Amanda’s Shower Advice
Dear (Clayton &) Amanda – “What marriage advice would you share?” I always think this is a weird question because it reduces the most important relationship down to a quick response… I don’t like to give such a thin answer to such a weighty subject. Marriage is our most layered and complex of relationships and…
Easter 2023
Today is Friday. Fridays have become a good day because I switched my role as minister to worker bee and now have a weekend to rest, play and get chores done. This Friday is extra special because it is God’s Friday around the world as we remember the work of Christ on the cross. Can…
Miracles
Yesterday at our weekly staff meeting one of the shepherds asked us to list miracles we have witnessed and the room was silent. Really?! A room full of full time ministers and christian workers who could not share a miracle! (myself included). I am sure that some of the lack of response was due to…
A Pie for every state
Today is Pi Day (3.14) and we did have pie to celebrate. It is the perfect food group. Think about it. Everything from savory to sweet, from pizza to quiche to hand held and frozen. It can be created with many crusts and fillings and eaten at every meal! When my dad was a chemist…
Mom at 88
Today my mom has a birthday. If you know my mom you know it will be a day filled with friends, eating out and strawberries in some fashion. This is her first birthday without my dad. She will busy and well loved but there will be an ache; I know I have been there. Moms…
Clayton Happy Birthday #27
I know that every parent feels this way, but what happened to time?! I remember the day you were born and it was about now that I finally held you. It seems not so long ago that you were my little boy and I was taking care of you every day. Now those days are…
Connor Happy Birthday #33
Today is your birthday! I hope it is good but that it is followed by an amazing year of God’s favor and a few good breaks. The past few years – actually most of the years I have known you – you have been pushed to the margins and not been treated well by any…
MLV 60
I don’t want this blog to become a big birthday card but the milestones and family need to be recognized. My sister joins the next decade today. No one has endured my nonsense longer with such intimacy and angst as this one person. Yes I do have relatives and friends I have known longer than…
Sure!
My family has been called out for over use of the word sure! I sure don’t understand why, but I am told it is the “worst” answer to a yes/no question. The belief is that when we use it to answer in the affirmative that we are still on the fence about that yes. Let…
Heroes
There are heroes in the world. Some are disguised as regular people. I know some – actually I know more than my fair share. They may not be the superhero kind who wear capes and have otherworldly superpowers but they are the real deal. One of my superheroes, at 87 years old, went to Africa…