Category: Family

  • Best Friends

    “Best Friends. Slumber Parties. Cake. Presents. Secrets. Laughing 4 Ever!”
    – Mary Engelbreit

    I have the privilege of having several Best Friends. Admittedly, I am blessed. Friends from the past and friends from the present. Friends from past workplaces and various places of worship. We gain wisdom as we brainstorm together.

    Best Friends
    Best Friends

    There’s no particular agenda. We come as we are, not counting up the days since we’ve seen each other last time. No blaming, just listening. Laughter and cries oftentimes indistinguishable.

    When we return to our home spaces, we smile and count our blessings that God allowed us to meet yet another time on planet earth.

    • Can you name a friend(s) that you can get together with and just be yourself?
    • If not, where might you look for such a friend?
    • Isn’t it time to call a gathering?

    “By yourself you’re unprotected. With a friend you can face the worst. Can you round up a third? A three-stranded rope isn’t easily snapped”—Ecclesiastes 4:12/MSG

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  • Call to Me

    A dear Bible study leader and friend (Helen S.) calls Jeremiah 33:3 her “911” verse. In troubled times, she relies on this verse to reach out to God. In reaching out by calling His name, she also receives comfort and relief from fear.

    Fayette State Park, Upper Pennisula Michigan
    Fayette State Park, Upper Pennisula Michigan

    I like the concept too. This is a never-ending promise with no expiration date. One that’s good to remember in times of turmoil or distress. Not only does God promise to answer me, but I’ll receive a bonus: information leading to great and unsearchable things I don’t even know. How cool is that?

    “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know”—Jeremiah 33:3.

    But I must take that first step of faith acknowledging the need for help. I cannot function alone and hang on to a prideful attitude. My heart must be open to the leading of a wise, Heavenly Father. To think that the God of the entire universe desires my fellowship—well, my finite mind can’t capture this fully. I don’t need to. I only need to trust and believe it is so.

    • Is there an area of your life you haven’t called out to God about?
    • Maybe there’s a piece you’re clinging to thinking you can handle all by yourself … do you think it’s time to let it go and let God take control?

    Dear God, I’m weary of trying to manage my life and my loved one’s lives too. The job is exhausting and usually doesn’t work out when I try to take control. I give You back this day, my tired body, and flighty mind. Take control of me. I relinquish the reins and ask that You be in charge. I’m excited to see what amazing results You’ll accomplish through me. Thank you. Amen.

  • Roof Robins

    On my morning walk, I noticed several robins atop one of the roofs in our neighborhood. They chattered happily sounding glad to be alive. The spotting of robins reminded me of when we all eagerly waited for the first sign of a robin after a long and snowy winter. Most of us were more than ready for spring to arrive. Now that the first day of summer is here, we forget about when we longed for signs of warmer weather. I wonder how many other sightings were missed while looking forward to spring.     Robin

    Traditions and rituals are commonplace in most families. We are creatures of habit. A major holiday is coming up. For quite a few years now, we’ve invited family and friends over for a cookout, boat ride, and watching fireworks over the lake. Except for this year. Our boat remains in the shop for repair. We all ask, what will we do? We ALWAYS get together, and now we can’t?

    I’ll be the first to admit that I take comfort in the usual way of doing things. It’s much easier to plan ahead when the routine is predictable. This time we’ll step out of the normal, comfort zone and try something different. Being flexible is a good thing. Steve and I (Grandpa & Nana) plan to travel to Madison for a Goldwing event then on to Minnesota to visit the kids and grandkids. They are excited to see us and, of course, we’re just as excited to see them too!

    My goal is not to linger on what normally happens during this time of year, but focus on the current season of new memories. I am ready for whatever comes our way. Bring it on!

    “Many people lose the small joys in the hope for the big happiness.”—Pearl S. Buck

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  • Book lover corner

    “It is a great thing to start life with a small number of really good books which are your very own,”—Arthur Conan Doyle.

    Anyone who knows me knows that I absolutely LOVE books. Fiction, non-fiction, memoir, mystery, funny & serious books. I give them away and let people borrow from my extensive, unorganized library. You might hear me say,

    “Take care of this one. Treat it gently; like family.”

    As an early married gal, I read all I could about engagements and then married life. Love languages of men and women. During my child rearing years, I tended toward non-fiction, self help type of books. How to potty train in one week. Then, we moved to the turbulent teen years. What to do when you teen doesn’t like you any more (not even a little bit)? Later, as our children grew and moved out, I stared at the empty nest years. How to keep our marriage flame burning brightly. Happy days came when our first born son and his wife were blessed with our first grandchild, Liberty Hope. How do I creatively grandparent from far away?

    Seasons come and go in your life and in mine. One of the keys I’ve found is to be flexible. Having a positive attitude and eagerness to embrace a new chapter in life also is helpful.    image001 (Copy)

    Over the last several years, I’ve been investigating various genres of books. After attending various writer conferences, I’ve learned some benefits of exposing myself to all sorts of writing.

    But the most widely used and appreciated book throughout my entire life would have to be the Bible. The Word of God. Scripture. There are many different titles/references to this Holy Book. Whatever you choose to call this inspired and God-breathed book, I’ve found it to be the answer to any question that might surface during a lifetime. Whether you’re angry, sad, doubtful, happy, searching, or confused, ask God to lead you to the passage that will speak to your specific heart need.

    • What is the burning question(s) in your mind right now?

  • Happy Valentine’s Day !!

    image001 (Copy)

  • The Transformation Project

    This year, our local Word Weavers writers group embarked upon a mission of compiling an anthology book. The theme would be “Transformation.” For some odd reason, the idea didn’t excite me—at least not at first.    image001 (Copy) (2)

    Most of the submissions were already turned in, critiqued, and accepted before I decided it would be a good idea to get with the program and come up with something for the book. I searched my archives and found the perfect journal article. My son.

    My son was transformed later in his teens—(you’ll just have to read my story to find out about the before and after details). Little did I know that during that whole upsetting ordeal that God was transforming my heart. Transforming it from independence on self and dependence on the only wise God. I didn’t even realize this story had evolved into a double transformation. One in my dear son’s heart and one close to home: me.

    Maybe you’ve experienced deep grief in your soul in the past. Or, maybe you’re experiencing it right now. I invite you to take a look at the stories enclosed within the covers of our new release, The Transformation Project. The book is available in both paperback and Kindle format.

    P.S. the title of my story is: I Hope He’ll Come Home.

    Dare to tell about a time of #transformation in your life. #WordWeavers W MI authors did. https://amzn.to/1d195NW

  • Feeling cowardly or courageous?

    How do you handle bad news? Or news that could potentially be negative? Do you fuss and fume for days on end like I am inclined to do?

    I’m programmed to ask my family and friends for prayer. Even that took years to sink in that more prayers equal more power. But I’m sometimes negligent to go to my heavenly Father immediately. I tend to over-analyze the situation looking at all the possible human angles. If the result of that situation is ____, then what about ____? This could happen and if that happens, then such and such could result.

    As a child, I learned the verse “Cast all your cares upon Him for He cares for you.” I didn’t forget the verse, but I don’t always put the verse into practice in my own life when worries knock at my door.

    “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go”—Joshua 1:9.

    Dear Heavenly Father, I want to be strong and courageous. But sometimes I more closely resemble a coward. Teach me to lean on You. I need to believe and trust that You have my best interests in mind. Help me to live my life in such a way that others see I am not afraid of whatever comes my way. I want to rejoice in You during the good and the bad times. With You by my side, nothing is impossible. Amen. 

    What circumstance in your life today causes you grief or stress?

  • Visits with Family

    Liberty & Ean time
    Liberty & Ean time

    Together we:

    Talk
    Walk
    Laugh
    Play
    Draw
    Color
    Boat
    Observe
    Remember

     

    Cruising down the river (Copy)

  • The work of His hand

    “Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand” – Isaiah 64:8.

    Liberty holding baby Elijah's hand
    Liberty holding baby Elijah’s hand

    I am nothing, He is all. I do nothing of my own. He does it. — Mother Teresa of Calcutta

    Further reading: Isaiah 64:5-10

     

  • Joys of Grandparenting

    Grandparenting

    Questions
    Witty sayings
    Laughable remarks
    More questions

    Inexpressible joy
    Weary muscles
    Unconditional boundless love

    Would I trade for money?
    Not a chance!