Eighty years ago today our nation was attacked at Pearl Harbor. My parents’ generation sacrificed much in the next few years. My father was in the Navy and came back from the war with many difficult memories of death and danger. My mother was left to take care of three children on her own. President […]
It’s Friday…..but Sunday’s coming. Thoughts of a Retired Pastor The Gospel of Matthew as well as other Gospel writers presents the reality of Jesus’ death as an absolute certainty. Those standing around the cross watched as Jesus “breathed his last.” –John 19:30 tells us He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. They heard […]
This was one of my first blogs. I have wanted to actually write a book about the funny things that happen in church life – but still have not done so. But this true story still makes me laugh. Hope you enjoy it! Grandma’s Ramblings In View from the Parsonage, I shared that during the years […]
My Good Time Stories Photo by Anastasia Shuraeva from Pexels Our children are our biggest blessings and our biggest responsibilities throughout out lifetime. I discovered the following ditty a few days ago which I think demonstrates a powerful reminder to us as parents. We need to teach our daughters to know the difference between: a man who flatters […]
Dr. Tanya, at Salted Caramel, asked four questions about blogging. She calls the questions “retrospective introspection.” Reading your own work, she says, is sometimes called a form of narcissism but she thinks a better description might be self-evaluation or self-assessment. With that in mind, I have responded to her questions. Here are her four questions: […]
The Pony Express route ran from St Joseph Missouri to Sacramento California and covered 1,996 miles. It took the riders on average ten days to make this long trek. This mail service only lasted 18 months from April 3, 1860 to October 26, 1961. The telegraph wires which provided such quick means of communication meant […]
Because of Covid our plans for continuing our exploration of Michigan this summer did not materialize. However, we did get in just a little adventure on a recent trip back to Illinois to visit family. During that trip my husband and I took a side tour to Otterville, Illinois. My husband was interested in the […]
Sisters are a blessing? Or a curse? Growing up I was fortunate to have two older sisters. Time and distance now separate us, but the older I get, the more I like to remember those days when we were young and still free of wrinkles, arthritic backs and grey hair. Velma My oldest sister, Velma, […]
It’s Friday – time for another post on old church hymns. Many of the old hymns I love are found in the old hymnals from mainline churches like Methodist, Lutheran or Presbyterian. However, since I am a country girl at heart with some southern roots, many of the old songs I love would probably never […]
Those who follow my blog know that I lost my hair 19 years ago after 16 treatments with three powerful chemo drugs following surgery for breast cancer. Although the doctor assured my hair would come back for years I did not. It was only a few years ago that we found out that one of […]
Have you ever wondered what it was like to live in a lighthouse? Well – in Michigan you can have the chance to experience life as a lighthouse keeper. Interested? Mission Point Lighthouse is located at the end of M-37 where the road ends at West Grand Traverse Bay. The drive along the peninsula is […]
According to Mercy Ships, five billion people lack access to safe surgery. Children, teens, and adults suffer and die every day from treatable causes, and one child in eight will die before age 5. In 1978 Don and Deyon Stephens founded Mercy Ships in Switzerland. Don says that “A devastating hurricane, meeting Mother Teresa and […]
This time of Advent we not only remember the birth of our Savior but we also look forward with anticipation to His return. We sometimes long for that day when evil will finally be completely defeated and peace will truly reign. But what do we do while we wait? We often pray the Lord’s prayer […]
I recently wrote about the controversy we have at this time of year over saying “Merry Christmas” vs. “Happy Holidays.” Standing in line to pay for my book at Barnes and Noble today, I heard the customer ahead of me complaining to the clerk because he had wished her “Happy Holidays!” She proceeded to tell […]
