Building Strong Foundations

05/18/2023

Thank you to the women of Universal City UMC for inviting me out to speak today. It was an honor and joy to be there with you. Your hearts for leaning about unhealthy, abusive relationships and how to help is amazing.

05/06/2023

Honored to be included in the San Antonio Express-News this week.
Hopefully, by raising awareness, we can all help prevent and avoid abusive relationships.
https://bit.ly/DDExpNews

Abusive relationships are an epidemic we need to recognize and help prevent.

04/25/2023

So thankful for the opportunity to be interviewed on seven podcasts during February and March for Teen Dating Violence Awareness.

Grateful to each of the hosts for having me on their show, for the thoughtful questions they asked, and for their desire to help raise awareness of this important topic.

Link in the comments.

04/22/2023

https://www.buildstrongfoundations.com/post/finding-value-despite-difficulty

The weekend of my 19th birthday, the boy I’d been dating for over two years r***d me. He later told me it was because I wasn’t ready to go when he arrived to pick me up that night. The relationship had been abusive for a long time; this was just a new layer. A few months later, I found the coura...

03/26/2023

On average, a victim leaves an abusive relationship seven times. The break-up and time after are the most dangerous so it's important to understand why they may leave and how to help them.
https://www.buildstrongfoundations.com/post/survivors-leave-an-average-of-7-times

The end of a relationship is difficult. For a survivor of an unhealthy or abusive relationship, there are many reasons why they may return.

03/13/2023

03/13/2023

On a recent podcast, I was asked to share warning signs of an unhealthy or abusive relationship. While talking through the list of external signs, I realized many internal signs are equally important but aren't mentioned as often.

https://www.buildstrongfoundations.com/post/listening-to-your-gut-internal-cues

03/04/2023

A short video clip from the presentation at the Twig bookstore.

03/04/2023

Thank you to all that came out to the Twig recently for the Book Reading & Signing. It was great to see everyone. Thank you so much for being there, buying books, and sharing it with others.

Enjoyed the conversation, questions, and shared thoughts.

Grateful for your support! God is at work!

03/04/2023

Thank you Rick Lee James for having on us your podcast. It was a pleasure talking with you and we're grateful for the opportunity to raise awareness and share important information.

Link to the podcast is in the comments.

02/20/2023

From today's blog post

As a new relationship begins, whether it's beginning to talk with a crush or a first date, we're often excited and move forward with hopeful anticipation. We tend to think the other person is wonderful. We tell our friends all about what we believe are the other person's best attributes. This is all normal.

But teens and young adults are new to dating relationships. The excitement can cloud their judgment, or as the relationship grows, unhealthy qualities may begin to emerge.

Read more:
https://www.buildstrongfoundations.com/post/understanding-relationship-cues

As a new relationship begins, whether it's beginning to talk with a crush or a first date, we're often excited and move forward with hopeful anticipation. We tend to think the other person is wonderful. We tell our friends all about what we believe are the other person's best attributes. This is all...

02/19/2023

Beautiful passage from Proverbs 2 about gaining wisdom. It's a father talking to his son, giving him advice for life and explaining how important it is to seek God's wisdom.

My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
2 turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding—
3 indeed, if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He holds success in store for the upright,
he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
8 for he guards the course of the just
and protects the way of his faithful ones.

9 Then you will understand what is right and just
and fair—every good path.
10 For wisdom will enter your heart,
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
11 Discretion will protect you,
and understanding will guard you.

02/18/2023

Thank you Patti for having us on your podcast this week and helping raise awareness to help others.

To listen, please use the link in the comments below.

02/17/2023

Great podcast on Focus on the Family about dating with God in mind. Good discussion on red and yellow flags.

https://www.focusonthefamily.com/episodes/broadcast/inviting-god-into-your-dating-relationship-part-1-of-2/

Debra Fileta discusses finding your identity before you make it your relationship, having emotional boundaries, and focusing on Christ as the true healing and fulfillment in your life. Her practical advice and fun stories are something you don’t want to miss! (Part 1 of 2)

02/13/2023

Love this list of Green Falgs for relationships from The Vine Wellness Grouo https://www.thevinewellness.com/post/valentine-s-day-singles-edition?utm_campaign=e43724f2-6a4d-4928-9cf9-6dd15433e881&utm_source=so&utm_medium=mail&cid=52944a71-2933-4290-9741-6e12d82a42bc

This February, The Vine Wellness Group wants to celebrate those who are observing (or not observing!) Valentine’s Day solo. We wanted to spend a moment to share a few helpful tips to identify healthy “green flags” in a potential partner, because no holiday is worth spending time with the WRONG...

02/12/2023

I love this Bible verse that teaches us how we should talk and treat each other rather than the ways the world so often teaches us.