Eleven in Heaven
Today Jim has been in heaven for 11 months, but I know it only counts on this side of it for those of is who are waiting (to finally enter Narnia)! I think of the 4th verse of the hymn Amazing Grace: “When we’ve been there 10,000 years, bright shining as the sun, we’ve no…
Glaciers and Earthquakes
I was listening to an uploaded sermon from our church in IL Â last week and Mike was looking back at the events of 9/11. The comparison of the events, based on an analogy from Dr. Martin Marty, was to an earthquake. For most people, the event was an earthquake. When there is an earthquake,…
Letters from heaven!
I am still processing what I think about what I am about to share, but I know God orchestrates things for us beyond what we can imagine. This week I was especially sad. And that is okay…even expected. But here is what happened. Other people let me know of their own sadness, of “Jim-sightings” ,…
Happy Birthday to me! Happy New Year!
There is something about the fall that to me has always felt more like “New Year’s” than the first day of January. Simply put, every fall has marked new beginnings, fresh goals, new shoes and school supplies. My “internal calendar” has always found its rhythm with the school season. I am not sure but perhaps…
In-Ten-se Emotions!
10 months ago Jim left planet earth, at least physically. So much of him remains by virtue of his memory and ministry and the mark he left. I dreamt about him all night – funny stuff – both humorous and randomly odd! I woke up missing him more than ever! There have been way too…
Thirty-One Years! 8/23/1980
Does it still count? It is hard to know what to do today or how to process my feelings. Today would have been my 31st wedding anniversary. I think I will go to 31 flavors to celebrate. I am sure that Jim would have come up with that idea had he been alive! I put…
Launching my First born!
Perhaps this is too personal to put on this blog. It is the letter I wrote to Emily this evening. It sort of captures some of the feelings I am experiencing as she moves to Biola to start her college experience tomorrow. Dear Emily Ruth, I am sitting here listening to you laugh and sing…
God, Hold the pieces of my heart!
2 Cor. 2:7 “God’s secret purpose framed from the very beginning is to bring us to our full glory” I know that everyone has regrets. No way around it. It has been my goal, however, to live with as few of them as possible. That said, I do hold that idea in tension with the…
Floribama!
Most of you know I recently went to Florida and Alabama, while my kids were in Chicago, for a much needed visit with my relatives. It was fantabulous! Highlights include parasailing with my Aunt Crystal, a fresh shrimp boil, trying alligator (tastes like chicken), a free t-shirt (and food) from Milos, Tortugas pizza (best in…
A New Boss
So today my former boss actually handed over the responsibilities of managing our team to the new boss. For those that have followed my work saga over the last year, it is no surprise that I have been looking forward to this possibility and this day for most of the last year. My former boss…