Good morning... Thirty-nine years ago, on Memorial Day weekend, Steve and I were married in my hometown of Berea, Ohio. This anniversary morning, we wake in Athens, Georgia, new grandparents to Charlie, who is a week and two days old. Our youngest daughter could not come to meet Charlie at the hospital, since she woke that day with [...]
Good morning... On Mother's Day morning, I received this photo, one of my favorites of all time. It's the mother-son dance at Kyler's wedding nearly four years ago. Now our first born son will soon have his first born son, what a regenerative gift from God. "Happy Mother’s Day!" his wife Chandler texted me on Sunday. "Love this [...]
Good morning... I received a special package this week from our former exchange student from Norway. Margit lived with my biological family for a year when she was a junior in high school, my sister was in ninth grade, I was in seven grade, and my brother was in fifth grade. Margit became a soul sister and a [...]
Good morning... When my friend sent me the encouragement above, I simplified it down to action words and sent it out to a few dear friends. No matter what... stay focussed. Close to You... I find strength... to accomplish whatever is before me. Right now... choose... quiet... refocus... in Jesus. Amen. Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, [...]
Good morning... "I wanted to thank all of you who supported Eliza’s Entourage," wrote Cathy Darland, Eliza's grandmother and a beloved member of our Wednesday afternoon class. "This weekend we raised over $544,000 for Childhood Cancer research! It was an amazing evening! The night was very emotional, but our sweet Eliza was certainly the star of the show. [...]
Good morning... This short poem reminds me of two things. A recent walk in the woods with a dear friend. The final line from the obituary of our friend Tom McLain: "...carry on Tom's legacy: say yes to everything!" ****** "Yes, That’s When" by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer I like my body when I’m in the woods and I [...]
Good morning... As we wake on this early spring morning, how have you seen God at work this week? Look up. Smile. Thank. Have your roots planted deep in Christ. Grow in Him. Get your strength from Him. Let Him make you strong in the faith as you have been taught. Your life should be full of thanks [...]
Good morning... "This photo popped up this morning," wrote Jennifer DeShetler yesterday. "This is what I was thinking of when I shared the cake kits for needy families. Audrey made her brother's birthday cake every year. This photo was taken when she was 8 years old (12 years ago)." "Wow!" I replied. "What a picture of loving kindness. [...]
Good morning... "You asked me this morning what did I remember most about my cancer journey," she emailed me yesterday. "Through all the pain, anguish, and unknowing answers with cancer, this cruel disease has many benefits," she explained. "It was probably, no it was, my closest time with God. I could not have visitors. I could not go [...]
Good morning... Yesterday morning, I was expecting the highly anticipated Blood Moon effect of a total lunar eclipse, so I woke when it was predicted to be at peak. Instead of seeing the full moon mysteriously turn red, I saw clouds. Grey. Dense. Blinding clouds. "What a disappointment!" said the body language of our [...]
