Sigh

I love cooking for people, so when our out-of-town guests offered to take us out to eat last night, I said, “No, No… I’ve got a roast ready to pop in the oven! No, No, No. Potatoes are already parboiled, green beans are snapped…No, No, No…”
About 10 minutes later, I heard a strange sound from [...]

Buzz

I admit it. I love Christmas shopping. I love buying gifts for people. I absolutely adore thinking about what people like and need and finding the perfect gift. I do look forward to this time of year because of the gift giving – among other things, of course.
It’s in the genes, man. My dad is [...]

Defiant Hope

Another great post up at Happiness is a Butterfly.  She described decorating for Christmas as an act of defiance against all the hardships her family is experiencing right now. Her words really resonated with me.
I felt similarly decorating our home the other night. But you know, being surrounded by reminders that God has given such [...]

Thanksgiving

We had two Thanksgiving celebrations this year. Wednesday night was spent at home with our friend, Rafik, from Egypt. I loved cooking the big feast and especially enjoyed how much fun Rafik had with the turkey.

Everything arrived at the table a little late, but it all tasted just the way I had hoped. Rafik was [...]

R.I.P.

After 15 very good years, I’m finally laying this old friend to rest.

Half of Genesis is gone and Romans and Acts are squished between 1st and 2nd Timothy. I covered the bonded leather cover with plastic ages ago and now it is pealing off. I can’t tell you how long I have put this off.
I [...]

Inside

Two friends from Madison, WI came yesterday to visit.
Two people who knew my life back in Madison very well, came to look inside my new life here in Sycamore.
I really wasn’t sure how I was going to feel. I tried not to over clean, over plan, over smile, or over worry. But I admit, I [...]

When I get the chance…

These are posts I need to write…  (Maybe next week? Maybe?)
1. The challenges of being a Christian in America
Why it’s hard to live in relative ease and comfort… What we miss out on by not “needing” God in the same ways our brothers and sisters around the world do… What our rugged individualism does to [...]

Giggles

Our beach vacation brought back many wonderful memories for me. Growing up, my grandparents spent 2-3 months out of the year snow-birding it in Clearwater Beach, Florida. I spent nearly every spring break down there with my mom and brother.
I remember searching for shells and sand dollars with my grandparents, and later gluing them down [...]

What we can…

I have a bona-fide animal lover for a daughter. She loves animals, and they love her back. She is most at home in her own skin when she is around them. She plays with the neighbors outdoor cat for hours on end. We don’t feed it, don’t let it inside, and yet it faithfully comes [...]

A Little Peak

We had a fantastic time on vacation – and thanks so much to those who prayed for our health. God answered your prayers – and kept the kids sick. This, however, ended up being the reason why we had such a refreshing experience.
We were in Florida to attend the The Navigators National Collegiate Conference. Every [...]