Once or twice a week we used to walk through our local park in the evenings. Through the gate we strolled, circling around over the stone bridge, down over water bug bridge and back through the meadow. First alone with each other, then a baby in the backpack, then two, then three, Ben lying limp … Continue reading Water Bug Bridge
The Game
As I've been praying over this new year, one passage of scripture keeps coming to mind: For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed … Continue reading The Game
Adoption
Last week marked the 30th anniversary of our adoption of our oldest child. Being an adoptive parent - and especially the parent of children who don't look like me - means that I have fielded many questions over the years. One of the most common questions is, "Do you love your adopted children the same … Continue reading Adoption
Time
While our kids were young, I counted the passing years by taking pictures of them by our front door on the first day of school. Now that I live in Minnesota, I count the number of winters. This is our seventh winter here. Northern Minnesota winters are overwhelming. Last year we had snow for six … Continue reading Time
Stacking Legos
In addition to Down Syndrome, my son Ben has Autism. Part of what comes with that is a delight in making patterns. His favorite activity while watching tv is to make a pattern tower with his Legos. He does this by continuously removing the bottom row and putting it on top. This creates a perpetual … Continue reading Stacking Legos
Pivot
I said the words by Strawberry Creek, perched on a fallen cedar in the sunlight. I can still feel the soft, ridged bark under my hands, smell the warm pine needles at my feet. I didn't understand much, just that there was a God out there who somehow cared about me and this holy moment … Continue reading Pivot
The New
The sun will rise over the frozen lake tomorrow, new and brilliant as always. A new day and a new year bound up in one gift to celebrate and to steward. This marker of time is arbitrary, truly, and yet we need these waypoints to remember what has gone before, to anticipate what may come … Continue reading The New
Advent
Many churches celebrate a season of Advent, anticipating the birth of Jesus. Advent means "arrival", and this is a season of waiting. We all have seasons of waiting. For direction, perhaps, or provision. For freedom, for healing, for change. We wait at bedsides, in doctor's offices, courthouses and social service buildings. We wait in lonely … Continue reading Advent
This I Know
I was talking with a friend this morning about songs that run through our heads, and she mentioned the children's song, "Jesus Loves Me". I rocked my babies to sleep singing this warm assurance over them as they drifted off on my shoulder many years ago. But sometimes I need to remind myself of these … Continue reading This I Know
Sunrise
The sun rises differently in the mountains. Where there is no horizon, it slips over the peaks and ridges to reach our town. I remember walking the mile to the school bus stop, starting off in the gray and blue silence and then watching as the light first topped the highest pine trees, turning the … Continue reading Sunrise
A View of the Lake 