Sentimental Surprises

One of the messages that I have so carefully guarded on Crutchprints is the fact that there are times God chooses not to answer our prayers, for whatever reason, and that is ok. There are times that no matter how much we pray, fast, read scripture, believe, and cling – the answer is no. UnderstandingContinue reading “Sentimental Surprises”

The Space Between a Heartbeat and Heartbreak

“I’m not finding a heartbeat.” The five words I am now certain every expecting parent finds tosses their joys, their hopes, and their excitement as effortlessly as one flipping a coin. Those five words existed between expecting a heartbeat, and experiencing heartbreak. It didn’t make sense to me. My body was still acting like IContinue reading “The Space Between a Heartbeat and Heartbreak”

Self Reflection Workbook: Fires and Burnout

This workbook is for a four-week look at fires and burnout in our lives. This is an opportunity for self-reflection, gaining new skill sets, and analyzing the things in our lives that may be consuming too much time, relationships, our health, or our careers. This printable four week study guide is packed with exercises toContinue reading “Self Reflection Workbook: Fires and Burnout”

A Day in the Life of a Legless Farmer

I glanced down at my fit-bit in the sun, using my hand to shade the screen. I had 360 minutes of cardio and peak activity that day. The day before I had 240 minutes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Heart Association recommend moderate-intensity activity for roughly 150 minutes per week.Continue reading “A Day in the Life of a Legless Farmer”

Fostering the Road to Nowhere (A Short Story)

Authors Note: Dear Reader, Atypical to the Crutchprints blog, this post contains a short story which will take the average reader about 25 minutes to consume. It is well worth your time, I assure you. This fiction is meant to highlight the difficulties and lapses that exist within the parameters of the existing American fosterContinue reading “Fostering the Road to Nowhere (A Short Story)”

The Kindness Circle

My Dad was sitting across the table from me with a cup of coffee, smiling. At 60 years old, his white hair and wrinkles still didn’t hide the spark of youth lingering behind his eyes. “You know, when I was a little kid, I made this wooden cross in Oxford with some church thing. IContinue reading “The Kindness Circle”

Pennsylvania Press Club Announcement

To My Dearest Followers, Have you had a chance enjoy Crutchprint’s book published in 2020? It is worth a look as “Crutchprints in the Sand: Chest of Timeless Treasures” has now received honorable mention as the 2021 Pennsylvania Federation of Press Women’s Award. In addition, my article, “Public Whispers, Relations and Funerals” received third placeContinue reading “Pennsylvania Press Club Announcement”

You Can’t Be Your Own Hero

I’ve recently had a first. At my age, I didn’t feel there were too many more firsts that I could experience so I was pleasantly surprised. We were watching a movie about a woman that was an amputee and hero in WWII, and I felt convicted. Wow, I thought, If she could do all ofContinue reading “You Can’t Be Your Own Hero”

The Master’s Plan

God has a long history of influencing leaders. It may even be argued that he likes using difficult leaders at times. To me, these stories have served as a wonderful reminder that he is the one true God, he is the one in charge, and man’s folly cannot undo or stop his goodness.  In GenesisContinue reading “The Master’s Plan”

God IS.

Last night our beloved 4 lb Chihuahua came up to us and within mere minutes she transformed from the bundle of love that we knew into an unresponsive and dying dog. She was only eight, but an exploding tumor or aneurysm took her from us suddenly. Having no children, it is a loss that IContinue reading “God IS.”