnessed the slavery of over two hundred women. On my left sat a young virgin and on my right a young girl maybe twenty years old. Both for sale. All for sale. And I wanted this justice fueled by love for them so very badly.

This work that we are doing is a powerful thing in my own life. It stretches beyond my comfort, calls me to be courageous in the face of fear, costs me greatly and has shown me the face of God in ways that have surprised me.

Many people claim to know God. If the work of rescue has taught me anything, it is that I know very little about God and am a fool to claim that I do. I now believe that he is so much bigger than I will ever comprehend and his love, justice and mercy are equally unfathomable.

This is a big story, after all, that we are living. A story of impossible odds, brokenness and courage, passion and justice. It is the best story I have ever read, and I still do not know how it will end.

I am forever changed, and we are only at the beginning.

-Matt Parker. Executive Director, The Exodus Road. Jan. 2013

How to give up what you love: Review of 7 by Jen Hatmaker

February 13, 2013

So it’s Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, a season where Christians seek to give up things and empty themselves in honor of the sacrifice God made on the cross, His Son, Jesus.

And while I didn’t exactly plan it this way, as I read Jen Hatmaker’s book 7: An experimental mutiny against excess, I thought its themes tied in with the sacrificial nature of the season.

7 is a peek at one woman’s journey away from selfishness toward selflessness, away from consumerism toward communion, away from me-first theology to love-your-neighbor action. For seven months, Jen Hatmaker focused on one area of excess in her life each month: clothes, shopping, waste, food, possessions, media and stress. For each month, she narrowed or limited each area to seven items, places or actions. For example, during the clothing month, her wardrobe was limited to 7 items. During waste month her family adopted 7 ways to live a greener lifestyle.

Hatmaker writes about her experience in journal-like form, and her insights, failures and successes come across like a chat over coffee rather than legalistic mandates. She writes at one point near the end of the experiment: “This isn’t a sage’s manifesto but a sinner’s repentance.” (page 157)

I am ruined in a good way because of this book. Hatmaker’s radical experiment loosed the chains of selfish consumerism in her life and opened a window to a world of poverty, creation care and loving her neighbor. Great insights. Practical steps. Humor. Grace. I loved every piece of this book and read at least one paragraph per chapter out loud to my husband (to his delight *sarcasm*). I laughed. I cried. I am deeply convicted.

Here are a couple of my favorite (most challenging) portions:

My luxuries come at the expense of some of God’s best handiwork: forests, petroleum, clean air, healthy ecosystems. We also ravage the lands of vulnerable countries, stripping their resources for consumption. The wealthy world has a sordid history of colonization, ruling by force over indigenous people and profiting from their natural resources and local labor. Yes Africa, we’ll take your diamonds, gold and oil, but you can keep your crushing poverty and disease. (136)

There is something so nourishing about sharing your living space with people where they see your junk mail pile and pee wee football schedule on the fridge and pile of shoes by the front door. Opening your home says, “You are welcome into my real life.” … It’s unsanitized and truthful. We invite you into this intimate place, saturated with our family character. (176)

The working poor get lost in the shuffle. … The usual clues that point to poverty are ambiguous for those in the gap. The working poor are one missed shift from homelessness, one lost paycheck from hunger, one overdue bill from repossession. However, they learn to camouflage nicely into society. … In many ways they are invisible. (84)

By the end of the book, Hatmaker emphasizes that this is not a blueprint for everyone to follow. Where she lives, who she is, how her family operates–these are the pieces of the 7 puzzle that can’t be duplicated. So, an experimental mutiny against excess will look different for different people.

She recently released a small group curriculum to accompany the book. That would be an invaluable resource for churches, Bible studies or women’s groups.

As we proceed with the Lenten season, I will carry the lessons of 7 with me and look for ways to incorporate simplicity into my seemingly unsimple life.

(P.S. If you liked Rachel Held Evan’s A Year of Biblical Womanhood, you would like this book. Comparable writing style and blend of humor and conviction.)

Why I need to belong

February 11, 2013

One of my favorite TV shows returned last week, and though I was a little disappointed by the episode (sorry, I’m not familiar with The Hunger Games, so maybe it’s my fault), I’m glad it’s back. And a couple of nights ago, I dreamt about the cast from another of my favorite shows.

Either I’m watching too much TV (true) or I’m sorely lacking in friends (also true).

Now, before you throw me a pity party or get mad (Hey! What about me? I’m your friend.), let me clarify.

Recently, I identified a need, one that hasn’t been filled in a while. (Even saying that sounds selfish, but everyone has needs and filling those needs makes us more complete as people.)

Photo by Stephanie Hofschlaeger/SXC.HU

I need community. A place to belong.

Having transplanted from Illinois to PA Dutch (German) country, belonging might be wishful thinking. It’s not that people here aren’t nice or friendly; it’s just that most of them have lived here a long time and have family nearby.

And life is busy. I get that. Most of the time I forget the hole created in my life because I don’t have community.

But then we’ll stop at our friends’ house in western Pennsylvania and we’ll share Chinese food while our kids run off together to play and sleep in each other’s rooms. We’ll watch The Golden Globes and make fun of celebrities. And in the morning, over coffee and donuts, we’ll find it hard to pull ourselves away.

“Can’t you just stay?” our hosts always ask us.

And my heart screams “Yes!” every time.

One of my deep longings is to be surrounded by people doing this life journey together. I want to share meals. And childcare. And burdens over cups of coffee. I want to meet regularly with a group of people–women, especially–who don’t have it all figured out and just need space to vent and cry. I want to pray together. Laugh together. Cry together.

To me, this is a picture of how the church is supposed to function. Every day, not just on Sundays.

I have found community online with like-minded readers and creators, but it’s not the same as having flesh-and-blood people in your life. (I have those. And I love every one of them, but even 30 minutes or an hour seems too far away sometimes.)

In my frustration and sadness at not having community, I’ve closed my own doors. I’ve self-focused on our home. Our kids. Our crazy life. Frankly, I’m often embarrassed by the mess that is our house, the little that we have to share (which is still a lot by comparison), the uncertainty that is our life.

But this week I realized that I can’t wait for community to find me. I can’t sit around waiting for people to knock on my door and ask to journey with me through life. (About the only people knocking on our door these days are Jehovah’s Witnesses. They come to speak with my husband. In his absence, I fear they’re going to start in on me.)

No. Community starts with me.

With an invitation to share a meal.

Or a commitment to pray for a situation as it’s presented.

Or a Valentine treat for a neighbor.

Or a question about how someone else is doing with this whole life thing.

For community to happen, I have to lose interest in myself and my problems (at least for a few minutes) and seek out others.

This show that I love that returned this week, it’s called Community. It takes place at a community college and revolves around a study group that first got together for mostly selfish reasons. A shared class brought them together regularly, whatever the motivation. And over time, these regular meetings morphed into friendship. Yeah, they’ve had ups and downs. But they’ve stuck together. And, as one of the characters pointed out this week, they’re going to change and face changes together but they’re still going to be friends.

I believe community is a God-given longing. Jesus could have walked the earth by Himself, healing people and doing miracles, but He picked a core group of people to walk with Him. Probably more for their sake than for His, but then again, Jesus knew community from the time time began. God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are three-in-one, a holy community.

I don’t know what community is going to look like for me or my family. I just know that I have to be the one to open the door and invite others in.

And it won’t be perfect.

It might even be messy.

But I’m okay with that.

Saturday smiles: Little people laughs edition

February 9, 2013

With everything that’s going on in our lives (or not going on, really is more like it), my stress levels are higher than are probably healthy. And even when our little people contribute to that stress, I’m thanking God for the comic relief they offer. This week, they’ve given me reasons to laugh. Loud.

One of my favorite things is to just listen while they’re playing together, especially if they don’t know I’m listening. That’s when I find gold. Like:

Where’s the floor? Daddy needs to Zumba.

There is no floor.

Okay, Daddy will Zumba in the bathroom.

My husband overheard that nugget while the kids were playing with the Dora house.

Then there was the declaration while they were coloring:

Brown is for Broncos.

Broncos are yucky!

We watch a *little* football in this house, and we are unashamedly Bears fans. We are teaching them well.

And every time our son is in the bath, he requests a shampoo mohawk from whichever adult is available. Then he yells, “Izzy, Mommy, come see, come see.”

Worth it every time.

And when I tell him to clean up his trucks, he organizes a parade.

I’m probably forgetting a dozen or more other moments from the week. But if I stopped to write them down, I’d probably still miss them.

So, today, I’m simply thankful that these two kids are in our house, in our lives, and that they give us as much joy as grief. Some days, it would be hard to rise from the mire without them.

5 on Friday: Love songs that reflect the reality of marriage

February 8, 2013

5 on Friday is a new weekly feature on the blog where I’ll share five things I’m reading, watching, listening to, enjoying, thinking about … you get the idea. Read the first one here.

photo courtesy of Stock Xchange (www.sxc.hu)

Valentine’s Day is next week, and while I have nothing against sappy love songs (hello, I was like Bryan Adams’ biggest fan in the ’90s), I’ve found myself drawn to love songs that show the beauty of marriage and love in spite of difficulties and hard work.

So, here are five love songs that reflect the reality of marriage.

“A Page is Turned” by Bebo Norman. This was our “first dance” song at our wedding.
“Dancing in the Minefields” by Andrew Peterson. I cry every time I hear this one on the radio.
“Hold Up My Arms” by Andrew Peterson. It won’t be perfect, but we need each other.
“The Garden” by Jason Gray. Marriage=hard work. But the fruit is worth it. (Note: This is from one of his older albums.)
“Fly” by Sara Groves. Remind me why you married me. Because sometimes I forget.

What would you add?

An adventure on the way: PREview of Forsaken Dreams by MaryLu Tyndall

February 7, 2013

I recently joined the crew of a sailing ship.

And today, I want to tell you why.

Author MaryLu Tyndall has a new book releasing in March. She writes “swashbuckling romance” aka sailing adventures with strong themes of redemption. MaryLu is another author I learned about through a blog scavenger hunt, and while I’ve only read one of her works, I can tell you that I’m excited about these historical seafaring novels.

Forsaken Dreams is the newest. Here’s a synopsis:

Embark on a seafaring adventure as a disillusioned colonel and a hopeful widow seek a fresh start on the shores of Brazil. Colonel Grant Wallace cannot leave his once precious Southern homeland fast enough. After witnessing the death and destruction of the Civil War, he charters a ship and sets sail for the pristine shores of Brazil, eager to start afresh in a new land. Widow Eliza Crawford boards the ship NewHope harboring a dirty secret and a blossoming hope within her heart for a new life away from old memories. But once at sea, troubles abound. Will Grant overcome his demons of bitterness and rage? Can Eliza find the peace she longs for?

Brazil. Sailing. Civil War. Yep, I’m sold.

On Friday, Feb. 8, head on over to MaryLu’s blog to learn more about the hero of this story and enter for a chance to win a copy of the book.

And check back here in the coming weeks for a review of Forsaken Dreams.

Now, here’s more about the author:

MaryLu Tyndall, a Christy Award Finalist, and best-selling author of the Legacy of the King’s Pirates series is known for her adventurous historical romances filled with deep spiritual themes. She holds a degree in Math and worked as a software engineer for fifteen years before testing the waters as a writer. MaryLu currently writes full time and makes her home on the California coast with her husband, six kids, and four cats. Her passion is to write page-turning, romantic adventures that not only entertain but open people’s eyes to their God-given potential. MaryLu is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America.

Author Q & A:

1. How would you describe your new series Escape to Paradise?

An adventurous, romantic tale about a group of Confederates, wounded in both body and soul, who flee the destruction of the South after the Civil War for greener pastures in Brazil, but who find much more than they bargained for, both on the trip there and once they arrive.

2. What inspired the storyline for your new series?

History. Nearly three million Southerners migrated from the devastation of the South following the Civil War. Close to twenty thousand of them went to Brazil where the Emperor welcomed them with open arms, the farm land was plentiful, and the temperate climate mimicked their own weather back home. Though most ended up returning home, several thousand remained, and their descendants still live there today. Their struggles to create a new Southern Utopia in the heart of Brazil make for a fascinating story!

3. How is this series different from your previous series?

Escape to Paradise is like nothing I’ve ever written before. The six main characters, the hero and heroine in each book, have a huge presence in each of the three books, so by the end of the series, the reader will know them all really well, as well as several of the secondary characters. Secondly, and more importantly, this series contains a lot of supernatural elements—curses, angels, visions, demonic battles—which I have not put in any of my other books.

4. What type of research did you have to do for Forsaken Dreams?

Surprisingly, not much has been written about this particular historic event. I did find a couple of great books on Amazon. I was also able to locate some original source material, which is a researcher’s dream: three journals written by actual Confederates who traveled to Brazil. Then of course I studied the flora, fauna, cuisine, customs, religion, climate, topography, and history of Brazil and Rio de Janeiro. I tried to talk my husband into funding a trip to Rio (For purely research purposes, of course) but he wasn’t buying it! I also studied the Civil War, clothing and customs of the time period, and, in particular, of the South.

5. What are the most interesting facts that you learned while researching and writing Forsaken Dreams?

There is a city in Brazil called Americana, which was founded by migrant confederates in the late 19^th century. To this day, the inhabitants still speak a mixture of English and Portuguese and celebrate American holidays by playing “Dixie”, while some of the local women dress in big-bustled skirts for dancing. President Carter visited the city in 1972, after discovering its little known history, and he was reportedly brought to tears by the American influences he found there.

6. What surprises do your fans have to look forward to in your new series?

An exotic locale, powerful secrets held by each character, a strong spiritual theme that runs through all three books, cannibals, evil temples, visions, angels, demons, prophecies, and a supernatural battle. Doesn’t sound like romance novels, does it? Yet, readers can still expect to find all the adventure and romance they normally enjoy from one of my books.

7. Do you have a favorite character in Forsaken Dreams? Why?

Yes. The heroine, Eliza Crawford. She’s all the things so many of us want to be: Strong, Independent, Smart, Caring, Selfless. But she has a fatal flaw—one which I can relate to very much, and one I’m hoping others will relate to as well. She wants to live life on her own terms. She wants to do things her way and follow her own heart and will. She doesn’t want to be told what to do by anyone, especially God. Consequently, she disobeyed her father and ran off to marry a man who was all wrong for her, an action that cost her and others dearly. Still, she struggles with an independent spirit that refuses to submit to God, even when she knows His will is best. Sound familiar? It does to me!

8. What message would you like your readers to take from reading Forsaken Dreams?

There are several messages woven into Forsaken Dreams. Forgiveness, letting go of bitterness, running away from God, but I would say the main message is that submission to God and His will is the only thing that brings true happiness.

9. Most of your stories revolve around swashbuckling pirates and sea captains. What draws you to write about them?

Actually I only have one pirate series, but a good majority of my books have several scenes set at sea. Ever since I was a child growing up on the shores of South Florida, I have loved the sea and especially the tall ships of old. To me, there’s something very romantic and adventurous about those magnificent sailing ships and the men and women who journeyed on them in search of new lands.

10, What are some of the challenges you face as an author?

Meeting deadlines! I never feel like I can take a break and just relax when there’s a deadline shouting at me from my computer. Other challenges come in the form of negative reviews and harsh comments, most of which I’ve learned over the years to ignore. However, the occasional one slips through and stabs my heart. Then there’s the marketing aspect of being an author, which is most definitely my weakest skill. I’ve never been very good at selling myself, or in fact, selling anything, to anyone.

11. What aspects of being a writer do you enjoy the most?

The writing! Coming up with new stories and settings, and especially great characters. But my favorite part is putting those characters into impossible situations that I would never survive personally, but ones in which they must survive! Those hours I spend at my computer with my head and my heart in a distant land, living life through my characters, are the happiest moments of my day. What a great job I have!! I get to live in a fantasy world of my own making. God is good!

12. What clubs or organizations are you involved with helping with your writing?

American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. However I receive most of the help I need from other writers who I’ve grown close to over the years. It’s so wonderful to have an online support group of people who understand what I’m going through and who can offer suggestions and help and who can lift me up in prayer when needed.

13. What new projects are on the horizon?

Forsaken Dreams is the first in a trilogy entitled Escape to Paradise, so I’m currently working on the last two books in the series. After that, I’ll be in God’s good favor as to what He wants me to write next.

14. What was your favorite book as a child?

Can I have three? The Last of the Mohicans, The Count of Monte Cristo, and Pride and Prejudice.

15. What is your greatest achievement?

My children. Although I really can’t take credit for them turning out as well as they have. That was God. But they are my life and my true loves, and I can’t imagine my world without them.

16. What do you do to get away from it all?

Go to the beach. Although it’s not as warm here in California as it was in Florida where I grew up, I love sitting in the sand and gazing out over the foamy waves and smelling the salty air and feeling the wind on my face. It makes me realize how big God is and how small I am, yet how much He truly loves me.

17. And, finally, where can your readers find you online?

You can sign up for my e-newsletter on my website at www.marylutyndall.com, and my blog is http://crossandcutlass.blogspot.com where I post all sorts of things from book giveaways and book information to articles and devotional thoughts. I have a Facebook group called MaryLu Tyndall Swashbuckling Romance, and I’m on Twitter: @MaryLuTyndall. Hope to connect with you all!

When light shines in the darkness: Review of Congo Dawn by Jeanette Windle

February 6, 2013

Former Marine Robin Duncan has been working private security contracts in some of the world’s most impoverished and corrupt countries. When she takes a job as translator for a multinational company with mining interests in the Democratic Republic of Congo, she’ll come face-to-face with the ugly side of power, greed and personal interest. But her belief that God, if He is good and won’t stop suffering, exists in such a world will also come front and center.

Jeanette Windle’s newest novel, Congo Dawn, is action-packed and full of hard questions and truths. About God and suffering. Power and humility. Violence and peace. Wealth and poverty. Exploitation and redemption. In her typical fashion, Windle has taken true-to-life scenarios and woven a tale that sheds light on darkness in a corner of the world few of us know much about.

In Robin, Windle has created a complex character. She is hardened by life and loss but motivated by love for her niece with expensive health problems. She takes this job to provide for a necessary surgery that her single-mom sister can’t afford. When she begins to suspect that her employer hasn’t been honest with the team and that their mission is less than honorable, she struggles to justify her continued involvement because of her niece’s need.

Add to the mix, an ex-boyfriend, Michael, who is a medical missionary serving in the DRC. They bump into each other as Robin’s team is trying to cross into the country and later cross paths numerous times as the team sets up camp near the medical clinic. Michael and Robin’s history includes a tour in Afghanistan where Robin’s brother died. They haven’t spoken or seen each other in five years. In addition to sorting through their shared baggage, the two become involved in uncovering Robin’s employer’s true motive for the mission she’s on.

The story is compelling and inspiring. Robin wrestles with questions common to mankind. Why so much suffering? Why injustice? How long will you let this go on, God? Are you even out there? How can good possibly win the battle over evil?

The faith of the Congolese people and those serving with them challenges Robin’s relationship with God. And the overriding theme of the novel is one embraced by humanitarian organizations around the world: “The smallest flame shines brightest against the darkest night.”

Congo Dawn is a book I can’t put down, walk away from and forget. Though a work of fiction, it is based in truth. Wealthy countries exploit impoverished ones. A country rich in natural resources is kept from benefitting from them because of corruption and greed. People–God’s people–suffer daily while I live in comfort. And while I am not called to run off to serve in another country, I want to do something.

The author–who is also a friend–has some suggestions for what to take away from a novel like Congo Dawn.

“I would like readers to close Congo Dawn as well as my other titles with a better understanding of the very complex countries and issues they represent outside safe American borders. Even more so, how vital and interconnected events in the international arena, especially such issues as freedom of worship, speech, human rights, are to our own nations’ future and security. Above all, I want every reader to understand what is the only true source of hope and freedom for any society. Bottom line, when enough individual hearts change from hate to love, cruelty to kindness, greed to selflessness, their society will be transformed as well. Change a heart, change a nation. And how does one change hearts? Hopefully, by the last page of Congo Dawn, the reader will have an answer to that as well!”

———

In exchange for my review, I received a free copy of Congo Dawn from Tyndale House Publishers through the Tyndale Blog Network.

When I don't want to dance

February 4, 2013

I’m wrestling with these words.

Or maybe I’m wrestling with God.

Either way, he’s put this verse, or a similar message, in my line of sight more than once recently. And you know what that means, right?

I’d better pay attention.

Here’s the thing, though. These words, they don’t make me happy. They don’t bring me comfort.

Because I feel like God’s dropped the ball. Fight for me? I’m not even sure He remembers who I am right now.

So I’m avoiding Him. Sure, I’m reading my Bible regularly like a good little Christian. And I’m going to church. And I’m praying for my food.

But mostly, I’m escaping into books. Reading about fictional troubles and how the characters overcome gives me a break from my own troubles–the ones I can’t fix.

Silly me, to think that reading a novel would exempt me from messages from God.

Because there it was again. This message–The Lord will fight for you–right in the middle of a really good novel.

How rude.

If it was only the first time I’d seen it, I might dismiss it. But it’s the second time this week. And the third in the last few months. Maybe more.

The message is being delivered, but I’m having trouble accepting it. The Lord is strumming a tune I don’t want to dance to.

I’ve been so confused recently about what we’re supposed to do with the situation we’re in. Sometimes I get the feeling we’re supposed to fix it. To take steps of faith. To move on what we feel is God’s leading even though nothing is clear about that process.

Other times, times like these, I get this message: Wait.

Oh, how I hate waiting.

But here I am. Waiting. And hoping the Lord means what He says. That He’s fighting for us. And that He’ll call us into the battle. To advance at His word and not retreat in fear.

Because those options are equally appealing right now.

Like the Israelites, to whom these words were spoken, I feel trapped between a fearful enemy and an uncrossable sea with no apparent way out.

But God made a way. He opened a path where there wasn’t one before.

This, too, is my hope.

Saturday smiles: Back in the swing edition

February 2, 2013

I’ve been on a sort of self-inflicted protest from this particular weekly post. The last couple of weeks have found us settling back in to the humdrum of life, and frankly, I didn’t have the emotional energy to pay attention to the things around me that are worth smiling about. We’re still in a tight spot financially. We’re not sure what to do about it specifically. The future doesn’t look all that bright or hold much promise. All that to say I’m feeling kind of stuck right now.

But this week offered some reasons to turn my grumpy attitude into a reluctant gratitude. Here’s a short list:

My husband taught our kids how to eat crackers off the table using only their mouths without touching the table. This is a trick he’s been sharing with future generations for years, and it makes me laugh to watch our kids try to imitate his antics.
I got to have coffee and baklava at the best coffee shop in town with a friend. A couple of hours out of the house is always good for a mood change.
A friend called just to check in. Adult interaction, even if by phone, reminds me that I’m not in this alone.
I had some meaningful online interactions this week, too. I know it’s no replacement for face-to-face, but in desperate times, it’s a connection to the outside world.
A stack of good books I’m currently plowing through.
Time to write. And a story I can’t get out of my head even when I’m nowhere near a computer.
My artistic and creative children.

Her brother did this to her.

Also, it’s Groundhog Day, which is a silly holiday but still makes me smile a little. I still want to visit Punxsutawney sometime before we leave Pennsylvania.

It’s not a lot but it’s enough to get me through.

Here’s hoping for many more smiles in the week to come.