Author: Randy Grathen
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Fed-X Truck vs Our Minivan – It’s a Long Way Down
Story by Randy Grathen. One of the fundamental laws of physics says that two objects cannot occupy the same space at the same time. Here’s proof. My sister Kristine’s son got married in July of 2007. They all live in North Carolina. Because we ran a pressure washing company in Camdenton Missouri at the time,… Read more
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Are You a Pollyanna or Mrs. Snow?
Story by Kristine Barnes In 1960 there was a movie, based on a best-selling 1913 novel by Eleanor H. Porter, about a young girl who had a habit of finding the good in every situation. She was a “glass-half-full” kind of girl. Or was that half-empty? That analogy has never made sense to me. Whether… Read more
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Toxic Positivity. Huh??
Story by Laurie Grathen In my post two weeks ago, I recommended you read Dr. Gladys McGarey’s book, The Well-Lived Life. I’m doing my second read through this week, picking up all kinds of things this time that I missed on the first go-round. After Hurricane Ian I put up this sign in our yard.… Read more
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Needs and Wants – Getting out of Debt
Story by Randy Grathen “Mom!” “School is starting, I need some new clothes.” “Mom, I need to get one of those new foldable cell phones. All my friends have one. “Mom, I’m turning 16 next month, can I get a raise in my allowance. I can’t afford to go to Starbucks with my friends anymore.”… Read more
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Abounding Grace
Story by Summer Chaney Have you ever lived your life caught up in the small details of the day to day, consumed by a routine, so much so that you’ve lost sight of the bigger picture? Have you ever continuously let things slide without realizing how rapidly the ice below you was melting away, until… Read more
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Clean Underwear and Ibuprofen…
…and the Joy of Good Clean Fun – August 2017. Story by Laurie Grathen Growing up in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, some of my most vivid good memories of my teen years involved the Rollaire Roller Skating Rink. It was just a few blocks from my house, and as a preteen and teen, it was the place… Read more
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Angels Watching Over Us
Story by Randy Grathen If you’ve ever owned a boat or travel trailer you’ll understand. Laurie and I have been around boats since we were kids. Our parents owned several and we owned boats too. When I retired from the Air Force, we left California and took our 24’ twin log pontoon with a 40hp… Read more
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‘He Didn’t Mean to Do It’
Story by – Michelle Dismute For years, Michelle was furious at the drunk driver responsible for the crash that killed her son Nick. Now, she wants to keep him out of prison. 07/22/23 Grace: an act extending clemency to an offender before the law. Forgiveness: an intentional decision to let go of resentment and anger.… Read more
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Fifty Years in the Making
Story by Randy Grathen. There were so many God things that happened both in the years leading up to moving to Florida and with the actual buying of this home. I can’t begin to share them all here with you. I am not telling you this story to brag, but to share with you how… Read more
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Road trip like Christian walk –
Journey to Wisconsin in our Red Cadillac Story by Kristine Barnes When I take a long road trip, with a specific destination, like a 20-hour drive to Wisconsin in the Fall, I am not where I want to be, but I’m on my way. My current location is only temporary. As I travel, I don’t… Read more