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Freedom Was Never Meant to Be Comfortable

I and a few of my family members spent years wearing a uniform that stood for something bigger than ourselves. Service was never about comfort, convenience, or unanimous agreement. It was about defending principles that mattered, especially when they were tested. One of those principles was simple and deeply ingrained: I may not agree with what you say, but I will fight to the death to protect your right to say it. That belief wasn’t a slogan or a philosophical exercise. It was the reason many of us raised our right hands and swore an oath. When you serve, you learn quickly that freedom isn’t tidy. It’s messy, loud, contradictory, and often uncomfortable. People don’t think alike. They don’t speak alike. And they certainly don’t agree. That diversity of thought isn’t a flaw in a free society, it’s the evidence that freedom is working. The mission was never to protect only the voices we liked or agreed with. It was to defend the freedom that allowed all voices to exist, even the ones ...
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Grateful Hearts, Faithful Steps, and a Merry Christmas!

 As this year comes to a close, I want to take a moment to simply say thank you. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read my blogs, share them, comment on them, or even just quietly follow along. When I first started writing, it wasn’t about numbers or reach—it was about being real, sharing my journey, and hopefully encouraging someone along the way. Your support has meant more than you know. Writing these blogs has been both humbling and healing for me. They’ve allowed me to reflect on where I’ve been, where God has brought me from, and where I’m being led next. Some posts were easy to write, others required vulnerability and prayer, but each one came from the heart. Knowing that they resonated with others reminds me that God can use even our simplest words for a greater purpose. I’m especially grateful for the conversations that have come from these writings. Whether it’s a message, a phone call, or a conversation in passing, hearing how something I wrote encouraged...
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The Heart of Retail: Why Boycotts Like “We Ain’t Buying It” Hurt the People Who Can’t Afford It

After years as a Walmart Store Manager, one truth became crystal clear to me: the heart of every big retailer isn’t the CEO, the shareholders, or the corporate office. It’s the hourly workers. The cashiers who greet you with a smile. The stockers who lift heavy freight through the night. The associates who clean spills, run returns, and keep shelves full. They are the engine that keeps these stores alive. And when the recent “We Ain’t Buying It” protest called for a boycott of Walmart, Target, Home Depot, and Amazon over the holiday weekend, my first thought wasn’t about the corporations — it was about those workers. The protest aims to make a statement by urging people not to shop from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday. People have every right to speak up on issues they care about. But having spent years in the trenches of retail, I know exactly who feels the impact first. It isn’t executives in office towers — it’s the people standing on tile floors for eight hours, earning hourly w...
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Why So Many Are Turning to Non-Denominational Churches — And Why Radiant Church Became Our Home

 Across America, a quiet but powerful shift is transforming the spiritual landscape. More individuals and families are stepping away from traditional denominational structures and discovering a renewed sense of purpose, community, and belonging within non-denominational churches. This movement isn’t driven by rebellion or division — it’s fueled by a growing desire for authenticity, real connection, and a faith that speaks into everyday life in a meaningful way. In the past few decades, the number of Americans identifying as non-denominational Christians has surged from under 3% in the early 1970s to roughly 13–14% today , representing nearly 40 million people. Meanwhile, traditional denominations have seen steady declines. Between 2010 and 2020 alone, more than 4,000 new non-denominational churches opened across the country, bringing an estimated 6.5 million new attendees into this movement. For many, the shift reflects a longing for a form of Christianity rooted in Scripture, c...
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With Veterans Day Approaching: Honoring Our Veterans and the Heroes Who Never Came Home

 With Veterans Day approaching, our nation begins to reflect on the extraordinary men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States Armed Forces. Flags will soon wave in honor, ceremonies will be held in small towns and big cities alike, and Americans everywhere will pause to give thanks. But we don’t need to wait for a specific date to show our gratitude. Honoring our veterans — and remembering those who never made it home — should be something we carry in our hearts every single day. Every veteran carries a story etched into the fabric of our nation. Some returned home with visible medals; others carry silent scars that few can see. Yet each one made a choice — to serve something greater than themselves, to stand for liberty and justice, and to protect a nation they loved more than their own comfort. That kind of courage deserves not just a day, but a lifetime of gratitude. And for those who did not make it home — our fallen heroes — we honor you with solemn hearts. ...
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Rate Drop Opportunity: What the Fed’s Latest Cut Means for Bay County Buyers — Including Our Veterans

 The Federal Reserve just announced another quarter-point rate cut , lowering its benchmark range to 3.75%–4.00% . For homebuyers across Bay County, Pinconning, and the Tri-Cities, this marks a new window of opportunity. Even a small shift in rates can open big doors for families ready to make a move — or for sellers hoping to attract fresh activity before winter sets in. While the Fed’s move doesn’t directly set mortgage rates, it sends ripples through the entire housing market. According to industry data, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate has slipped to around 6.3% , the lowest in roughly a year. That’s welcome news after months of affordability challenges that kept many buyers on the sidelines. For buyers, this rate relief can mean more home for the same payment — or simply more breathing room in your monthly budget. For sellers, it often means increased buyer traffic as affordability edges upward. In other words, momentum is starting to shift again just as we move into...
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Another Camping Season in the Books: Memories Made, Adventures Awaiting

 As the leaves start to fall and the evenings turn crisp, our family has officially wrapped up another unforgettable camping season. It’s a bittersweet feeling—packing up the 5th wheel one last time for the year, sweeping out the sand and pine needles that tell stories of our adventures. This summer was one for the books, filled with laughter, exploration, and countless moments that reminded us why camping has become such a treasured part of our family life. We kicked off our summer with two incredible weeks at Tahquamenon Falls State Park . Nestled in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, this park is a wonder of nature—powerful waterfalls, winding trails, and towering trees that make you feel small in the best way. We spent our days hiking along the falls, cooking over the campfire, and soaking in the beauty of the wilderness that seemed to stretch endlessly. There’s something about hearing the rush of those falls at sunset that makes time stand still. Between the big adventures, we made...
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