New this week! Hey there, friend! I spent this past week in Washington, D.C. for work and had the opportunity to visit the Vietnam Veterans Wall, something that has been a dream of mine since learning about Johnny Wehr, a family member to the homestead, who served and gave the ultimate sacrifice. On July 20, 1945, was born a little boy who was named John Leslie Wehr of whom many called “Johnny.” Of all the history I have read and the stories I have heard, John Leslie Wehr is a name that is known to the entire community and is a name that has not been forgotten since his passing in the Vietna ..read more

New this week! Hey there, friend! I have two new friends to introduce to you this week on the Grounded in the Middle Podcast! Author Andi Ashworth and beloved Grammy Award-winning, Billboard Chart topping music producer, Charlie Peacock join me to share about their new book, Why Everything That Doesn’t Matter, Matters So Much. At its core, “Why Everything That Doesn’t Matter, Matters So Much” is a roadmap for those who feel the weight of the world’s pain and seek a meaningful response. Charlie Peacock and Andi Ashworth, with their years of experience and profound insights, present a collectio ..read more

New this week! Hey there, friend! How many of us can relate to the ebb and flow of life, marked by peaks and pits that shape our journey? If you’re nodding in agreement, you’re not alone. Life is a rollercoaster, and some days are a symphony of peaks, while others drag us through valleys. But fear not, for in every low point, the only way to go is up. In a recent podcast episode, my daughter Caroline joined me to explore the highs and lows of life, sharing her experiences from the heart of the countryside. Her perspective offers valuable insights and wisdom that resonate with us all. It’s a ..read more

New this week! Hey there, friend! Have you ever been offended by someone before? Or maybe you have found yourself having been the offender? On the Grounded in the Middle podcast this week, I’m joined by Valerie George, author of the new bible study, Live Unoffended: A Bible Study on How to Live at Peace with Others and we dive into the intricacies of conflicts, exploring the roles of the offender, the offended, and the mediator. Drawing wisdom from Romans 12:18, Valerie aims to guide us in the pursuit of peace — teaching us how to be less offensive, less easily offended, and how to foster for ..read more

New this week! Hey there, friend! This week on Grounded in the Middle Podcast, Kristen Stockton, a seasoned business leader, speaker, facilitator, and certified coach with over 30 years of experience, joins me to chat about stepping out in faith! Kristen’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. With a background working for top global brands in Learning and Development, Diversity and Inclusion, Philanthropy, and various facets of Human Capital, she has honed her skills as an inspirational leader and master facilitator. Throughout her career, Kristen has been a driving force in achieving rete ..read more

New this week! Hey there, friend! Photo from Madi’s House I’m so delighted to have Julie Raleigh join me on this week’s episode of the Grounded in the Middle podcast. In 2019, Madi’s House was established by Julie Raleigh in memory of her daughter, Madi, who tragically passed away at the age of 24 by taking her own life. Madi had expressed a desire for a secure and welcoming space before her untimely death. In response to her wish, the Raleigh family founded the organization that very year, dedicated to bringing Madi’s vision to life. Madi’s House provides a supportive environment for young a ..read more

Hey there, friend! Have you ever wondered why we put a star on the top of our Christmas trees? One thought behind is that the Star of Bethlehem, also referred to as the ‘Christmas Star,’ guided the wise men to the birthplace of Jesus. And did you know the Star of Bethlehem is unique in that it is only referenced in the Gospel of Matthew’s nativity story and the star signifies the birth of Christ. Have you ever considered how you can be a light for others when their world feels dark? So often it is hard to have faith and hope when we are met with difficult times, and we can’t see the path ahead ..read more

Hey there, friend! Do you ever find yourself running into a word time and time again. This past week, the word “restored” kept catching my attention. So, I decided to dig into the word a bit and share it with you in case you too find yourself in the middle of restoration. In the Merrium Webster Dictionary, it defines restored as: Give Back, Return :to put or bring back into existence or use :to bring back to or put back into a former or original state: RENEW :to put again in possession of something As an old house steward, I have been asked if we are renovating or restoring our 1837 farmhou ..read more

Hey there, friend! When is the last time you walked away from your phone for a day? Okay, if that is too extreme, how about a couple of hours? With the holidays here I have a challenge that I think is going to make you nervous to do at first but will appreciate once you try it! I am challenging you to a tech detox. Yes, I know the holidays are here and there are Black Friday sales, Cyber Monday sales, and emails with the best deals filling your inbox at record speed. But guess what. Everything that is in your inbox can wait. I mean we all know the deals get better when it gets closer to Chris ..read more

Hey there, friend! Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com When is the last time you planned for yourself? With the holidays quickly approaching, it is easy for us to get swept away in all the tinsel and to-do-lists until we find ourselves washed up in the new year wondering where the time went. The holidays can often feel like sand in an hourglass. There is a pressure to squeeze in merry moments, shopping, and attend several end of the year events that leave us relying on caffeine to get us through the following day packed full of cheer. Before you find yourself wrapped up in the whirlwind of the holi ..read more