Apples, Apricots, and Acts of Worship

An Inviting Hallway. Ojai Valley Inn and Spa. September, 2011. Seeking Treasures in Shangri-La An unexpected gift led my husband and me to spend our anniversary weekend in Ojai, a tiny town tucked snugly into the hills east of Ventura. We crave tranquility when we travel; the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa promised peace. And so […]


"Why Marriage Matters"

My daughter Elaine, me, our friend and wedding pastor Don, Rich, and his son Ryan. September 2, 2007 A Church Full of LoveToday’s sermon at church was Why Marriage Matters. We participated in, and witnessed, an amazing thing at church today. Hundreds of couples stood and renewed their marriage vows. Rich and I took part […]


Love’s Gifts

‘Tis the Season….We have another wedding in the works! Rich’s daughter Rebecca accepted Jeff’s proposal on Thursday evening. Like most couples, they’ve had their challenges. Last summer, struggling, they stepped back to consider their relationship and examine its dimensions. Rebecca moved into our home, which provided her dad and me with ringside seats for this phase […]


Spotting God at Home

Grateful for a Grace-ful Marriage(Note as of September 3: Last night when I should have been sleeping after a long first-day-back-at-work-after-vacation and fun anniversary celebration in the evening, instead I lay awake thinking about this post. I have decided that it really needs an illustrative example to flesh out the laundry list I provided yesterday. […]