A Day in the Garden

Sunday is a day of worship and rest--and today, gardening, as well. Charles and I are preparing our yard for summer. What a pleasure it is. We both got our hands in the dirt and loved it. We are planting purple, pink, yellow and red flowers, dressing up my prayer garden and speaking encouragement to every little root, leaf, and bloom. Each plant is now a part of our family and we welcome them. As I stood back and admired the colors and textures and shapes I burst into prayer. How great is our God to surround us with such beauty and humility. These little ones have just one job--bloom where they are planted, thereby worshiping the God who made them. Can I do any less?

Signing Books at Mount Hermon

I look tired, don't I, even though I had a wonderful time over the Palm Sunday weekend mentoring at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. The campus, tucked in the redwoods just north of Santa Cruz, California is a beautiful and inspiring haven for rest, learning, and inspiration. On the last night we had an autograph party. Here I am signing books along with friends Brandilyn Collins and Deborah Raney. Brandilyn planted a fake snake in the center of one of Deb's books. You can imagine her surprise when she opened it and the wiggly creature popped up!

Happy Easter! He is Risen.

Thank you to my author friend, Mary E. DeMuth, for this beautiful photo taken at Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center over the Palm Sunday weekend. As a child Easter was all about clothes and candy and Easter eggs and a new straw hat. Today it is about being clothed in righteousness--not because of anything I did but because of what Jesus did on the Cross and through His resurrection from the dead. I am new--in Him--as is anyone who calls upon His name and receives His forgiveness and the gift of life everlasting. Blessings to each of you and to your families, from our house to yours.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Another year of life--and gratitude. I look in the mirror and see the physical evidence of age but the changes that really count are internal--and they're good, thanks to the grace of God. So I celebrate my life today with humility and deep appreciation for the gift of 'being here' and for all the beautiful people who love and care about me. But most of all I'm thankful for Jesus Christ and the best gift of all--eternal life because of what He did on the cross for me and for all who call Him Lord.