About me

My name is Barbara. I am a Christian “middle-aged” stay-at-home mom. By Christian I mean someone who is born again by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ as the only Savior from sin. I thank God for His patience and grace as He leads me along day by day.

15873126_10158159792530637_7368181944002994424_n(1)I have been married to my wonderful husband, Jim, for over 40  years. When I first started this blog in 2006, we had three young boys at home. Now they are grown and out of the nest. I originally said they kept us “on our toes….and on our knees.” In some ways, they still do. We’ve added a sweet daughter-in-law and adorable grandson to the mix.

When I first started blogging, blogs had a neighborly feel to them. In more recent years, bloggers have been encouraged to find and stay in their niche. I still like the neighborly approach, but my overall desire is to encourage women in their walk with God. I like to think of myself as a friend encouraging others with what God has taught me along the way. Some of my reasons for blogging are here. One of my main passions is getting women into the Word of God for themselves. I’m currently writing a book on that topic. I also love to share the books I am reading and a weekly counting of large and small blessings called Friday’s Fave Fives. I also enjoy writing, decorating, some crafts (mainly making cards) when there is time. I have enough projects I’d like to do and things I’d like to learn to keep me busy for the next 50 years or so.

While this blog is a home to my “stray thoughts,” I hope it will be a blessing to those who stop by. Thank you for visiting, and I hope you’ll come back often.

57 thoughts on “About me”

  3. I am just reading your “about me” page, I laugh becaue it is me (even the three boys) =)) Ok not the 40 something=) (I am not claiming that yet) hehehee…

    “keep us on our toes….and on our knees” that is my favorite saying.

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  4. This blogging stuff is brand new to me but as soon as I learn how, you will added to my favorites. Can hardly wait to give my testimony to the glory of Jesus Christ!!
    Thank you for this wonderful idea.
    …master of none

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  6. I wanted to e-mail you but can’t find a contact spot. I noticed you on the BJU BLoggers. I assume that means you are a grad. I gradutated in 1985. Would love to hear from you.

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  7. Hi, Kim,

    Good to hear from you! Yes, I graduated from BJU in ’80 (should’ve graduated in ’79 — I “crammed 4 years into 5,” as they say. 🙂 )

    I enjoyed looking around your blog.

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  8. Hi Barbara! I found your blog through TT and have enjoyed my visit so much! I’ll be back for another visit soon! I’m adding you to my links! God Bless!

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  9. Hi Barbara! I am new to your blog as I discovered you on “Works for Me Wednesday”. I have enjoyed reading several of your posts and our common desire to honor the Lord. I’ll be back! Blessings, Diane

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  11. That one lost sheep
    Mar 4th, 2007 by Barbara H.

    Safe were the ninety and nine in the fold.
    Safe though the night was stormy and cold;
    But said the Shepherd when counting them o’er,
    One sheep
    ——-
    Please, do you have the music for this song?

    I used to sing it 40 eyars go, and hve lost the copy.

    Celia and Duane Stradley, ministers at retirement homes.
    Thanks

    Reply ↓

  14. I too have been married for 16 years and I have 3 daughters. God is faithful in our recognizable moments – may we always remember what He has done.

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  16. My love of Amy Carmichael’s writings led me in here – and I am glad! I need a group of good solid Christian women to visit with! I am the mother of two sons both now grown and married. I have three grandchildren. I have been married to my second husband for nearly 20 years now. Two years ago he had a stroke but is doing well now. I am 58 years old. I was born in Seattle but now live in the small Oklahoma town of Alva.
    I am a writer and photographer. I enjoy golf, swimming, reading, journaling, genealogy, and antiques – mostly dishes.
    I used to be a runner, now I am way overweight – but working on it (swimming!) and trying not to cook and bake a lot!
    I blog at: http://ricochetsmusings.blogspot.com/
    I welcome email – pkilbourne@hotmail.com

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  17. I went to read your profile and lost my comment.

    I read the post about the February meeting and the panel discussion you tried to create. I am not sure the size of your church, but this might be one of the reasons for no one being willing to participate.

    Have you ever thought of compiling all of these very good posts into a book?

    I attend Women’s Bible Studies and have for years at the different churches we’ve attended. I love working in Women’s Ministry. At our church now, we have many attendees to these studies who are from other churches or unchurched. I have a problem with the way some of the facilitators answer questions in class. I feel they are giving an answer sometimes based on their religion and not on the Word. I don’t think they use enough discretion. It is often their opinion they answer with.

    I have answered question put to me by younger women. I try to do it with the disclaimer that my way may not be their way. I have been married for 41 years so I feel I have a few pointers about marriage and the relationship. Personally, I want my life to reflect Christ’s teaching and not the teaching of a particulare religion or denomination.

    I want to be open to Christ’s leadership in the mentoring of younger women.

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  18. Hi Barbara,
    I have seen your postings on As4Me. I was searching for a copy of “Flame of God” by Amy Carmichael this morning (to use in today’s post on my blog) and one of your posts including the poem came up! I wondered if it was the same BarbaraH….sure ’nuff it was! I had to smile to myself….small world.
    ~Diane H.

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  20. Barbara,
    your words really encouraged me. I am a proud mother of three small children that keep me feeling crazy! Thanks for the help.
    jennifer

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  22. As former program director at Lucerne Christian Conference center I am deeply saddened by the closing. A beautiful old building built so well that it was said it would fall over before it would fall down. But it has been so much more than that. From Dr. Wineger to Don Morgan to Kevin Schmidt to the Pelletiers this building has been use to glorify God many times over. The incredible speakers and the multitudes that were led to the Lord or the mission field or were strengthened in their walk speak volumes of what has happened there.

    Even the history of the building is unbelievable as to how
    God has preserved it for his purpose. I could go on forever about what has taken place there.

    My prayer is that God will use this property again. Thank you to all who have worked there, been there and have prayed for this ministry.

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  23. Thank you so very much for detailing your story of TM. I have been battling it for 8 months now and still struggle to walk on my own and cannot drive. I am a single mom and run a Christian Home School Co-op with 40 kids out of my home. My seven year old daughter has been the one to care for me through most of this struggle. I spent a week in ICU undergoing the same tests that you did. I am now on a medication that does not appear to be helping me physically but is affecting me greatly mentally. Your post was an encouragement as I am feeling very hopeless right now. Thank you.

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  26. I “stumbled upon” you looking for the soundtrack to “Walking Through the Flames”. Isn’t that funny? LOVE that song and would LOVE for our choir to sing it, but I can’t find the soundtrack.. Sigh…

    Anyway, I’ve enjoyed what I’ve read of your site so far and will become a regular.

    By the way, as regards Christian fiction – have you read the Yada Yada Prayer Group series? I and several other ladies at my church really like these books.

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    • Hi Carol,

      Thanks so much for topping by and for commenting! I looked around a little bit and it does not seem to be currently available. That’s sad.

      I have heard of the Yada Yada Prayer Group books but never read them.

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  28. Hello,
    I started a Christian blog about a month ago and would love your opinion of it if you have the time. Thanks and God bless. In Him,

    Eden

    Thorns and Myrtles
    edenellis.wordpress.com

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  29. Thank you so very much for detailing your story of TM. I have been battling it for 8 months now and still struggle to walk on my own and cannot drive. I am a single mom and run a Christian Home School Co-op with 40 kids out of my home. My seven year old daughter has been the one to care for me through most of this struggle. I spent a week in ICU undergoing the same tests that you did. I am now on a medication that does not appear to be helping me physically but is affecting me greatly mentally. Your post was an encouragement as I am feeling very hopeless right now. Thank you.
    +1

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  30. Hi! I’m writing a book entitled “Shepherds & Sheep” and would like to use the picture of ‘The Lost Sheep’ by Alfred Soors on the cover of my book. Could you give me permission to use this picture or do you know of someone who could?
    Thank you, Dale Redlin

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  31. I am blessed by your site. I was just writing my thoughts on “Why I love Jesus” and then googled that title and found your site. I am glad for “middle-age, stay at home moms who love Jesus.

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  32. Hi, I’m a 51 this year gal myself. I worked outside the home only when times were so tough I couldn’t buy groceries. I loved watching my 3 babies grow though I lost one to cancer at age 7. Then there were foster kids, 3 of them and one stayed till she married at 18. Now I run a day care in my home and it serves as much needed income but more importantly helps keep loneliness at bay. God has been good to our family and he has been the only thing keeping me from losing my mind sometimes. I find most of the young families don’t mind me teaching their children about Jesus but they aren’t in church anywhere. That makes me sad. Some of my fondest memories are of our family in church.

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    • Hi Pam. That is sad that some of the young families don’t take their children to church. I’m glad you have the opportunity to tell them of Jesus. Sounds like you have a very full life!

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  33. Hi Barbara, I just found your “Stay Thoughts” and really enjoyed reading them. I hope you will not mind if i share them within our church newsletter. Thanks for taking the time and dedication to share Christ’s light. Rev cbkm

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  34. Hi Barbara,
    I am a 56 year old woman who loves the Lord.
    I am blessed with my husband of almost 36 years.
    We have 3 grown children and now that we are “empty nesters” I find I am
    the primary caregiver for my mother who moved in with us in November.
    Loved your article about the hospital gowns!
    I have worked (not recently as of yet) but find I really like writing and I am interested in getting involved in some avenue.
    I am so blessed by reading your blog! It’s great to connect with someone my
    age with similar interests and goals.
    The reading challenge you spoke about ….reading 12 books for the year…is
    anyone able to join? Do you have to have a blog of your own?
    This is my first time blogging so I don’t even know if I’m doing it right.
    How do I start a blog?
    I stumbled on yours through Karla Dornacher’s website.
    This is great!
    Hope to hear from you…and anyone else who cares to share about this blogging thing.

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  35. This is great! 🙂 … We ourselves have been missionaries in Irian Jaya/Papua for about 40 years now, since 1975. We have lots of stories and other material we haven’t had time to process yet. Email me at rogerdoriot@gmail.com if you want me to send something. You can also see a lot on our FB pages, Roger Doriot and Roger & Suzanne Doriot, and on our web site. http://www.rogerdoriot.com . Nothing is copyrighted. We just want to get the word – and the Word – out to others. 🙂

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  36. Hi Barbabra,
    I have enjoyed the few blog post that I have read from you thus far. I’m a black christian man in my late 20s… So I’m enjoying the perspective from the someone on the exact opposite end of the spectrum. I also appreciate your consistency… 2006! WOW! Great job.

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  37. Stumbled upon your site and thought I’d give you a “follow”! Enjoyed what I’ve read so far. I have two step-children living in SC – one in Greer and one in Charleston. God bless you and have a wonderful day!

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  38. I love reading your blog! I don’t blog but I love reading like minded Christian ladies blogs. I’m ‘nearly 50’. Did I read somewhere that you are in TN? I am in Middle TN. I love the Lord, my family, my pastor husband, etc. Keep up the good work! Rhonda

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  40. THANK YOU SO MUCH! So pleased to “stumble upon” your blog while prepping for a talk on missions that I’ll be doing on Saturday. This “31 Days” blog is great and will be a huge help to me–and to the women that I’m privileged to talk with. We were missionaries twenty years ago for the 15 previous years to that. So great to find you–and we must get actually acquainted. Even if it is virtual.

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  42. Hello there! I just wanted to say that you have an incredible blog, and I enjoy reading what you have to say. I also think your writing is insightful, refreshing, and apt!

    Reply ↓

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