I struggle to be present. Can you relate? The planner in me is ALWAYS working toward the next thing on the calendar, the next decision that has to be made. I continually play all the scenarios in my mind as life-in-the-moment is actually happening. I don’t like this about myself, it just is. But today, […]
Today, in the midst of summer vacations and weekend road trips, I’m reminded of my long-time traveling buddies: My precious family. This is re-post from several years ago. My husband and I just celebrated our 24th wedding anniversary. Besides the family we’ve created together, many of the best gifts we’ve been given over the years are […]
I just signed up for a Diet Bet. I know, I know – “diet” actually is a four-letter word. I guess I’m in a place right now where I need a little bit of external motivation, and maybe some accountability, in order to keep myself on track. Quarantine life isn’t exactly conducive to stellar eating […]
There’s a sign hanging over the door that leads from my laundry room to the carport, reminding my family to “Make Good Choices” out there. You might think I’m the kind of Mom who raised her kids on these words, but frankly, you’d be wrong. That sign hangs there – always slightly askew, never mind […]
At William “Bill” Alfier’s memorial service today, memories flowed freely and were peppered with laughter, salted with tears. Bill was a colorful guy for whom appearances meant nothing, but whose family and friends meant everything to him. He lived exactly as he pleased and gave permission for others to do the same, and whether or […]
Each year on Reformation Sunday we are reminded by the apostle Paul that our salvation is a gift from God. Romans 3:24-25 say that we are made right with God when we believe that Jesus sacrificed his life for our salvation. If we connect the dots in these two verses, we can see that we are […]
I am not a morning person. Really not a morning person. I am a night owl to the bone. Marrow. Unfortunately for me, life hasn’t been the most accommodating to my body-clock. About the time my REM cycle hits deep-and-satisfying, my alarm clock begins to chirp and the demands of motherhood, employment, and academia trump […]
It’s not only the name of the dark ale I’m sipping as I sit at the local pub on this “National Drink a Beer Day,” waiting for my growler to be filled. As the emotional roller coaster of this past week screeches to a halt, “Power Jam” seems like an apt assessment of what God […]
You’ve probably played this game before – the icebreaker that poses the scenario: Your house is on fire, and you can take only five things with you. What do you choose? Designed to get at what you value most, this conversation-starter poses a theoretical question that can result in some pretty interesting insights about people […]
It was a talent show in my parents’ living room, and the actors had taken the “stage.” The a capella version of Annie’s signature song began as a duet, but it quickly became my daughter’s moment to shine – or so she thought. Britton wore the crescendo on her face as she sang, building toward […]