2 years
Dear Clayton and Amanda – It is only 2 years in but it is already hard for me to remember the life before you were married! The work that you have put in and the relationship you continue to forge is a sweet thing to observe. I would remind you that the marriage is best…
Tenacity
I wish I could add pictures to the definitions of some words in the dictionary. If I could I one to tenacity it would be a picture of Emily in her cap and gown. When Emily graduated from high school and started at Biola in 2011, Jim had not been dead very long. Not only…
10 years Ago!
April 11, 2015 is the day that my daughter married. Since that day they have had ups and downs and, in my opinion, more downs than are reasonable. They have persevered in all that bad “weather”. They love each other more now than they did when they began. I made Connor promise to never give…
Answered prayers of a Contented mom
It is so curious that I did not want to be a parent but it became the single most value of my whole life. It is, by far, the most difficult thing I have ever done in my life apart from letting go of my mate. I was so afraid of it and I did…
Clayton is 29!
Happy Birthday to you Clayton. We certainly have been through many adventures and changes over the years. I realize that you have now lived longer without your dad than you did with him. That makes me sad! And yet the short window he and I had to steward our kids as parents still informs the…
Connor is 35!
Dear Connor As I sit here reflecting on the years since you both joined our family and formed a new one with Emily, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of gratitude to our good God for the wonderful man you are and the joyful privilege it is to call you “son”. Watching you and…
Happy Birthday to Amanda!
Last year I decided that I wanted to learn 25 things about this one amazing woman who I get to call my daughter-in-love. I don’t feel like I really learned enoughnor with intentionality. Perhaps her 26th year will be even better as far as growing in relationship, friendship and knowledge of her. 25 things I…
32 Years of my favorite Girl
32 years ago, I met a girl. As I got to know her, I realized this was not going to be an ordinary relationship. She needed me and I needed her but for very different reasons. She needed me to feed her, clothe her, keep her safe and show her the beauty of the world…
Passing the Baton
I’ve been doing youth ministry (in some various form) since I was about 19. Since I’m almost 65 this means I’ve been ministering to teens for 45 years. Although my days of active student ministry are over, I have been blessed to have been able to support those who are in the driver’s seat here…
Happy One year Anniversary C & A!
June 4, 2023. One year! Dear Clayton and Amanda – The farther I get from being married the less I feel I can give advice. It feels irrelevant and yet I remember so much that I learned by being married to your dad. You have one year down and many more to go! Perhaps you…