Today the church remembers the death of Jesus on the cross. As we read the story we often denigrate the Roman soldiers, the Jewish religious leaders, Pilate and even the followers of Jesus. How could they not know that this was the Son of God we ask? How could they mock Him as He hung […]
Every year the small town where I live has a Chalk Art Event. Local business owners sponsor an artist who designs a chalk drawing on the sidewalk in front of their stores. The small downtown turns into a great combination of chalk art, live music, food vendors and community engagement. It’s a great way to […]
Christmas! What a magical time! We decorate our homes with trees, candles, wreaths. We put out a nativity set and hang up an angel or two. We plan gatherings with family and friends where there will be presents and lots of delicious food to eat. Everything is so neat and tidy – so beautiful. It’s […]
I’m having waffles in the morning made by my husband. I know that because our little granddaughter is spending the night with us and she always wants Papa’s waffles for breakfast. When we go to bed she gives Papa her “cutie” smile and in her “cutie” voice she asks: Papa, will you fix waffles in […]
Most of us have heard of Ellis Island. Many of us who have traced our ancestry can lay claim to having descended from someone who came through Ellis Island on their journey to becoming an American citizen. Prior to 1892 immigration was controlled by individual states. On January 1, 1892 the Federal government opened an […]
Moving from an area with a population of over 380,000 to a small town of less than 8,000 is quite a change. Last month my husband and I said goodbye to the Quad Cities. Goodbye Quad Cities We have spent this last month learning all about our new home in the middle part of […]
Feeling overwhelmed? Stressed out? Facing a flood of sorrow, pain, economic problems? We all have those times in life. Times when we may even question if God cares. If God even exists. When we are struggling through a difficult time we do not need a “Pollyanna” quoting scripture or telling us “it will be alright.” […]
While visiting the St Croix River Valley we found the site of the first commercial sawmill in what became the state of Minnesota. Two lumbermen from Marine Illinois, David Hone and Lewis Judd, finding the area’s abundant white pine, decided to build a sawmill here. They named the spot Marine after their hometown in Illinois. […]
When I was in second grade the vaccine for poliomyelitis was declared effective and safe, and a nationwide inoculation campaign began. Children were the first to get the vaccine because the disease was known as “infant paralysis” mainly affecting children. This disease attacks the nerve cells and sometimes the central nervous system, often causing muscle wasting and […]
In our continuing exploration of Michigan, today my husband and I visited Old Town in Lansing, Michigan. In 1825 a surveying crew stopped along the Grand River next to what is now Lansing and plotted land that would someday be called Old Town. James Seymour and Jacob Cooley from New York purchased the land from […]
When I first started my blog I said I was going to share some funny stories about the joys (and trials) of being a pastor’s wife. I shared a few stories but then thought perhaps I should just keep my funny tales to myself. Here are the few I shared if you want a good […]
Merry Christmas from St Johns Michigan. This is a view of our main street downtown all decorated for Christmas. This small town has so much to offer year round but it is especially beautiful this time of year. The stores down town have a decorating contest. So many unique shops. There is the Adorn Mint […]
We talk a lot about the cross and how terrible the death of Jesus was. The story of Peter’s denial of Jesus and the rest of the disciples fleeing from the garden where he was arrested are familiar to us. It is good that we take time to reflect on the agony, the pain, the […]
As another new year comes around, my mind races back to other new years and other times. Recently I was thinking about the life of a pastor and his family and the frustrations, the laughter and the joy that life brings. Three different stories came to mind that illustrate all three scenarios. One Sunday morning […]
