Palm Sunday brings memories of my kids being in the throng of children who waved their palm branches as they marched around the church sanctuary. Their voices rang out, "Hosanna in the highest!" The angelic look on their faces would make … Read more

One summer night, when my six-year-old granddaughter, Riley, and I came into the house after a wiener roast, as always, she wanted to play on my iPad®. After telling her where it was, I took a forbidden bite of leftover cherry delight … Read more

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

"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

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

As I was wheeled to my room in the hospital, my eyes brimmed with tears. I knew that I hadn't felt well, but I never guessed that I would be admitted that day with blood clots in my lungs. I passed the big Christmas tree in the middle of … Read more

My parents usually shopped at the last minute for Christmas gifts. This Christmas Eve was no different than those in prior years. My mom always told of a beautiful little Tiny Tears doll that caught her eye, but the popular little doll … Read more

"I'll have a blue Christmas without you. You'll be doing alright with your Christmas of white, but I'll have a blue, blue, blue, blue Christmas!" Some of you will recognize this song sung by my favourite crooner, Elvis Presley! I enjoy … Read more

Destination weddings are weddings that are located in another city, country, or even a deserted island. One of my grandsons had his in the beautiful hills of Tennessee, USA. The lodge that we stayed in with most of our family looked like a … Read more

I just received news that a dear Christian lady who went to our church years ago was soon to be taken off life support and was expected to die. Surgery went well, but a blood clot caused a massive stroke that left her in a coma. Since she … Read more

Every year at the end of May, the frogs from the pond behind us crawl out of the water to mate, unaware of the high mortality rate for those that cross the road. I never fail to remember the first year that we lived here at frog time! Our … Read more

If you look very closely right next to my left eye on my nose, you will see a tiny little scar. Like every scar, it has a story. I'm not sure how old I was at the time but I know not more than 4 or 5. I remember what happened as if it … Read more

I have read Matthew 18:1-11 many times and have gotten various things from it, according to what God had for me at the moment. Most of the time, my heart sought simplicity! How should I believe? Jesus said, "become like little children"! … Read more

I don't mean to boast, but I just saw the king! Every fall, he shows up with his loaded gun blazing. Who is he? I lovingly call my husband the King of Caulk. He inspects every inch of this house for cracks, crevices, and holes that cold … Read more

There are several things that I have always wanted, and one of them is to have a horse. I have looked up horses for sale and have even sent pictures of them to the horse woman of our family: my daughter Mendy. The other day as I looked up … Read more

As I mowed the grass this week, I was so mesmerized by the barn swallows that swooped and dove in front of my mower. They migrate back to this area in late April — a sure sign that spring is on the way for us. They set up housekeeping in … Read more

It seems that mowing day comes too often around here. This morning, Larry and I divided our portion like Abraham and Lot, jumped on our mowers, and took off. Grass flew every which way with the two of us mowing. Out of the corner of my eye … Read more

In my devotions today, the question was asked, "Do you feel inferior?" I had to think about that for awhile, because there was a time in my youth when I did feel inferior, as most teenagers do at times. But as for now, at first, I didn't … Read more

How many times have you seen true darkness? I remember going down into a cave with a group of people. The guide said, "In a minute, we will turn off the lights, and you will see, perhaps for the first time, real darkness." Before that, we … 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

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

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

As any parent can tell you, when your child has a high fever, it is pretty scary, especially when it will not come down. The last thing in the world any parent wants to do is to put a hot child in a cool bath to take their temperature … Read more

One of the hardest things for parents to do is to watch helplessly as their babies are hurting. When my daughter Missy and her husband took Jenna, my granddaughter, for her baby shots, she was bubbly and smiling, but then, it happened. … Read more

When Larry and I were younger, we used to go canoeing on the Current River. Usually, we had others to enjoy the ride with us. On one of our trips, we came upon a cave with a spring of water that fed the river. Several of us went in to take … Read more

Some of my fondest childhood memories take me to an old farm house in which we lived for awhile, near Clinton, Illinois, USA. The old house sat on a hill overlooking rolling pastures and a long lane. What I loved most were the critters … Read more

When I was a little girl, I watched a movie on our old black and white television about a little boy who rolled over in bed and fell into a hole and into another world. Hearing his screams, of course, the parents frantically reached their … Read more

Charlie got his start as a project. My daughter worked in a home for developmentally disabled adults and took an egg from one of our hens to incubate. The residents watched in amazement as the egg slowly hatched and out popped Charlie! He … Read more

One hot summer day, I watched our Blue Healer, Rocky, saunter across the field and walk into the neighbour's pond. With the sun behind him, he looked rather handsome as he emerged from the refreshing water and walked through the tall … Read more

A couple of years ago when our family was together, my daughter Christa decided that we should have a mani/pedi party. That is an occasion when we all give each other a manicure and a pedicure. She came in with all the equipment that she … Read more

When it comes to my memory, on more than one occasion, I have been accused of being able to hide my own Easter eggs. Most of the time this indictment is not a good thing, but on occasion, it is quite helpful, since I am able to read books … Read more

Years ago, Larry and I were chaperones on a teen trip that left us sleeping in many different abodes. If my memory serves me, we slept at a hostel, in beautiful college dorms on Lake Michigan, and in many campsites. But the most memorable … Read more

This day in March always takes me back in time and makes me laugh at the memory of being a seventh grader. In my mind's eye, I can still see the old gym where we gathered when we were not in class. Those who were brave enough could take … Read more