Around the Kitchen Table

They’re all back! All of them! After years of having a spread-out family, John and I now have our four children, their spouses, plus our five grandchildren living in Lancaster County. What a delight! The other week I had the…

Decisions, Decisions

I get to wondering about the craziest things. John and I recently travelled to Chicago. On the 12-hour trip, in an effort to stay awake and keep John awake I downed a can of Pepsi, followed by a large cup…

No Complaints

Do everything without grumbling or complaining. (Philippians 2:14) So I’m wondering… did Jesus heal only happy, good people? I mean, if I were Jesus, I’d be delighted to help the beggar who was singing in the rain, or the paralytic…

When the Training Wheels Come Off

He removed the extra pair of wheels from his son’s bicycle. Then our son-in-law gripped the back of the bike seat, steadying four year-old Josiah for his first attempt at riding sans training wheels. Off Josiah rode, pretty tipsy at…

Will the Real Savior Please Stand Up?

Is it just me, or does it seem to you that people all over the world (and most definitely in the good ol’ USA) are looking for a “savior?” Watching bits of the presidential inauguration and subsequent coverage of President…

No Mistakes

So… the two-pound bag of pistachios has been emptied… mostly into me! The melt-in-your-mouth dark chocolate truffles have all melted… in my mouth! Dusty decorations are once again stored in their corner of the basement. The new year is here…

Life Under the Grocery Bag

Christmas morning has to be one of my favorite childhood memories. My father developed quite a detailed plan for Christmas mornings. I often heard my friends tell how they would jump out of bed at daybreak, run to the living…

Just Kids

In the last few weeks our nation has faced a serious financial crisis and an emotion-packed presidential election. When I was shopping today I heard two women commiserating about the “hard times” we’re living in. I too could be tempted…

Heart-pounding, dramatic, appreciative, puzzling, amazing, impactful. What do these adjectives have in common? Don’t strain your brain. I’ll tell you.   Thursday evening, September 19 my husband, John, became deathly pale and short of breath. By midnight he could barely…

Becoming a Blogger

As far back as I can remember I’ve had a love for words. Maybe it started when my father began paying me a quarter for every new word I learned and began using in everyday speech. “Idiosyncrasy” was one of…