46 Comments
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Paula's avatar

Hey Linda, stopping by for a virtual cuppa with you on your porch. I listened to you today. You have such a soothing voice. I read the article about Andrew. Thanks' for the link to do so.

Thanks' bunches for sharing Porch #140 with Sweet Tea & Friend's June link-up sweet friend.

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Linda Stoll's avatar

It was so exciting to see Andrew featured in Newsweek!

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veronica lee's avatar

I can relate to the differences with your sister when it comes to family gatherings. My sister and I are polar opposites in planning these events.

And how exciting to see Andrew and his service dogs featured in Newsweek! His poetry has always been a highlight in your comment section, and this story about Peanut and Belle is heartwarming.

Hugs and blessings, Linda

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Linda Stoll's avatar

Andrew in Newsweek! Who'd have ever guessed. This guy has impacted more people than he's ever imagined. I feel honored to call him friend.

You, too. Thank you for continuing to enlarge my borders and expand my horizons with your work. Enjoy your weekend.

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Jane Babich's avatar

Greetings, I am a first time listener and was delightfully surprised at how much I enjoyed this space😊. Not sure why I was, but, wanted to let you know. Thank you much for your voice here. Continue to be blessed as God draws others to your Porch!!😊

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Linda Stoll's avatar

Jane, I am so glad ... not only that you're here, but that you took the time to stop and say hi. Your kindness mean so much. Welcome to the community. Please keep on bringing your warm perspective to our conversations here in the days ahead.

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Andrew Budek-Schmeisser's avatar

Thank you so much for the mention, Linda!

The last photo in your post made me think. Never a good thing.

If I were your garden statue

with a plant upon my head,

I think that I might tell you

things better left unsaid,

words about your ancestry,

all weighty and quite loaded,

terms I learned in therapy,

and use now that I'm goaded

by this wildly floral mess

(could I not, please, have a Stetson?).

What's next, a midlengh Dior dress?

I think that's a fair question,

but you reply, 'It could be worse,

just think upon the pigeon's curse!'

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Linda Stoll's avatar

My family members can't stand my empty-headed new friend. What do they know.

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Cheryl's avatar

I absolutely love hearing your voice as I read your post! This was another great one, as always. May God bless you always, friend.🙏❤😊

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Linda Stoll's avatar

Sweet girl ...

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Lynn J Simpson's avatar

Philip Yancey's book does sound intriguing! Adding it to my summer list. Thank you for bringing this list together! I'm off to read a few, starting with Karen's. You've just made my Saturday evening even more delightful.

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Linda Stoll's avatar

Glad to keep you company, friend. Glad to be linking up with you Fridays now, too!

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Lois Flowers's avatar

My sisters and I are all very different too ... big surprise! And the brothers as well. :-) Thanks so much for sharing the article about therapy speak ... it resonated with me for so many reasons. I just started Suzanne Woods Fisher's latest Cape Cod Creamery book (Love on a Whim) ... already so good for light summer reading!

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Linda Stoll's avatar

I could use a bit of light reading right about now, Lois. Thanks for the nudge to pick up another Cape Cod Creamery book this week. (And maybe head out for ice cream tonight?!)

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Martha Jane Orlando's avatar

I hate to admit that I've never read anything by Philip Yancey, Linda. I'll certainly give this one a try in the future. You should see the stack of books I already have to read this summer! I do love the blessing you featured at the close of your blog. Thanks!

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Linda Stoll's avatar

Yep, no one writes a blessing like Sarah Bessey. Hope your weekend is splendid, friend ...

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Jean Wise's avatar

wow so much wisdom and great reading here. I ordered Yancey's book from the library and can't wait to read it. Thanks for the suggestion and all these ideas. very rich post!!

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Linda Stoll's avatar

I'd love to hear your take when you finish, Jean. I'm thinking you'll appreciate it.

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Jeanie Croope's avatar

I send you good wishes for the coming weekend and the beginning of June. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog, too!

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Linda Stoll's avatar

Jeanie, have a great weekend!

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Lisa notes's avatar

Glad to see you reminding us again of Philip Yancey's book. It really moved me as well. Lots of great links here. Thanks, Linda. And I appreciated hearing your accent! :)

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Linda Stoll's avatar

I always warm up to your gentle Southern voice in the videos you've shared, friend.

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nancyaruegg.com's avatar

Thank you for culling such worthwhile articles for us, Linda. I already read Karen Swallow Prior's, and will return to read others. (Anxious to see what "Quick to Listen" might advise that I can use with my mentees.) You are so faithful to provide quality recommendations for us!

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Trudy's avatar

Thank you, Linda! Great articles. I especially liked Mia Staub's and Barbara Lee's articles. And how Peanut saved Andrew... Wow! It brought tears to my eyes. Love and blessings to you!

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Linda Stoll's avatar

Yay, Peanut!

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Barbara Harper's avatar

How neat to read about Andrew's experience with his dog! The therapy-speak article was very enlightening. Thanks for sharing my article about a mother's love reflecting God's.

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Linda Stoll's avatar

I so appreciate your carefully researched, biblically-based, well spoken writing, Barbara. I'm happy to share it here this weekend!

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Joanne's avatar

I am the same way when prepping for a get together (though since I typically only have people over for the day and not overnight or for a week or so at a time I don't need quite as much recovery time) but I do clear the calendar out ahead of time, make sure the house has been vacuumed and picked up and bathrooms cleaned (with a Clorox wipe at the very least) but save most of my "real" cleaning for after the party and I definitely find I need quiet time afterwards and before...

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Linda Stoll's avatar

Yep. The bathrooms have to be done. Clean sheets. Agreed. Everything else is negotiable, right?

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Michele Morin's avatar

My sister and I are also VERY different. Funny how DNA can be such a shape shifter!

And I just reread Winn Collier's bio of Eugene Peterson (SO GOOD!), and intend to reread Yancey's bio as soon as I can. I find myself needing to come back to certain authors every year because I need their words in my head.

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Linda Stoll's avatar

'I find myself needing to come back to certain authors every year because I need their words in my head.'

Exactly. I feel that way about your writing, friend. For sure.

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Michele Morin's avatar

REALLY??!?😍🥹

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Linda Stoll's avatar

Oh girl, who's your biggest fan?!

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Michele Morin's avatar

😍

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