Moments with MarLo

Many of you know my daughter is currently battling an unknown illness. For those who don't the short note is she has had a fever for the past 5 days of 100+ degrees and is complaining of chest pains. An EKG, chest x-rays and blood work have suggested either a virus impacting her lungs or something a bit more serious dealing with her heart. I honestly don't know how concerned I should be, I only know my 6-year-old little blessing does not feel well and we won't have any more answers until after her ECHO next Monday. She's sick but she's also heartbroken. She missed a fun day at school on Monday where the kids were allowed to wear their PJs and celebrate the 100th day of school. Tomorrow our friend Cheri Keaggy is singing at chapel at her school and the Valentine's Day party is taking place in the afternoon. As a mom my own heart hurts knowing she's missing out on the fun while I also long to just have her back to the normal, happy child she was a week ago. L...

My six-year-old daughter had her first ever ear infection. She had been fighting a cold and fever but it wasn’t until she began asking us to repeat everything and commenting on how funny everything sounded that my husband suggested she may have an ear infection. He was right. We can learn so many valuable lessons in every day opportunities. My daughter’s illness is no exception. During her second week of fighting the cold I was facing a weekend away from home as I prepared to go to a conference. I woke up the day before I was to leave worried about leaving her behind and the impact it would be to my husband to care for a sick child. It isn’t that I didn’t think my husband would want to care for her, I was solely focused on how I should be there. In that moment I realized it really wasn’t about the impact to him but that I thought I could do better. Truth is, he is an amazing father and I need to recognize that he and I are sharing in the responsibility of caring for Lydia together. We...

I'm one payment away from paying off my 2003 van. I was 18 the last time I wasn't making payments on a vehicle and I have never actually paid one off. My first car I purchased for $175 dollars and it was barely worth it. I don't even remember the make or model but I do know it was a light blue color, had four doors, needed a screwdriver in order to open the trunk and sucked oil as if it was free. Still, I loved that car because it birthed my first sense of freedom. No longer did I need mom's permission to take the car somewhere. I had wheels and I was mobile! I loved my life then even though I was dead broke, had no idea what I was going to do with the rest of my life and honestly could only see to the next date with my then steady boyfriend, Michael (now my husband of 20 years). Little did I know that 22 years later I would be looking at freedom in a whole new light. My final payment reminds me so much of the lasting payment Christ made for me and the true freedom I ha...

My friend, Trish Berg , posted what she's thankful for in her New Year Day post . I thought it was worth posting my own list so here it is, "My top 10 treasures from 2008." 1. The unabated love of my Savior, Jesus Christ and the fulfillment of His promises. 2. The incredible bond with my husband, may it last forever! 3. The joy of my children, their laughter and the ability to meet their needs as well as many of their wants. 4. The deepening of relationships with my extended family. 5. The treasure of growing friendships. 6. The gift of new friends. 7. The blessings of work (what I get paid for and what I volunteer my time and effort to). 8. The ability to pour out my soul in writing. 9. The great fortune of listening to incredible music performed by creative artists. 10. The hope of new adventures I am excited to carry over into 2009!

The weather has been treacherously cold here in the middle of Illinois. Windchills sending the temperatures below freezing makes for very brisk walks wherever you might head. The only problem is the ice on the ground keeps most of us at a slow steady pace to avoid slipping and falling. But you won't hear me complain, at least not too loudly. I am a seasonal person and look forward to the gifts each season offers. When it's winter I love the perfectness of the clean white snow and the spectacular view of the sun as it dances off the ice. In the spring I look forward to the the cleansing of fresh rain and the hope in new growth as trees and flowers bloom. Summer brings long lazy evenings with fresh scents of mowed grass and dewy mornings, the sounds of children playing outside and the sights of neighbors enjoying time together. Then there is the beauty of the changing colors in the fall, the anticipation of holidays and family time, bonfires, and my personal favorite sport comes ...

This weekend Lydia and I spent a wonderful two days with Cheri Keaggy . Cheri was performing and keynote speaking at a women's event in Charleston, IL. She was a tremendous blessing to those of us who were able to attend. I love how Cheri communicates Christ and His word in simple, easy to remember stories. One story that stuck with me was how she loves to use acronyms. I hadn't thought about the benefits of acronyms in learning truths about God. For me they have become a necessary component of work in Corporate America and even my ministry work with Hearts at Home is not immune from acronyms. Heck, we even find them in text messages and everyday conversations anymore. So it was refreshing to here a new perspective on how they can be used in a divine fashion. As I was driving Lydia and I home I was lucky enough to have Lydia fall asleep 10 minutes into the drive which provided me nearly 2 hours to reflect uninterrupted on the lessons I had learned. During a long, quiet stretch ...

The last couple of years I have been on an amazing journey. One of transforming thoughts and incredible freedom. Today I understand and appreciate the depths of Christ's love for me more than I ever imagined possible. Several years ago after hearing Chris Tomlin's song, "Here I am to worship" sung in church I was faced with the true impacts of my choices. The lyrics "I'll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross" sent a flood of conviction through my soul. I began to really look at those areas within me that I needed to address and change. The process was difficult. There were things I had to share with friends and family that had me convinced I would be rejected by everyone. But the thought of disobeying God's call to trust him far outweighed my fears. I mustered up the courage I needed and began what has become the greatest joys I have to-date experienced. I was transformed from the inside into a trusting and obeyin...