Both Ron and I could tell our family needed a moment to breathe and find our center again. We were all moving quickly in the details of our day, and it was a great morning to jump off the tracks and have some words together. Step 1: I cut some construction paper into squares and passed one out to everyone at the table to write the answer to my one question – What is your challenge right now? We each took a minute to write, and then we shared. Ron – struggling to find passion and purpose in my work, but having financial goals for the family – now and in the future Carson – school – boring and same thing over and over again Ada – waking up early and the...
Read MoreThis is an email I sent on April 18, 2013 to the best email address I could find in hopes of reaching Dallas Willard. And today, I hear the news that Dr. Willard has taken up his eternal residence in heaven. So, as I had written, it will be on the side of heaven that we meet and talk and share! Though I will miss his words and “eyes to see,” this is not the end, and we will share some dinner someday. Becky, I have for some time thought of this email and the myriad of ways that I could reach Dallas Willard. And perhaps he has many such emails that begin in such a way. But I will start here and if Father believes on this side of eternity that my husband and...
Read MoreI just made a list in my journal of the things I would love to accomplish today. There are too many and not enough time – I find this is the story of my life, but I greet the “undone” better than ever and just look to prioritize and choose well! So, I choose “The Kitchen Table.” I have words brewing in my heart and mind on the topic, and I must make sense of them through this medium of words. I often say that our kitchen table is the most important piece of furniture in our home, and once again, I celebrate this truth. Dinner last night and breakfast this morning were nothing short of miraculous, and I take a step from the crazy and mark the truth of the...
Read MoreRon and I turn 40 this year! And as we talked about various options for celebrating this milestone, the three of us landed on an incredible opportunity with a most strategic ministry. We will be traveling April 25-May 1 with World Orphans to participate in a training seminar for their church partners in Haiti. World Orphans is a non-profit ministry committed to strengthening the local church around the world to rescue and care for children. World Orphans takes the time to identify churches in the developing world that are already caring for orphans and could do more with support and encouragement from a western church partner. By partnering with World Orphans, Ron and...
Read MoreWe started our own list of 1,000 gifts after beginning a great new read called One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp (www.aholyexperience.com). She like so many interpreters before her is giving words and meaning to my “peaceful wreck” mentality (phrase taken from a short story by Tillie Olsen)! I need help – deciphering my details, choosing my “big rocks,” and pursuing the work that survives! And Ann is becoming a new friend in the journey. As I am just beginning the read, I am not ready to offer a summary but I will say this: Ann believes there is value in Eucharist – a life of gratitude and thus this book is weaved with her own list...
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