Tuesday, April 28, 2009


When I was in High School, there was a caring lady who invested in my spiritual life and mentored me in the faith. I was able to ask her lots of questions, be honest about my views, and learn from her wisdom. We've kept in touch over the years, with a visit once or twice a year.

Recently, she and her husband have taken up bowling. So they invited us to try it out with them on bargain night. It was my third visit and I'm pleased as punch to announce I bowled a 117! (This is much improved from my earlier 79).

Wednesday, April 22, 2009


I've been picking up Emma and her 3 siblings on Wed- nesday evenings, to transport them to our kids club at church. Whoa. It's quite a different atmosphere in the minivan. Louder voices. Kids yelling "Sarah!" at any moment, especially when I'm in a conversation with someone else. Garbage on the floor. Not buckling seatbelts. Fighting with siblings. Potty talk. Tattling. Many times I'm praying for patience.

But little by little I have been encouraged by spiritual awakenings, or funny situations. Someone says, "listen to me say my verse." OR "I pray every night with my stuffed animals." OR "I want to sit by Moira. I like Moira." OR "these songs are great. Can we sing that one again?" I've been able to mediate a fight and talk about 'being sorry'. I've been able to comfort a crying girl with a skinned knee. I've been able to smile among the hard stuff and remind myself that their home-life is different. God keeps giving me new areas on which to grow my character.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009


It was my grandma's birthday, so a few of us celebrated with her at a local restaurant. She's 88 years young! Gram was born in 1921 at home, with the family doctor in attendance. When it was time to call for the doctor, my great-grandfather traveled down the street to use a phone. Being the baby of the family, she ended up being daddy's little girl.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009



Some of my kitchen cabinets are falling apart. After talking to the national and local cabinet representative, it was decided my parts are now extinct. So, Dad came to the rescue and agreed to try and fabricate my broken pieces. My dad has woodworking equipment in a small basement workshop, arranged in a similar fashion to my grandpa's workshop. Rather organized, but in a dusty cluttered sort of way. Dad did some great figuring and used 4 different machines to create the pieces. I bought some new screws, did some assembly, and my cabinet drawers slid back in perfectly.