Blog

On the first day of 2021, I stood beside our fake Lowe’s tree and removed one ornament at a time. Each one sparked emotion. A mixture of sadness and thankfulness as I thought of our parents who’ve passed. A big smile with gratitude, when I ...
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I set the timer for the the dough to rise, and thought, we spend so much time waiting. I could’ve picked up a loaf from the store, but homemade bread is better; the smell overwhelms you when the crusty loaf comes from the oven; it’s ...
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I'm convinced God designed me to gather people. To serve them, encourage them and watch magic happen when strangers become friends. I love to prep my home for guests who will share an evening meal or for friends who'll stay overnight. Like a little girl ...
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My daughter’s former student was shot and killed this Thanksgiving—a random act of violence. A volunteer basketball coach who was loved by his community. He was only twenty. The younger kids looked up to him. My close friend hasn’t regained her sense of taste and ...
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Dear Tom, It’s hard to remember my life before you. Somehow, you were always here; always meant to be. I love you falls short. Loving you has become a selfish endeavor. It means I love myself because, in you, are so many pieces of me; ...
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In November 1985, as our loved ones gathered around, Tom and I walked the aisle, prayed, linked arms and promised to stick together for life. It still seems too good to be true. We’d found each other—our prayers and spouse-searches were over, hallelujah. With my ...
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One October day, Tom and I decided to make a quick trip to the mountains. While we gathered all the things, and it seemed to take forever just to load the car, I had a recurring thought. I wondered why we’d go to so much ...
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I feel a little jealous when someone says, "I married my best friend!" or “We were high school sweethearts.” honeymoon 1985 I married a stranger. Friends arranged a blind date for us, and after that night, we virtually dated on our landlines. We had a ...
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Imagine yourself a pilgrim in 1621. You and your entourage have mistakenly landed in the wilds of Massachusetts (rather than Virginia) during a harsh winter. Half of your friends and family have died. You’ve experienced a year of tragedy, famine and sickness. Your shelter is ...
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A lovely woman topped with pure white hair approached me on the walking path. She wore a bright gold top that matched the season, and at each step she leaned awkwardly to one side or the other. She seemed to be in pain. The familiar ...
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Walking in stride with God is something I’ve worked on for years. I have a natural tendency to make decisions based on how I feel rather than what God wants me to do. Especially when in proximity with others I try to give way to ...
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Many centuries ago there lived a Gentile woman in the town of Zarapheth, in Lebanon. Although her actual name isn’t mentioned, I like to call her Zoe, which means life. Her story from 1 Kings 17, came into my life at just the right time ...
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