I have the privilege of working with a visually-impaired student. This second grader is full of life and joy. He wears an ear-to-ear smile every day, and hardly anything gets him down. Together we’re learning Braille–although he has a couple of years on me. And we read books through a monitor that enlarges the print on the page to the point where it becomes clear to him. We drill through math facts and tackle the second grade … Continue reading →
It’s the season of harvest here at our home. We have waited longingly for the time to come when we could pick the sweet, juicy oranges and the tart lemons. We have waited for this moment for 12 months. The time of the last picking of fruit. It seems like an eternity since we inhaled the first blush of promised fruit from the trees. Fragrant white blossoms filled the air with their heady scent. Enthralled, we hope-counted how … Continue reading →
Events of this past week in our state have punctuated the brevity of life and the unpredictability of when our lives here will end. My grandmother had a saying in Italian that translated into English said, “Life is glance out the window.” Grandma was not alone in her observation. Scripture tells us that our lives are a vapor or mist that appear for a short time and then vanish (James 4:14). However, I do not believe that these words … Continue reading →
Holiday leftovers are still making the rounds at our home. It’s one of the pleasures of this season that our family looks forward to. When the mounds of wrapping paper are wadded up and the lights on the tree are quiet, a slower pace descends upon our home. A time of reflection and a return to home-cooked meals enters as we try to restore energies spent in loving, giving, laughing, clinging to the treasure of family from California to … Continue reading →
A Psalm for the New Year: “May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings, May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up … Continue reading →
Photo from Kingdom Point Ministries, Google Images A major tragedy has hit our state. Our Congresswoman, Gabriel Giffords, and 18 other people were shot here today. They had come together in an informal meeting known as “Congress on the Corner” to talk about their concerns and issues face to face with their elected official. It was intended to be a peaceful way of discussing ideas. Instead, it turned into a war zone, leaving 6 dead, 5 in critical … Continue reading →
As we make New Year’s resolutions to improve our relationship with the Lord, it is reassuring to know that the Lord has already resolved to keep our hearts close to Him. “I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me for their own good and the good their children after them.” Jeremiah 32:39 NIV Trusting Him to keep my heart close to Him~not just for me, but most importantly for … Continue reading →
Sunrise over California on a chilly winter morning–Christmas 2010 Standing with arms raised in praise to the Lord, the music washed over me in church this morning. Our worship team called it a song of dedication. My heart soared with the lyrics. The song was not new to me. Though it had been a while since I’d heard it. Like fresh dew falling from the heavens, the words brought clarity to my mind. What a … Continue reading →
Silent. Soft swirls encircle the trees. Quietly the flakes drift like wafers on piles of whipped cream. Building without a sound until one by one they heap up softly curved drifts that reach windowpanes and block doorways. The only sound heard is the whipping wind whistling round the corners of the house and through the gaping meadows. The roaring wind drives gentleness across the landscape. Trees bend white, skies are whisked gray, the visible becomes invisible. … Continue reading →
Wind-sculpted snow forms soft heavenly feathers “I thank my God every time I remember you.” Philippians 1:3 NIV Thank you all for your prayers and notes of encouragement as my dear husband and I made arrangements for his sister, Carol’s, funeral in Minnesota. It was an arduous but beautiful journey. We spent time with family, friends, and Carol’s caretakers. And we were pummeled by the worst blizzard to hit Minnesota in more than 10 years. Yet, the Lord was faithful … Continue reading →
