I can’t seem to get my mind off the idea of leadership. If you’ve been reading The Whole Report these past few weeks, you know that. I’ve been pondering leading and how motherhood and homeschooling and writing and business all require it. In particiular, I told you this past week about Jon Acuff’s newest book, Start. It’s his encouragement to those of us who have a dream, but yet haven’t fully launched any action to make it come true.

There’s always something on my mind. Some of the things cluttering and clinking around in there are projects. Many of those are real and tangible projects like painting the dining room or deep cleaning the den. And while I know absolutely nothing about gardening, I keep thinking I’d like to plant some produce.

The tiny squeak I heard was the bedroom door. As I look to see a little pair of eyes peeking through the opening, I hear, “I just checking on you, Mama.”

I am well-protected while I work. Graham has made sure of that. From where I sit, I can see a Star Wars light saber. I also have a Marvel Heroes coaster for my coffee cup. And let’s be honest, you never know when you need Hans Solo or The Hulk to help you out.

Beth Pensinger is infatuated with love stories. She’s watched all the movies and read all the books.

“I’ve always been obsessed with romance,” she said.

That obsession kicked into high gear with the Twilight books and films.

“Go, Mama, Go!” Graham shouted from the sidelines. Such sweet words from a sweet 4-year-old voice to mark the end of my 3.1-mile adventure run called Rugged Maniac.

The first time Francis Alford heard about a community garden project was on a Sunday morning. The words came from the pulpit.

Alford said his pastor, the Rev. Scott Johnson, mentioned the idea to the Union United Methodist Church congregation at the end of a sermon a few months ago. As Johnson pitched the project, he also asks for volunteers to put some action behind the vision.

Mama died November 17, 2003. She was 74-years-old. That’s her in the photo, the third one from the left.

I’m amazed at how little I know about the natural world. It seems everywhere I look, and everything I read, I am reaffirmed of this truth.

I began homeschooling my daughter, Page, a few weeks ago.

Today, Keith put in the final element in the layout of my Bible study. After I nervously typed and clicked my way through the process of obtaining a barcode for We Are IN, I hit download. Within seconds, the identifying information for my precious creation was before me. 

Somewhere along the line you’d think I’d get used to being overwhelmed by God, but so far it hasn’t happened. I am continually floored by His grace and His perfect patience in dealing with me.

She goes through the motions, staying close to the routine. 
She feels trapped by the sameness, longing to be seen.
She can’t fall apart, can’t really be herself.
So tired of hiding behind the standards of someone else.