Good morning... After reading yesterday's blog post, My Dad's Handwritten Note, a church friend from a while back wrote from miles away, sharing a story about her own father. Now up in the middle of the night the nearly full moon beckons me to the couch. "Sit. Stay put. Savor her tender, touching words." "Northside will always be [...]
Good morning... "Make prayer your first response instead of your last resort," a friend shared a quote she had read somewhere. There are so many different forms of prayer. Laying in bed and letting our worries fall into the hands of God. Prayers sent up like arrows to heaven. "LORD, help me." "Please guide me." "God, thank you [...]
Good morning... Oh, how I remember these dorm move-in days with all four of our kids. It has been pretty amazing to receive texts and photos of Audrey DeShelter's move-in experience at Notre Dame. Yesterday, her mom Jennifer posted about Audrey's transition on Facebook. So much beauty amid so much challenge. [...]
Good morning... Many people related to our blog yesterday, Walking With Depression. The first to reply was the person at the center of the post, my friend who had shared her hard, heavy feelings as we walked to and from the horse farm. "I love you my friend..." she texted. "I hear God speaking to me in your [...]
Good morning... As I walked and talked with a friend, she pulled out her phone and read from yesterday's blog post. She read aloud Kay Warren's definition of joy. 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 [...]
Good morning... Today I begin a new semester of learning with women, at home and at the church. From 12:30 to 2:00 pm, I welcome women into our home to discuss Kay Warren's Choose Joy: Because Happiness Isn't Enough. A book that significantly shaped my life when I taught it ten years ago this fall, I am excited [...]
Good morning... Last Thursday, Diana's spirit left earth for heaven, released from the cancer that filled her body. On Sunday, I sat in the church pew behind her daughter, hugged her, listened to her grief, bonded over her deep love for her mother. Later, we sang the Audrey Assad song below, I Shall Not Want. First thing on [...]
Good morning... The last time my husband Steve and I were physically together on a mountainside was in Banff, Canada. We explored the Canadian Rockies with our adult kids in June. This week Steve and I have been spiritually together as I have prayed constantly for him and the group he is helping to lead up Mt. Kilimanjaro [...]
Good morning... In the middle of the night I wrote yesterday's blog message, Abby. Audrey. Eliza. Then I climbed back into bed. After waking from my second sleep, I re-read Abby Smith's obituary and was surprised by the final line: The Celebration Service of Abby's life will be held on Sunday, August 21st at 3:00pm at Northside Church [...]
Good morning... Neuroblastoma, a type of cancer that develops in immature nerve tissue, usually affects children under the age of five. In the spring of 2006, I began working at Northside Church in the Children's Ministry. Then in January of 2008, I became the Women's Ministry Director. Throughout my time at Northside, I have been deeply affected by [...]
