Accident?

For the past few years I've been in the habit of sitting on our back deck every morning to read my bible. Rain or shine, summer or winter, it's time for me to listen to what God might want me to know that day. In this season of rebirth I often wonder how anyone could believe that creation could be an accident.



Look at the detail in the Bleeding Heart. An accident? No.


Look at the design on the leaves of this Hosta. An accident? Not a chance.


Could the brilliant color of this Azalea be an accident of nature? I don't think so.


This Rhododendron flower is closed but in a few days will burst open and will be the size of a dinner plate, each petal in perfect symmetry creating something so beautiful it takes my breath away.

How is it possible that someone could look closely at creation and not see it as the sweetest of gifts from our loving Creator?

Women's Retreat 2008

Greeted on the last day of the retreat by a glorious sunrise seen through the mist hovering over the lake.


Kristina & Kelly, my roomies during the retreat. These extraordinary women came into my life last year through a Turning Point group. My life is richer for knowing them.

Taking Steps...

This beautiful woman is my daughter, Lily.

Over the past few months she's amazed and impressed me with her strength and resilience. She's a great mother to her three year old son, Aidan; she works full time at a very demanding job and she also goes to school.

Over the years of what can best be described as a tumultuous relationship between us an odd thing has begun to happen. I'm beginning to learn more from her than she's learning from me. We're closer now than we've been since she was a little girl. I'm watching her take steps toward a promising and rewarding future. I see the woman she's becoming, not who I envisioned 22 years ago, but someone better, someone all her own. What a gift!

Birdzilla!

Okay, so it's not Pyrrhuloxia but it's still unusual to see a turkey meandering around my front yard!

A Dream Come True

Someone asked me recently what it was like being asked to join the staff of Granger Community Church. I responded, immediately and without pretense, "A dream come true". How many people can say that about their job? A few days from now is my fourth anniversary on this staff and I can honestly say it remains my dream job.

The fact that God had this in mind for me all along is both comforting and frightening. Comforting because I know his plan for me continues to unfold and he's not done with me, not by a long shot; frightening because I've been given/entrusted with much and, consequently, much more will be asked. (Lk. 12:48)

I'm praying I am up to the task.

It's Gonna Be Worth It...

Wow - it's been a long time since I've blogged!

I had an experience last week that still makes me smile. Let me share.

Sitting in an Innovate session last Friday and listening to Troy Gramling I received a text message from my 24 year old son, Tony. The message was:

Mom, thank u for everything.

Since I had no idea what he was thanking me for I texted back:

I love u baby - what am i being thanked 4?

To which he responds:

i'm just lucky you're my mom

At this point, two thoughts are going through my mind; what has he done or what does he want? I'm still sitting in session. My response to him:

U ok?

And in return:

Yea, I'm just thinking about what's important to me.

Yikes. Now I'm actively scared. Is he standing on a bridge getting ready to jump? Has he done something terrible and is trying to ease into telling me? I stand up and walk out of the session so I can call him. When he answers his cell he sounds calm enough and I ask him what's going on. He says he was listening to the oldies station at work and heard Whitney Houston's song, The Greatest Love of All and remembered that I used to sing that song to him at bedtime when he was a little boy. Gulp. Now I'm sitting on a bench outside the auditorium with tears streaming down my face.

I'm sharing this to let other parents of teenagers know that, even if you're struggling and wondering if you're doing the right thing, someday, It's Gonna Be Worth It just for moments like this.

Ocean's Thirteen...and counting

Maybe it's because my expectations were low but I really liked Ocean's Thirteen, maybe even better than the sequel. The outcome was completely predictable, not filled with tension or drama, but fun to watch. Okay okay - so when is it not fun to watch Brad and George?

Question: If you make a follow up to a movie it's called a sequel. When the third movie is released does it then qualify for the term trilogy? How about threequel? Just a random thought. I've got a million of 'em!