Listening to Him

A few weeks ago we visited the Big Island of Hawai'i. As we traveled across the island I was captivated by the sight of plants springing up in the charred fields of lava. How impossible it seemed that beauty and life could spring up in the midst of such utter destruction. Each time I saw … Continue reading 5 Years Without My Child: Beauty for Ashes →

Today, Easter Sunday, I am once again uniquely and acutely aware of death's sting. Today marks my fifth Easter Sunday without my third child, Sarah. It was with both great joy and great sadness that I celebrated the resurrection of my Savior, Jesus Christ, today. The prominent focus of Easter is the awe inspiring truth … Continue reading Death’s Sting →

This morning I was listening to the final episode of the podcast "The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill." A quote at the end really resonated with me, “The longer that you live with a mask the greater the void grows between the mask and the internal reality of who you are. And that void … Continue reading Her Fifth Birthday →

Last night I was awake through the night deeply burdened and fervently praying for someone journeying though an oppressively dark valley. My heart ached with and for theirs as I cried out for God to be near to them, to lift them from the pit, and to allow them to see and experience His powerfully … Continue reading A New Song →

The phrase "empty-nester" has been used repeatedly in recent days to describe me. Each time I hear it my stomach turns and I feel a twinge of pain in my heart. I have treasured the days of having my children at home. For years I have, in a sense, dreaded their leaving. But, as with … Continue reading Nestless →

Sometimes the darkness of this world blinds me to any beauty that may remain. I feel as though the breath has been sucked from my lungs each time I think about my brothers and sisters in Christ around the globe suffering horrific atrocities, most recently in Afghanistan. My soul groans with longing for Home as … Continue reading Trying to Believe →

The many painful memories of June 8th, 2017, are a daily presence. Among them is a heart-rending image forever etched in my mind of Sarah's sisters shattered and huddled together after their dad told us she was gone. I vividly remember the weight and urgency I felt in that moment to comfort them and assure … Continue reading Grace Upon Grace →

"But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus." 1 Thessalonians … Continue reading Hope Grieves →

Recently I was awake in the middle of the night, unable to sleep, missing Sarah, and thinking about the past forty months. As I was lying there, Matthew 5:4 came to mind and I pondered it at length. Since then it has continued to roll around in my heart and mind. "Blessed are those who … Continue reading Blessed Mourner →

Each day as I leave my house this is the view I face at the end of my driveway. Until just recently there was a house directly in front of us blocking our view of the cemetery, but the house has been removed. So now as I leave my home every day I face the … Continue reading Facing Death →