A Little Something for Christmas

Elaine, Cadence, Ayden, Kevin, Carly, Christmas 2008 Present Sunday night our church offered a Christmas concert following the 5 p.m. service. We invited our children, grandchildren, and my co-grandma Judi to join us. Everyone declined–not a stunning result, as all the invited households are at least an hour away. Since our campus is large and […]


Encouraging Words

United Church of the Valley Christmas Cantata 2010 Pleasing my Father My dad’s approval is important to me. As a child, I would have rather endured a spanking than heard him quietly say, “I’m disappointed in you.” My dad has also encouraged me to write since I was a small child. So when I blogged […]


Real Gratitude

Exquisite, Clumsy Figurines and Rich’s Kids: Sean, Grandson Ayden, Rebecca, Ryan, 2005 Worst Blog Post Ever! Not long ago I wrote a post about how I sometimes forget to give thanks for the “small” blessings. You can read it here. It’s problematic because I only discuss my gratitude for good stuff. Decorating for Christmas this […]


Wired for Worship

Rainbow, Anza Borrego Desert, California, October 2010 It’s the Creator I feel respectful in the desert. It’s vast, and calm, and if I look carefully, I see a tremendous, subtle variety in color and form. Almost always it’s really cold or wiltingly hot. Surprising weather can develop at any moment. Motu Tautau, Tahaa, French Polynesia, […]


Guiding Light

Uncle Roy, Aunt Nancy, Mom: August, 2006  Taproot TreasureYesterday I visited Legoland with my daughter, son-in-law, their sons, and my co-grandparents. Newborn Sawyer slept through the visit; four-year-old Cadence delighted in the park, the rides, and the Lego statues. As I returned to Orange County that evening, I was reflecting on the pleasure of […]