Grandfamilies: Three Ways to Remain Close When You’re Far

October 11, 2016 By 2 Comments

Dinosaur Stories with Ayden and Cadence. September 2008. As I write this week, I am thinking of one friend and heart-sister who is in the midst of moving far from one family of grandchildren, yet close to another. These changes claw at our grandparents’ hearts. Yet when it comes to grandparenting across the miles, creativity […]


Filed Under: blessings, change, Colossians 2, family, gifts, God's omnipotence, grandchildren, grandparents, traditions, unity

Grandfamilies: Disrupted by Spells of Unanticipated Joy

February 2, 2016 By 2 Comments

Lala initiates a tissue-tossing frenzy as she opens birthday gifts. Carly and Cadence assist while Elaine and baby Sawyer watch the action from the corner. January 2011. Last weekend I committed to keeping an eye out for joy. I was tired of meeting challenges and being prepared for hardship. I claim this good God, see, and He not […]


Filed Under: birthday, family, God's omnipotence, grandchildren, grandparents, joy, play, Psalm 118, unity, wonder

Whose Church Is It, Anyway?

October 17, 2013 By 8 Comments

My Wacky Little Church Fantasy: Jesus Church This nutty idea is running through my head. It started in the fellowship hall at Trabuco Canyon Community Church*. Last Sunday, after service, I stood, sipping coffee from a paper cup and nibbling on a miniature lemon and poppyseed scone, chatting with Grace and Cheryl, two sisters in Christ. The topic […]


Filed Under: church, community, faith, family, glory, God's omnipotence, Matthew 16, neighbors, obedience, restoration, service, unity

Comfort, Baked: How a Casserole Becomes Famous

September 17, 2013 By 10 Comments

It Started at Shipmates When I was a small child, my family worshiped at First Congregational UCC in San Bernardino. Our parents belonged to Shipmates, a couples’ fellowship. Many of my most enduring memories of that congregation stem from Shipmates-instigated activities. Notable among these events were Pal Week (a secret-friend type weeklong adventure that must remain […]


Filed Under: blessing, church, friends, gifts, God's omnipotence, grief, Hebrews 13, holy, hospitality, memory, mother, support, Uncategorized, unity

Would You Know Me By My Love?

August 29, 2013 By 9 Comments

I’m reflecting on a different aspect of the conversation I launched here on Tuesday.  Thanks for bearing with me. I think I finally have it out of my system for now.  Give ‘Em What For!  When I was a teen, Sunday services often included a song, They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love. Some days I […]


Filed Under: 1 John 2, faith, God's omnipotence, grace, Isaiah 55, light, love, salvation, sin, unity, vision
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