A Chance to Choose Joy

October 5, 2011 By

Birthday Girls: Heather, Rachael, Laura. September 25, 2011. Mourning and Dancing On September 25, our beautiful daughter-in-law Rachael celebrated her 29th birthday (honest!). Her parents hosted a party at their home.  Our initial plan for the day had been:  Go to church. Go to the cemetery. Go to Rachael’s party. In 2006, Rachael was widowed […]


Filed Under: birthday, death, God's omnipotence, grandchildren, grief, joy, Psalm 30

Grief, Music, and Weeds

August 21, 2010 By

Clearing out Crud Yesterday would have been my mom’s 74th birthday. I miss her most on her birthday, when I’m honoring her memory instead of baking her a cake. The week had brought sadness even before her birthday: News that a dear friend had died. News that another dear friend’s brave battle against cancer appears […]


Filed Under: birthday, death, dependence, family, friends, God's omnipotence, gratitude, grief, praise, prayer, protection, Psalm 30, thank you, worship