Traveling with an Eternal Perspective
I had the blessing and the privilege of visiting Europe, specifically Germany, Austria, Italy and Switzerland, with a friend (Ann W. ) in honor of my 60th birthday. It was an amazing trip with good food, plenty of adventure, and a great friend. We averaged 11 1/2 miles walking every day (yes my knees survived,…
Letter to my future self
So I finally found a copy of a letter I wrote to myself quite a long time ago. Now I am 60 so it is interesting to compare how life IS versus what I imagined and hoped it would be. Dear 60 year old Miriam (2019), If you are reading this, you have managed to…
Goodbye to Earl Gray
So the Toyota is done. After 230000 miles, many trips and oil changes, moves and soccer tournaments, it can no longer pass smog. It has served our family well. I prayed that it would get Clayton through college and it did! I will miss it but I am so glad to not have to worry…
John C – A Pastor to the End
So I was asked to share about John. That is really difficult because most of you know him better and longer than I and are much more capable. I thought about just “winging it” or starting 10 minutes late, in true :John” fashion but I am not that good! I met John when we moved…
Forty Years of Thomsens
I remember the day you got married. It was so fun and an honor to be there! There are not many who make it to 40 years; but even more there are not many who make it so well, so strong, so beautifully as you have. Here are some of my memories (narrowed down to…
Long Lost Friend
So in the seventies I met this amazing woman who would become the wife of Jim’s best friend and then she became my best friend! The 4 of us became family, in the best way possible, as we have traveled together, shared meals, raised kids, cried and laughed in a million ways. And I hope…
A life full of rainbow sprinkles
Lauren When I think of you I think of total organized chaos – a hot mess (in a good way) – kind of life that is ripped at the edges and colorfully spray painted with African rhythm in the background . There are purses and shoes that always fit and carry all the things. You…
Tata to Tim – a class act…
The first time I met you was at Disneyland and you were enthusiastically greeting my daughter! I had seen you prior to that because you were in Emily’s class at church, but that was my first official introduction to you. Then when you came on staff as a lead, you seemed so young (and you…
Women I want to grow old with
This year the theme for Women’s day is “Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change” Let’s! In honor of International Women’s Day, I want to toss some gratitude toward many examples of fierce, brave, intelligent and compassionate women in my life. Collectively they have blazed the trail, created role models, challenged the status quo, caused…
Never a Shadow
Today is Ground Hog Day. It is also Tim Hummel’s Birthday and the Appleton’s Anniversary. Emily Beth Elwood was born this morning, And on the high church calendar it is Candlemas Day. Most of the time Punxatawny Phil is wrong in his prediction about the weather and the seasons changing. But I had a thought…