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As a word girl, I thrive on writing, speaking, and these regular connections with you. In fact, I deliberately chose “Blessing” as my word for 2021 so that I could be proactive in doing my part to be a blessing to each person and situation I encounter. My deepest desire is to see you, hear…

I read well over 100 books this past year and find it almost impossible to reduce my favorites to an even dozen of both fiction and non-fiction. So, if you are one of my dear author friends and your book is not on this list, please understand that it is a highly subjective list (especially…

1. If your word-for-the-year is STRONG, be prepared to learn more than you ever imagined about soul strength, physical perseverance, mental fortitude, and spiritual stamina. 2. You can write down all the appointments, coffee dates, speaking engagements, and scheduled travel in your cute little stickered Planner. But that does not mean they will actually happen.…

There will be Christmas this year. Can’t you sense it? Despite the doom and gloom of outward circumstances, there is also something in the air, the music, the stars in the dark sky, the delicious smells, the flickering firelight, the silence even. Friend, Christmas will come alright. Because Christ came in that most improbable first…

Every year. But perhaps especially this year, there are those dwelling amongst us in the midst of tinsel and holiday, who are filled with tremendous sorrow and pain and loss. Sadness. Perhaps you are one of those who cannot stop crying, even as the radio stations play “Deck the Halls” and sponsor Ugly Christmas Sweater…

YOU are at the top of my Gratitude List!I’m grateful each time you click on my newsletter and my weekly 7 am Wednesday blogs. Thank you for reading. Friend, today I want to remind both of us that there is Light to be found, even in the surrounding darkness. “The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never…

Henri once told his father that he always wanted to be a trapeze artist. Having become great friends with The Flying Rodleighs, Henri Nouwen enjoyed their performances around Europe. “As a flyer, I must have complete trust in my catcher,” Rodleigh told him. “The public might think that I am the great star of the…

“I tell you I’m going crazy,” the woman shouted to her mentor. He gently replied, “Here is a yellow pad and here is a ballpoint pen. I want you to write down your blessings.” She refused, overcome by the despair that had seized her soul. But he didn’t give up. “Think of the millions of…

On Sunday, I joined a few others outside (socially distanced) in our village’s Ancient Burying Ground (tombstones date to the 1600’s) to celebrate the life of an older friend from our church. It was a crisp, clear Autumn day in New England. And behind my mask, I ugly cried the entire service. Grieving for all…

               “All I can offer you is a chance to die.” Early missionaries did not pack trunks as they set off on long voyages across the world to take the gospel to hidden peoples. Instead, they each packed a coffin, one that would eventually be used to bury them…