Audrey’s At Notre Dame
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. Prayers abound. Constantly prayers abound. With Audrey in mind, I marvel at God and ponder [...]
This Is The Shining Path
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 words, and I hear Him reminding me that He is present...in this friendship He has [...]
Walking With Depression
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 the determined choice to praise God in all things. She said to me, "Sue, I [...]
Learn To Live With Joy
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 to teach from the newly reprinted version with fresh introductory words. I'll teach it with [...]
Honoring Diana And Hersh
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 Monday I revisited the gorgeous song, lifting up loved ones in prayer as they prepared [...]
Come. Pause. Rest.
Good morning... On the seventh day—with the canvas of the cosmos completed—God paused from His labor and rested (Genesis 2:2, VOICE). Created in the image of God, might we reflect the same restorative rhythm? Come. Pause. Rest. There still remains a place of rest, a true Sabbath, for the people of God because those who enter into salvation’s rest lay down their labors in the same way that God entered into a Sabbath [...]
My Dance With Steve
Good morning... Today, my husband Steve and I will reunite after his first adventure in his new role as Chaplain Emeritus at the Lovett School. Creating and directing Lovett Expeditions, a global trip program for adults in our community, Steve has passed the baton to Lovett's next head chaplain after serving kids diligently for twenty-nine years. Today is a new chapter in our life as a couple, as he returns from summiting Mt. [...]
What Is Mine To Do Today?
Good morning... As I woke in the dark, I was drawn outside to water our very, very thirsty plants. The brilliant light of the moon and the stars startled me amazed. I snapped a photo, turned on the sprinkler, and, beside our two dogs, I sipped on my coffee beneath our back porch. "God, what is mine to do today?" I wondered to myself amid a myriad of possibilities. "Lord, where might I [...]
Steve Summited Kili
Good morning... Waking early, I took time to process myself by writing yesterday's blog, Steve Is In Africa. In retrospect, I realize now that the post expressed the tip top of my emotions. Hope. Connection. Optimism. I had not heard the voice of my husband Steve for nearly a week as he led his first Lovett Expeditions trip to hike Kilimanjaro. Soon I would learn, a mountain of feelings lived beneath my surface. [...]
Steve Is In Africa
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 in Tanzania, Africa. It has been a whole week since I heard his voice, which [...]
Listen To The Genuine
Good morning... For years, I have been asked to be the kick-off speaker for the "Lovett Moms In Prayer" group each fall. What an annual delight! Yesterday was the day, and I spoke with a roomful of young mothers who have high hopes for this new school year. I was asked to share our "fleece" story from the fall of 2002, the story of the genuine voice of God breaking in to move [...]
Visiting My Parents
Good morning... For years and years and years, I have taught Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, for years and years and years. Then in May, my friend said, "Why don't you consolidate your classes so you'll have more time to go to Ohio to visit with your parents?" I checked with the regulars on my rosters, and sure enough, people were fine with shifting classes to Wednesday afternoon, Wednesday [...]