Hi, welcome to our time of reflection my friend! As we are celebrating International Women’s Day this week, I thought we would honor some amazing women.
First let’s grab our cuppa’s & get comfy, I have a cup of Berry licorice tea with some dried fruit & nuts to snack upon. What’s yours?
Women of strength
Is there a family resemblance not just in looks but in characteristics running down through the generations in your family?
Do you come from a long line of amazing women?
I come from a long line of strong women on both sides of my family tree.
My grandmothers & great grandmothers were extraordinary women in what many would call, ordinary life.
Though life is never ordinary…is it?
These women lived through really tough times with Great Depressions in the global economy, World Wars, poverty, Polio & the Spanish Flu pandemics.
As well as widowhood without the benefit of the social welfare system we have today.
My paternal grandmother (standing far right below) was widowed at an early age with three children still living at home.
She shared with me when I had reached adulthood that my grandfather had been ill for a long period due to a work accident that eventually took his life.
Her fortitude, quiet tenacity & kindness during her life were inspirational. She was an amazing cook & always had a delicious treat & an encouraging word for us.
My maternal grandmother was a strong & kind woman who courageously took her family through those difficult times.
She made sure they were well cared for & worked tirelessly to do so with my grandfather, united in their strong faith in God.
She faced cancer & eventually widowhood later in life with God’s strength, grace & courage.
Women of tenacity
My daughters are also strong women, each in their own right, facing the challenges of life with determination & courage.
They each do an extraordinary job & make life look far easier then it is at times.
I see the same determination & courage in my granddaughters too.
They are tenacious, resilient, loving, caring & kind, not just in their own families but to those in this world who are most vulnerable.
Yes, I’m a proud Mama & Grand mama!
But I’m also aware of the legacy those extraordinarily capable women layed for us in a rich foundation of courage & fortitude.

God’s promise…
“Know…He is God, the faithful God who keeps His covenant & His loving kindness to a thousandth generation to those who love Him…”
Deuteronomy 7: 9
Yes, the characteristics of tenacity, courage & kindness have definitely come down through the generations but the greatest of these is seen in God’s faithfulness to us through our family line!
We are women of strength because of His strength to each generation, even when some didn’t realize it along the way!
He has kept His promise & will continue to do so!
A Woman of Excellence
Now, I would like to introduce you to an amazing woman of faith who is inspirational in her creative development of financial programs, to help women reach the pinnacle of their financial health.
A little background…
I have known Heather throughout her life & had the great privilege of partnering with her in business many years ago when I first went into private practice.
Heather was the powerhouse behind all things in business administration while I took care of the clinical side of the practice.
Our chosen professional paths have taken us on different journeys over the intervening years.
I’m very proud to announce that Heather has worked extremely hard in those years & is now the founder & CEO of Excec One...she is…
‘A qualified accountant and CPA (Chartered Practicing Accountant), humanitarian and most importantly, a mum…’ (Exec One)
…having worked with businesses of all sizes….and individuals…helping those struggling to get back on track.
‘Heather has received awards from the Southern Cross University, CPA Australia and for the development of the financial reporting for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.’ (Exec One)
She has amazing financial wisdom & experience to help us reach our personal & business financial goals which is most timely in this current economic climate!
Heather has just begun her blog so please drop by, say hello & leave a little encouragement in Heather’s Story, The worse financial advice I have ever received…
Until next time,
Jennifer
You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook
© 2020 Jennifer M. Ross, teawithjennifer.blog, family photo Jennifer M. Ross All Rights Reserved. Other photo on Pexels.com
Thank you! It’s such an honour to be mentioned in your blog. My big passion project for the year is helping women move from renting to owning a home and take them out of the poverty cycle. That’s the heart part of what I do. blessed to be a blessing.
LikeLiked by 2 people
What a wonderful passion, to help women become home owners & move out of the cycle of poverty Heather! Wow!
I’m sure you will be a blessing to many! It’s a joy to feature you here ♥
LikeLike
I will definitely visit Heather. Your description of her sounds like she is definitely an amazing woman. You come from a line of strong women and the legacy continues with your daughters and granddaughters. I am so blessed to have strong women in my life. My mom was a Proverbs 31 woman. I still miss her every day. Stay well my sweet friend! Blessings,
Pam
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a blessing Pam to have had your Mum in your life & what comforting assurance that you will see her again! Sending hugs to you sweet friend ♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for these stories of strong women, Jennifer. Berry Licorice tea sounds tasty. Yogi Licorice tea is one of my favorites. Do you always make your own tea blends! Love and blessings to you!
LikeLiked by 2 people
That sounds delicious too Trudy! No only occasionally when I have a little tea experiment lol! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jennifer, I think that the apples didn’t fall far from the tree! 🙂 Your daughters are strong (in part) because you gave them such a fine example of strength, tenacity, and courage.
Heather sounds like a woman of excellence indeed! I will check out her blog. Thank you for the recommendation!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Laurie…You’re welcome, Heather is very inspiring in her heart for women’s financial freedom out of binding financial cycles 😀
LikeLike
Love this post, Jennifer, as you share history and testimony of how we can be encouraged to stand in the midst of challenges of all kinds. Thanks so much for glimpses of the amazing women of your family and introductions to Heather!
Stay well and safe,
Pam
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Pam! God’s faithfulness through the ages & in all circumstances is encouraging in the present pandemic 😀
Bless you too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Although my mother turned her back on faith, the more I do family genealogy on her side the more frequently I encounter devout Christians. It has been a salve to me to find ministers, seminary teachers and missionaries through my family history.
LikeLiked by 2 people
How amazing His faithfulness is Elizabeth! I too have found similar, it is immensely encouraging! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jennifer I’ve just found your lovely comment in my spam folder…
I’d be more than happy to share anything I learn in the process of completing this project Jennifer. At present, I’m just showing up to it regularly, trying to get a framework in place and numerous proofreading attempts!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Marie for the info, yes I also keep an eye on my spam folder as that has happened before.
Wishing you well in your endeavor & looking forward to reading about it 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jennifer!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jennifer for an inspiring post! I do love the Deuteronomy 7:9 verse and have experienced in my own family God’s lovingkindness and faithfulness throughout the generations. Blessings on you this week.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It’s wonderful to hear that Joy! Thank you I’m glad you enjoyed your time here 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
How inspiring, Jennifer! I love the pic of your “strong” great-grandmother and grandmother! I think I come from some pretty strong women as well and with the pandemic, we must draw upon their strength and follow their examples today. Thanks for this important reminder, as well as the shout out to Heather! It’s lovely to see you supporting her!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Beth! Yes, we do need to have His strength in this time.
LikeLike
Grateful for an amazing mother and grandmother. Memories of them continue to inspire me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
How amazingly blessed we are Bette! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen… ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
It sounds like the legacy of strong women in your family continues. Thank you for sharing a bit of your history and the women who made a difference. Blessings.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Mary, yes we are a sturdy bunch 😉 lovely having you drop by!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do love licorice! xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you fo sharing at Legacy Linkup. I enjoyed learning about your parents and grandparents. I’m so glad I was privileged to have a wonderful legacy as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So lovely having you drop by Mandy! We have a rich heritage! 😀
LikeLike
Jennifer, What a legacy these women have given you! Thank you passing down their stories. I like how you mention that some are women of strength, though they don’t realize it. I think being strong was so much a part of the culture then that strong is just what they did – no fireworks and banners! Congratulations to your friend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Maryleigh! I agree women just had to be strong…just like many are today 😉
LikeLike
I love to see women celebrating other women. I must admit that envy rears its ugly head in me far too often when it comes to others.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your honesty Lauren, I think we have all had to grapple with a little envy in our lives at times.
But I’m glad we can celebrate each other’s joys & accomplishments through life 🤗
LikeLike