Category Archives: Friends and Family

My daughter Julia drew this picture recently.

I love it.

To me, it captures wistfulness,  some trepidation, and hope as this young girl considers the world before her.

She will have mountains to climb and rivers to cross.

How will she face those challenges?

What mark will she make on the world?

Right now, Julia stands on the threshold of big change. After being homeschooled all her life, she will begin public school in the fall. She is leaving behind the familiar to embrace the new.

That is life. Nothing stays the same for long and change is inevitable.

It’s my job to give her the tools she needs to be able to face this life head on…to not let fear hold her back…to celebrate her uniqueness and God-given gifts…to grow in her faith until it is completely her own.

It has been such a joy to see a young lady emerge from the tomboy we have known for so long.  Her tender heart holds a deep affection for any and all animals, as well as immense love for her family and  friends. Laughter comes easily and her eyes sparkle with joy. She enjoys reading the classics and poetry, is learning to frame the world around her through the eye of a camera lens, and has a wonderful sense of humor.

Julia is the artist of our family. She recently performed in “Little Women” and may have been bitten by the acting bug. She loves to draw and is learning to play the flute. She has a pure, clear soprano voice that has added a richness to not only the Christmas and Easter choirs at church, but also to a holiday concert with Peter Mayer and his band. I love that she fills our home with the gift of music every day.

She has her “blonde” moments, just like her mom, but she is smart as a whip. During the 2008 presidential election, she watched every debate with her father and me. She can name everyone from the Speaker of the House and the governor of our state. When I was 13 years old, I did not have a clue about those things.

On any given day, our conversation can range from her plans for the weekend to our president’s current decisions to her thoughts about the latest Jane Austen novel she is reading.

She is all at once complex, fun, sometimes silly, sweet, kind-hearted, creative, deeply contemplative, smart, and talented.

So, as you look to the future and that big world out there, my sweet girl, know this: you are fearfully and wonderfully made.  God has great plans to use your life  to display His glory to a broken world. Jesus is your everything. He is truly all you need. He holds your precious life in the palm of His hand. You have His light within you…don’t be afraid to let it blaze brightly, no matter the cost.  When hard times come–and they will— let them shape you into the mighty woman of faith you were meant to be. Don’t  you dare let fear have the final word. Fight for the Joy that is found in Christ alone.  Embrace the beauty of life and do not take even one moment for granted.  Always be grateful. Never stop praying.

You are deeply loved.

Last week, I saw an episode of Oprah that deeply touched me.

A woman named Erin Kramp was diagnosed with breast cancer several years ago when her only daughter Peyton was six years old.

Even as she received treatment for the disease that sought to take her life, she went into action. Knowing that she might not be able to watch her beloved  daughter grow into adulthood, Erin began to make literally hundreds of videos for Peyton. Her advice covered everything from what to look for in a spouse to how to apply makeup. In addition, she wrote letters and wrapped presents for Peyton to open on each birthday and Christmas.

What. a. precious. gift.

The fierce, deep love of this mother took my breath away and I could not stop the tears.

I could not imagine looking into the faces of my children, knowing that I would not be there to share their lives with them.

After the show, I had to leave to pick up my son from track practice. On the drive there, I realized this great truth and wonderful joy: I get to do this!

I get to be a mom to these two wonderful redheads!

I get to enjoy their company as I drive them to their various activities.

I get to listen to their hopes, dreams, and struggles.

I get to share the years with them…offering guidance and a listening ear, celebrating milestones, and enjoying the people they are becoming.

It is such a wonderful, amazing privilege to be a mom.

Erin Kramp didn’t have the luxury of watching her child grow up, but she left an incredible legacy. When Oprah asked her husband Doug what Erin would want to say if she was still on this earth, his answer was profound:

“Have a sense of urgency about your life. Live very moment to the fullest—you don’t know how long you will be here.”

I have known for many years now that I am not promised tomorrow. My family and I went out to dinner tonight and I fully entered into those moments. There was nothing monumental about the evening, but we were all together, sharing laughter and all that had happened to us that day.

I get to live this life…and I love it.

There are no ordinary days.

The phone rang just after midnight, jarring us awake.

Adrenaline shot through me as I immediately sat up.

Phone calls after midnight are never good news.

Doug handed me the phone as soon as he saw who was calling.

One of my very dearest friends was on the line to tell me that her son-in-law had stepped on a land mine in a faraway war zone and was even at that moment in surgery.

I felt as if all of the breath left my body and I struggled not only to breathe but to comprehend this awful turn of events.

She quietly asked me to pray and I promised I would before we disconnected so she could enlist the same help from others.

I lay back stunned, my mind running in a million different directions.

I have known this young man since he was a teenager when he and my friend’s daughter shared a  powerful first love. Even when they parted ways for a time, I just knew that they would find their way back to each other again.

A  lovely photo from their wedding day sits on my mantle…a happy testimony to my intuition.

I turned over, heart pounding, tears spilling, as I poured out my heartfelt prayers in the dark.

I thought of his wife, a young lady I have known and loved since she was eleven years old. I could not imagine being so far away from my husband as he hovered between life and death, feeling helpless and terrified.

The night passed by slowly and at 7:00, my friend called to tell me that one of her son-in-law’s feet had to be amputated, but he would survive.

Today, he will be awarded the Purple Heart.

This young man is a true American hero and warrior.

This marked his third tour in a war zone. I am so grateful to him and the other brave men and women who serve in our military.

I am also grateful for an all-powerful God who I can turn to in prayer, especially when things look so scary. From a darkened bedroom in the Northeast in the middle of the night, I can enter into His throne room in prayer and intercede for a young man and his surgeons halfway around the world.

Today, my heart will pour out thanks for answered prayer…for a young man who will be safely returning to his beautiful wife and three wonderful children.

I will  pray for those still serving this great country of ours…and for those family members who did not get good news about their loved ones from the war zone and who live with that pain daily.

Most of all, I will lift my voice in praise to our great and gracious God who promises that a glorious Day is coming when all wars and pain and strife and tears will end once and for all. (Revelation 21:1-5)

And I will treasure the gift of  life in all of its beauty.

God bless our troops.

I am a blessed woman.

I have a most wonderful mother.

She has always been there for me with a listening ear, open arms, excellent wisdom, and most importantly, her fervent prayers.

Because of her incredible gift of hospitality, the doors of our home were always open. More often than not, our house was filled with family, friends, and neighbors.  Everyone knew that Mom would greet them with a warm smile and a big hug. (She is famous for her bear hugs…the woman is much stronger than she looks!) 🙂

She sets a beautiful table, is an excellent cook, and if you are invited over for a meal, she will serve you coffee or tea in a Lenox cup with your birthday month on it. She knows how to make everyone feel special.

Once you are my mom’s friend, she will always remember your birthday. Out of the blue, she will say to me, “Today is so-and-so’s birthday.” I will ask who that is and she will say, “Oh, I went to kindergarten with her.”

Given that it has been seven decades since she has been in kindergarten, that is quite a feat. 🙂

She was the beloved wife of my dad for nearly 40 years until his death parted them in 2002. My dad adored her and could not believe that someone so beautiful had agreed to marry him.

Without a doubt, the most important thing she ever did for me was introduce me to Jesus. For that, I will be eternally grateful:

I have always said that if I am half the woman my mom is when I grow up, I will consider myself a success.

One of her greatest joys is being a grandmother.

Josh and Mom in 2009

Julia and Mom in 2004

This brings me to another reason I am blessed. Fifteen years ago, I became a mother to a little boy named Joshua.

Thirteen years ago, Julia entered our lives.

Having the chance to be a mom is one of the absolute greatest joys of my life.

So…Happy Mother’s Day Mom! I love you!!! As Proverbs 31:28 declares: “Her children will rise up and call her blessed.” 

That is what we do to you this day.

And Josh and Julia…I am so honored to be your mom!  I love you with all my heart and I am so proud of both of you!

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there! 🙂 Treasure the gift of your children.

I love the way that Jesus answers prayers.

Yesterday, I had a tremendous amount on my mind so despite  the rain, I grabbed my car keys and an umbrella and headed to the high school track to walk.

On the short drive there, I prayed about my situation and I thought about my brother who lives in the same town. He is one of my best friends and has an uncanny ability to make me laugh, no matter what is going on in my life. I really would have liked his company but I thought he was working, so I didn’t bother to call him.

As soon as I pulled into the high school parking lot, my cell phone rang.

It was Jeff.

He actually didn’t have to be at work until 5:00 that afternoon, so he was calling to say hi.

He knew immediately by the tone of my voice that I had a lot on my mind,  so he told me he would join me at the track. Ten minutes later, he was right there.

We walked for 2 miles, umbrellas in hand. He gave me a listening ear,  shared his ideas on the matter, and of  course, he made me laugh.

My spirits were lifted and my burden seemed lighter.

We said goodbye at the track and I went about my day. Then, before he went to work, he arrived at the front door with a mushroom pizza and a can of my favorite drink, Arnold Palmer Half and Half. (half tea, half lemonade…Arnold’s own invention. It’s delicious. Try it).

I felt so loved…not only by my brother but by Jesus.

As wonderful as prayer is, Jesus knows that sometimes we need someone to come alongside us on the rough days.

Yesterday, He sent my brother to me in answer to my prayer.

The pizza and the Arnold Palmer were added bonuses. 🙂

“You did a great job!” I told my son.

“No, I didn’t. I failed.” he replied.

We were discussing his latest track meet. His school had competed  against an older, more experienced team and had suffered some big losses. In one of his races, Josh had come in dead last.

That is all he could see…his rank.

I asked him if he did his best and he said yes.

That means he didn’t fail.

He may have come in last in one race but the important thing is that he was out there. He was trying. He did his best in that particular race.

And anyone out on the field, willing to try, to attempt, to push themselves when things get hard….that person is a success, regardless of the results of the race.

As Theodore Roosevelt once said:

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly, who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiams, the great devotions, who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of  high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly; so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” 

This life is much too short to be timid.

I don’t want me or my kids to live in that gray twilight of “would have, should have, could have.”

We have THIS day. We have ONE life. We have ONE voice.

What are your goals?

What are your dreams?

What do you want your life to have been about when it’s time to leave this earth?

What are you waiting for?

I dreamed of starting a blog for a long time, but fear held me back. My life is so ordinary. What would I say? How would I come up with material? Who would want to read it? So many questions.

However, once I finally began writing, the joy was immense and those questions were answered.

Sometimes, we just have to jump in and begin.

“I have spent my days stringing and unstringing my instrument, while the song I came to sing remains unsung.”–Tagore.

Sing your song.

Will you fail? Yes, sometimes…no one can win all the time. But there will also be plenty of times when you will succeed.

Will it be painful? Yes…this life is full of pain. But rather than let the pain stop you, let it motivate you. Push past it. If you don’t, you will never know the joy of triumph.

Make the decision to get out there in the arena and do your thing to the best of your ability.

Seize the day!