She did a thing. All by herself. Though, strangely enough, she asked me to be with her. A big decision. A big purchase. What a joy it's been watching her as she has wrestled: How do I make Godly choices? How do I be responsible and make an educated purchase? What do I really need? And this process can be agonizing and produce desires to eat chocolate and other unhealthy things. How new of a car does one really need? Do I really need a new car now? Can I get through the winter? I'll just get through the winter. Decision making is crippling! These discussions rage on (and ... View Post
Don’t Underestimate A Visit
Don't ever underestimate a visit. Ever. He sat at my table. We drank tea. Conversation flowed easily. I laughed. He shared about the things he has been doing and where he is headed. Hopes and Dreams. A path. Unsure. Yet ready. All too soon it was time for him to go. I don't know when I'll see him again. You see, life has a way of taking our kids far from us. New adventures. The unknown. Excitement. This young man warmed my heart. I'd been having a few down days. Struggling. Grief. The loss of a child is hard. Achingly so. The holidays rear and the missing lurks in ... View Post
What is Joy Anyway?
What is Joy anyway? Really? There are song lyrics. Joy to the World. . . . I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart. . . Joyful, joyful, We Adore thee. . . Almond Joy. Joy-a feeling of great pleasure and happiness. Rick Warren adds his own definition: “Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright, and the determined choice to praise God in every situation.” While I agree with most of those definitions. I don't find that everything is going to be 'all right.' In ... View Post
30 Days of Thankfulness, Day #30 The Clean Up
The clean up. It's always hard for me. I can't seem to get the last dish put away or have it all completed. A life long struggle. Somehow the laundry is never truly finished. There's an extra sock, or a shirt that belongs to no one. I get distracted. The Clean up. No matter the year we usually transition right into Advent the day after Thanksgiving. This year Thanksgiving is so late Advent begins tomorrow. I am struggling to get rid of the piles and finish cooking down the turkey. I want to make soup and save the stock. But I can't find my big pot! The pot I just used to make ... View Post
30 Days of Thankfulness, Day #29 Those Name Tags
Those Name Tags. Every year. Every. single. year. They leave me undone. They make me laugh to see the cute art work by the kids. Lovingly those kids have made a name tag for every guest we've ever had. Those name tags humble me to the sheer number of people that have sat around this farmhouse table to break bread and give Thanks. They also make me weep at time gone by. At the changes that these years have brought. The name tag says, Handmade by Elijah and Clarissa. I've been cooking for two days. Pie crusts and stuffing. Turkey and gravy. Chex mix and coffee. The ... View Post
30 Days of Thankfulness, Day #11 Take The Time To Thank A Veteran
Our front porch is dotted with bits of snow. The first Nor'Easter about to blow. While the snow is early and we're not ready, we're still stepping into Gratitude because that is the way forward. Surrendering our hearts each day, in Gratitude, to the One whose Name is above all Names. A re-post from last year. May we never forget to thank our Veteran's. ````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` November 11, 2018 Happy Birthday Marines! It's the birthday of the United States Marine Corps. There are many balls and celebrations across the ... View Post
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