Tell Me A Story: A Favorite Recipe and Memories of a Dear Friend
My Christmas Memory in this second week of Advent involves delicious food, a dear friend and wonderful memories of a Christmas spent in England. Some 30 years ago, pregnant with my first child, my husband and I decided to spend Christmas with my friend and her husband in Southampton, England. Valerie and I had been pen pals for nearly 20 years...
Tell Me A Story: Finding the True Spirit of Christmas
The Christmas season conjures up many memories of holidays past, some warm and pleasurable, many bittersweet. In the weeks ahead, I'll be sharing a few of my own Christmas memories, as well as those offered by a few friends. Today, a fellow blogger I met online through The Nester's 31 Days of Writing has agreed to share a memory. Melissa Haag...
Tell Me A Story: The Beauty of Midnight Celebrations
We have entered the most holy of seasons, a time of anticipation, celebration and recognition of Christ, the promised Messiah. Events and images of past Nativity seasons are stamped in my memory, like pictures on a Christmas card. Perhaps it is the same for you. A few friends will join me to share favorite Christmas memories over the next...
When We Build Fences of Regret
Who doesn't regret something in their lives? You can't be in this world, have any sort of history, and not have regret. Over choices you made. Or didn't make. Over people you hurt. Or didn't love enough. Over misunderstandings, missteps, mistakes. It's tempting to hang onto the regret, to coddle the remorse we feel and believe that living with...
At Ruby for Women: ‘God Made a Farm Wife’
I'm sharing my recent post "God Made a Farm Wife" today in the Ruby Blog at Ruby for Women. This great little website attempts to be "a voice for every Christian woman", and I'd say they come pretty close. Ruby for Women is an online Christian women's magazine, published quarterly, which features inspirational articles, devotionals, stories,...
Who Wins? Dignity, Joy or Grace?
Two events broke my heart over the weekend. On Saturday, as promised, 29-year-old Brittany Maynard ended her life before the cancer that was taking over her body could end it for her. And on Sunday, in front of a sold-out crowd of 10,000, college freshman Lauren Hill thumbed her nose at cancer to make two baskets in her first and last college...
The Courage To Write Endings and Beginnings: Write for 31 Days
I don't like endings, especially when the thing that's ending has been so good. The closing lines of a book that's stirred my soul, the final scene of a movie that has held me captive, the final days of a loved one's visit, the good-byes at the end of a much-needed phone conversation, the last bite of lemon meringue pie. I could go on and on....
‘God Still Speaks to Us Today’: Write for 31 Days
My "God-Spot" for Day 30 of Writing for 31 Days is my dear friend Betsy Tacchella. Betsy and I are of the same generation and sisters in Christ. She is a wonderful speaker, mentor, author and an inspiration to so many. She recently published her second book, "Speak to Me, Lord, I'm Listening." It is a wonderful collection of biblical examples...
Dogs Are Family, Too: Write for 31 Days
There are events in life that just catch one unawares. And when they happen, we sometimes learn things about ourselves we didn't expect. We're still reeling from one of those events. They were just a couple of dogs. Family pets. They could be annoying and endearing and entertaining all at the same time. Lily was an older, low-to-the-ground...
‘Duck Daughter’ Is More than a Pretty Face: Write for 31 Days
My Day 27 post is a bit of a departure from my usual theme, but this young lady has been on my mind all day. So, I'm taking that as a "rhema" word from God telling me to pray for her. Today's "God-Spot" in Write for 31 Days is Sadie Robertson. I thought twice before I dropped the magazine into my shopping cart. The 5 bucks it cost me...