Page 1 of Avis Ward's writing

1. Yuletide: Glad and Sad Tidings And the angel said to them, Fear not, for behold, I announce to you glad tidings of great joy, which shall be to all the people. (Luke 2:10, Darby Bible Translation) ‘Tis the season to be jolly but truth is, not everyone is jolly. This is... (posted by Avis 157 days 6 hours ago.)

2. Choosing to be Thankful and a Giver The day is bright and sunny and the morning air is crisp and sharp. It is mid-morning and the temperature is about 51°F or 10°C. I’ve said, thank you Lord at least several dozen times aloud and in my brain. I thank Him for yet... (posted by Avis 183 days 9 hours ago.)

3. Cry A River or A Bucket of Tears The baby of our family grew into adulthood being known as a cry baby and bucket of tears. As a girl, young woman, and full-fledged adult could cry on demand. They were real, crocodile tears. Some would settle in the pronounced dimple on her chin... (posted by Avis 342 days 7 hours ago.)

4. The Top 10 Do's & Don'ts of Business Email Is there a need for this list? Headlines from around the world answer that question with an emphatic, “Yes!” It’s difficult to believe, well-educated business men and women haven’t plugged-in to the fact that... (posted by Avis 343 days 6 hours ago.)

5. My Heart Is in Heaven It’s enchanting to watch new love in the eyes of a young man or woman. With eyes glazed over and in a distant place, you immediately know when the lovers are separated by distance. Come with me as I reminisce, please. Boarding a train... (posted by Avis 345 days 7 hours ago.)

6. There is a Brighter Side Somewhere We, as a people, have gone through many changes over the past few years. There have been losses and gains. The gains have been negative for a core group of people. They have gained stress, negative attitudes, weight, unparalled cynicism, and a... (posted by Avis 1 year 220 days ago.)

7. Promises: Made and Kept but No One Said It Would be Easy "Live in My sunshine and My Love. Know your lives are full of glad promise." -GOD There are times when I want to feel sorry for myself. I know when that happens it's because I'm filled to the brim and overflowing with "Avis" and not God, the... (posted by Avis 2 years 221 days ago.)

8. October 15th - Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day October is Awareness Month. To name a few, Domestic Violence, and Breast and Prostate Cancer are observed during the month of October. The majority of you may wonder what is significant about October 15th. You can easily figure out October 15... (posted by Avis 2 years 223 days ago.)

9. Chocolate 101 What a beautiful crisp sunny fall day we are blessed to enjoy in the South Carolina Upstate. Fall is my favorite time of year. The SC Upstate boasts of excellent institutions of higher learning such as Furman and Clemson Universities and the... (posted by Avis 2 years 229 days ago.)

10. Through the Valley into Victory Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. - Psalm 23:4 When we are annoyed and aggravated because things are not going as we thought, we... (posted by Avis 2 years 245 days ago.)

11. This is Life through the Eyes of a Child Lately, I have come across many sad reminders of what happens when we become adults. I wanted to use "old" instead of adults but it is a relative term that can cause some people to feel uncomfortable. Becoming an adult can be subjective, too and... (posted by Avis 2 years 267 days ago.)

12. Need to Say, "Baby, I'm Sorry, Really Sorry?" Here's How! Saying "I'm Sorry" are two words that must not only be verbal but nonverbal, too. It is a given that we will do and say things without intending to hurt our loved ones. When this happens in a marital relationship, saying "I'm sorry" may not be... (posted by Avis 2 years 278 days ago.)

13. Celine Dion is Pregnant Again For all you Celine Dion fans, she and hubby Rene are expecting their second child. After numerous visits to a fertility specialist in New York City, the one who helped them conceive with their first child, the announcement of her pregnancy was... (posted by Avis 2 years 279 days ago.)

14. Craigslist: A Target for Scammers - A Habit for Bargain Hunters A nonprofit organization always want to find good bargains and cheap buys. If the truth were known, we'd like everything donated and not buy a thing so we can use our funds on programs and our participants. Even as an individual, I'll checkout... (posted by Avis 2 years 280 days ago.)

15. Say "I Love You" Without Actually Saying, "I Love You" We should give the object of our affection what they need to receive from us the way they wish to receive it. The best way to do this is to ask their preferences. In honoring their preferences, we must not fail to be ourselves and show our... (posted by Avis 2 years 282 days ago.)

16. 11 Powerful Sales Tips for People without Sales Experience You are forced to change careers because of the economy. The only positions you can find are commission-only sales jobs and they offer benefits. You have no experience in sales and never considered yourself to be a salesperson; but you must work... (posted by Avis 2 years 284 days ago.)

17. Battle of the Toothbrushes: Reach vs Colgate Total As long as we brush our teeth, dental healthcare professionals should be satisfied, right? Not just dental professionals but our family, friends, coworkers and anyone close enough to get a whiff as we inhale and exhale. We can brush our teeth... (posted by Avis 2 years 284 days ago.)

18. With "Leverage" TNT Proves They Know Drama I have a bundle package with the cable company to get better rates for high speed Internet and telephone service. Television is included in the bundle so I get more channels. I despise having to pay for television but it costs less to have it as a... (posted by Avis 2 years 288 days ago.)

19. 31 Meditations in Seeking God's Righteousness My siblings and I were taught to pray at an early age. Prayer came in many forms in our home. We prayed before meals, leaving for school, at school, church and at bedtime. I learned early on that prayer was simply a talk with God. This practice... (posted by Avis 2 years 290 days ago.)

20. Coping with Divorce: Welcome the Dawn Inspiration comes in various forms. It can come from a person, place or thing. Resolving to keep an open mind, entertaining "what if's, why not's " and possibilities, continues to enhance my personal enjoyment through this journey call life. ... (posted by Avis 2 years 300 days ago.)

21. What Do You Do When You Don't Know What to Do? I'm unsure of the exact phrasing of a quote I read recently but I will give it a try. The quote went something like this; "It is funny how the one who can stop our tears is usually the one who is responsible for our tears." I have an important... (posted by Avis 2 years 300 days ago.)

22. Michael Vick Gets Conditional Reinstatement into the NFL Michael Vick has reasons to celebrate today thanks to the National Football League. The NFL reinstated Vick in the NFL on a conditional basis. He must prove himself and stay out of trouble. Vick is a 29 year-old gifted athlete. He's also blessed.... (posted by Avis 2 years 301 days ago.)

23. 3 Things to Help: It's Only a Test Adjust your thinking if you are having doubt. Change your mindset. Do not give up. Discard negative thoughts about the struggles you have had over the past few months. It's only a test. It is not a season you are going through but a test. There is... (posted by Avis 2 years 305 days ago.)

24. Two Little Words a Non-Profit Loves to Say: "Thank you!" I've always preferred to live my life in the background. My family was happy to receive a current photograph of me. It took nearly four years to finally sit for a complimentary photo at Cox Photography Studio. I did it for pregnant teens. I... (posted by Avis 2 years 315 days ago.)

25. Too Much Soda Pop Weakens Tooth Enamel We all know too much sugar can cause caries which require dental fillings. In conversations with people in America and other countries, not once has anyone said to me they like going to the dentist! But, our oral habits prove otherwise. Things... (posted by Avis 2 years 319 days ago.)