A Mother’s Lament on Father’s Day
Father’s Day. We all went to church together—that little country Orthodox Presbyterian church up the road in our little Dutch community. We’re not Dutch and in a place where the funny motto, “If you ain’t Dutch, you ain’t much” floats around, we sure do feel welcomed here in this old church. They’re the kind of […]
Greatest Expectations
My first memory from childhood was of myself in a seersucker jumpsuit my grandmother had sewn for me. I was four years old, laying on my stomach in our backyard, hunting for a four-leafed clover. My sister was ill. Very, very ill. I was looking for luck. Mom and Dad arranged for Dad’s mom to […]
Independence Day
Today is Independence Day—for one I love deeply. But that independence has been blurred for so long—too long . . . Hopes for family and a dog and a white picket fence—they can blur reality beyond just a bit. Too many long and grueling years spent with one who is not meant for marriage yet, […]
God’s Not Dead
It’s June. High school graduation parties are in full swing. It’s summer. We have four weddings in two months coming up—one right here on our farm on June 28 with horses in the background and wildflowers on the tables, tucked into vintage blue Mason jars. Pinterest perfection with a Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice ambience. […]
Taped
She picked a daffodil. As the farmer from down the road drove his tractor through our south field, she and I strolled through the front gardens together smelling spring flowers. The one she picked? Flower head drooped, stem bent close to the top. We can relate, these days. She raised the golden trumpet to her […]
Bleeding Heart
He and I walked the trails hand-in-hand with dew still sparkling on morning grass. Heavy hearts made for heavy feet where each step seemed a struggle. We have a long road ahead with one we love so. Bipolar illness isn’t something that’s healed, barring a divine touch. It’s something that’s managed and remission is fragile, […]
Transparency
Disclaimer: Do not read if you are uncomfortable with REAL—with TRANSPARENT. Then again, maybe it might be good to stretch beyond comfort zone . . . to see the beauty of transparent? He held the wheel with one hand driving the two of us home last night. And I sat numb, looking at the bruised sky […]
Falling Apart
Some may be appalled at the honesty and transparency of what I write below. I have prayed hard and sought input from godly people I trust most. My husband and I know our daughter better than any. We know her heart for God and that, more than anything, she wants to love Him and others. […]
Mine
The Asarco mine in southern Arizona is a vast area of 20,000 acres with a complex, coordinated system of vehicles and machines all designed to excavate desired metals from the earth. The largest vehicles on site are the haul trucks, each costing four million dollars. They have six gigantic wheels with tires that must replaced every six months costing […]
The Eve and Morn of Grace
We started the New Year with a bang! Not of pots and pans clanging as in years past or of firecrackers traditional. We were just five hours short of the midnight hour, to be exact. Zach backed out of the garage with Nick in the passenger seat on his way to a friend’s for an […]
The Best Gift Ever
So here we are, days away from celebrating THE special delivery. And we’ve been lighting a new wax taper every Sunday this month—the first representing HOPE—the second, PEACE—and the third, JOY. And this morning in church, the fourth candle which represents LOVE—was touched with flame by a boy dressed as a magi. We watched the wick […]
Thanks Giving in Pain
Our farm has been dusted in powder sugar snow and flakes are flying as I write. I love the climate changes here in Wisconsin—the unique beauty of every season. The horses are now blanketed for the harsh northwest winds. The cats are snuggled in their polar-fleeced hay igloo in the barn. The tractor has been […]