When God Sends a Guide
When we were in Cork, Ireland, Carl and I were reminded how precious it is simply to be alive. Three months ago, Carl underwent emergency surgery to receive a pacemaker. It was a sobering moment for both of us. But thanks to God’s mercy and skilled doctors, he was restored and stronger than ever. And…
Living in God’s Presence — Wherever We Are
There is something deeply moving about stepping into a great cathedral. The heavy wooden doors open. Sunlight filters through stained glass. Whispered prayers seem to linger in the air. For a moment, our hearts instinctively wants to say, “Surely the Lord is in this place.” That is exactly how we felt in Cork, Ireland —…
The Boy Who Came Back
And, I’m so glad he did.Some dreams take years to unfold. For as long as I can remember, I have loved the story of Saint Patrick. Every March, my front door becomes a little tribute to his remarkable life — with a shamrock wreath, his Breastplate Prayer, and a small statue that reminds me that…
The Brightest Star of All
Yesterday our adventures via our cruise ship took us to Liverpool, England — home of ferries, football, and four young men who changed the sound of the world. Carl and I toured this historic city where our guide enthusiastically sang Beatles songs as we visited the modest childhood homes of John Lennon and Paul McCartney.…
The Gift of a Mother’s Love
Happy Mother’s Day — from the Irish Sea! Today Carl and I are sailing between Ireland and the United Kingdom, and by the time you read this, we’ll be in Liverpool — home of The Beatles. Can you imagine the pride of those Liverpool mothers hearing their boys on the radio for the first time?”…
Built to Bless the World
Yesterday, Carl and I ventured from our cruise ship to the rail (train) into the remarkable city of Glasgow, Scotland — and what a surprise it was! I expected charm and history, but Glasgow is also a city of brilliance, innovation, medicine, literature, beauty, and bold ideas. As we rode the hop-on hop-off double-decker bus,…
Bridging the Divide
Yesterday, in Belfast, Ireland, Carl and I stepped into a city rich with history, beauty — and complexity. From the top of a hop-on, hop-off bus, we saw so much — the grandeur of the Queen’s University Belfast, the story of the Titanic Belfast, and the sobering reminders of division through murals and Peace Walls.…
Give Way!
Somewhere between London, Rotterdam, and the beautiful towns of Scotland — Stornoway, Lerwick, and beyond — I kept noticing the same sign over and over again: GIVE WAY. At first, it simply felt like a charming difference from our American “Yield” signs. An upside-down triangle. A quiet instruction. Slow down. Look both ways. Let others…
Led to Strength in Small Places
“The Lord is my shepherd… I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1)Yesterday, we felt wrapped in that promise. Beautiful sheep and their little lambs — grazing or lying down — literally in green pastures! Carl and I found ourselves in the peaceful beauty of Lerwick, Scotland — a coastal town where time slows, the air feels…
When We Almost Missed It…
Yesterday took us to Invergordon and Inverness, Scotland — and oh, what a day it turned out to be! BUT, we almost missed it! We were sitting in the World Stage auditorium aboard the MS Nieuw Statendam, waiting for our excursion group to be called. We had our little round sticker — #25 — ready…