They’ve done it—foster care or adoption. Maybe you warned them with a comment from last week. Maybe you were wise enough to keep your mouth shut. But now the child—or children—are living in their home, going to your kid’s school, attending your church. Are there additional things you shouldn’t say at this point? Oh, yes. …

This month is National Foster Care Month. Originally I thought it was National Adoption Month, but that’s November, apparently. This month I will be blogging on adoption and foster care issues. A friend or relative tells you they’re considering adoption or foster care. Your eyes get big. Your mind runs wild. Your lips purse. If you’re …

There was an ad in our Sunday paper that urged us to “Spend $20 on the 20th.” They want you to spend money every 20th of the month to support the local economy. It doesn’t actually say so, but by the “Think Local” button that Andrew Jackson is wearing in the picture, I believe it …

What do you do when you wake up and life has lost its color? When sadness makes the whole day look unappealing? This morning I wanted to wallow. I debated whether it was better to stay in bed all day with a brain-candy book or to run away and spend the day shopping and eating …

(Book begins with the Preface in the January 31 post.) Please note: This chapter was written several years ago. Some of the activities we supported then have changed, but the principles of the illustration remain the same. Neighborhood Mission It can become very easy as “do-gooders” to throw money, or even prayers, at causes and …