In the last years of my Mom’s and my Dad’s life, they experienced memory loss. They struggled to remember names of friends and sometimes family members. But they remembered the words of hymns that they had sung over the years. There are hymns that linger in my memory, associated with…
Life on earth is an adventure. We experience both joy and sorrow. Sometimes we encounter very difficult challenges—illness within the family, loss of a job, tragedies caused by extreme weather, death of a loved one. My brother’s illness was a crisis in my family. He was diagnosed with schizophrenia when…
Two books that I have read recently were pleasant stories developed around historical figures. The stories wove historical facts and settings together. I could read a few chapters before bed and think about the characters. Mount Vernon Love Story by Mary Higgins Clark was first published in 1968 and republished in…
Northern Finland is above the Artic Circle. During the summer, the sun never sets, skimming the horizon at night. The growing season is short, but the hours of sunlight are long. Wild flowers and berries flourish. My husband and I visited Finland during the summer and experienced the amazing hours…
The birth rate in the United States and other countries is declining and has fallen below replacement. Healthy families are the foundation of a healthy country. It is also concerning that childbirth is becoming more dependent on technology. In 2018 I wrote a blog post about childbirth, past and present.…
Twice this week I have been reminded about gardens, farmers’ markets and community. I am reading the book, Home Fires, by Julie Summers. Summers has researched and described the work of the Women’s Institute during World War II. Women in villages and towns throughout England formed groups to take care…
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. Psalm 56:3 During the years that my son battled leukemia the Psalms were a comfort and a guide for me. I found permission to cry out to God with my questions and my pain. I kept praying, kept communicating with the Lord…
Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Psalm 127:3 Recently my husband and I went on a trip to Florida with our daughter’s family. It was lovely to see spring unfolding as we drove south. The azalea bushes were full of blossoms. We…
Faith in God's goodness and accurate information help us overcome fear.
During a visit to New Mexico our son suggested that we enjoy a hike at place not far from their home while he and his wife were at work. Carlito Springs Nature Center is just 21 miles southeast of Albuquerque. On a sunny day, blue sky with a few puffy…