Driving north from our home in Michigan we took a quick stop at Gaylord to try to get a peek at the elk herd found there. The City of Gaylord maintains an elk herd and while there are several places to view them, we stopped at the Patrick Mankowskil Park. There on 108 acres the […]

My husband and I hold services at two different assisted living facilities and I also give a piano concert twice a month at one of them.  Today my husband shared with the residents the story in the Gospel of Luke about the ten lepers that came to Jesus asking to be healed.  That story really […]

Growing up in church many times I heard the story of Abraham as told in Genesis.  This man who is referred to as “the friend of God” is also held up as a great example of faith. Regarded by the Jewish people as their forefather through his son Isaac, he is also revered by the […]

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 […]

Today most of us think of Christmas carols as something we hear on the radio, or we sing at church on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day services. However, singing carols in many places used to be more than just singing a song at church. It was a time to connect with neighbors as people would […]

One story my husband hates for me to tell – but I get such fun out of telling is the Sunday a visitor showed up at church. My husband loved to get out of the office and into the community.  He felt just sitting at a desk all week was not the best way to be […]

According to the National Retail Federation, a group that compiles information about consumer spending for major American holidays and events, an estimated 165.3 million people will shop from Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday. They break the numbers down like this: 39.6 million will shop on Thanksgiving day 114.6 million will shop on Black Friday 66.6 […]

When my husband and I married years ago he told me he used to paint.  However, he only had one painting to show me.  It was one he had given to his oldest daughter.  I found it interesting because if you looked at one way it appears the people were walking forward side by side; […]

Life is good for me.  Retired with time to do what I want to do.  Good husband who is my best friend.  Children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren to love. Still, like all of us, difficult times do come. Right now I am facing health issues.  I see the doctor tomorrow to review MRI results […]

This past week I was at a women’s Bible study when our leader asked us: What is today? Everyone immediately called out: It’s Valentine’s day! She then asked us: But what else is it? Sadly, only a few realized it was the beginning of Lent, it was Ash Wednesday. For this week’s lesson we had […]

Eritrea is the most restricted nation for religious freedom on the African continent.  Rebels, inspired by the Chinese Communist Revolution, led a bloody revolution for 30 years (from 1960’s to 1991) leading to the country’s independence from Ethiopia. The independent nation fought again with Ethiopia in one of the bloodiest conflicts in Africa’s history.  On […]

When we first moved to Michigan I was intrigued to find there were many areas in the state where there had been  Underground Railroad activity before the Civil War..  Located close to Canada, Battle Creek was one of the main stops for slaves traveling by foot through Indiana, Detroit and then Canada. One of the […]

It’s that time of year again! Time for making cookies, shopping for gifts, decorating the Christmas tree and all our house inside and out. Time for family gatherings, parties at friends, watching Hallmark Christmas movies. The list goes on and on. As I listen to people talk about the holiday, it almost seems at times […]

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 […]