With great anticipation, we packed our suitcases, hired our dog’s favorite sitter, and planned our long-awaited weekend away in California to celebrate with family. For the most part, we had not seen the family since Christmas of 2019–just before the pandemic hit. This gathering would draw us together for the first time in more than a year and a half.
Continue reading →By the time we had two boys, we had just moved to Arizona–all beach, no water–in the middle of summer. Suddenly, summer wasn’t so fun anymore. We landed in 106-degree heat. And no pool in the backyard yet. But friends again came to our rescue from our home state
Continue reading →The fabric that weaves a culture together from one generation to the next, besides love, is tradition. Richly displayed most often during a particular culture’s holidays and religious ceremonies,
Continue reading →Warm desert breezes mingled with the fragrance of citrus blossoms. Normally, I would be standing in our yard inhaling the luxurious scent from our orange and lemon trees but this year, the heat is driving me indoors, robbing me of a springtime joy. My spiritual life mirrored this perplexity in nature as a time of rejoicing in the Lord was clipped by the rising temps in my surrounding circumstances. Evil was making its move to rob me of the joy the Lord … Continue reading →
After a little more than a week of being laid up from one of those old-age illnesses, I ventured into our backyard aching to get my first up-close glimpse of our orange blossoms. They did not disappoint. In abundant array, they crowned nearly every branch stretching its glory into the sky. The closer I approached, the stronger the heady scent of citrus perfumed the air. What a welcome it offered to leaving behind sickness and stepping into health again. Just … Continue reading →
While shepherds huddled around the newborn babe, angels sung the glories of God’s love. There in a stable in Bethlehem, love was born anew not just to the virgin Mary but to the whole world who would believe and accept Him as their Savior. The world’s first Advent had arrived. The prophecy that had been proclaimed through Isaiah had come to pass. The long-awaited Messiah, the Wonderful Counselor, the Prince of Peace had come to set His people free. “For … Continue reading →
We’re halfway through the second week of Advent. A time of preparing our hearts for a renewed focus on the reason Christ became man. In the midst of the busyness we call Christmas, our hearts get tangled up in where to put the focus. Is it on creating a warm and decorative atmosphere in our homes? Or is it on preparing a feast to welcome family both far and near? And if we’re people pleasers, are we caught up in … Continue reading →
The “Nesting Season” has settled in. Instinctively, birds everywhere are gathering twigs, moss, cotton, string–whatever will pad their nest with comfort. Us humans feel that same need in spring to make our homes a comfortable place. Windows are thrown open releasing the stale air of winter. Closets are cleaned and organized. Walls, windows, baseboards, blinds and everything that captures dust is scrubbed down. Colors capture us, and we have a newfound fascination with paint swatches. We save magazine pages displaying … Continue reading →
Poster courtesy of 4Tucson Resting in the stillness of my favorite season of the year. It seems so natural to connect with Jesus as the crisp air tickles the leaves and the signs of frost paint rich hues across the landscape. For just a few moments, we slow our pace before the rush of holiday madness siphons us into its dizzying cyclone. Here beneath a cozy throw, I imagine the changing scenery on a mid-western day and gaze upon … Continue reading →
