When I was growing up, my Dad’s uncle lived with us for several months during my teen years. My grandparents also cared for two men in their home who had no extended family. “Shorty” and “Mr. Lewis” became members of our family in a way....
The nurse walked into my room and said, “Jill it’s time to go. You’ll need to leave your glasses here.” Mark prayed for me, gave me a kiss and then waved as the nurse wheeled me out of my room towards my lumpectomy surgery. Without my glasses I...
It was today, February 2, six years ago, that Mark left. Disillusioned with life, God, people, the world, and marriage, he was determined to ride off in the sunset with another relationship. It was today, February 2, four years ago that we both shaved our...
Mark: Last Fall, Jill and I were challenged by our friends Greg and Julie Gorman to begin thinking about the core values of our marriage. These are shared values that help us to clarify our shared purpose. As individuals we may have personal core values that our...
Today’s words of encouragement come from Janet Thompson, an international speaker, freelance editor, and award-winning author of nineteen books including her latest Mentoring for All Seasons: Sharing Life Experiences and God’s Faithfulness releasing TODAY! Her...
Most mornings I spend an hour or so weeding before I take my shower and get ready for my day. I love being out in the quiet of the morning. It’s my time with God, time to think, and my opportunity to get my hands dirty. God teaches me so many lessons while...
One of the hardest parts of having cancer is making new friends only to lose way too many of them in death. I don’t believe I’ve ever grieved the loss of so many friends as I have the past three years. It happened again two weeks ago when my friend Angela passed away....
We live life better when we live life together. Openly authentic. Incredibly transparent. Masks removed. God often does His best work through the cracks in our lives. We’ve certainly experienced that. That’s why Mark and I hang out here in the blog world...
“The Sound of Music” is one of my favorite musicals and “These Are A Few of My Favorite Things” is one of my favorite songs in the musical! It’s one that I find myself humming without even realizing it. That’s why I’ve...
Today’s post is from Leighann McCoy who authored the book Spiritual Warfare for Your Family, What You Need to Know to Protect Your Children (Bethany House, 2016). Through her books and online resources, she is on a mission to empower families to win the war....
Donned in those fashionable surgical clothes, a cap over my hair, all jewelry removed, and a pen in hand to make an X over my right breast so the doctor is assured to work on the correct side, I face the unknown once again. She found it during a surveillance...
Jill: “Sex….I could go the rest of my life without it!” That was my sentiment early in our marriage. I was tired and just couldn’t muster the energy that lovemaking required. Mark: To say that Jill and I have been on opposite ends of the “desire” spectrum would be an...
We’ve all been there, feeling overwhelmed, worn down, or just needing a break. Money is tight and “taking care of me” simply has no budget. That would have been me two years ago during my breast cancer journey. We were over our head in medical bills and registering...
Several years ago when we were hosting a young man from Poland, he wanted to make a traditional Polish meal for our family. I took him to the grocery store to pick up the ingredients he needed and he asked me where the leek’s were. I had no idea. I’d never...
Today I’m experiencing the relief of good news. However, before the good news arrived, there were six days of “no news.” The journey of those five days is what’s on my mind today. Last week I had my every three month oncologist appointment. I...
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