Grandma's Wisdom with My Two Cents I sat down with my grandma, a woman whose smile could light up a room and whose stories are like warm hugs, to talk about life, love, and the lessons that stick. Her answers, rooted in faith and down-to-earth grit, gave me a front-row seat to a life lived with heart and purpose. As someone who’s all about faith, community, and spreading joy, I couldn’t help but add my own advice to her gems, inspired by her wisdom and my own journey. Buckle up for Grandma’s insights, my chaotic spin, and a double dose of life advice! Living the Good Life Grandma’s got a clear vision for a good life: “I believe a good life can only be with God as your guide and you following Him wherever He leads. You might have some good times, but you miss out at the end.” It’s like she’s saying you can throw a killer party, but without faith, you’re missing the confetti at the end. For her, God’s the compass that keeps you from wandering into life’s dead ends, and I’m here for ...
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Family Ain't Always Blood: My Tribe, My Spiritual Kin Family isn’t just the folks you share DNA with—sometimes, it’s the people who show up when life’s throwing punches and you’re down for the count. I’m super grateful for my blood family who are there for me when they can be, especially my dad, who’s my absolute rock, always in my corner no matter what. But I’d be lying if I said everyone in my family is close—some don’t talk to me or include me much, and that’s okay; we all have our own paths and struggles. Living with SMA my whole life, I’ve got challenges most folks can’t imagine—like not being able to move or not being able to get out when I want to. And let's not forget the not so Prince Charming that played me like a fiddle. This past year, depression and anxiety had me so far down in the dumps, I was practically living in a pit of despair. But God? He’s got a way of sending the right people at the right time, and let me tell you, the crew I’ve found has been the glue I...
Taking Control: Seizing Power with SMA Life with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), depression and anxiety can feel like you’re trapped in a hellish game of pinball, bouncing between obstacles you didn’t choose. Your body won’t move, the world’s a chaotic mess, and control seems like a pipe dream for suckers. Hell no! You’re not a pawn—you’re the damn king or queen of your board. I use my Tobii Dynavox to run my world, and even with SMA, depression and anxiety trying to trip me up, I’m grabbing life by the horns. Here’s how I take control and live like a badass, and how you can unleash your inner warrior too. Emotions? They Bow to Me Some days, SMA or just basic life makes me feel like I’m carrying a heavy boulder. Even depression and anxiety can make me not want to do anything for the day or just cry into the abyss. But, I’m not letting those feelings call the shots. With my Tobii Dynavox, I choose my vibe—cranking a podcast that pumps me up or diving into an audiobook that sparks jo...
Embracing Grace: Why We Shouldn’t Judge Fellow Christians Alright, let’s get real for a second. We’re all human, right? Even those of us who love Jesus, go to church, and try to live out our faith. Being a Christian doesn’t mean we’ve got a halo glued to our heads or that we’re suddenly immune to screwing up. Spoiler alert: we still mess up, trip over our own feet, and occasionally make choices that’d make our Sunday school teachers wince. But here’s the thing—stumbling doesn’t mean we’ve threw our faith out the window or gone rogue from God’s plan. So, let’s talk about why we need to chill on judging other Christians, embrace the fact that we’re all works in progress, and recognize that not every misstep is a one-way ticket to spiritual failure. Nobody’s Perfect, and God’s Cool with That The Bible’s pretty clear: we’re all sinners, saved by grace (Romans 3:23-24). God knows we’re not perfect—He didn’t expect us to be. That’s why Jesus showed up in the first place. When a Christia...
My Prison Pen Pal Proposal Debacle: A Love Story Gone Wrong Buckle up, folks, because I’m about to haul you through the wild hell of my most unhinged romantic disaster. This tale’s got more twists than a soap opera bender. I joined a prison ministry pen pal program, thinking I’d spread some light. Instead, I got suckered by a wannabe minister with a rap sheet, leaving my heart bruised and my head spinning. Here’s how I fell for a jailbird and fought my way out. The Pen Pal Meet-Cute It started innocently, about 8 years ago, like a rom-com before it crashes into hell. I signed up to write letters to inmates, hoping to brighten a cell. Enter Jailhouse Jake (fake name, real shady vibes), a guy studying to become a minister, of all things. His letters were smoother than a shady preacher’s sermon, dripping with charm, wit, and just enough holy talk to make me think, “This guy’s got a soul!” Spoiler: that soul was on lockdown, and I was about to get played like a chea...