I believe that God wants me to have friends that will walk through this life with me. One of the best parts of my life is the amazing friendships I have. I lean on my girlfriends. God provides so much tangible love and support through my friends. In fact, a while back, I was having a pretty big struggle in my marriage. And two women seemingly...

When Josie Alvord turned twenty-one she found herself living the life of a total stranger. She had regularly given thought to the kind of life she hoped to lead one day – a life full of children, a loving husband, a home in the country. But when her husband abandoned her and their six-month-old son, Josie's previous wishes suddenly became unrealistic...

The path to becoming an excellent mother may be a tumultuous and difficult one. One familiar quote says, “By the time I got parenting figured out, they were grown and gone.” We all know that we learn so much as we go through life experiences, each one building on the other. One key to growing and maturing as a mother lies in how we respond to...

Veteran moms share their best advice for those beginning the journey of motherhood These are some tips that I gleaned from some of the women of my home church, Blackberry Creek, in Aurora, Illinois. Spiritual & emotional: First things first - you won't find time to spend with God. You will need to make time - do it. His patience, love...

I had always been fortunate in the past. I was a quiet girl and I kept to myself. The sharp-tongued gossips in town had always left me alone. My life was not interesting enough for a discussion in line at the market or over a cool drink in a shady café. I studied, worked hard and spent time with the other girls my age. It was hot where I grew...

Letting go of my children has always been difficult for me. As a mother, I often fear the unknown. Each time one of my children encounters a new stage, I am confronted by a sense of inadequacy. When my children reached the age where others began to influence them, I felt my self-esteem needed to be in check. My children's lives suddenly weren't...