By Ashley McIlwain
It had been nearly 24 hours since there was any sign of life. All that was left were ashes. Gray. Cold. It never crossed my mind that anything could become of it.
Yet, as I piled some newspaper and kindling wood together carefully in my usual teepee formation, before …
By Coleen York
Ever have to work on a project with someone in school, or college, or even at work?
I’ve been there. And at first (before you know what a group project REALLY means…) you’re excited about it. Obviously if more than just you is working on it, it’s going to …
By Ashley McIlwain
What does it mean to be “forward thinking?” Many of us think of it in terms of progressive thoughts and ideas. Perhaps establishing a new and brilliant way of conceptualizing and understanding life. Someone who is forward thinking is ahead of the ballgame in their thoughts, plans, and …
By Ashley McIlwain
We’ve all witnessed it … the meltdown of a random child. You’re trying to enjoy a quiet dinner for two, but instead you’re being served a big plateful of wailing child with a side of yelling, desperate parent. Perhaps you’re pushing your cart along in the grocery store …
By Ashley McIlwain
Married life is an adventure. There’s always something to learn, explore, and overcome. You laugh, cry, fight, make-up, grow up, speak up, and shut up. It’s epic, memorable, fun, exciting, and worth it. Marriage is everything it’s cracked up to be and more, but it’s definitely a lifelong …

By Ashley McIlwain
Drive thrus.
Credit cards.
Mashed potatoes.
Digital cameras.
Freezer meals.
Text messages.
Emails.
What do all of these things have in common? They are instant. You can get them quickly and with minimal effort. They entail getting what you want when you want it.
Many of us carry those same instantaneous expectations into our relationships. We …
By Coleen York
I love ice cream. Seriously, I do. You know what else I love? Chocolate.
Almost as much as I love my high-heeled peep-toe Oxford pumps.
I love the smell of wet pavement in the summer.
I love sweatpants. I also love watching The Office.
I love my parents.
I love my boyfriend.
I love …
By Coleen York
There is something built into the heart of a woman that yearns to be pursued. She desires to be sought after. To feel like she is worth the trouble/pleasure of a man’s time and affection. That she is interesting enough, and captivating enough, to go the extra mile …
By Ashley McIlwain
What is love? What does it mean to love someone and be loved? What does love look like? Most of us have either asked these questions ourselves or tackled answering them for someone else.
Love is an intrinsic part of human life. We desire to be loved. We desire …
A Special Message
As the end of 2011 approaches, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt appreciation for the support you have shown us. Foundation Restoration continues to work hard to restore the very foundation of society – marriages.
There’s no doubt in our minds that our ministry is …
By Steve McIlwain
Hubs here.
The greatest gift in the history of Christmas flicks … the Red Ryder BB Gun. Other notables include the wienie whistle from The Santa Clause, Turbo Man from Jingle All the Way (Sinbad and Arnold in their prime), and the cat in Christmas Vacation. But the Red …
By Ashley McIlwain
Christmas is my favorite time of year. I know I’m not alone in my sentiments about this holly jolly season. What’s not to love? Christmas music, decorations, presents, time with family, hot cocoa, and Christmas trees. Sigh. Not to mention the reason for it all – the arrival …
By Coleen York
Okay single (or unmarried) ladies, this one is for you. No, I’m not about to sing Beyonce… and you gentlemen that are reading, I encourage you to stick with us because this applies to you as well.
Let’s talk about dating relationships for a second. Depending on your current …
By Ashley McIlwain
“Babe, let me be a man.”
That’s one of the many jokes my husband, Steve, and I playfully throw around in our day-to-day relating to one another. We find playful banter to be an absolute must in our life together. Anyway, he says this in a couple of different …
By Ashley McIlwain
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work. ~ Ecclesiastes 4:9
Have you ever tried to do an impossible task by yourself? Perhaps it was moving a piece of furniture that weighs three times the amount that you do. Maybe it’s tackling ten …