It all started with two people moving to southern California from other southwestern states {Arizona and Texas}, deciding to go to the same church there in Palm Springs, volunteering to work with high school students there, connecting with mutual friends, and being introduced over dinner. Then it was a first date consisting of kayaking and… Read More Stu & Rachel’s SoCal Wedding ~ Part 1
New Year’s Eve in Austin Texas 2012 ~ Four Seasons Hotel Well, not exactly, but it is an island, off the coast of Maine, accessible only by ferry, and I don’t think cars are even allowed. This is really a blessing to us, although it has taken me a couple of days to warm up… Read More Celebrating 20 Years On A Remote Desert Island
Our family has been dreaming of a California vacation for about eight months now. Eight months because it was in December that we learned of my brother Stu’s engagement to his girlfriend, Rachel. Stu and Rachel both live in southern California, their wedding is on Saturday, and we could not be happier for this godly… Read More California Dreamin’ & Veggie Nightmares
This morning while Robert and I were running, and hardly able to breathe in this thick New England humidity, I had a funny thought. Here we were dripping with sweat {don’t hear me complaining, though!} and jogging back toward home on the beautiful bike trail near our house when I remembered the time three years… Read More Good Gifts: Summer Camp and Deaths for Glory
When life gets full and crazy, it also gets difficult to eat right. Things have been so non-stop around here, that instead of a smoothie for breakfast, it’s almond butter quickly spread on a rice cake, and instead of a big salad for lunch it’s rice crackers and hummus and a few cheese slices. Now,… Read More Gluten Free Friday ~ Refreshing Juices and Cool Ice Pops
My journal entry from June 28th {during last week’s denial and chaos} begins with this verse: Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighed down with dissipation {self-indulgence} and drunkenness and the worries of life…but keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that… Read More Counting One Thousand Gifts: June {& a heart lifted up}
Why am I in denial about the realities of summer EVERY year? Why do I eagerly anticipate the end of the school year in expectation of slow and laid back summer days ~ carefree and restful? Why, in May, do I picture myself on warm, sunny beaches in June with my kids splashing in the… Read More Counting One Thousand Gifts: Denial and Chaos and Joy
Well, my women’s small group has been at it for 6 weeks now. We’ve read the entire letter to Titus.{It’s only 3 chapters.} We’ve listed key words, phrases, and themes. We’ve looked at each chapter by itself, and have re-written crucial passages in our own words. We’ve even memorized a section of verses that well… Read More Titus: A Poetic Summary {by yours truly}
Y’all. It’s been one heckuva week; a gully-washer of problems and pains. {Pulling out some Texan for effect.} Honestly, I think it may go down in this mama’s history as one of the top ten most stressful weeks of her life so far. People, and issues, and more people, and more issues, and messy battle… Read More Gluten Free Friday ~ Coconut Chicken Curry {in the crockpot!} {with a side dish of Bible exposition}
Robert had to leave extra early this morning for a meeting with regional pastors and church-planters. We usually run together on Monday mornings, but today I went alone, and I went long. Longer than our usual six miles, because it was a longer than usual weekend, filled with the pain of perceived betrayal, and the… Read More The Gift of His Voice