Keep Climbing!
Once upon a time my knees decided they needed a little….. encouragement. So I started wearing knee braces under my slacks. At first they were stiff, then downright uncooperative. But eventually I found a pair that works beautifully when I’m walking, working out, or gliding along on the elliptical. What a relief! Last year Carl…
We’ve Come a Long Way, Baby
Last Sunday, our pastor, Dr. Jonathan Spencer, opened his sermon with a story that made me smile. In 2008, two men — Travis and Gary — were on a work trip in Paris, frustrated because they couldn’t find a taxi. Somewhere between the rain and the cobblestone streets, an idea sparked: what if you could…
He Giveth… and Giveth Again
Oh — sweet goodness — that follows us all the days of our lives. Yesterday, we took off — literally! We traded the Texas heat for the crisp, cool air of Crested Butte, Colorado. It started with a simple question from Carl’s daughter (my bonus daughter): “Want to do something different for Father’s Day?” Yes,…
Breaking the Language Barrier with Love
I wish — oh, how I wish — I could speak fluent Spanish! Not just a few phrases or scattered words, but enough to truly connect with my dear Spanish-speaking friends. Enough to share a conversation, pray with them, and most importantly, share Jesus in their heart language. While in Cabo, I kept my phone’s…
Let’s Build a Name for Ourselves
The people of Babel had one goal: “Let us build ourselves a tower with its top in the sky, and so make a name for ourselves.” (Genesis 11:4). They weren’t just building a tower; they were building a legacy of their own making — striving to be remembered by their achievements rather than by who…
The Mountain and the Ocean
Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell once sang, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” but on Sunday, Carl and I had to admit — some mountains (and even hills) are, in fact, too high! I’ve made the climb to the lighthouse and chapel on El Encanto (to love) many times, but this time, wisdom (and my marathon-worn…
Our Secret Place
Carl and I are still in Cabo, nestled in my children’s gorgeous home— our sanctuary by the sea. Since 2010, this place has been my refuge, a sacred retreat where God’s peace washes over me like the waves on the shore. After my late husband passed just before Thanksgiving that year, my children insisted I…
Hope is Great Expectancy
When our children marry and have families of their own, we may have to do some tweaking to adapt to their lifestyles and their way of doing things differently than what we did. So, rather than resisting the changes, I’ve decided to take hold of them and own them. I’ve become quite savvy at accepting…
Our Divine Situator
Situation: a set of circumstances in which one finds one’s selfSituator: one who handles situations The eleven members of my son’s family met up at Austin International Airport on Monday for our trip to Cabo. You should have seen my son wrangling us, with our many bags, up to the check-in counter. He was noticed…
Got Mountains? Then Scale Them!
I’m back home in my sweet spot. Actually, wherever I am, I call it my sweet spot – because wherever I go, God is right there with me. Even in the doctor’s office. The day before leaving for Cabo, I had my annual physical check-up. Ugh! Lots of questions from my doc and then, she…