• Book Reviews - Family

    Meeting Life’s Challenges

    In the past few weeks I have read a couple of books about women overcoming difficulties in life. Sue Detweiler’s book is about the value of prayer. My review of Women Who Move Mountains is here. Kristina Cowan wrote about birth trauma and post partum depression. She has included research…

  • Family

    My Third Trip to Grand Rapids

    This past Monday I made my third trip to Grand Rapids in two weeks. I sat at my mother’s bedside in the hospital through the day and through the night. She has dementia and the hospital stay was traumatic and disorienting. I am thankful that she has been released from…

  • Childbirth - Finland

    The Midwife’s Story

    A number of years ago I read an article about a Finnish midwife. In 1909 she had been at the center of a court case, determining the legality of midwifery in Massachusetts. She had been arrested a number of times (despite the fact that her statistics for live births were…

  • Parenting

    High School Homecoming: Guidance for Our Daughters

    This coming weekend is homecoming for a couple of local high schools. My grandson will be in the marching band for the homecoming parade and football game. It’s an exciting weekend for him. I am remembering the years that my daughters participated in homecoming at their high school:  decorations for…

  • Faith

    A Lifeline for Our Soul

    The September heat wave is over. While the temperature soared into the 90s we did not get any rain, and my herbs needed frequent watering. I grow thyme, basil and dill in pots. The basil was always first to alert me. The leaves would begin to droop and I would…

  • Faith

    Job’s Prayer is Acceptable

    My Bible Lesson for this week focuses on the attributes of God. Scripture references in the book of Job point to God’s omniscience and omnipotence. This book reveals some deep truths. The book of Job gives clues to the scientific nature of our world. It also shows a relationship between…

  • Faith - Health

    New Insights About Health: The Microbiome

    On  Fridays I have been joining the Five Minute Friday community. We write for five minutes on a prompt given by Kate Motaung. Sometimes my thoughts continue a little beyond the five minutes–marked by //. To visit this inspiring community of writers, click here. Today’s prompt is: SUPPORT Yesterday I…

  • Faith

    A Good Work

    On  Fridays I have been joining the Five Minute Friday community. We write for five minutes on a prompt given by Kate Motaung. Sometimes my thoughts continue a little beyond the five minutes–marked by //. To visit this inspiring community of writers, click here. Today’s prompt is: WORK Over the…

  • Faith

    A Good Neighbor

    Every Friday the FMF community writes for five minutes on a prompt given by Kate Motaung. To visit this inspiring community of writers, click here. Today’s prompt is: NEIGHBOR Like so many I have been watching the photos and videos of Hurricane Harvey. The floodwaters and misery are overwhelming—but so…