“Everything that is done in this world is done by hope -. Martin Luther The Advent Season begins with lighting the Prophecy Candle representing Hope. Why have hope? It’s such an elusive and squishy idea in today’s world. More in the line of wishful thinking. In most cases. the words “I hope so” have a […]
How To Let The Five Candles Of Advent Refresh And Renew
the “Christmas isn’t just a temporal celebration or the memory of a beautiful (event); Christmas is more … Christmas is an encounter!” – Pope Francis The season of Advent is well underway, a season of expectation leading up to Christmas Day. But what are we expecting? I am going to avoid ragging about the pressure […]
Joyful Wishes For A Season Of Thanksgiving And Gratitude
“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.” ― Epicurus Sending joyful wishes to you and yours! This special holiday served as our extended family reunion gathering as a child. We usually went to the farm where all […]
Three Ways To Deal With The Overwhelming, Lessons From Playful Squirrels
If we had a keen vision and feeling of all ordinary human life, it would be like hearing the grass grow and the squirrel’s heart beat, and we should die of that roar which lies on the other side of silence. George Eliot There is an overwhelming turmoil in our world. The voices commenting on […]
What Three Surprising Encounters In Stunning Western Kansas?
When you leave, everything you experience outside of Kansas will be measured against all you know here. And none of it will make any sense. -P.S. Baber Three surprising encounters were to unfold as I received an email from Mission Aviation Fellowship HQ. A church in Goodland, Kansas was requesting a speaker for their missions […]
How To Cope When Routine Transitions Turn Ugly
“Sometimes, life’s challenges are tough to deal with. You will succeed if you focus your thoughts on how to overcome the challenge.” – Catherine Pulsifer It is back to school season. It happens every year and is considered a routine transition. Yet, the back to school vibe is everywhere and makes itself known by: the plethora of […]
An Inspiring Belated Happy Birthday To Awesome America
“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.” —John F. Kennedy Happy belated birthday America! Even belated wishes can be full of meaning. In fact, […]
How To Say Goodbye To The Why – Three Reasons
“There is much asked and only so much I think I can or should answer, and so, …I would like to give a few thoughts on what seemed to be the overwhelming question: “WHY?” And here is the best answer I can give: Because. Because sometimes, life is damned unfair… Because sometimes there aren’t really […]
Laying Our Loved Ones To Rest With Honor And Dignity
“The first night in Morotai, the Japanese sent over a bomber on the north end of the island. The next day we went out and dug a deeper foxhole.” – Lt. Joseph F. Cullen, Personal Diary My husband went to rent a car for a trip to the west coast. The occasion: A memorial service […]