Madre's Missives

Yesterday, some of the youth from church (who just all happened to be of the female variety), and I went and cleaned out the gardens of one of our busy members.  After all our hard work, pulling weeds and leaves and old growth out of a

I am listening to Truly, Madly, Completely- The Best of Savage Garden Release Date: 24 January, 2006

I LOVE this town.  When I came here to visit after receiving the offer to be Mt. Olive's new Christian Education and Youth Director, I saw the still-under-construction storefronts for Panera and Chipotle, two of my favorite lunchtime

I am listening to Love Songs Release Date: 24 March, 1998

Dear Madre,

I've been hanging out with this guy a lot lately, and I'm really enjoying it. Thing is, I don't know if there's something there, or if he just views me as a kid sister. How do I know? What do I do about it? Can I even do anything about it?

Help!

Lost in Legalism

I am reading Hoe, Hoe, Hoe: The Lighter Side Of Gardening 2002 Day-To-Day Calendar Mara Bovsun, Mike Santangelo, Andrews McMeel Publishing Release Date: 15 July, 2001

In the past week, I've been asked repeatedly by young ladies for "dating" advice.  This isn't the first time I've been asked for my insight, but it was enough at once that I decided to go with it and start a

I am listening to Measure of a Man Clay Aiken Release Date: 14 October, 2003

No doubt about it, the American culture has a seriously messed-up concept of beauty. We are bombarded daily with pictures of hollow-eyed, emaciated, air-brushed, big-breasted, mostly-naked girls who reach their peak of "beauty" by age 25. Music videos and commercials are more sexualized than ever. Elective plastic surgery, body piercing, tattooing, and other permanent "enhancements" are considered normal. We are obsessed with our appearances and some of us will go to great pains, literally, to feel beautiful.

I am reading Dress Your Best : The Complete Guide to Finding the Style That's Right for Your Body Release Date: 13 September, 2005