Celebrate each day and don't take tomorrow for granted.

I hadn't meant to wait almost a month before posting again.

A couple weeks ago, John's mom's 19 year-old Eagle Scout neighbor, Bryan Wolf died.
A primary word used to describe him was "thoughtful".
He had been very friendly and helpful with John's mom.

As we left the funeral, his dad asked "And how are YOU?"
What a kind thing to ask in the midst of his grief.
Thoughtful.

I said that I celebrate each day and do not take tomorrow for granted....
which seemed to make sense to him.

That is my prayer also.

Three Years, with Gratitude and Love

Today is the 3-year anniversary of my surgery.
My most recent tests (November CT scan, etc.) did not show any recurrance.
I am feeling good.
I am glad to be here.

My hair has grown back.
(I am liking to keep it short right now though.)

Reflecting...
I am reminded that I am not defined by one experience in life.
But also, I am not invulnerable.
Both.
This is a reminder for me, and a life-lesson for my children.

Whatever difficulty may be in your life right now,
does not define your whole life.
There may be an area to get past.
It may be temporary.
Do what you need to do to get through it...
to move along on your journey...
with many other gifts and experiences and dimensions.

But you also know that you are a vulnerable human being.
We never know, nor get to choose, some things that come our way.

I slightly smile to myself at a small voice in me that says (knowing better really),
"If I just did not have this cancer shadow,
I would be normal like everyone else, and live forever."

We are all vulnerable.
We are all complex.

We have an amazing God,
who loved us so much,
He gave everything for us.
He made us in his own image, so he knows exactly how complex we are,
and what gifts we have to develop and to share.

He also understands our needs.
He is strong and dependable.
Whether life's difficulties are from our choices or things that just appear,
He does not say (as earthly parents might),
"You should have thought of this earlier,"
or "Why didn't you (fill-in-the-blank)?"

He holds you close, then takes your hand to walk
together.
You may not see where the next step may be.
He will guide you....
physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually.

His love is bigger than cancer,
bigger than jobs,
or having no job,
bigger than changes,
bigger than discouragement and disappointment,
bigger than tiredness,
bigger than loneliness,
bigger than stress and pressure,
bigger than anger or fear,
bigger than this life.
His love is eternal.

My dear children,
God's love is the one thing you can depend on.
And because of that love, we can love and be loved by others.

Today, I am so thankful for you.
You bless my life!
- Your mom, who loves you so much.


Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD.
Psalm 150:6 NIV

Every day with Jesus

A quotation from a calendar on my kitchen windowsill:

"This uneasiness about the future is unwholesome for you.
We must leave to God all that depends on Him,
and think only of being faithful in all that depends upon ourselves."
Francois Fenelon

This quotation speaks to me about perspective.
(Interesting wording: "This uneasiness" is actually "unwholesome".)
I am very aware that the days of earthly life are limited.

And yet (note to self), why dwell on the worry and let that get in the way of living?
Instead, focus on the moments of life, the joy of life, the depth of life!
Be thankful for God, the mighty God beyond-time-and-space, who walks through life with me,
like friends walking home from school, baring souls.
And be thankful for family and friends, who care even when I am not looking.

Jesus, I pray to be more intentional about your presence in my life.


Matthew 6:25-26,33
"‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear.
Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them....
But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

New Woman

After a day or so of treatment (for laryngitis, sinus infection, stuffiness), I started to notice a difference.
I felt a spring in my step.
What WAS that wonderful feeling???

Oh, AIR!
I was starting to get significant oxygen into my lungs, into my brain, into my bloodstream, rushing all through my body with health!

I was starting to feel like a new woman!
What a good way to begin a New Year!


I remembered the chorus of an old hymn, maybe from childhood, "There is Power in the Blood":
"There is power, power, wonder-working power
In the precious blood of the Lamb..."

Giving thanks for Jesus, my Life-Blood.

I'll Be Home (sick) for Christmas

For a pastor's family, family traditions are highly related to the church's traditions and schedules.

John and I, in various places we have lived, have had a tradition that I would be his Christmas Eve liturgist (reader).

This year, however, I was out with laryngitis.
-Thanks, capable college student Julia Wahl, for helping to lead worship on short notice!

I missed the Sunday service as well.

By Monday morning, I was ready to see a doctor. I was stuffy, and my face hurt. John kindly called to make arrangements and took me in. I came home with antibiotics for a nasty sinus infection that went along with the laryngitis. I was also told to use a nasal irrigator, which I had never done before, so we chose Ocean Complete Sinus Irrigation from the pharmacy shelf. Eager to feel better, I took the first antibiotic pills right away, with the office drinking fountain. Then I carefully read the directions for the nasal spray and tried it as soon as we got home. It had instant and dramatic results, and was probably one of the most disgusting things I have done. But it was also strangely satisfying and amusing.

Time out from the "sick" story...
On December 19, John and I attended a lovely farewell event for music director Stacey... and Gary Becker at a previous church in Northville. While there, we also saw friends who mentioned a lack of entries in my blog. So to friends that I do not see regularly: "Thanks for noticing and caring, and always for prayer! You are in my heart."

Visiting Dr. Malviya

John and I just got home from my Dec. 8 appointment with Dr. Malviya. I am doing well. My Nov. 30 CT scan (pelvis, abdomen, and chest) was fine. Sigh. And bravo!

I go back for the same process in six months.

While waiting in the exam room, I quietly practiced some choir music (not because I am so diligent, but because I did not do it earlier). It was good for both my spirit and my breath.

"Peace, peace, peace on earth...
and good will to all.
This is a time for joy....."
(Words and music by Rick and Sylvia Powell)

And now, it is time to sleep.

Thank you, Holy God,
for health,
for moments of life,
for loving us,
for people to love...
and now for rest.

Mom in Recovery

Dr. Malviya talked to us about noon, and said they were finishing up with Mom's surgery, and that things went well. No big surprises. They will have more test results probably by the end of the week. He expects things to go well.

We (Bonnie, Allan, Dad, and John with me) just ate lunch, and expect to see her when she is out of "recovery".

We are so thankful, so thankful.
Always, God holds her and cares for her.
We are thankful.