Encouragement for Single Moms
A comprehensive guide to traversing single motherhood successfully

Teresa Whitehurst has experienced the challenges of single motherhood firsthand and tackles these pressing issues in her new book God Loves Single Moms. Filled with encouragement, compassion and contagious enthusiasm, the author helps readers discover how to make single parenthood a success through her practical tips, professional insights, and the knowledge that they are truly loved by God.

Personally, I remember first hand, feeling like such a failure in God’s eyes. Growing up in a Christian home, I was taught NEVER to judge others for any reason (and my mother NEVER did). However, divorce was NEVER considered an option (although, as an adult looking back, there was no REAL reason for my mom or dad to contemplate divorce). When I was faced with initiating the action in my own life (with no parents to validate/reassure/even forgive me in my decision), with a son that meant the world to me-to raise in the best way I could, I stopped at a Church completely unfamiliar to me and requested to speak with the Pastor. I asked him, point-blank, if God would forgive me (and more importantly, still LOVE me) if I sought a divorce. It was the absolute hardest decision I have EVER made in my life!

Each chapter looks at a different challenge and includes Scripture, prayers, questions for reflection, and inspiring stories from other single moms. There is also a thorough inventory questionnaire that helps readers take an in-depth look at the various aspects of their personal and family life and gauge areas where they are succeeding and areas where they would like to see improvement.

Although my divorce was MANY years ago, this book was a source of comfort to me. My son, now 27 years old, turned out to be the MOST AMAZING young man I have ever known (in spite of me)! As a matter of fact, he proposed marriage to his girlfriend this past Monday night (pictured below), which caused me to ponder the enormous responsibility of marriage and the life he and I shared, with God’s help every step of the way!


Teresa Whitehurst is a clinical psychologist who provides counseling as well as personal and career coaching. She has worked as a psychotherapist for many years in private practice, at Harvard Medical School, and at Kaiser-Permanente. Dr. Whitehurst writes and speaks on parenting and personal development issues and is the author of How Would Jesus Raise Your Child? She is a single mom who has two adult daughters and two grandchildren.


Available November 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

My Little Boy

As I ponder the years with Peter, so many memories come to mind. One that always comes to mind is when Peter came home from 1st grade and told me he didn't want me to die. At the time, I was a smoker. I knew I should quit, but it wasn't until I heard his words (words I, too, had said to my own mother, who didn't quit-who died at the age of 60 of a heart attack) that I KNEW I had to quit. I didn't know HOW I would do it, just that I MUST!!!! That was in 1991-and I haven't smoked since!

Now, he is getting married-and I need to lose weight (don't worry-no major health issues, just a mother-of-the-groom dress). Here we go again!

Gotta love my son!

More Engagement Photos!

I talked with Peter today and got the scoop on how he proposed...you might figure it out by seeing these photos! GREAT times ahead! We are extremely blessed!

MY SON'S ENGAGED!!!!!!

Meet Chelsea Smith, the newest member of our family! I am HONORED to have her as a daughter and look forward to many years of joy and happiness!

More details to come soon....

Next Book Review

Coming soon.....and I can't wait!

Book Review - The Heavens Proclaim His Glory!

“I can see how it might be possible for a man to look down upon the earth and be an atheist, but I cannot conceive how he could look up into the heavens and say there is no God.” Abraham Lincoln

I feel EXACTLY the same way! Having a child produces the same thoughts-how can anyone NOT believe in a Creator!

Our world displays the handiwork of God all around us—in the land and sea, the animals and the plants. But in respect to the sky, the heavens, the universe…there’s a realm of beauty and creation man has not been able to witness, until now. The Heavens Proclaim His Glory is a compilation of stunning photography taken by NASA’s Hubble® Telescope capturing striking images of stars, galaxies, cosmic events, planets, and more. Vivid up-close photographs are paired with a romantic Psalm or quote, as well as a short description of the image. The Heavens will open up a whole new world of worship and praise for our God.

There were MANY reasons I chose this book to review. First, my love for God's creation. Second, my love for the sky! I remember, as a child, looking into the starry night, gazing at the moon, wondering what else was there! It is beyond comprehension that the beauty portrayed in this book has been there since the beginning of time; we were simply unable to reach/view it. Thank God for the invention of the Hubble telescope-and the creation of this book! I sit for hours looking at the photos and reading the Scripture references and educational information. It is truly an amazing book!

In August of this year, I had the pleasure of attending the Science Expo in Washington DC. I was drawn to the "Hubble tent", where several of the extremely intelligent scientists were standing by to educate children and adults on NASA's projects. I asked one of the scientists about the upcoming telescope, The James C Webb Space telescope; inquiring about the information it will be able to provide that the Hubble can not. I was told they hope, in about 4 and a half years, to be able to report photographs of THE BIG BANG! I announced that I was a Christian and wasn't certain if there WAS a big bang; but assured him if there was, I knew who CAUSED the bang! Praise God! I can't wait to see the photos from the many journeys to come!

This book was published by Thomas Nelson Publishers and provided by them for review purposes.

Advent Devotional 2010 - Part 3

I received the most amazing gift in the mail - an Advent Devotional from the Western Mission Cluster c/o Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

I thought I would share it with you over the coming season - posting the Scripture messages they provided from November 28th through Christmas Day - December 25th.

I pray you remember Christ this Christmas and share HIS love with others!

I lost a very dear friend this past weekend....

Many, many years ago, I walked into the lobby of Northside Christian Church; knowing only one person. To say I was afraid would be an understatement! What if I couldn't find Carolyn? What if I couldn't locate my son's class? What if...what if.... I was so desperate that I couldn't NOT go-I had to risk it (no matter what)! Several individuals made an immediate impact and impression on my life, but there was one very special couple that I will be forever grateful for-John and Sharon Baker (pictured above).

I was so hungry to grow in my relationship with the Lord, I was in the Church building every time the doors were open for programming; including weekly Sunday evening worship. I was probably the only person under the age of 50 in attendance each week, but could not get enough of the preaching, fellowship or hope these caring individuals offered me! There was no place else to go that could remotely compare.

EVERY Sunday night, after Church, John Baker would approach me and my son Peter, and invite us to dinner with the "regulars". I LOVED to go for many reasons, first and foremost to spend time with these amazing people. Not only did I love these couples, but they filled a huge void in my life (they were really the only friends I had). They loved me and spent time sharing their lives with me, which at the time, no one else did. And, when there was no way I could pay for our dinner, one of the couples would pay for both Peter and I (if I recall correctly, EVERY SINGLE WEEK)! John and Sharon were one of the couples. And this went on for an extended period of time.

I am truly grateful I approached John a couple of months ago to remind him of our special times and to thank him. I told him it was due to our Sunday night family outings that I remained a member of Northside, which allowed my faith to grow to the level it has. I think about these couples OFTEN - to this day. I never want to forget how it felt to be alone and how much they meant to me. I hope to do the same for others.

John passed away this past Saturday morning. I'm not sad for John - there is NO DOUBT where he is today! He is with his many friends and his Savior, Jesus Christ! I am thrilled he will be there when I get there! But I will certainly miss him until then!

The other reason I am grateful for John is that he was the reason I met my husband, Christopher. John invited me to attend my father-in-law's retirement celebration at the Newport News Shipyard. His wife had to leave town and was unable to accompany him; and he knew how much I loved my father-in-law. When I saw my husband enter the room, I fell in love! The rest, as they say, is history!

My heart is breaking for John's wife and children - I know how much it hurts to lose a loved one and remember the void and pain as if it were yesterday. My prayers will be with them for many days and months ahead.

ANDRILL Kit

I recently accepted a part-time position with 4-H. I will be working with military children around the state of Virginia and can't wait to share my recently gained knowledge about ANDRILL. Stay tuned for more....

KTU at VSU

Earth is a dynamic planet that has experienced wide changes in climate through its geological history. How fast has climate changed in the past? How much warmer or colder has it been? What can we learn about possible future climate changes by studying the history recorded in rock and ice cores from the Polar Regions? Scientists who study Earth’s history climb into their “time machines” - - drilling rigs - - and travel back in time by reading the story of climate changes preserved in rock and ice drill-cores. Clues to past climate changes are found in the sediment layers, fossils, gas bubbles and frozen ice collected from deep beneath the Antarctic ice sheet. We will learn how to read these clues and investigate how the Antarctic ice sheets behaved during past warmer time periods, and wonder what this means for future climate.

Dr. David Harwood is a Professor in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the Research Director of the ANtarctic geological DRILLing Program (ANDRILL). His research involves the study of Antarctic sediments and fossils to interpret the geological and climate history of Earth’s last continental frontier. He actively promotes ANDRILL’s science education and outreach program for learners of all ages.

What a fabulous day! The presentation by Dr. Harwood was more amazing than I ever anticipated-I'm extremely excited to share this program with military children in Virginia!