Author Archives: Becky Dingle

About Becky Dingle

I was born a Tarheel but ended up a Sandlapper. My grandparents were cotton farmers in Laurens, South Carolina and it was in my grandmother’s house that my love of storytelling began beside an old Franklin stove. When I graduated from Laurens High School, I attended Erskine College (Due West of what?) and would later get my Masters Degree in Education/Social Studies from Charleston Southern. I am presently an adjunct professor/clinical supervisor at CSU and have also taught at the College of Charleston. For 28 years I taught Social Studies through storytelling. My philosophy matched Rudyard Kipling’s quote: “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” Today I still spread this message through workshops and presentations throughout the state. The secret of success in teaching social studies is always in the story. I want to keep learning and being surprised by life…it is the greatest teacher. Like Kermit said, “When you’re green you grow, when you’re ripe you rot.”

The Courage to Change in Mid-Steam

Posted on August 12, 2015 by Becky Dingle

Dear Reader: Meet the amazing Holderness Family! If they look familiar it is probably because you got caught up with their 2013 Christmas video rap…”Christmas Jammies.” I remember watching that video over and over and laughing my head off. Well…now … Continue reading →

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My Dream “She-Shed”

Posted on August 11, 2015 by Becky Dingle

Dear Reader: Another new word to add to our “how to stay in the groove” contemporary vocabulary!   “She-Shed”! For years now the term “man cave” has been recognized as the coveted spot in the home where the man of the … Continue reading →

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The Mystery of the Lone Pear…

Posted on August 10, 2015 by Becky Dingle

Dear Reader: Yesterday afternoon as I was walking around the house to get the water hose to spray my hanging ferns… something sitting on the fence caught my attention. It was a half-eaten pear. The beauty of this simple sight … Continue reading →

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Make Your Bed and Change Your Life

Posted on August 9, 2015 by Becky Dingle

Dear Reader: On May 17, 2014 Naval Admiral William H. McRaven (Ninth Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command) started his commencement speech at his alma mater (University of Texas) with this suggestion on how to change your perspective on life. … Continue reading →

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“O Lord, Prop me up in all my Leaning Places”

Posted on August 8, 2015 by Becky Dingle

Dear Reader: A favorite prayer at Hampton Plantation uttered by the workers there (that Archibald Rutledge would recall with great pleasure) was: “O Lord, prop me up in all my leaning places!” Yesterday I was re-reading chapters from Archibald Rutledge’s … Continue reading →

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An Extra Special Day-Anniversary Edition!

Posted on August 7, 2015 by Becky Dingle

Dear Reader: Guess what today is? The FIFTH ANNIVERSARY of the blog! It was on August 7, 2010 that the very first blog post appeared! Now true confession time…for awhile after the November 19 “photo situation” when Chapelofhopestories.com became a … Continue reading →

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God’s Special Gifts of Healing and Friendship

Posted on August 6, 2015 by Becky Dingle

Dear Reader: When I got this picture from Anne Wednesday morning….taken from a cottage on Cape Cod…I thought… Wow! From Motel Six to this in one day? The picture looks like the front covers of some of my summer romance … Continue reading →

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Inspiration While Writing…

Posted on August 5, 2015 by Becky Dingle

Dear Reader: Many times when I sit down to write the blog I already have a glint of an idea starting to take form…other times several thoughts have clustered into a myriad of ideas..and, still, then other times…like last night…I … Continue reading →

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A Trip Around the Circumference of the Heart

Posted on August 4, 2015 by Becky Dingle

  Dear Reader: Recently I updated my membership to Timrod because I simply have missed going in to that old historical building and smelling that wonderful old “library” smell that takes me back in time….I love seeing card catalogues again…and … Continue reading →

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“The Spirit of Abraham”

Posted on August 3, 2015 by Becky Dingle

Dear Reader: A couple of weeks ago, our pastor, Jeff Kackley, asked me if I would do the Children’s Message during the August 2 church service since he and his family would be on vacation. I agreed…already picturing  just the … Continue reading →

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