Messages in bottles have been the stuff of folklore for centuries. Dying, desperate sailors have hurled them. Curious children have launched them. Nicholas Sparks wrote a novel based on them, but don’t read it—or watch the movie—unless you already have a prescription for antidepressants. The story I find most interesting about such bottles,...

Not sure why you are going through this personal tragedy? Searching for why God is doing this? Take our Life Lesson called "Built By Brokenness" and find some answers that you have been searching for. After losing our twins girls at 20 weeks gestation, my world completely fell apart. As I gingerly attempted to reintegrate my new, raw reality...

When my son was diagnosed with autism, I was surprised at the depths of grief that threatened to overwhelm me. Even though I still had my son, I felt as if I had lost him in some ways. The burden of mourning and moving into a new normal was not a load I was able to carry on my own. Thankfully, my family and friends linked arms with me, walking...

At 19 weeks I gave birth to a little boy.  We named him Jacob.  We said hello and goodbye in the same hour. He is not a miscarriage or an almost-child, he is my son.  This letter was written three years after his birth.  This is a glimpse into my mother’s heart, a letter written to Jacob my son who resides in heaven.  If you (or someone you...

If you are dealing with an unfaithful spouse, the pain you are feeling unfortunately comes with the territory.  The consequences of an affair are overwhelming and horrifically painful.  I have heard it likened to post traumatic stress syndrome.  You are in a place you never expected to be. Here are a few things that will help you navigate this...

If your family is floundering financially, it may be time to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and make up a family financial plan. Consumer Credit Counseling Service suggests keeping the following tips in mind when developing your family budget: 1. Your budget should be tailored to your needs, values and priorities, with special consideration...

The role of an executor A close friend has just asked me to be his executor. Before I accept this appointment, can you tell me what it involves? I assume it is a relatively simple task. This job can be simple or complex depending on the clarity of the Will and the Estate Plan. Of course the size of the estate has some bearing on the matter,...