Blog – Page 45 – Janis Van Keuren

Great Friends, Great Food, “Tres Leches” Dessert

Life tossed us a curve ball when more than an earthquake uprooted hundreds of us women from our carefree family lives in California. We were driven across the mighty Colorado, actually just a meandering river at the Interstate 10 state border, and transplanted into the blazing desert sun of Arizona. But have no fear, we were told, “It’s a dry heat.” No kidding! We only saw water in washes swollen from the summer monsoon deluges. Those were few and … Continue reading →

Lessons From Chip, the Wonder Dog

His face wags from side to side with delight as his fluffy, feathered-like tail swishes heart-stirring greetings to you at the door. Could there be any doubt that he adores you? He is Chip. Lovingly referred to as the “Wonder Dog” and the third bear cub in this almost-all-male household. Enthusiastically, he leaps and bounds across the family room to bring you his treasured toy. Just waiting for you to throw it again as he dances air-bound … Continue reading →

Seeing Through His Eyes

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 →

The Harvest That Nourishes

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 →

Life is But A Glance Out the Window

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 →

Gobbling Up Holiday Leftovers–Repackaged

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 →

Invoking the Blessings From God’s Word

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 →