Giffords cleared to attend shuttle launch: husband

"Astronaut Mark Kelly says doctors have cleared his wife, Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, now recovering from a gunshot wound to the head, as healthy enough to attend his space shuttle launch on Friday."

Read more here.

Atlantis arrives at space station, astronauts may try to fix pinched cable in spacewalk

"Atlantis arrived at the International Space Station on Sunday for what could be its last visit, delivering fresh batteries and other equipment to help keep the outpost running long after the shuttle program ends."

Click here for more on Atlantis and its mission.

Astronaut's baby daughter born as he circles Earth

"Astronaut Randolph Bresnik jubilantly welcomed his new daughter into the world Sunday as he floated 220 miles above it.

Abigail Mae Bresnik was born as her father circled Earth on his first space shuttle mission, just hours after his first spacewalk."

Click here for more on this very special event.

Space shuttle Endeavour blasts off after month's delay on try 6, headed to space station

"After more than a month's delay, space shuttle Endeavour and seven astronauts thundered into orbit Wednesday on a flight to the international space station, hauling up a veranda for Japan's enormous lab and looking to set a crowd record.

Success came on launch try No. 6, on the eve of the 40th anniversary of the liftoff of man's first moon landing."

Click here for more on the launch.

Good News for March 17 (posted by Mary Beth)

Winsome Warriors: The Battle for Life Continues

"A picture of a baby in utero flashes onto the computer screen. Images of the fetus seem to pulse, reminiscent of a baby’s heartbeat.

On the screen the following words appear: 'This child’s future is a broken home. He will be abandoned by his father. His single mother will struggle to raise him.' The background music continues as we watch the baby grow.

New words flash on the screen: 'This child, despite the hardships he will endure, will become the first African-American President.'”

To read the rest of Mark Earley's commentary, click here.


Irish village embraces link to Barack 'O'bama'

"Until recently, Moneygall's most famous son wasn't even human. It was a horse, Papillon, who streaked to the title as a long shot in a nail-biter at Britain's prestigious Grand National race in 2000.

But for months, the modest sign marking Papillon's achievement has been muscled aside by pictures of the new hero in this pit stop on the Dublin-to-Limerick road: President Barack Obama—or, as they like to call him here, Barack O'Bama."

Click here to read more on President Obama's Irish connection.

IrishWatch

"Get into the Saint Patrick's Day mood with an eclectic selection of websites concerning all things Irish."

Access the collection by clicking here.


Making Real Movies

"Michael Landon Jr. continues in his work creating family-friendly films with the release of The Velveteen Rabbit—recently in theaters, and releasing to DVD today. He recently spoke to Christianity Today Movies about the challenges of bringing this beloved book to the big screen, being a Christian in Hollywood, and what's next in his own story."

Click here to read more about Michael Landon, Jr.


Award-winning author DiAnn Mills interviews Jill Eileen Smith

"When DiAnn Mills interviews a fellow author, the questions are sure to be pertinent as well as interesting. Her latest subject is Jill Eileen Smith, author of the The Wives of King David series."

Read DiAnn's interview with Jill by clicking here.


More than 50 New Orleans police officers receive commendations

"One by one, more than 50 law enforcement officers stood in front of a grateful audience Tuesday morning while New Orleans police officials lauded their work.

Some had dodged bullets or saved lives. Some had snared caches of guns and drugs or apprehended criminals. Some had suffered greatly for their work, suffering a gunshot wound to the arm or bullets to the body.

All had been courageous in exceptional ways, New Orleans Police Superintendent Warren Riley said."

Click here to read more about these praiseworthy officers.


Diver entertains spring breakers

"A stunt diver who came back from cancer thrills the crowd at Space Center Houston, earning high-fives from young spring breakers in the crowd.

Watch as world champion diver Bill Brown dives off an 80-foot high dive platform into only nine and a half feet of water. Spring breakers can watch Brown dive this week at the Space Center Houston. Video by Jason Witmer."

Watch this stunning video by clicking here.


Discovery, station astronauts to join forces to install solar power module

"Today's ultra-smooth docking between the shuttle Discovery and the international space station has NASA's flight control teams hoping it will be possible to accelerate the unfurling of the 110-foot panels on the newly delivered solar power module."

Click here for more on Discovery's mission.

Good News for March 15 (posted by Mary Beth)

Meet St. Patrick

"Allow me to introduce myself. You may have heard of me. My name is Patrick. But before everybody celebrates another day, I decided to come back 1,500 years to set the record straight about who I am and what I've done."

Brush up on your St. Patrick's history -- click here.


Shuttle Discovery, crew of 7 blast off for international space station after monthlong delay

"Space shuttle Discovery and its crew of seven rocketed into orbit Sunday evening, setting off on a space station construction mission cut short by launch delays that dragged on for more than a month."

Click here for more on the story.


Soothe Stiff Joints with This Sleep Position

"Don't you hate it when you sleep wrong and all of a sudden getting out of bed is a struggle?

So before you nod off, do a quick posture check. There are three sleep positions that help ease strain on your head, neck, and back. What are they? Read on . . ."

To learn more about the answers,click here.


Gratitude for a child saved

"More than two-dozen first-graders were squealing and bouncing balls that mid-February morning in the gym at East Boston Central Catholic School when 6-year-old Olivia Quigley suddenly collapsed. No one saw it coming. The little girl with the strawberry blonde hair and no front teeth had been in perfect health."

Meet Olivia and the people who came to her aid by clicking here.


Discounter hits the right note during the downturn

"After more than a decade, discounter A.J. Wright is finally getting it right.

The chain, run by TJX Cos. in Framingham., recently reported turning an annual profit for 2008, the first time the merchant has done so since launching in 1998."

Click here for more on A.J. Wright's successful strategy.


St. Patrick's Pooches: How many can you name besides Irish setters?

"Sure, you know Big Red. But how many other Irish dog breeds do you know? Can you name eight American Kennel Club-sanctioned lovable breeds of Irish descent?"

To test your knowledge of Irish canines, click here.


Therapy to suppress peanut allergies is reported

"After years of frustration, allergists meeting in Washington proclaimed a small but significant victory against life-threatening peanut allergies."

Click here for more on their progress.


World Vision Expands Operations to Reach Those Hardest Hit by Recession

"World Vision is excited to announce plans to expand its operations in Philippi, West Virginia and the surrounding communities. In addition to expanding its local operations, World Vision is preparing to launch a new national initiative later this year to help fight the root causes of rural poverty. Both programs will be based in Philippi, West Virginia."

Read more on this ministry's plans here.