For some strange reason, right in the middle of heart failure, we decided to host our daughter’s wedding…in our backyard. So you’ll understand why when I tell you that, about a year ago, we did a little landscaping. (And by “we,” I mean a guy with a backhoe.) Mostly tore out overgrown bushes and … [Read more...] about Celebrating Stumps
Holy Spirit
Miracle Assistants – Part II
The Grass is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank. In elementary school, I remember seeing my mother’s copy of that book, and my mind racing at what must be contained in those snarky, irreverent pages. But in a rare moment of sentimentality, Erma Bombeck said if she could live her life again, she … [Read more...] about Miracle Assistants – Part II
Miracle Assistants – Part I
“Biscuit……I had a biscuit for breakfast……biscuit……” My second grade self read from the 10-word list into a cassette recorder. Rewound and played back, the tape would allow me to give myself practice spelling tests. So began a lifetime where I have been mostly a do-it-yourselfer, albeit a … [Read more...] about Miracle Assistants – Part I
Fruitful Valleys
In my childhood, it was reserved for the back of funeral cards. Over the past 26 months, the 23rd psalm has breathed life-giving comfort into me. Especially the part about being in the valley. Since first hearing the words "heart failure," my husband and I have felt as if we've bought a house in the … [Read more...] about Fruitful Valleys
Control Crisis
For all of us, days come when it feels as if God breaks your heart....a divorce request you didn’t see coming, the sudden death of your seemingly healthy child, the layoff you feared but could never prepare for. All of these tragedies share something with a horrible personal medical diagnosis: loss … [Read more...] about Control Crisis
My Story is His Story
I should have started this blog months ago, years ago even, when I first became ill. But as in all of life, we don’t always realize we’re in the middle of something big right away. Sometimes never, actually. But 26 months into my diagnosis, I realize now how God has walked through this with me, all … [Read more...] about My Story is His Story