Easter Blessings …

O happy day! It's a beautiful morning here in the Pacific Northwest. That is to say, no rain. With a promise of sunshine to come. Just the thing for celebrating the joy of His resurrection. Have a blessed Easter!  

Before Christmas was a thing …

Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him." (Matthew 2:2) I love this image of the Magi. Oriental king-makers, seeking the One they had read about in the Jewish scriptures -- which …

Trading Places

Friday was a day of surprises. A day of trading places. At 2:00 that afternoon, my son, Nathan, drove me to my pre-op appointment at an office next to the hospital. This is for the second surgery. Tuesday's was textbook perfect. I am back to normal, as you will see. But by 5:00, he felt nauseous …

Thankful is a way of life

On a field trip recently, since I simply rode in the bus, I took in the autumn sights: the rolling hills with red and golden trees, the clear blue of the sky, the scattered clouds. What if, I thought. What if I had not lived to see this season? I have every reason to be …

When the doctor can’t stop smiling

Some of you know that I was facing another surgery this December. Happy thought indeed! This would be a more invasive one, involving blood transfusions and everything. Not that Miss Shake-It-Off Sepsis Recovery Girl has anything against surgery or transfusions, but she would prefer to avoid them. As would anyone. Many faithful friends prayed. Students prayed. Colleagues …

Day 34: When ‘Shake It Off’ takes a while

In nine days, it will be six months since I was admitted to ICU. Septic infection (urinary tract infection plus blockage caused by kidney stones) caught everyone by surprise. For five days (three of them while sedated on a ventilator), my body struggled to win the fight for life. And yet here I am, back …

When the doctor says, “You know, you almost died.”

It's been three years since this happened. Talk about hard to believe!  I'm moving ahead with a swing in my step, by God's grace ... The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps. (Proverbs 16:9) Three weeks ago to the day I stumbled into the emergency room. I thought I …

Treasure the second chance

Of all the attributes of love, mercy and forgiveness are perhaps the most cherished. I marvel at the many times God has shown mercy to me, and I remind myself that He asks me to extend that same forgiveness to others. But do we treasure those second chances? Or do we presume that there will …

Friendship Affirmations

I do take notes, and sometimes I find them. I am for your best interest. A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. (Proverbs 17:17) I will help you become all that God wants you to be. Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17) I will continually …

To God with love this Christmas Day…

Hauntingly beautiful, ever true. A much-loved carol from the 12th century. In Bethlehem upon that morn There was a blessed Messiah born. Merry Christmas!