Our boys returned to school after labor day. Our eldest son is a junior in high school this year, and our youngest son a freshman. The weekend before, we drove down to Illinois to celebrate the marriage of my youngest cousin and her groom. How wonderful to spend time with my brother, sister-in-law, and nieces as well as aunts, uncles, and cousins we rarely see. And what fun to dance … [Read more...]

I crossed something huge off my bucket list last week! I got to meet author Jan Karon! I've read all but three of her books and have admired her so much over the years. Friday night, she came to Wichita! What a gracious and beautiful woman! She shared Jesus Christ boldly to an audience that was quite diverse. She was witty and charming and oh-my-goodness-is-she-ever-GORGEOUS! Even face-to-face. … [Read more...]

Nothing like a summer ride up into the woods and mountains of Washington State. Here's my dear friend, Linda, and I preparing to go. Since my next hero is a horseman, among other things, I'm rehearsing the role, so to speak :) The woods were so cool despite the 80 degree day and so lovely with the sunlight filtering through the trees... My favorite summer flower here is the wild rose but the … [Read more...]

A huge part of a writer’s job is to create word pictures. We try to describe a room or a house or a village in such vivid detail that readers can see them, too. We transport you there, so you can smell the dirty socks in the bedroom or the aroma of bread baking inside the house; you’re tempted to sneeze as you inhale the dirt on the dusty village street. Whenever I research a story I take plenty … [Read more...]