Thoughts Along the Journey

Last week, I made another journey to my home state:  Kansas.  I grew up in the southwest corner of the state, where the horizon is farmland, the people are friendly, and life moves at a slower pace (well, mostly!).   While I was visiting, the weather was unseasonably warm--record-breaking, actually--and mild.  (The northwest corner of the state has had snow since then!)  I didn't do anything "exciting" by most people's standards.  But I spent quality time with my parents, two of my sisters, and a few of my nieces and my nephew.  I reconnected with friends and church family from my formative years.  I breathed fresh Kansas air and saw AMAZING views of the harvest moon over the cornfields.  I saw cotton fields for the first time in my life. Yeah, it was a great trip. On my journey west, I experienced one of the best Veteran's Days ever.  At every point of my journey, we were applauding the veterans in our midst.  The airline (D...

So now that it is Election Day in the United States of America, I am finally posting about this several months' long experience we call "the process."  (If you're like me, you may feel as if you've been put through a food processor!  We're put in, a little at a time, and then the large "whirrrrrrr" and we're chopped, processed, and totally mixed up!) I have friends on both sides of the political spectrum, as well as a few in the middle.  I consider myself conservative, but have been known to cast a few ballots for "the other side" in my day. Some people wonder what is the big deal, anyway?  After all, as long as we have someone in the White House who will take charge and keep things running along, it will all pan out, right? Others have asked me why so many conservative Christians seem to focus on a one-issue paradigm.  Thus, this article. Because honestly, it really is a one-issue election for me.  I can sum it up in one word: ...

On this last day of August, it occurs to me that summer is winding down, and fall will soon be upon us.  Gasp.  (Have you heard the forecast for winter?  Let's not talk about that.)  It may just be my age, but it seems every summer zooms by a bit more quickly than the last.  (But let's not talk about my age, either.  Thanks.) Our family's summer was neatly planned back in the late months of winter.  This being my husband's Jubilee Year (yes, he turned 50 in December), he wanted to spend the year celebrating, not bemoaning the progression of the hands of time.  Every vacation day and personal day were arranged for optimal memory-making.  Our family was going to visit the sites of Keith's life--Detroit, Chicago, Springfield (Missouri), and...others.  And then... On a fateful day at the beginning of June, his job ended.  Suddenly, all our well-laid plans had to be set aside in deference to the sudden lack of income.  It w...

I also write (occasionally) for a website called Catholic365.  If you're interested in more of my articles, or want to peruse their site for articles on every area of the faith...here's the link! http://www.catholic365.com/ My newest article can be found at:   "What's In a Name?"

In the midst of unprecedented persecution of Christians, racial hostilities, terrorist attacks, fires, floods, and the craziest presidential election in U.S. history...I offer you this song.  Because if we ever needed God...the time is now.

I miss posting on this blog, but often do not because I have TOO many good ideas!  I can't pick just one, so don't post anything.  I haven't heard any complaints, though.  Ha! The past couple of weeks have been such an emotional roller coaster. A very wonderful man from our church and community passed away, leaving behind a legacy of leadership, faith, and love for our town, parish, and city.  Tom was such a gift to all who knew him.  His battle with cancer was heroic, and we are all better for having known him. A dear friend of mine had a sudden death in her family.  It has rocked their world.  No one ever expects to lose a younger sibling who is so energetic and seemingly healthy.  I didn't know Jody, but I know her older sister, and it breaks my heart to see her work through the loss. Our community and my husband's work place have seen juveniles go missing.  Some by their own choice; some, due to the cruel decision of others.  As a pa...

If you've been reading this blog for any time at all, you know the purpose is to share my journey--life in general, and, more specifically, my faith.  This post is going to be a bit more on the mixed up side of things.  This is about a literal journey to a literal destination, with the lessons learned along the way. A few months ago, a great deal on plane tickets showed up in my email. I decided this was my opportunity to visit my sister and her family in Colorado.  Anyone who knows me at all knows trips are a major stressor for me.  And traveling in the winter?  Not me!  But this was a too-good-to-pass-up deal.  I made up my mind that I was going to do this!  Long story short is that I made the trip and had a wonderful time.  However, I learned some lessons that definitely translate to the bigger picture of life! 1.  If you have indigestion the night before your flight leaves to go back home, it may not be indigestion. 2.  If...