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 ]
Archive for the ‘Family’ Category
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 ]
“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 ]
“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 ]
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 ]
In a world of ever-growing technology that is constantly opening doors of communication in new and innovative ways, I still prefer reading books. I will always prefer reading books. There’s just no other satisfaction that compares to holding an actual hardcopy and savoring meaningful words in a way that challenges my mind and ideas. And [ Read More ]
A couple of years ago, my younger sister Dale gave me a necklace, and I love it. I’m wearing it right now as I write this. I wear it a lot, actually. It wasn’t expensive– I think her church was giving these out to mothers and grandmothers on Mother’s Day one year. It’s very simple, [ Read More ]
Recently, I was asked to give a presentation to a group of women on the topic of investing in a “Godly Marriage.” Perhaps you’re wondering why. No, of course you aren’t “wondering why!” It seems so obvious. Marriage as we have known it is under intense attack these days, so you’re probably assuming that when [ Read More ]
A couple of years ago, my younger sister Dale gave me a necklace, and I love it. I’m wearing it right now as I write this. I wear it a lot, actually. It wasn’t expensive– I think her church was giving these out to mothers and grandmothers on Mother’s Day one year. It’s very simple, [ Read More ]
Deep pre-dawn darkness wraps tightly around my little house on this first early morning after returning from my cross-continent flight. Dan and I just returned from a sudden trip east to grieve with my extended family and hold them all very tight, all of us devastated by the loss of my beautiful sister Dale Nikkanen [ Read More ]