I feel like I have been on the receiving end of a lot of gratitude recently: an email here, a text message there, a quick word in passing along with a warm embrace on multiple occasions. This week has also given me the opportunity to be on the sending side of gratitude. It’s Teacher Appreciation…
Celebrate World Labyrinth Day May 4
When I was a kid, Labyrinth was a movie that I found scary. I didn’t know there were actual walking labyrinths that people used to get closer to God. I didn’t grow up in a denomination that promoted creativity in spirituality, so the first time I walked a labyrinth, I was in a state of…
Community Voices-Partner-Listen-Learn. A Mission Central Update
This week has been a whirlwind. As the impact of Mission Central’s closing begins to ripple through our community, I’ve been blessed with a front-row seat as God has continued to be at work, even in the midst of grief. I’ve always believed that ministry should move in the area of least resistance and this…
Unexpected, Delightful Surprises!
AS awareness month is coming up in May, so I’m finally publicly sharing a bit about my journey with AS, information about what AS is, and about my unexpected, delightful surprise 5 years post-diagnosis. I accomplished a very exciting milestone last week! A milestone I never thought I would achieve. What was the milestone? I…
Grumbling
Am I a “grumbler”? Well, I like to think that most of the time I keep a fairly positive outlook on things and look for the best in people and situations. BUT there are definitely times I find myself reverting to grumbling. (Just ask my family about how much I’ve complained about the change to…
No Obstacles are Insurmountable
As head of our church’s evangelism department in Congo, I organized a mission trip with a team of four local evangelists to a village in a rural setting. After traveling more than 150 miles, we found a large tree that had fallen across the road. This tree barricaded the road. We couldn’t continue our trip….
Reflections on Life’s Milestones
As I recently celebrated a significant birthday milestone, I found myself reflecting on the journey that brought me to this point. Life is a series of milestones, each offering its own lessons and opportunities for growth. In this blog post, I’d like to share some reflections on this journey and the invaluable lessons learned along…
Pretty Much ANYTHING Other Than Perfection
I took piano lessons as a child and I played flute and oboe in the band in high school. I haven’t played piano in years, but I do occasionally play around on a piano. I mostly play by ear these days. Honestly, I’ve mostly played by ear my entire life. I can still read treble…
A Never Ending Cycle
Over the past few weeks, I have found myself in several conversations around the history of First United Methodist Church of Hurst. Some of the conversations have been a learning opportunity for me. Others have been a chance for me to share my own history with the church and my experience with youth ministry, both…
Adjusting Your Frequency
When I was a kid, digital radio dials were just barely coming on the scene. I still remember adjusting antennas and dials to get just the right song coming out of the speakers. I learned that if I stood in one part of the house, I could use my radio more efficiently than other times….
Asking Questions, Seeking God
I am not one for New Year’s resolutions, but there is something about the beginning of turning to a new calendar year that sparks both some reflecting backward as well as some hoping forward. It seems to be an appropriate season for taking a bit of a 30,000 foot view on things and for asking…
Memorable and Moving
I realize this blog will post online AFTER Christmas, however, it should be noted that I’m writing this on Christmas Eve. I’m currently sitting in the Narthex as I’m listening to the 7pm Christmas Eve worship service. I’m being flooded with all the reasons why I love Christmas. At the same time, I’m being flooded…
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