There are teens in the house. Some sitting at the table. Some have gathered in the music room and rich harmonies flow. The house seems alive. The presence of God full in this place. My heart count down the days. Moment by moment. I try to push it aside. I try to distract myself. But it' there. It looms. The 5th Anniversary of Elijah's home going. I still can't believe it. I often still feel like it's a dream. My boy. My red headed, just graduated, complex, fiery tempered, blue eyed first born. He's gone. Torn from me without warning. And here I am. Still counting ... View Post
What About #GivingDecember? Day #30 of Thankfulness
Another month comes to a close. The 30 Days of Thankfulness making way for Advent. The lights are hung. The tree in. Christmas Carols play most of the day. The girls are busy making lists and thinking of gifts to give. There is so much wrapped in this season. I think back over this month of Gratitude. Each year I change. I lose sight of the good easily. This practice reaches down to my very core and spurs me on. The idea of Giving Tuesday seemed to appear. There wasn't much warning on my part. Yet, I am pleasantly surprised at the heart of people. Giving. The opportunities ... View Post
Will You Give on Giving Tuesday? Day #29 of Thankfulness
The smell of haylage lingers. The cows are content in the early morning. Their routine. Care given in the choice of feed. Optimum milk production crucial to our existence. Diligence in so many areas. A farmers work is never done. He toils and spins even while he sleeps. He gives continually. As my farmer cares and provides for his animals his heart lingers in another country. He ponders better ways. He seeks wisdom. He longs to be free to go, yet loves the land he has been given to steward. So we pray. Do we go from one mess to another? Today is Giving Tuesday. The ... View Post
They’re Going. . . Again
26 days. There are 26 days until they leave. My farmer, farm boy and college girl are getting ready. Shots, paper work and prayer. Knees bent low as they trust for each piece of this journey. They're going because they desire to serve. The skills they use each day here on the farm yearning to be used for a people in need. Arms aching to hold those who long to be held. So, on the wings of prayer, they will go. To a people and land loved deeply. It is here the effects of chemo and radiation faded away as my ... View Post