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This is really funny. :)

Laura, Lynda and I danced to this song in church today. It is powerful. And this woman, Kim Walker, really sings it out (if you haven't heard her sing it, you must). Amazing.

I encourage you to watch this video and listen to the lyrics. Let the love of God sweep over, around and through you. May you know to a new level in this day how deeply and unconditionally he loves you.

My husband is now an official YouTube star.

I'm so proud. :)

Yesterday I had a great experience that reminded me of why I'm a teacher and why I am where I am. For the first time in a very long time, I my heart was full of joy. I felt like I had purpose. I felt like God used me to make a difference. I can truly say that I had a good day. And I really needed that.

Through association, I heard about this little boy - Coleson - 6 years old, who was recently diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma. My heart aches for this family. As soon as I heard "Ewing Sarcoma", I immediately thought about Kevin Lucas - a friend of mine who passed away in 8th grade from this very cancer.

Please pray with me for this little boy and his family. He is the oldest of three (younger siblings are 4 years and 10 months). They have a long road ahead of them.

If you want to read updates on his progress, you can go here.

There is much power in prayer. So let's show our support for our family in Christ by praying them through this difficult time.

My first pair. :)
They're not perfect, but it's a pretty good start. :)

Saturday morning at 4:45am, Grandma H. went to be with Jesus. She is no longer suffering or struggling for every breath. She is resting in the arms of her precious Savior. What a beautiful image.

Our family had a very special time together the Friday evening before. We ate together, reminisced about growing up with Grandma and Grandpa and special memories of recent events. We laughed. We cried. We exchanged hugs. We passed the box of kleenexes around.
After our meal together, we all went into Grandma's room and circled around her bed. We sang hymns and read scripture while tears streamed down our faces. My heart broke looking at Grandpa - seeing his eyes well up with tears, seeing the pain in his face, the heartache he was experiencing looking at his weakened wife and hearing her labored breathing.

A beautiful moment that is seared in my mind is when we sung Amazing Grace. I could barely get the words out because I was so struck by this moment, but it seemed like everyone else was singing stronger and stronger because of the assurance in the words that ironically gave hope to the sorrow in our hearts. Seeing my father-in-law, eyes closed, lift his right hand in praise of God while his left hand rested on the shoulder of his grieving father...seeing Grandpa doing his best to get the words out as the tears came...seeing Grandma laying there, not responding, but making the occasional grunt as if to sing the words with us - as if she was proclaiming that hope amidst her broken state. I couldn't sing. It was a holy moment.

When Kent and I got the call the next morning. We both knew. And we both had peace. It was Grandma's time to be with Jesus. We gave thanks to God for allowing us to have that precious evening together - for allowing us to be a part of and witness holy moments.

It is in these times that the hope of eternity becomes more real. It brings joy despite sorrow. It is inexplicable, but I am so thankful for it.

Today is my sister's birthday. Sonny is 10 years older than me. Some may think that, with the age difference, we wouldn't be close, but it's quite the opposite. My sister is my best friend.

When I was young, my family started going through some difficult stuff. Sonny was there for me in ways I know I don't even know - taking care of me, protecting me, loving me, playing with me.

Aren't we cute? :)


I have many fond memories of growing up and going on family hay rides, dressing up for Halloween, her doing my hair in french braids and french twists, her teaching me how to do my makeup, bringing me to Calvin during siblings weekend and showing me where I could get cereal and fro yo (frozen yogurt for the less informed, non-Calvin grads) and dressing up our poor kitties, Paws & Buster (which, after our mom said no when we begged her to let us bring them home when we were at my uncle's barn, we both took our chosen kitten, ran to the car and shut the door. How could she resist?). :) We got a lot of good laughs with these cats.

Many years have gone between childhood and adulthood, but we've grown close through them all. Especially now, we have more in common now than we ever had. It's amazing. I love talking with my sister (it's best in person, but we do what we can despite the thousands of miles between us right now). She gets me. She lets me vent. She vents with me. She encourages me. She prays for me. She makes me laugh. She laughs at/with me. She loves me, and I love her, too - very much.

Had to put this one in there lest you think we're anything but serious. Oh, dear reader - if you think we're only serious, you have lots to learn. ;) These are some pics from a trip I took to Michigan a couple winters ago...we were in one of those moods and laughed a lot!


Check out this nostril flair...pretty impressive, I'd say.

On a more serious note, my sister is one of the best moms I know. She has two beautiful girls that she loves more than anything and, despite the challenges of parenthood, she would do anything for them in a heartbeat. I'm not a mom yet and, hopefully someday, I will carry at least some of her traits as a mother in my relationship with my own kids.
Here is Sonny helping Faith with her piano lessons.


And while my mom has been going through all her cancer stuff (tests, surgery, appointments, chemotherapy, runs to the drug store, moral support, words of encouragement...), she has been right by her side. It has been difficult for me to be so far away while my mom is going through this, but I am so thankful that Sonny has been there and continues to be there for her. She is an amazingly faithful daughter.

Basically, I am so blessed to have been born to this family. I love them all so very much. But today I honor my sister as someone who has greatly impacted my life, has given me an example of how to live for God despite the most horrendous circumstances and is an inspiration to me.

I love you, Sonny. Happy 35th Birthday!!! :)