The Value-Added Visit

Nadya and me. October, 2010. The Bonus Blessing “St. Petersburg is amazing,” Pastor Robert said. “Could you please pass the rolls?”  I sat at the table, drifting on the buzz of happy conversation. Our friend Nadya, visiting from Moscow, had joined us for church that morning, along with our buddy Mike. After church, everyone returned […]


Birthday Presence

Sawyer, Big Brother Cadence, Mommy Elaine. Balboa Naval Hospital, San Diego. November 11, 2010 The Next Best Thing to Being There During a Skype session with my daughter Elaine and her family, I asked Cadence, who had just turned five, if he had fun on his birthday. “I did,” he said. “But Lala! Why weren’t […]


Birthday Presence

Sawyer, Big Brother Cadence, Mommy Elaine. Balboa Naval Hospital, San Diego. November 11, 2010 The Next Best Thing to Being There During a Skype session with my daughter Elaine and her family, I asked Cadence, who had just turned five, if he had fun on his birthday. “I did,” he said. “But Lala! Why weren’t […]


Birthday Presence

Sawyer, Big Brother Cadence, Mommy Elaine. Balboa Naval Hospital, San Diego. November 11, 2010 The Next Best Thing to Being There During a Skype session with my daughter Elaine and her family, I asked Cadence, who had just turned five, if he had fun on his birthday. “I did,” he said. “But Lala! Why weren’t […]


Rambling Through the Prophets

Hillside Aflame. Foothill Ranch. October, 2007 Missing Half the Story Every October, I begin to read the Gospel, as my Bible-reading plan launches me into the Good News on October first. By then, I’ve spent two months reading the prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Obadiah, Micah….those guys. May I be honest? The prophets give me the […]