I didn't think I wanted very much. I simply needed a lightbulb to replace the blown-out bulb in the utility room of the hospital ward where I was the charge nurse that night, years ago. I quickly discovered that this procedure was not my … Read more

Years ago, Granny gave me her recipe for bannock bread, which is a neat, round loaf baked on a flat sheet in the oven. It is simple food for plain people, but so satisfying. When I make it, it is not only delicious to eat, but baking it … Read more

"Oh, thanks, Alan!" I gratefully exclaimed, as he came up beside me and grabbed my arm. We were going down a steep, rocky incline at one of the ancient sites in Israel, and he could see that I was having trouble keeping my balance. He … Read more

Several years ago, my husband and I attended the BNP Paribas Open Tennis Tournament in Indian Wells, California, USA. While we enjoyed watching great tennis players perform, it was the supporting players, the ball boys and ball girls, who … Read more

I just have to share with you a traumatic occurrence in my life! I had put off shopping for clothes for many months, but the sales were great, so I picked out a few things and went into the dressing room. When I began to undress, I noticed … Read more

Trouble was brewing in the Appalachian region of the eastern United States in the late 1800s. It all started with a dispute over the ownership of a hog. Reprisal and retribution spiralled out of control and seemed endless, and over a span … Read more

During the fifteen years that we lived in Europe, we always made an effort to go on vacation. Sometimes, we went during the children's spring break, and always in the summer. In 1973, we decided to go to Romania. In the brochures that I … Read more

For my granddaughter's fourth birthday, we went to Jurassic Forest, a theme park about 45 minutes from our new home. As we walked along the various paths searching out and discovering life-sized, animated replicas of numerous dinosaurs, I … Read more

Recently, I started to cook myself a breakfast of fried eggs on toast when I realized that one of the main ingredients was missing: eggs. I had one from the old carton in the refrigerator, but where were the rest of the eggs? The … Read more

Hanging upside down on playground bars was always fun for me as an active little girl. It was an interesting perspective for my brain to unscramble and to realize that there are more ways to see the world than the right-side up way. It … Read more

I was the recipient of grace … undeserved mercy. "I promised God that I'd help the next person I knew whom He had called into ministry." He spoke the words, and then handed me an envelope. I was following God's call, which, in this … Read more

Dear friends, join me on a faith journey that will challenge my family to our core and bring us face to face with the reality of how fragile life is. We will encounter a crisis that tests our faith and gives us two choices: rely solely on … Read more

At my office, we have a label maker, a nifty hand-held device used to type up labels and shoot them out, with a peel-and-stick backing to be removed before adorning files, drawers, and folders. Some people get a little carried away and … Read more

While in my early 20s, I was a nominal Christian. I went to church, but did not know Jesus as One Who died to save me from my sins and give me a "wonderful new relationship with God". Briefly, I worked for a company in Toronto, Canada, … Read more

When my granddaughter Riley was young, I used to take her on one of our "tree lesson walks". I would take her to each kind of tree and show her the leaves, the bark, and anything else that would help her remember the tree and its name. The … Read more

One day a few months ago, I was mulling over the details of my difficult health situation. That's when I cast it all before God and was startled by His question: "Will you give Me your diseases?" I consented, willingly; and with that, I … Read more

You've probably said one or more of these sayings in your lifetime: – He's as old as Methuselah. – You're the apple of my eye. – I just escaped by the skin of my teeth. – It's time to put your house in order. – It's like the blind leading … Read more

As my family and I have been busy exploring the new area to which we have moved, doing so has been much easier due to the GPS available on my daughter's phone. No matter where we are going, all she has to do is to enter the address of our … Read more

When I was twelve years old, I won a prize at the end of the school year for academic achievement; it was a novel about horses. I didn't think that it was the greatest story, but I was proud of the handwritten inscription in the flyleaf … Read more

Have you ever tried to trace your family lineage to find out who your ancestors were and where they came from? Sometimes, a family tree can become so dense and tangled that it is more like a family shrub! Broken marriages can result in … Read more

Healthy anger is not only possible but also beneficial. No one has the power to make me mad, but they can create the circumstances making the possibility greater. I get angry when I read of a parent who drives a vehicle into the lake to … Read more

One of the joys of grandparenting is that the parents need a babysitter. We get the call, and in an instant, a sleepover is arranged at our house. Several weekends ago, I was up early with my five-year-old grandson making breakfast, … Read more

When I was growing up, I loved the music of the Beatles. I listened to their music, saved their newspaper and magazine pictures, and eagerly listened for every detail of their lives. I was only nine years old when John Lennon and Yoko Ono … Read more

The mindfulness of God is something that I have really grown to appreciate over the years. His constant presence has helped me on many occasions to overcome times of adversity, distress, and tragedy that I thought I would never be able to … Read more

Since coyotes roam this area, I always try to get my cat in at night. One evening, I waited until dark to go out. My granddaughter Riley was here and wanted to go with me. We called and called but with no response. We walked out further … Read more

About two weeks into working under my pastor, I came to the conclusion that he was too overbearing and domineering. I was absolutely sure of that, and this caused a lot of issues in the church. A year later, as I looked back at all the … Read more

I love spring! It's such a beautiful time of the year. The weather is warm, everything is coming back to life, the grass is green, the flowers are blooming, and the birds are singing. It's amazing how God brings new life to the world every … Read more

He was looking for the worthwhile, and his discovery on January 24, 1848, changed the lives of thousands. James W. Marshall was prospecting at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California, USA, when he discovered gold. News of his find spread … Read more

My friend and I had a ritual when I went to visit. Since she had severe arthritis in her hands, I would always wind her grandmother clock — which was shorter than a longcase grandfather clock. It was one of those thirty-day clocks, and … Read more

Travelling through the mountains offers many fabulous views. One which I find most inspiring is when I encounter the bison. You can see the males from a great distance away. Suddenly, your eye will discern this large dark spot in the … Read more

My husband John grew up on a farm that was on a lake, but he never learned to swim. He stayed very close to the shore if he were anywhere near water. In time, our son Donald was born. We decided to give him swimming lessons when he was old … Read more