By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills I’m in the process of downsizing for a smaller home.  What I’ve discovered while cleaning closets, cabinets, and drawers is the power of acknowledging that stuff is not what defines our identity. The items with sentimental value symbolize life experiences. Through photographs, keepsakes that belonged to my family and my husband, and books (yes, I have a weakness for books)

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Summer has faded for another year, and the warm, easy days of June, July, and August are behind us and ushering in a time of reflection, a season of the soul.  We’ve experienced great memory-making moments, challenges, growth, and possibly times we’d like to forget. Every moment has been an opportunity to choose our responses. Will

by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Today is September 1, and I’m ready for the 3-digit temps in Houston to drop for cooler days. That’s a redirection, and I support it 100 percent! But some changes threaten our mental, physical, and/or spiritual lives. We’re afraid and angry, especially when we are helpless to stop the inevitable. How do we approach challenges with

By diann Mills @DiAnnMills August can be brutal to our plants, not only the ones in our yards suffering in the three-digit heat but also the ones inside the house. How can we save our plants? Last week I grabbed my phone for one of my favorite apps: Picture This. The app has helped me keep my plants alive and

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Welcome to Author Spotlight and Kelly Underwood, my featured suspense author for August! Meet Kelly Bio Kelly Underwood’s favorite things are reading, writing, and drinking coffee. She was born in New Hampshire, but don’t ask her about snow, because she’s been a Florida girl since she was twelve. Her debut novel gave Kelly the incredible opportunity

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills This week I want to share what I’m reading and recommending. All seasons offer enjoyable times to read. Sometimes those seasons are on the calendar, and other times seasons are what we are facing in life—celebrations, growing, learning, and entertainment. We have our favorite authors and genres, and I encourage you to try something new. Fiction

DiAnn Mills @DiAnn Mills August has arrived, and the month is filled with summer passing by in fleeting moments of vacation and relaxation. We sense a twinge of regret and an anticipation for a new season. As I’m writing this, it’s 100 degrees outside and the heat index is 115. Even the pool water is warmer than a bathtub. I’m

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Readers ask me how I choose my characters’ names. Every book has the same challenge, and the answer is not simple. Selecting character names is a process, one that involves time and research. I keep a list of names for people and pets, but that doesn’t mean I use them. A character’s identity is who they

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills July 14th is National Mac and Cheese Day! Are you a Mac and Cheese lover? Yum—rich cheese blends in a thick sauce over macaroni. Heavenly comfort in a bowl. Young and old reach for generous helpings—cause it’s so good. Making your own Mac & Cheese? These are the best cheeses to try: Cheddar (sharp or mild). This

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills The Bible shows many meanings for release according to its usage, from the Hebrew in the Old Testament to the Greek in the New Testament. Throughout, the overall definition refers to a physical, spiritual, or emotional release. God wants us restored to a whole relationship with Him and freed from the bondage of sin. The Greek