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Monday, March 16, 2026

“Here I am, Use Me”

 I’ve discovered a timeless truth: no matter what life brings, God can transform our willingness into something wonderful. From a young age, a spark within me longed to serve in ministry. As I grew, the flame of my calling burned brighter, guiding me to stand alongside my pastor and his wife in faithful service. With two little ones by my side, I embraced every opportunity to support our church family- from preparing the sanctuary to singing a spontaneous solo when needed. My heart was always ready to say, “Here I am, use me!” Without being asked, I’d arrive early to ensure everything was in order, just as I would welcome guests into my own home. My dedication earned me a sacred trust - the key to the church buildings - and eventually, a place on the payroll, doing what I would have done for free, but with a newfound sense of purpose and belonging.

My dream job was my holy grail, the place where God’s purpose and my passion converged. But life had other plans. Divorce and single motherhood to two tiny tots thrust me into a new reality. I traded ministry for a secretary’s desk at an HCA hospital, struggling to keep up with the demands of my new normal. Stress, anxiety, and self-doubt crept in, whispering lies that God’s calling was lost forever. How could I serve Him with a heart in shambles? Yet, in His grace, He proved me wrong. I discovered that my weaknesses didn’t disqualify me; they made me relatable. Our strengths inspire, but our weaknesses give hope. Hallelujah, indeed!

“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” Isaiah 40:29

“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13

This picture of me with my two littles was taken when I was a single mom, working full-time and still doing ministry in the 80’s.

Sunday, March 15, 2026

In Woodland Solace

In Woodland Solace!

In Woodland Solace,
I find my peace
Problems may exist
But not then
I feel bliss

The forest whispers
relief from pain
A balm for the broken,
sad, and the vain

In nature’s embrace,
my mood is light
My faith renewed,
my heart takes flight

Out here I see 
the handiwork of my Creator
A masterpiece of wonder,
a testament of His glee

The woods remind me
to rest on Hope
To trust in the ONE 
who makes my spirit cope

With every breath,
my soul revives
In the woods,
I find my heart’s alive


-written by Donella Gallo

Deuteronomy 30:20 …that you may love the LORD your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him.

Camping 4th of July 2019 on Lake Okatibbe in Mississippi

Saturday, March 14, 2026

~Noah

All I Really Need to Know, I Learned From Noah’s Ark

Written by Miscellaneous Contributers

  • Plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.
  • Stay fit. When you’re 600 years old, someone might ask you to do something REALLY big.
  • Don’t listen to critics - do what has to be done.
  • Build on high ground.
  • For safety’s sake, travel in pairs.
  • Two heads are better than one.
  • Speed isn’t always an advantage. The cheetahs were on board, but so were the snails.
  • If you can’t fight or flee - float.
  • Take care of your animals as if they were the last ones on earth.
  • Don’t forget that we’re all in the same boat.
  • When the doo-doo gets really deep, don’t sit there and complain - shovel.
  • Stay below deck during the storm.
  • Remember that the ark was built by amateurs and the Titanic was built by professionals.
  • If you have to start over, have a friend by your side.
  • Remember that the woodpeckers INSIDE are often a bigger threat than the storm outside.
  • Don’t miss the boat.
Found this on http://powertochange.com/life/learnfromnoah/

And Noah did according to all that the Lord commanded him. Genesis 7:5



This is a picture I took of the Mediterranean Sea 
when I visited Nerja, Spain in 2007.