Category Archives: Family

Another Angel Is Welcomed Home

Janis Van Keuren

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 →

Caught Between

Janis Van Keuren

       It’s a strange place to be. Wandering between joy and unexpected sorrow. Looking forward to rejoicing at someone’s wedding and suddenly hearing I will need to help plan a family funeral. To be suspended above the two, emotions hovering, not sure where to land. All happening within one of the most joyful, albeit, hectic seasons of the year.      My resolve to focus on Jesus and His birth this Christmas, to spend quality time in the presence of … Continue reading →

Grace and Forgiveness Rain Down

Janis Van Keuren

     The rainbow promises hope      The cloudy skies promised to rain fear and hopelessness on my joyful moment.  In the kitchen while I breaded the chicken breasts, the thoughts assailed my mind like searing arrows.     “Prepare for the pain,” they kept saying. “He won’t be coming back.”     I carefully placed a piece of chicken in the hot oil of the frying pan.     “Suffering with Christ is part of my walk as a Christian,” I told myself trying to brace … Continue reading →

Classic Beef Stroganoff

Janis Van Keuren

       This week we celebrated Hubby’s birthday with his favorite meal, Beef Stroganoff.  For me, it always  requires a lot of juggling to make everything finish at just the right time, without drying out, overcooking, or turning limp.  So, Hubby gets it once a year or a nice dinner out.     After dragging my feet the whole weekend, contemplating if I was up for the challenge, I finally moved into action on Sunday and put it in high gear.  With … Continue reading →

The Blessing of Hubby

Janis Van Keuren

     And the Blessings Flow One Upon Another for those Who Are the Lord’s      Today is Hubby’s birthday but we celebrated on Sunday when all could relax and enjoy our time together.  I made his favorite meal, Beef Stroganoff with basil green beans, noodles, and crescent rolls.  We set a festive table in the dining room with crystal goblets and burning candles, dripping burgundy wax into the holders.  Youngest picked up the ice cream cake for dessert while oldest … Continue reading →

Finding Joy in the Desert

Janis Van Keuren

         When we first moved here, it was the middle of a blazing-hot Arizona summer.  I laughed as we crossed a bridge with a caution sign that read, “Ice Forms First on Bridge” and the thermometer was sizzling in the triple digits.  I thought the road crew was crazy.  Ice on the bridge would have been a welcome sight!     As we wound our way up to our new home, wavy heat shimmers radiated off the asphalt street.  There were … Continue reading →

The Blessings of Family and Friends

Janis Van Keuren

Hubby and the two-month old    The closeness of family and friends, the fellowship with other Christians–immeasurable blessings that filled my week.  When you live a state away from all the family you grew up with, you treasure the moments and new memories being created with the next generation of family.  Hubby’s cousins’ children have been living nearby for a while but we’re drawing closer together as they have children and celebrate special occasions.  We joke that we have become … Continue reading →

Cooking Southwestern Style

Janis Van Keuren

  Chicken Fajitas      It may look like we do a lot of barbecuing at our home~and you would be right in thinking that.  During the summer months when it is 109 degrees outside, who wants to heat up the house with a hot oven?     This week at our Arizona diggs, we are featuring our version of Chicken Fajitas~a traditional dish for serving when we have guests.  We like to think of our home as the local “Bed and Breakfast” … Continue reading →

Spinning with Celebration

Janis Van Keuren

         Whirling round with joy, round as the plate that celebrates the moments of our family life.  What set this joy of celebration spinning?  A round red plate–a gift from friends–declaring that “You are special today.”  Special for a thousand reasons. a birthday the first day of kindergarten that first solo swim the report card gleaming with a hard-earned “A” making the team, the winning game the game that wasn’t won but hard-fought the start of school the county fair … Continue reading →

A Servant’s Heart

Janis Van Keuren

   I missed catching the oldest son in the act of wrapping up the food      The sound of aluminum foil being tugged is heard upstairs as he pulls the shining covering across the plate.  It crinkles quietly as he folds the foil around the edges.  The refrigerator door opens gently and the dish of left overs from dinner clinks against the shelf.  Quietly, the door closes as he picks up Corning Ware baking dish in which the chicken was … Continue reading →