Welcome to Daily Encouragement!
Hi, I’m Charlene Notgrass. I was born a long time before you, way back in 1953. I loved homeschooling — once I learned how to make homeschooling who our family was instead of something I carried around like a big, heavy burden every day. From the lessons God has taught me, I offer you daily encouragement.
Remembering Andrew Jackson and Daddy, Too
Year after year, Ray and I think about going to The Hermitage–home of Andrew Jackson, seventh President of the United States and first President to live west of the Appalachian Mountains–on January 8. The Hermitage is free every January 8…
Hanging On to Hope
Sometimes problems seem so overwhelming that we can hardly imagine things ever feeling right again. Don’t despair. Hopelessness can turn to hope. Two true stories from the past few weeks have encouraged me. I have changed the names to share them with…
Whatever is honorable . . . think on these things.
One hundred years ago today my grandparents-in-law, Earl and Maggie Notgrass, became the parents of a little boy, the only child they would ever have. They named him Wesley Biddle Notgrass. Wesley grew up in Columbia, Tennessee, where his daddy…
Who Am I Anyway?
I got the question again the other day: “Is your name Charlene (pronounced with a soft SH, as in shoe) or Charlene (with a hard CH, as in church)?” Well, there’s a story about that. It goes all the way…
Beyond Frozen
I hope you aren’t getting tired of hearing stories from New Harmony. I just learned so many lessons there this time. When we first arrived on New Years’ Eve, we took a driving tour instead of our usual walking tour.…
Three Commandments in a Row
Ray is used to me saying, “I’ll be right back. I’m just going to take a few pictures of . . .” He’s so patient. After we checked out of the New Harmony Inn on New Year’s Day, he wisely…