Zeke told me that his brother, Christopher, had caught a 'dead koi fish'. I listen to this fish tale with a bit of a smile and then Zeke asked me if I could tell Reuben about catching the 'dead koi fish'. I called Reuben over and told him about this amazing catch. Zeke was listening excitedly and was thrilled that our resident fisherman was congratulating him on his brother's…

As some of you know, Reuben is returning to Alaska in about 10 days, March 2nd. He is going to be looking for work on someone else's boat either fishing for cod or halibut. He is returning so early this year due to financial reasons. Essentially, God has provided immensely in the past 4 months since Reuben's been home. Allowing my Cutco business to exceed expectations in Nov and…

I was listening to an interview on the radio yesterday and I heard a statistic that really alarmed me.  The woman being interviewed, Kat, is a survivor of human trafficking from Florida.  She has escaped from that life and now runs an organization that works to protect kids from that type of crime. What struck me was that 1/3 of the kids who approach her to share their experiences…

Hey all- would some of you mind sharing some elementary schools you recommend or would not recommend for me... trying to do some research from Detroit.... I think we will be living near the mcculley's - but that isn't for sure - and I really don't mind driving if it's a good school.

Rod, Thank you for mentioning the reality of loss in our community amongst our day of celebration and rejoice.  I am so grateful for your tact and gentleness to address the passing of Miriam's husband, Dennis' stepfather, Dave Hyatt.  Thank you for reminding us of Jesus' call to us, to hold both grief and gratitude simultaneously, so that we can feel met in our sorrows and our joys by…

When you grow stir crazy, you'll do almost anything to get out of the house. I needed to cash a check and make a deposit so I bribed my kid to drive me through the bank drive through with the promise of running through McDonalds on our way home. He agreed and off we went. It was so good to get out of the house. At McDonalds I had…

"Be careful what you ask for..." Mom always said. Mom is almost always right about these sorts of things and I would be wise to listen. I'm bored flopped out on the couch sucking down pain medication and watching television all day long. People come and visit and that is awesome because it breaks the monotony. Being the whiner that I am, I tell folks about how bored I…

Well, I screwed up. I went to my surgeon for my first follow up visit on Friday and I told him that I was only taking the muscle relaxants morning and evening and that I had almost weaned myself completely off the narcotic pain killers. The pain has been tough to manage, but I was managing it and was quite proud of myself for doing so. I was excited…

David snagged a book from his parent's house- and when we arrived in Detroit I snagged it and started reading it. Anyone who knows me well knows that I do one thing particularly well... and that thing is to cry. I cry. If you're crying and I am connected to your story- I'm gonna cry. However, I generally don't cry when I read books- I feel deeply inside, but…

I recently wrote a letter to the editor in response to an article where a local doctor had advocated for 'death with dignity' for people suffering from the various forms of dementia. In it I suggested there was nothing dignified about death, I declared it to be the enemy that it is. A woman who served as a chaplain responded by castigating me and talking about all the beautiful…

Flack baby has arrived. It's a Boy!!! More details to come.  Take a Meal

After going through the trauma of having a hip replacement and after having spent several months in a rehabilitation hospital, Mom was moved into a room in the assisted living section of the Arizona Grand Senior Living facility with the help of Big T Movers. We decorated her room with furnishings, photographs, and other favorite items from her house and then emptied and sold the house. I have simplified…

As many of you know already, I'm interviewing for a full-time Lecturer position at the University of Arizona very soon.  This is the latest step (maybe the culmination?) of a long process God has had me on, and I thought I should write it all down.  So sit down in a comfy chair - since I'm writing this, it's going to be a long one! Back in 2005, I…

CANDLELIGHT SERVICE A slathering of cast off couches await. Sagging creamy candles flicker joy. Kitchen counter clothed with cookies. Folks sneak one as they slowly wander by. Villagers pile in from off the street, shouting cheerful greetings ‘cross the room. The Wise’s share their Christmas letter Others run to give some little gift. Still others tell fun stories, making others smile. Little Violet screws up the courage to tell…

I attended a Mission Southwest meeting last week. It was comprised of several pastors and other church leaders and we all gathered around tables to plot paths forward regarding various ministry opportunities in the Christian Reformed Church and the Reformed Church in America. Of course, we gather from all around the state and before we sat down, as is the custom, we walked around greeting each other. Hearty hand…

HEALING WOUNDS Truth creeps across the threshold like darkness steals the day, a slow slog of forgetting, a dying act of letting go: It is hard to live, forgiving. Far as distant earthen corners, so far our sin has been removed, even still we’d quick go digging, taking back our dreadful wounds. We hold miserly to what we know. At every moment it’s the other, who we believe should…