I do not yet have biological children of my own. The children who come into my home arrive through foster care, but I have become increasingly uncomfortable with calling them “my foster kids.” I am not ashamed of foster care. In fact, I am proud to serve as a respite and emergency foster care provider. …
Today I was asked to take in a 16-year-old boy. I couldn’t say yes. I received the email this afternoon while sitting in my office. As I read through his history, I immediately started crying. He is sixteen years old but functions intellectually at approximately the level of an eight-year-old. Much of that is believed …
The Assignment: Purpose: The purpose of this project is to learn about different communication styles and identify your primary style. Overview: Complete the Discover Your Communication Style questionnaire to help you identify your style. Deliver a 5- to 7-minute speech at a club meeting about your communication style and its impact on your professional and/or personal relationships. …
Dynamic Leadership Level 2 Speech #1: The purpose of this project is for the member to identify their primary leadership styles or styles and share some aspect(s) of their primary leadership style or discuss leadership styles in general. “Leadership is Responsibility” When people talk about leadership today, we hear a lot of words like collaboration, …
Happy New Year! If your 2025 looked anything like mine, you may have realized that while it wasn’t the year you expected, it might have been the year you needed. Last year was NOT wrapped in shiny paper or tied neatly with a bow. It came in layers. Some jagged, some soft, ALL meaningful. For …
Over the last few months, I’ve shared simple posts about fostering.Just small glimpses into my life. Recently, I received a message from someone I never would have expected to hear from – a former foster child. He wrote: “Hey, I saw your post about fostering. As a former foster kid, I’m always thankful there are …
The purpose of this project is for the speaker to practice using vocal variety or body language to enhance a speech. Madam Toastmaster, fellow Toastmasters, and honored guests, This past week, someone I knew, someone vibrant, loved, and woven into the fabric of my hometown community, passed away unexpectedly. No warning.No slow decline.No time to …
The purpose of this project is for the speaker to practice using vocal variety or body language to enhance a speech. (Begin softly, standing still, almost like the audience is entering your home for a moment) Them: “Mommy! Mommy! Are you up? Wake up!” Me: “I’m up! I’m up! I promise!” (Not really…) Them: “Can …
Opening: “Why me?” Have you ever asked yourself that question? Maybe you’ve asked it dramatically. Maybe not. It doesn’t mean wallowing in self-pity.It’s a raw and very human question. And we’ve all been there – me too – staring at the aftermath of something I didn’t see coming.Wondering what I missed. How it unraveled. Why …
Good afternoon, fellow Toastmasters. If you had seen my life from the outside a few years ago, you probably would’ve said, “She’s got it all together.” College degree? Check. Two stable careers. Check. Calendar color coded and goals mapped out? Double Check. I was the one who got things done. Who had it all. ON …