Hearts in Service

I predicted this back in October and November when we were having one of the warmest and most beautiful falls I could remember. We live near two of the great lakes and the water is warmer than normal which means that when the cold weather did come pouring in the lake effect snows were going to happen. It's been snowing all week and we have more on the way through tomorrow. Despite the snow and cold, I have been making myself get outside and go for walks. I  wear my hiking shoes which have better tread and I'm cautious so am not walking very fast. However, I'm so thankful I've been getting out because the fresh air and movement lift my spirits. The lack of sunshine really affects me so getting outside helps. The Christmas decorations are up and some Christmas cookies have been made. But this year is just has a different and weird feel to it. Prices for everything are through the roof and it's depressing to go to the grocery store. I couldn't believe how high my g...

It's hard to believe that we are coming to the end of another year. This year flew by and was jam-packed with events including a bridal shower and then a wedding for our daughter.  It has also been a year of open doors for me as I tried to settle in and work on my connections to the Lord, to others and to the purpose God has for me. I've been thankful for these doors because they are all so interrelated. I would say that the past two months have been the hardest as different unexpected circumstances have happened which caused a disruption in my life. But then again, the Lord reminds me of the desire I had to do a better job of connecting with other people which includes my family. And I'm also reminded that sometimes things happen beyond our control and it's how we deal with those interruptions that either strengthens or weakens us. I had a bit of an epiphany last night as I realized that I was doing a lot of anxiety-ridden activity and trying to solve problems in my ow...

In typical Thanksgiving fashion, I spent two days in the kitchen cooking and baking and it took only about 30 minutes to eat it. There are times when I think it would just be easier to go out to eat. That way my back wouldn't ache, my hands wouldn't be shriveled from being in dish water and it would probably be cheaper in the long run.  I never look good in pictures because I've been standing over a hot stove for hours. I got the usual "why do you need to take a picture?" groans, but as I told my family yesterday these photos are memories.  Preparing a feast takes a lot of work. But I do enjoy making the holidays special for my family. It is a challenge to drive the hour to pick up the in-laws. It's a little scary to maneuver them in and out of the house when they are both pretty wobbly. We listen to the same stories over and over from my mother-in-law who has Alzheimer's. And we deal with some pretty sloppy eating from my father-in-law who has dexterity i...

On Thursday afternoon, just as Dan and I were getting ready to leave for a meeting, we received a phone call from our son. He was sitting on the side of the road with a blown engine in his car. The problem is he lives 3 1/2 hours away. After back and forth phone calls he called a tow truck and got it towed to a garage. He ended up renting a car and headed here for the holiday. We've been working with him to figure out his next steps because he still owes thousands of dollars on the car which will also take a significant amount to replace the engine. His rent is going up in the new year. His seasonal job ended and he is trying to find something else, but needs a car for that to happen. His car still has not been looked at by the mechanic. It is all more than a little overwhelming. Long story short, we extended an invitation for him to live here temporarily so he can get out from under all of this. It would save him money on expensive rent and utilities.  The timing was right since h...

One of the cookbooks on my bookshelf is called, "Back to the Table" by Art Smith. It is a cookbook, but he has so many interesting insights on almost every page that it reads like a book.  I wanted to share a few interesting tidbits with you as we are entering into Thanksgiving week. Many of us will be busy in our kitchens and as you cook and bake for your family, reflect on these quotes. "We should all think about returning to the sanctity of the table, where we can rebuild our families, heal spiritually and physically, and reconnect with those we love. The table is a familiar, uncomplicated, and friendly place where we can celebrate family, friends, food, and life's many blessings." "While cooking for families, I was constantly reminded that we are all human, capable of making mistakes, of hurting those we love, and, most of all, capable of forgiveness. I see this over and over again at the table. The act of cooking for others, making dishes they especial...

Psalm 119:44-45 ~ I will always obey Your instruction, forever and ever. I will walk freely in an open place (spacious place) because I seek Your precepts. Calmness and clarity. Freedom. Room to breathe. Room to hear. Peace. These words all describe how I feel when I slow down and make space for the Lord to speak to me. I have a tendency to cram every moment of my life with activity and I'm recognizing the need to develop a slow-down pace so that I can actually have room to listen to what the Lord is trying to say.  One of those ways I do that is by regularly getting out in nature and walking. Many times my walk starts out with anxious thoughts buzzing in my head. I feel tense and my mind crowded with anxiousness. Yet, as I walk and pray I begin to hear the Lord speak. I feel a spaciousness open up in my thoughts as the anxiety clears out. I gain clarity over situations. I feel the tenseness leave my body as I allow the Lord to put His healing words in my spirit....