Archive for the ‘Faith for All of Life’ Category

50 Years and Counting

Posted by Susan On October 26, 2023 ADD COMMENTS

Today my husband and I celebrate our 49th anniversary, which means that starting today, we begin working toward completing fifty years of marriage. Fifty years. Half a century is a long time, and understandably, it’s cause for deep reflection, as well as celebration.  It occurred to me this morning that if I were to merely  [ Read More ]

Who Will Win this Civil War?

Posted by Susan On October 12, 2022 1 COMMENT

Apart from some really good barbecue, there’s nothing more “southern” than visiting some authentic Civil War sites when you’re in Tennessee. Having moved here a couple of years ago, my husband and I were entertaining out-of-town family recently, so we made sure we included BBQ and also a tour of the Carter House, the site  [ Read More ]

Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel…even in 2020

Posted by Susan On December 3, 2020 ADD COMMENTS

A hundred years from now, stories will still be told about 2020: “The Year the Whole World Stopped.” There’s never been anything like it in our history.  We’re nearing the end of 2020, but unfortunately, it isn’t necessarily a finish line. What began as the infamous “two weeks to flatten the curve” has now become  [ Read More ]

Should We Cancel Thanksgiving?

Posted by Susan On November 18, 2020 ADD COMMENTS

As though 2020 hasn’t already been painful enough, here we sit positioned on the brink of Thanksgiving, wondering how dire the consequences would be if we “give thanks.”  My husband and I own a lodging business in Washington State, and our on-site manager fielded 30 calls yesterday for last minute Thanksgiving Day cancellations after the  [ Read More ]

Legislating Kindness

Posted by Susan On October 13, 2020 ADD COMMENTS

Kindness comes in different sizes. I mean that sincerely. Right now, the world is loudly clamoring their demands for “kindness.”  But ironically, the definition of what this means is as wide and varied as trying to order “coffee” at Starbucks. One person’s need for kindness may be completely different from another’s. Trying to perceive the  [ Read More ]

Answers in Abnormal Times

Posted by Susan On May 6, 2020 ADD COMMENTS

“Dear friends,” the email began, “thank all of you for the kind words, prayers, and patience as Peter and I decided how to move forward with our wedding. Due to our state’s stay-at-home extension, Peter and I have decided to cancel our wedding as previously planned…”  …and my heart simply broke for this young bride.   [ Read More ]

Gifts of Grace

Posted by Susan On February 24, 2020 ADD COMMENTS

“You guys sure did a great job raising your kids,” an old friend commented when we were visiting the church our son and his family actively participate in. Without a doubt, I was filled with inexpressible gratitude to see the godly man our now middle-aged son had become; nonetheless, surprisingly, those words immediately ignited a  [ Read More ]

Why EVERYbody Ought to See the Sound of Music

Posted by Susan On September 3, 2019 ADD COMMENTS

Last night was an absolutely flawless final summer performance of our town’s very popular production of The Sound of Music, and my husband agreed– reluctantly– to accompany me to it. My daughter, son-in-law, and I had managed (hooray!) to get front row center seats, but at the last minute my son-in-law wrenched his back and  [ Read More ]

A Gentle Giant of a Man

Posted by Susan On January 19, 2019 ADD COMMENTS

One week ago, a very dear friend suffered a massive stroke. As I write this, our long time friend Jim Rose remains unresponsive, in a weakening condition. Clearly, hearts ache when a friend suffers. At the same time, the value of that friend’s life rushes to the forefront of the mind like a flood, even  [ Read More ]

Encountering Turbulence

Posted by Susan On July 11, 2018 ADD COMMENTS

To travel is to encounter turbulence at some point. It just is. Usually, the movement isn’t enough to fret over, but when I think of “turbulence,” I immediately think of two particular times of travel when the plane hit massive bumps and knocks. Once– flying into Boise, Idaho– I literally thought the plane was going  [ Read More ]