I am not a doctor or a nurse. I am an English major with a minor in journalism, and I received my master's degree in counselling and psychology. I went the education route and ended up working as a newspaper reporter for more than two … Read more
Archive for January, 2024
We All Need Each Other
I was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, a severe form of arthritis that causes inflammation in my spine, knees, ankles, hips, shoulders, and hands. I could not shave or even look into a mirror because my neck was locked in a … Read more
A Colourful Cast Of Characters
Sometimes, I have a hard time writing. I think that I have to be optimistic and clever — or at least try — and I want to send the positive message of Christ and His love. So, there are days when I feel that I cannot write because my … Read more
The Master Gardener
In our recreational vehicle (RV) park, the sites are small, just big enough for an 11-foot-wide park model (an RV that is set into place) and a driveway, leaving a couple of feet on each side between each unit. So, the avid gardeners have … Read more
A Mayberry Moment
"Are you ready to hear a Mayberry moment?" I once pastored a small country church near a tiny country town — located, in fact, in the smallest county in the state. The chairman of the deacons served as the chief of police. We always … Read more
Comfortable Or Conformed?
For eleven years, my husband Marcelo and I had been renting an apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA. In 2020, when it came time for us to renew our yearly lease, we were hit with some very unexpected news. In order to keep up with … Read more
Partnering With Jesus
Many years ago, I began my first full-time teaching job with high hopes that I would be able to use and enjoy my gift of learning languages easily. My new assignment in the far north of British Columbia, Canada, was a tall order for a new … Read more
The Clariton
Recently, I listened to a BBC radio programme called The Life Scientific with guest interviewee Professor Sir Michael Berry, a physicist, born in 1941, who reviewed his life's work with … Read more
Do Good; Seek Justice
I am privileged to be the Presbyterian member of the Canadian content writing team for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, January 18-25. One of my tasks was to reflect on the themes for the eight days and give them a Canadian … Read more
Words From The Heart
I am so thankful to have English as my mother tongue. Many people around the world would like to learn to speak English, but our language presents many stumbling blocks for language learners. Indeed, it can be hard enough for even those of … Read more
It's All In How You See It
It was early one morning when the four kittens — two black and two calico — made their presence known to us. I was peeking outside the window that overlooks our side yard when I saw them. They were following a larger grey cat out from … Read more
Whose Family Do You Belong To?
I was thumbing through some black-and-white photos, taken 60 or more years ago, by my mum and dad: photos of themselves, their friends, and the small town where they grew up. Smiling faces looked back at me from skiing and skating parties … Read more
Do It Again!
"Again, Papa, again!" Riley wanted Papa to do more snow angels with her. Again! Again! Again! Haven't we all heard that from our children? When we really love something, we all want it to happen again. I read Psalm 126 today, and that is … Read more
When God Leads
We knew that when God leads, we had nothing to fear. My wife and I were shocked when our landlords delivered the news. When we had initially rented from them, they assured us that they wanted long-term tenants. Our unit and a neighbour's … Read more
Good Versus Evil
At the tender age of seven years, I was left behind with my grandmother when my mother emigrated overseas. I felt unprotected, and the danger of being harmed by evil people was never far from me. Though no harm came to me, I became … Read more
Gifts From Above
In 1989, my husband Marcelo was offered an electronics engineering position, and we moved from Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA, to Arizona. During our first winter here, we chuckled when we saw people dressed in winter coats, gloves, … Read more
The Bringer Of Joy
In the autumn, we managed to clear some of our financial liabilities for the house. This has enabled us, for the first time in a number of years, to have some financial headroom. So, I took Caroline out to visit the local jewellers to buy … Read more
The Power Of The Bible
I write in my Bible — in the tiny margins, in between lines and columns — sometimes so densely that it obscures the text. I take notes on sermons, comment on verses, underline favourite verses, and record historical notes. I draw arrows … Read more
The Listening Ear
Listening to my grandchild takes practice and intentional listening. At four, she is still unable to pronounce a number of letters correctly. This issue makes various words difficult to grasp, as the sound that she is seeking to make … Read more
Grab The Back Of My Shirt
As the little sister of four, I had plenty of opportunities to be left in the care of one of my older sisters or my older brother, Glen, while my parents were working or gone to some school or church event. One of Glen's jobs was to pick … Read more
Take A Number
Have you ever apologized to God for bringing your small requests? I know that I have! When I hear of so much suffering, how can I ask God to take away my headache? How can I ask for trivial things when other people are dealing with … Read more
Unexpected Blessing
The unexpected blessing came from … well … an unexpected place. "___________ said he would help you move some stuff," the email from the guidance counsellor stated. The student's name stuck in my mind like a fly to flypaper. I had … Read more
Look For The Helpers
Fred Rogers, the "Mr. Rogers" well known to generations of children, gave them comforting advice. He told them that if they were afraid or in trouble, to "look for the helpers" who would be able to help them. I recently took a solo trip … Read more
Light Shining In Darkness
Being a writer, I have learned that it is vital to have a pen and a pad of paper or some sort of audio recording device readily available to save thoughts and ideas that come to mind. This is especially true at night. Very often in the … Read more
The Model Kit
When we were children, my older brother excelled at assembling and painting model kits, mostly of military aircraft and vehicles. The small boxes, with vivid photos on top, contained small grey plastic pieces, glue, paint, and instructions … Read more
Cotton Candy
As children, my brother and I had been excitedly anticipating a circus in town. It was a hot summer's day, and finally, we arrived at the fairgrounds in Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada, where we grew up. The two of us lined up by … Read more
The Victory
Earl Grey came to me as a three-month-old kitten. I am not much of a cat person, but there was something special about Earl. My granddaughters called him "Jungle Cat", since he ran like a gazelle and climbed anything and everything. He … Read more
Second Chances
"Would you like to redo this assignment?" my math professor asked me as he handed back the work that I had turned in to him the previous day. There was no grade at the top of the paper. He smiled kindly at me. "Just review your work." … Read more
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