Often I struggle to figure out the solution to a problem with no success. Then at night, I awake from a sound sleep with the solution so clear in my mind, and I wonder why I couldn't figure it out. … Read more

As February approached, I looked over my journal notes from the previous year, and I was reminded of the night God spoke to me through the silence and beauty of a picture-perfect winter scene. My husband and I, bundled up … Read more

We are a pet family. Those who are too will know what I am talking about. Most of our lives, we have had pets — inside or outside, depending on where we lived. All of our children have at least … Read more

Ever since our now three-year-old granddaughter could sit up to the table in her high chair, we'd say this simple, age-old grace: Thank You for the world so sweet. Thank You for the food we eat. Thank You for the … Read more

Two years ago when the local YMCA had its grand opening after renovation, a lovely cement planter was placed at the entrance filled with shrubs, smaller blooming plants, and vines, creating a lovely spot of beauty for those going in … Read more

Bringing up kids is no easy task. Bringing up kids whose parents are in the ministry can be daunting. When the Committee on Ministry interviewed me for the position at Erin, one of the elders asked me what family devotions … Read more

When my children were growing up, the church we attended had a points system. There was a medal for three months' perfect attendance, another for six months' perfect attendance, and at the end of the year, a third medal and … Read more

Buster was a great dog. We had him from the time he was about nine months old until last summer, when he died at almost 13 years. He was very shy, but after attending obedience training, he grew into a … Read more

Things in my work world are constantly in a state of flux. We restructure year on year on year. My managers fret when I confirm that I am able to do what they ask but that I am unwilling to … Read more

Several years ago on a sunny summer afternoon, a few friends and I were walking along the waterfront, enjoying the sights and sounds. There were all kinds of activities going on: kids playing in the playground, seniors sitting on benches, … Read more

One day as I was going for a walk, I had to stand at a busy intersection and wait for the traffic to clear and the light to turn. The intersection is at the highway leading through town, so there … Read more

All right! I confess! As a child, I used to hide turnip by smushing it into any leftover gravy on my plate. Since my plate looked to be clear of the stuff, I qualified for dessert! It didn't take my … Read more

Last month, some members of our community took time from their daily routine to help people whose lives had been shattered by the hurricane, Katrina. They gathered a truckload of blankets, non-perishable food items, medical supplies, and two commercial tents, … Read more

A couple of days after Christmas, I went skating at the ice rink. Around and around I went. Suddenly, I envisioned my father skating with me. What pleasure that brought me! My father and I used to go skating when … Read more

The instructions were to travel seven miles out of town on Highway 300, go past the Glasgow road sign, and turn into the gate on the right. I had come seven miles, had passed the road sign, and was on … Read more

For several days, the weather channel had been predicting snow for our area of the state. Since snow is something we seldom see, the grandchildren were very excited. At last the day arrived! That long-awaited snowfall was to be here. … Read more

I recently had some pictures made for the wall in our office from our hot air balloon ride. The picture on the wall shows about a hundred sheep all running towards the opening in the fence. In the picture, the … Read more

When I was growing up, one of the biggest pop groups was the Swedish band "Abba". I can remember watching them for the very first time on television. They were participating in the annual Eurovision Song Contest, an international competition … Read more

Spelling does not come easily to Fraser. As part of his homework schedule, we include a daily practice of his Grade 3 spelling list. By Friday, he is prepared for his test. Recently, Fraser returned from school with one of … Read more

A family reunion in Georgia this past July afforded us the opportunity to explore some of the southern United States. We figured since we were going that far, at that expense, we might as well make the most of it, … Read more

As I was standing outside on my back porch on a beautiful October afternoon, I was meditating on the Scriptures, thinking how God is so awesome when we rely on Him and not on ourselves. Our dog Joey (who looks … Read more

When I wanted to be sure my children heard something, I often found myself saying the same phrases over and over. Sometimes I repeated instructions such as "Watch both ways when you cross the street," but sometimes my words were … Read more

When I visited New Zealand some years ago, the host of our bed-and-breakfast sheep ranch heard of my interest in biblical sheep, and arranged to bring down some sheep to a nearby sheepfold. What are sheep really like? I expected … Read more

In one computer game I play, the computer talks to me. The voice is actually quite irritating. The messages it gives me, though, are encouraging. It tells me, "Awesome", "Good move", "Level completed". I feel good about myself every time … Read more

My window at work looks towards the Cotswold Hills, beautiful beneath a blue sky. But when the clouds descend, the hills become hidden from view. Today, they arrived with snow in them, and true to form, the hills disappeared under … Read more

It was a tradition in our home to leave the tree up and decorated until the date which my mother called "little Christmas" had passed. This fell on January 6th, and I now know it as Epiphany. We were afraid … Read more

Never one for cold, my dad, Floyd Treanor, describes a Manitoba winter in his book, "Two Years North of 53 Degrees": We got a fire going and sat around getting warm. I said, "Do you fellows take your clothes off … Read more

One night not too long ago, I watched on television an old movie, "Sink the Bismarck". The story retold the sinking of the German battleship during World War II. The Bismarck was considered to be the last word in ocean … Read more

My grandson spent last summer in the Navy Reserve. At the end of the training, his family and I went to the graduating ceremony. When we arrived, we asked for him by his first name, and no one knew whom … Read more

Our family had just moved to America when the movie "Braveheart" was released. Like everyone else, we really enjoyed the story, and as proud Scots, we treasured Mel Gibson's portrayal of William Wallace. We had grown up hearing the stories … Read more

Recently, my eyes were drawn to a church billboard with the following: "Put on your shades; your future is very bright." How appropriate this is for the New Year ahead, I thought. I have a choice. Either I can expect … Read more