When Love Carries On
God has certainly gifted me with true-to-life human interest stories lately. And, it sure gives me pause to craft a blog about them. Here’s an example: On December 23rd, dear friends said goodbye to their beautiful daughter, Lisa Samuelson Cole — known to many as Mama Cole. She was just 59 when she stepped into…
Epiphany: When the Light Keeps Leading
Yesterday, January 6th marked Epiphany — the celebration of the manifestation of Christ to the world. It gently closed the Twelve Days of Christmas and opened our eyes a bit wider to what God was doing all along. Tradition tells us that the Wise Men arrived later than our nativity scenes suggest. Jesus may have…
The Beautiful Surprise of Being an Encourager
A few days ago, I wrote about being an encourager. Funny how God does that — once we speak a word out loud, He hands us an opportunity to live it. Like I often do, I asked God for a “word” for 2026. As Carl and I prayed our way into this new chapter, we…
In the Beginning — Again
“In the beginning…” are some of the most powerful words ever written. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Gen 1:1“In the beginning was the Word.” John 1:1 Even Julie Andrews knew what she was talking about: “Let’s start at the very beginning — a very good place to start.” And here…
Wise Men and Women Still Seek Him
I’m leaning all the way into the word NEW — new mercies, new perspectives, new grace, new peace, new joy, new hope. The trivial stuff no longer gets to sit in the front seat. The rear view mirror doesn’t offer much satisfaction anymore, and honestly, what once felt urgent in 2025 now feels surprisingly small.…
Happy New Year — Welcome 2026!
There is something almost sacred about the first page of a new year. The calendar is wide open for all kinds of adventures! The journal is blank. The possibilities are endless. It’s as if God Himself leans in and says, “Let’s begin again!” And oh, how grateful I am to begin this year surrounded by…
My Christmas Letters and LOVE That Never Let’s Go
After celebrating Christmas three times — with our Noble family, our Wuerch family, and our Wallace family — I’m finally sitting still long enough to smile and say, “Thanks be to God for His LOVE that knows no end!” Carl’s family gathered first before heading to Colorado. Christmas Day was spent with my Wuerch crew…
What If We Had Been the Shepherds?
Not the polished, postcard shepherds — but the real ones. Sleepless. Dusty. Smelling like sheep. Curled up on the ground because that’s just how life worked. Shepherding wasn’t glamorous, but it was essential. Sheep mattered. Sacrifices mattered. And shepherds stayed busy because sheep were born — well — to die. Then one night — everything…
Oh My Soul — Now I Know Why
Our family celebrations have been delightfully spread out this year. Carl’s children’ Christmas — earlier in the month, Thanksgiving and Christmas with my daughter’s family at Epiphany Ranch, and yesterday — Christmas Day — with my son and his family. So many memories already tucked away — as new ones are still being made. And…
Oh Holy Night
It’s Christmas Eve! We’re so close now. Christmas is tomorrow. We feel it in the air — the quiet excitement, the rustle of wrapping paper in a back room, AND the whispered negotiations — “Plllllease can we open just one present?” on Christmas Eve. You remember that feeling, don’t you? The one gift allowed early.…