My grandfather was a copper miner in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. He worked in the mines until he retired. Copper hidden deep in the earth was contained in rock that was blasted, brought to the surface and then processed to remove the copper concentrate. What was it like for my grandfather to spend 12… Continue reading Miners, Pasties and Books
Category: Family
Joy and Thanksgiving in June
The crocuses and tulips and lilacs have bloomed. Now the irises, lily of the valley and peonies are blooming in my yard. The roses have buds. Springtime and summer teem with new plant life and flowers, created by God. I have brought some inside to enjoy. Wednesday evening, I listened to a young adult on the… Continue reading Joy and Thanksgiving in June
Public, Private or Home School?
Throughout the past year I have thought about our education system. We pay taxes for public schools. What is the return for the money? I am grateful for the education that I received in the public school system in the 1950s and 60s. I had classes in art and music in addition to reading, writing… Continue reading Public, Private or Home School?
Eternal Perspective
Tragic events happen. Yesterday I went to the funeral for a young man, just 31 years old. There were unanswered questions about his death, but the service provided a message of hope. Thirty-four years ago, my son passed away after a two year battle with leukemia. The pain of his death was searing. He had… Continue reading Eternal Perspective
Gardens and Families
The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:12 The hyacinths are blooming and I notice their scent when I walk outside. The hyacinths, tulips and daffodils usher… Continue reading Gardens and Families
The Next Generation: the Children
A couple weeks ago I went on a road trip with my sisters. We drove to Kansas to visit my daughter and her family. My grandchildren were on spring break, giving us time together. We visited the Wichita Art Museum because the museum had a children’s program for the week of spring break. The boys… Continue reading The Next Generation: the Children
The Gift of Life
On March 4 the Wall Street Journal had an article that caught my attention. In Aging Japan, One Town Holds the Secret to Making More Babies. The article was written by Miho Inada. Inada explains that people, including Japan’s leaders, are going to Nagi to see this place where parents have three or four children. How are… Continue reading The Gift of Life
Choosing to be Informed
This past week I attended a meeting about our upcoming school board election. My husband and I were saddened to learn about the declining level of math and English competency. That wasn’t the only concern mentioned. Violent behavior has increased. Teachers are stressed. The school board recently voted to go forward with an expanded sex education… Continue reading Choosing to be Informed
Joy Beyond Grief
Many years ago, I received a small blue book in the mail. On the cover page is a little note. In memory of Steven. A Lamaze instructor, a colleague of mine, sent the book after my son passed away. The title of the book is Heaven, and it was written by Joseph Bayly. Bayly also suffered the… Continue reading Joy Beyond Grief
Tending the Family
Family relationships are a vital part of our life. The fifth and sixth chapters of Ephesians focuses on the family. Chapter five begins with Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love . . . In our human, imperfect nature we have problems in family relationships. We make assumptions. We are self-centered. Lisa… Continue reading Tending the Family