Wild and Raw, Vast and Vulnerable
We have been transported into new territory unlike anything we have ever seen. Wild and raw, vast and vulnerable, Alaska is a magnificent wonder. Celebrating twenty years of married life that has taken us on a journey of faith through similar wild and raw, vast and vulnerable, Todd and I have experienced much in a […]
Unexpected
ALASKA! We are here! Our packed 757 descended through clouds and drizzle, over ocean carved with black beach and pine, first sight of land never seen by either of us. The craft’s wheels lowered, locked in, and gentle as the rain on the wings, we touched earth. I lifted prayer of thanks to God of […]
For Just One
I asked him yesterday a question I have dared to ask myself, many times over through the years . . . “If just one were to be saved because of your depression, would you choose to carry this cross?” No hesitation between question and answer, his weakened voice answered affirmatively. “Yes.” And there I heard […]
The Key to Peace and Joy
I took my Arabian-Paint mare for a ride the other day. One of those close-to-perfect summer Wisconsin mornings called me out to join my neighbor to the north and my neighbor to the south on our trails winding through wildflowers and prairie grasses, by ponds and through forest. Shania saddled up fine, as usual. She’s […]
Zucchini God
That’s right. Here on the farm, we have a zucchini God. The day before, we had a visit from the corn God. Now before anybody gets freaked out and thinks I’ve gone AWOL on the one and only triune God, read on. In all my years, I have never seen a longer spring or a […]
Remember the Corn
Dear Little Faith, Remember last spring when you wrote that piece about corn? Remember how you photographed fields of weeds by your house and said how the farmers weren’t able to plant because of the cold and the wet? Remember how you said everyone was wondering if they’d ever be able to seed the ground […]
Honeymoon Heaven
Twenty years ago today I married my husband, Todd Charles Johnson. What a wild ride we’ve been on ever since! Looking back at the beginning, I can’t help but laugh. So I thought I would write about our beginning and hopefully help you giggle, brightening your day. So after the ceremony on the sweltering […]
Dogs + Kings + Sheep = People
Oh that stupid dog! There she goes again, running off and rolling in something dead. And then she jumps in the pond full of scum and drinks and comes out green. What WAS she thinking! Well, I’m sure she was thinking . . . This is GREAT! I’m free to roam wherever I want, to […]
Get Real, Get God
So how was YOUR weekend? Care to be real? I’d certainly love to hear someone in cyberspace admit if theirs was an emotional disaster like mine! Misery loves company. But I don’t want to start my week miserably so I’m looking for voices who speak beyond miserable, for eyes that see beyond failure and giving […]
Fired
Being fired is good. Last Friday, my birthday, a dear friend took me to meet a wife and her husband—a potter and an iron man. Their home and its grounds are a glorious work of art. Perennials abound, interspersed with ceramic birdhouses in shapes of whimsical flying pigs. Bubbling rock fountains. Feeders hanging elegant from […]
Relatively Speaking
There are still five baby birds flying back and forth between front porch rail and nest glued to the corner, right above the swing, with bird spit and heaven knows what else. It’s just plain gross-looking. But it works—for them. And my husband steps out yesterday, coffee mug in hand, being bombarded by too many […]
Leap of Faith
On my 54th birthday this past Friday, five barn swallow babies too big for their nest took a leap of faith. Their first flight, from front porch nest to front porch railing, was short but successful. Wings worked. And there they perched, waiting for parent to come and feed, then gobbling up the nutritious offerings. The […]