Carol of the Rooms Now Available

It is with great pleasure that I announce my debut novel, “Carol of the Rooms” is now available. This story has been through a lot of changes over the last eight years since it was originally written but it is a great pleasure to finally be able to share my “book baby” with you, my dear reader. Discover why Terri […]

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Behind the Song: O Holy Night

In 1847, Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure was most likely shocked when the parish priest asked him to write a poem for Christmas Mass. De Roquemaure was the commissioner of wines in a small French town and well known for his poetry.  He was an unlikely person for the priest to ask to write this poem, in the fact that he was […]

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Behind the Hymn: We Gather Together

We Gather Together is a popular hymn sung at Thanksgiving.  The song was written in 1597 by Adrianus Valerius.  The original title of the Dutch hymn was “Wilt heden nu treden“. The song was written to celebrate the Dutch victory over the Spanish forces in the Battle of Turnhout.  The song acknowledges the triumph over the nation’s turbulent history. In […]

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Behind the Song: Ave Maria

Franz Schubert composed the popular Catholic hymn in 1825, as part of his Opus 52.  He titled the song “Ellens dritter Gesang” or Ellen’s Third Song. Philip Adam Storck translated and published the poem Lady of the Lake into German in 1819.  This was the inspiration for Schubert’s work. The song was composed as a setting for Sir Walter Scott’s […]

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Behind the Hymn: America the Beautiful

In honor of Veteran’s Day this week, I wanted to look at a beloved Patriotic hymn. Katharine Lee Bates and a group of colleagues ascended up Pike’s Peak by prairie wagon in the summer of 1893 while on a working vacation.  She was so inspired by the view that beheld her that she began to write the poem to America […]

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Rebel to Redeemed: Meeting the Enemy

I was going through my life and day to day activities. I was enjoying the life of a Casual Christian, but not putting any other effort into my relationship with God. I was busy finishing up my last year of college, which included a semester of student teaching. I was looking forward to finishing school, settling into a career and […]

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Second Chances: Joseph

Last week we took a look at the second chances God gave Jacob.  Today let’s look at his favorite son, Joseph. Joseph was the first son born of his mother, Rachel.  He had ten half-brothers and at least one half-sister from his father’s other wives.  After years of waiting, one can imagine the joy he brought to Rachel when she […]

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7 Benefits of a Walking Partner

Last night I went walking with a friend.  While we would like to walk on a more regular basis, coordinating our schedules have made this difficult at times. However, I’ve discovered that a walking partner is a great motivation for accountability.  You have to show up when you say you are going to show up and you have to walk. […]

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Rebel to Redeemed: Running from Destiny

Last week, I shared about my call to serve.  However, I wasn’t ready to answer that call.  I was perfectly happy with my life at that time. Years ago I used to sing a song called casual Christian.  However, I didn’t realize this was exactly what I was.  I was living the life of a casual Christian. So what do […]

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In the Struggle: Planning Ahead

This past week I took a trip several hours away.  I realized during the trip that I should have planned ahead when it came to my meals.  Two of my meals were fast food.  I was surprised when I entered the calories into MyFitnessPal just how many were involved in the choices I’d made, even when I thought they were […]

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Rebel to Redeemed: The Call to Serve

Following Daddy’s death, I was very angry.  I was especially angry at God.  I couldn’t understand why he would take my Daddy when he had so much going for him. I really struggled with this, especially when I visited Papa {Daddy’s father}.  Papa was in his late 80s and suffering from dementia.   I didn’t understand God’s reasoning in any of […]

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Behind the Song: I Can Only Imagine

I recently heard someone publicly say they did not like the song, “I Can Only Imagine.”  Their reason was that they could not imagine dancing when we get to heaven. The scriptures include several references of dancing before the Lord.  These include: “And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.” […]

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Rebel to Redeemed: Teenage Rebellion

I am so thankful that my parents trained me in the way I should go. For the most part I did what was asked of me as a child. However, around the time I graduated high school I began to rebel. I thought I knew what was best.  I was anxious to test my wings and freedom, but also afraid […]

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Struggle Tuesday: Importance of Support Groups

  Last Monday evening I attended the celebration for our First Place 4 Health group. When I began attending the group, I knew no one there.  However, I quickly made friends. We faced many ups and downs during this session, but together we continued to take small steps together to reach the end of our journey. The journey of weight […]

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