HOME

 

Grandpa Roy and Grandma Grace Belle 1913

“Joyce never forgot what Joe had gone through in his early years, and she never wavered from a vow she had made to herself early in their relationship: come what may, she would make sure he never went through anything like it again, would never again be abandoned, would always have a warm and loving home.”
—The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown

Home is so important in a person’s life, yet the work of building a home can be tedious and often goes unnoticed. Joyce had never planned to be a housewife or to spend her days keeping house. But because she loved Joe, she willingly did the work. She wanted him to feel secure. She wanted him to know that, whatever happened, he had a place where he was loved and would not be abandoned.

That reminded me of Grandma and Grandpa. They, too, built a home together—not simply a house, but a place where their three daughters could grow, learn, and develop their own gifts.

My mom remembered her dad teaching her older sister and her to type. He supervised their practice, making sure they learned to do it well. Grandma stood beside the piano for their piano practice helping them keep time. Those girls became typists and piano and organ players, and they continued those activities throughout their lives.

Grandma also found practical ways to care for her daughters. When my mom studied late at night, Grandma would heat a brick in the wood-stove oven, wrap it carefully, and put it at my mom’s feet to keep them warm. It was a simple thing, but it was an expression of love. The youngest daughter took voice lessons and developed a love of singing that stayed with her throughout her life.

In those days, building a home was not something that happened by itself. It took time, work, sacrifice, patience, and love. Grandma and Grandpa invested those things in their family, and eventually their three daughters left home to build homes of their own.

Yet leaving home was not always easy, nor was it always possible. Tragic circumstances like my great uncle dying at a young age and leaving a deaf wife and a baby.  In those days deafness was treated differently than it is today.  The family took the baby to raise and sent the mom away. The unmarried brother and sister remained at home.  In my own family my sister and 3 brothers were reluctant to move out on their own.  Eventually they did so. 

And so the story continued from one generation to the next: people leaving one home and trying to create another. Houses were built, children were raised, skills were taught, and traditions were passed along. Through it all, the ordinary, sometimes tedious work of making a home continued.

Today, however, the idea of marriage and family seems to be changing. Many women are delaying marriage and family, and some are freezing their eggs so they can have children when they are older. According to a December 9, 2025, Washington Post report, young men today are, surprisingly, more interested in marriage than young women. The article suggested that this growing difference between the sexes could contribute to social chaos.

Perhaps part of the reason for the reluctance to marry is the message women have received for decades: that they can—and should—have it all. They can pursue a career, build a home, raise children, and somehow manage all of it without having to make difficult choices or sacrifices.

But can we really have it all?

Maybe the better question is: What is it that we value most? A career can be rewarding, and accomplishments outside the home certainly have value. But a loving home does not happen without someone investing time and energy in it. Joyce understood that. Grandma understood it. They knew that making a home was work, but they also knew that the work mattered.

Perhaps we have underestimated the importance of that work. A warm meal, a clean and welcoming house, a piano lesson supervised, a brick warmed in a wood stove, a child encouraged, a husband welcomed home—these may seem like small things. Yet those small things can become the very fabric of a family’s life.

A home is built one act of love at a time. And while building one may not always be glamorous, the security, memories, and love created there can last for generations.

Proverbs 31:10   An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. 11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. 12 She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.    

11  and h

I'M STANDING UP ON THE INSIDE

 

Granddaughter Samantha 2006

Years ago, our son, Jes, and our future daughter-in-law, Jessica, had the responsibility of picking up someone from the airport for the wedding of their friend. They were surprised when they met the group from Japan and discovered that they had no car seat for their four-year-old. After getting the child safely to their friend's house, Jes and Jessica promptly went out and bought a car seat. They respected the law and wanted to obey it—not simply because it was the law, but because they knew it was intended for the child's safety.

That story reminds me of another story I heard years ago. A little girl was standing up on the seat in the car. Her mother insisted that she sit down and put on her seat belt. After some quick discussion, the girl finally submitted. But then she said, "I'm still standing up on the inside."

Isn't that sometimes how we are? We may obey outwardly while our hearts are still resisting.

I am very blessed to live in the United States and to have the freedom we have here. We can express our opinions and speak our minds as long as our speech is peaceful. Yet freedom does not mean that everything we choose to do is necessarily good for us or for those around us.

As I look at our culture today, I sometimes feel as though the young people are repeating some of the attitudes of the 1970s. Ugly is in, and language that once would have shocked us has become commonplace. Tattoos are now so normal that someone without tattoos can sometimes be the one who stands out. Yet customs and standards vary greatly from one part of the world to another. In some areas of Tanzania, for example, tattoos are considered far more serious than we might imagine—some even viewing them as worse than adultery.

These differences remind me that what our culture accepts is not always the same as what is best for us. And underneath all these outward expressions is something we all have in common: there is a little bit of rebellion in every one of us.

It is difficult to walk the straight path when there is so much noise surrounding us. We want to have friends. We want to fit in. We want to enjoy life. Sometimes one small step away from what is good seems harmless, but that one step can make the next step easier—and before long, we can find ourselves farther from the path than we ever intended to be.

So how do we live the best life? How do we continue walking in the right direction when making the effort becomes tiring? Sometimes it may seem almost useless to keep trying. We are running the marathon of this life, and we can become weary from the effort.

But there is Good News!

God does not ask us to run this race in our own strength. When we ask Him, He will indwell us with the power of His Holy Spirit. He helps us recognize what is right, gives us strength when we are weak, and draws us back when we begin to wander. Through His Word and His people, He teaches us how to keep walking the straight path.

Perhaps the goal isn't simply to make sure we are sitting down on the outside. God wants to change what is happening on the inside as well. We don't have to remain "standing up on the inside." Through His grace, He can change our hearts so that our outward obedience becomes an expression of an inward desire to follow Him.

And when we stumble—and we will—we don't have to give up. We can get back on the path, ask for His help, and keep running the race. The Good News is that we don't run it alone.

I Kings 19:18 "...Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

THE BEST REUNION IS YET TO COME

 

Jeanne, Stina, Nancy, me

It was forty years later that the four of us were finally reunited. For many years I had been the "lost classmate" until Nancy M. discovered that my parents had been sending her parents Christmas cards every year for four decades. What a delightful surprise it was to reconnect with three dear classmates—Jeanne, Stina, and Nancy L.

Time, however, has a way of reminding us that life is precious. Since our reunion, Stina and then Jeanne have gone. When I spoke with Nancy L. on her 83rd birthday, she firmly informed me that I was not allowed to die. I laughed and assured her that I was "going strong." Not long afterward, though, I received a gentle reminder that perhaps I wasn't quite as invincible as I thought. I had a sudden head rush and, for the first time in my life, it resulted in a fall.

Experiences like that have caused me to think more intentionally about saying goodbye before the time comes. I believe it is a gift to leave our loved ones with words of hope rather than uncertainty. I want my family and friends to know that I am looking forward to a far better place and that my greatest desire is for them to join me there someday. The assurance of that hope rests on the words of Jesus in John 14: "I go to prepare a place for you... I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

Life is uncertain, but our hope does not have to be. While we are here on earth, we can rely completely on Jesus. And when our earthly journey is over, we can continue to rely on Him. Those who place their trust in Him need not fear what lies ahead, for He has already prepared the way. That is the confidence I want to leave with those I love—and the hope I pray they will embrace for themselves.

 1 Corinthians 15:51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

KEEPING ON THE OLD PATH

 

Me, Davy, Jay, Evy, Wayne.  Grandpa in the background -- Grandma and Grandpa's house 1962

I had four siblings. All five of us stayed on the old path. We were obedient to our parents, attended school and church faithfully, and graduated from college. As is often the case, however, life became more complicated after adulthood. It was after college that we didn't necessarily make our parents happy. I won't go into detail, but after we all married, our relationships became difficult at times. Even so, we worked hard to keep the lines of communication open and to care for our parents in their old age. The Lord sustained us through every challenge. Along the way we experienced heartbreaking losses. Evy died of cancer in the middle of those years, and Jay passed away from diabetic shock two years after Dad was gone. Through it all, God's faithfulness carried us.

That brings me to an important question: Why should we stay on the old path? According to Voddie Baucham, in his sermon Three Trees, the beauty of the gospel reveals truth, beauty, and goodness while demonstrating God's power to transform lives and cultures.

History provides powerful evidence of that truth. I have noticed that countries ruled by Communism eventually stop prospering and freedom begins to disappear. Right now in South Korea, former U.S. Ambassador Morse Tan has been unable to return to the United States and to his wife and four children after South Korea imposed a travel exit ban on him. To me, this is an indication that Communist influence is slowly creeping into South Korea.

We can also see changing ideas here at home. In recent primary elections, several Democratic Socialists won nominations and will run as Democratic candidates against Republicans in the general election. Their platform is lunacy:

Underlying many of these cultural changes is a deeper philosophical issue. University of Texas professor J. Budziszewski has spent decades writing about ethics, conscience, and natural law. A former atheist who converted to Catholicism more than two decades ago, he has written more than twenty books, including The Pandemic of Lunacy. In discussing what he calls thirty modern myths, he argues that at the root of many of them is the desire for God not to be God—and for us to take His place. In other words, we want to determine our own standards of right and wrong, redefine marriage to suit ourselves, and declare that reality is whatever we choose it to be.

Budziszewski points out that there have always been times in history when societies were steeped in immorality. The difference today, he says, is striking. In the past, people often admitted what they were doing was wrong but simply chose not to care. Today, vice often claims the moral high ground. It says, "You are evil for calling this vice." That is a very different—and very troubling—situation.

For all of these reasons, I believe the old path is still the best path. It is the path that honors God, strengthens families, preserves freedom, and provides a firm foundation for future generations. While the world constantly searches for something new, God's timeless truth has never needed improvement.

Jeremiah 6:16a Thus says the Lord:“Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.

THE BLESSING OF HAVING A DRESSER

 

I must be related to Jerry Seinfeld. See the above video. I've often had the very same thoughts about clothes. Why can't we all just wear the same uniform every day? We'd have six identical outfits for everyday wear and then one pure white one reserved for Sunday.

Fortunately, I've had someone to dress me all these years, so it has never been much of a problem. When I was growing up, my mom picked out my clothes. If I wanted something different, I'd borrow my sister's. In college, if my mom hadn't packed something I needed, I'd borrow clothes from anyone willing to loan them to me. (That ball gown was 2 sizes too small but I squeezed into it.  Thanks Phyllis.)After I got married, my husband became my fashion consultant. (Sorry about those mini skirts now.) I wore his  waist 36" pants with suspenders for maternity clothes. These days, my daughter has taken over the job, and she's doing a wonderful job of keeping me presentable.

Looking back, I suppose I've never really been interested in fashion—only in being appropriately dressed. Having someone else make those decisions has saved me countless hours of standing in front of a closet wondering what goes with what. Maybe Jerry Seinfeld is onto something. A simple uniform would eliminate one more unnecessary decision from our day and leave more time for the things that really matter.

As for me, I'm perfectly content to let my daughter keep me from becoming a fashion disaster.

Proverbs 31:22 — "She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple."

FAITHFUL IN LITTLE THINGS

 Natalie--  4th of July parade

After traveling all over the world by jet, train, boat, bus, and car I realized that I loved the good old US of A. This is where we have freedom.  This is where we don't have government interference. This is where we have choice. But I have been saddened lately to find out that people want the government to run their lives. They think that the government knows better how to spend their money.  

At one time it was families and churches who took care of the poor, widows and orphans.  But slowly as families split up,  and churches withdrew from helping, the government was left to pick up the pieces. Unfortunately the government became so big that oversight was lost and dishonesty was rampant.

What was it that we forgot?  We forgot God. We have been told in Luke 16:10 “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. 

 A nation is built one person, one family, one church, and one community at a time. When we neglect personal responsibility and place our trust in institutions rather than in God, we should not be surprised when those institutions fail us. Lasting freedom depends not only on the laws we pass but on the character of the people who live under them. My travels taught me to appreciate America's blessings, but they also reminded me that those blessings cannot be taken for granted. They must be preserved by citizens who value faith, integrity, personal responsibility, and the freedom to care for one another.

Matthew 10:32-33 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.

FATHER'S DAY AND REMEMBERING

 

Grace, Brad, Ruth, Dave, Evelyn, Jack. My mom Grace's sisters and my dad Dave's in-laws Redwood City, CA

Memories about Father's Day are few for me. Father's Day wasn't celebrated widely until the 1920s, and while I was growing up, our family simply attended church on Father's Day. Beyond that, we didn't do anything particularly special.

Like many fathers of the World War II generation, my dad seemed to believe that children should be "seen but not heard." Because of that, I can't remember having many conversations with him. Yet there were small moments that revealed his care and affection.

We enjoyed watching the TV show Mannix together and predicting how many times Mannix would get hit on the head during an episode. When I was in my twenties, Dad sent me a subscription to Christianity Today. Years later, after retirement, he took up baking cookies and regularly mailed us some of his delicious creations. On a visit to Chinatown, he surprised me with a pair of earrings. Another time, he hauled a piano crate out of storage for us. After we unloaded it, my mother put the box to good use as a storage shed.

Those gestures may seem ordinary, but they spoke volumes. Dad wasn't a man who expressed his love with many words. Instead, he showed it through faithfulness, hard work, and a willingness to help whenever he was needed. He worked diligently to provide for our family and spent countless hours repairing things around the house. Looking back, I realize that his steady presence gave me a sense of security and stability. Because he was always there, doing what needed to be done, I was blessed with a good childhood—and for that, I remain grateful.

I Corinthians 1: 26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 

HOW TO SERVE MAN

 

For years, movies and television shows have explored the possibility of life on other planets. We have heard stories of unidentified lights in the sky, reports of crash sites where non-human beings were allegedly found, and accounts from people who claim to have contacted or even been abducted by aliens. These reports naturally lead to an important question: Are such phenomena ultimately working for the good of humanity or for its harm?

Popular culture has often portrayed these mysterious beings as dangerous. The above clip from The Twilight Zone, a television series broadcast from 1959 to 1964, suggests that these non-human entities are working for evil rather than good. Interestingly, when we turn to Scripture, we also find examples of non-human beings that oppose God's purposes.

One of the earliest examples is the serpent in the Garden of Eden, who tempted Eve to disobey God. Likewise, Revelation 9 describes terrifying locust-like creatures emerging from the bottomless pit. They are given power like scorpions and are commanded to torment those who do not have the seal of God. These passages remind us that not every supernatural encounter is beneficial or trustworthy.

However, the Bible also presents non-human beings who serve God's purposes and bring help rather than harm. Angels are perhaps the best-known example. In Genesis, angels were sent to Sodom and Gomorrah to warn Lot of the coming destruction of the cities because of their wickedness. They urged him and his family to flee so that they might escape God's judgment. Throughout Scripture, angels often act as God's messengers, protectors, and servants.

So, can humanity prepare itself for encounters with extraterrestrials or other non-human beings? I believe the answer is yes. Whether such encounters are physical, spiritual, or something we do not yet understand, Christians are called to remain grounded in their faith. We prepare by spending time in prayer, studying God's Word, and fellowshipping with other believers. When we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus rather than on the fears and uncertainties around us, we can face whatever comes with confidence.

The Apostle Peter gives this warning and encouragement:

"I Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 

MODERN CONVENIENCES AND TIMELESS TRUTHS

 

Heather and Samantha read together.  Photo by Chris.

Oh no! It broke! How am I ever going to survive?

Over the course of our married life, the microwave, dishwasher, washing machine, TV set, and blow dryer have all broken at one time or another. How did I function without these so-called modern conveniences? Surprisingly, I persevered.

Instead of warming my coffee in the microwave, I heated it on the stove. I washed dishes by hand. There was always a laundromat available. I could read instead of watching TV. And my hair would dry eventually. So I survived.

Of course, having a husband who was a good repairman helped tremendously. Chris became quite skilled at jerry-rigging broken items. He once repaired a washing machine by taking parts from a Whirlpool and parts from a Kenmore and combining them into one working machine. Goodwill provided a decent replacement blow dryer, and TVs were frequently on sale. While I could live without these conveniences, they certainly made life better.

Now, however, I am facing a new dilemma. My Kindle is no longer supported by Amazon. Thankfully, it just occurred to me that I can still read books checked out from the library. Even so, I'll miss my Kindle. It held hundreds of books without taking up precious space in our new, smaller living quarters.

Perhaps that is why I have always loved electronics. I would rather receive a new gadget than a piece of jewelry. Years ago, I even encouraged my son to pursue robotics. While he didn't choose that career path, he did give me a robot that vacuums and mops the floors. I'm still hoping someone invents a robot that can load and unload the dishwasher, washer, and dryer!

Looking ahead, technology has the potential to make life easier in many ways. Robotic assistance in childcare and elder care could relieve physical strain on caregivers. Self-driving cars may increase mobility for many people. I am already fascinated by the "people movers" found in airports and other locations. And I can only imagine the ways artificial intelligence may help us in the future.

Yet this raises an important question: What will all this convenience do to our character development?

When my children were growing up, I often told them they needed to do housework because it helped build character. Responsibility, perseverance, and diligence are often developed through ordinary tasks. On the other hand, if technology frees us from some household duties, perhaps it will give us more time for worthwhile pursuits—gardening, caring for animals, conservation efforts, recycling, inventing new ways to help people, and many other creative endeavors. And no matter how advanced technology becomes, there will likely always be employment opportunities for people who can repair what breaks. But cuddling up with your family and reading is still needed for bonding. The human touch is very important for well being. 

For that reason, I hope AI and other technological advances will be used wisely and for the good of humanity. Every tool can be used for good or ill, but when used well, technology can be one more way that life is improved and burdens are eased.

As James reminds us:

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." — James 1:17

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LIFE IS A MAZE ING

 

Me in 1975--  photo by Chris

Have you ever played peek-a-boo with babies? They have no idea where you went. Or have you ever been on a Zoom call when you are suddenly put into breakout rooms? The large group disappears and a smaller group appears. Perhaps you have even been in a maze and couldn’t find your way out. And sometimes, like the words of Dr. Seuss say, “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...”—yet you still have no idea which way to go.

In many ways, life feels like that. One moment things seem clear, and the next moment everything changes. At times you can feel like a silhouette—no clear features, just a shadow trying to find its way. Life begins with small owies when you are a child, but as you grow older the hurts often become much bigger. Small problems turn into heavy burdens, difficult decisions, and painful disappointments.

So where do we turn when life feels confusing and uncertain? King Solomon gives a simple but profound answer:

Ecclesiastes 12:13–14
“The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.”

When the path ahead seems unclear, Solomon reminds us that our purpose is not found in having every answer, but in trusting God, obeying Him, and walking faithfully one step at a time.

TRUTH, BEAUTY, AND THE GOSPEL

 

Photo by Chris

I have often wondered why God would make only one planet habitable. When astronauts view Earth from space, it appears as a beautiful blue-and-white swirled marble. If God made everything for His glory, why did He not make all the other planets capable of supporting life?

I found this thought-provoking answer on Bible Hub: “Biblical teaching frames humanity as the centerpiece of God’s plan for redemption, not as the only point of cosmic scale. A large universe invites humanity to contemplate the nature of God.” The relationship between Earth’s size, its distance from the sun, its magnetic field, and its atmospheric chemistry all reveal that our planet is uniquely positioned for life. Rather than being “wasted space,” the vastness of the universe points to careful design and showcases God’s personal investment in creating a world that sustains life.

Another question I think about is this: Why do some areas of our world flourish—producing food, clothing, shelter, and stability—while other places struggle with poverty and starvation? Reflecting on the beauty of creation and the condition of humanity, Voddie Baucham, in his sermon Three Trees , emphasizes how the beauty of the gospel highlights truth, beauty, and goodness, along with its transformative power in the world. He says it is not East or West, nor particular ethnic groups, that produce good things, but rather the places where the deep impact of the gospel and a Biblical worldview are present.

So this is all the more reason that God wanted the gospel to go to the ends of the earth. He wants the very best for us. Those are my thoughts today. More later.

Matthew 28: 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

REAL JOY

Burbank 1948 Evy, me, Jay

The happiest times in my life were my childhood in Burbank and then Fairbanks.  I had food, clothing, and shelter.  I had friends near by to play. I had parents who took care of me and took me to church. In California we had great weather.  We could spend most of our time outdoors.   It snowed one time but we wore our summer clothes out to play. In Alaska we had treats of huge blueberries, huge vegetables grown in the short growing season, king crab,  fur parkas, and moose running through the neighborhood. 

It was in 4th grade that my struggles began.  Our family moved to a strange new area.  Nobody in our family had ever lived in the southeast. There was no one to explain the cockroaches, humidity, or the formality of the people. I was embarrassed several times by my teacher.  First she asked if I would show the class where Alaska was on the map.  I had no idea where it was.  Then the teacher made an example of me when I tried to draw one picture then tried to cover it up with another drawing using color crayons.  She held it up and told the class to not do what I did. Then when I was just making friends in one neighborhood we moved to another neighborhood and changed schools.  I just couldn't make friends with anybody in my new class. When we all started high school in 8th grade once again there wasn't anybody in my class in my neighborhood.  Finally my sophomore year I made a friend.  Nancy from then on was a good friend.  She even boarded with my parents for student teaching when she was in college. We have kept in touch ever since. 

College was a fun time for me.  My parents footed most of the bill.  I did work at part time jobs and contributed to the expense. I was chosen for several honors on campus, was able to have several different boy friends, and even made friends with sorority sisters who I am still in touch with. I was also able to borrow clothes from friends.  That way I didn't have to shop.  It was great that I could eat all meals at the college. No cooking or grocery shopping was necessary.  After interpretive dance practice or practicing with the ROTC Sponsor Corps my appetite wasn't there so I ate small amounts.  Because of that I didn't gain the freshman 15. Another thing I loved about college was that everybody paid attention in class.  High school had been such a drag as all the teachers could do was tell the kids to pay attention and stop talking. Now we know home schooling takes 1/4 to 1/2 the time as the student gets the one on one attention. Another thing I enjoyed about college were the mixers, plays, concerts, and other events right on campus.  It was like a little community separate from the rest of the population. 

When college was about to end for us Chris and I fell in love.  The next logical thing to do was to get married.  We planned to buy a boat and sail off into the sunset.  We should have realized that we needed to sign up to crew on a "Tall Ship" or find employment on a tramp steamer.  But we were not very knowledgeable in that area.  We ended up taking normal jobs--  Chris for a daily newspaper and me teaching. Then later kids came along so we needed to bring them up.

That is why I cried out to the Lord in my need. Children are a big responsibility. God helped us.  Our children are exceptional people contributing to society in very meaningful ways. Then I came down with fibromyalgia. This has put a crimp in many things. But now instead of asking why me I ask why not me.  Through these trials I have come to look to Jesus and He has helped me through difficult times.  I now have real Joy. 

Looking back, I can see that happiness came easily in childhood, but joy—the kind that lasts—was something I found through challenge, change, and faith. The moves, the loneliness, the responsibilities, and even illness all shaped me in ways I could not have understood at the time. What once felt like detours or hardships have become part of a greater story of growth and grace. Today, I am grateful not only for the sweet memories of blueberries and moose in the yard, but also for the struggles that led me to depend on the Lord. In Him, I have found a steady, enduring joy that carries me through every season of life.

II Timothy 1:12  which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. 

TO THE MOON AND BACK

Message from the Moon

I’m a colonist, and I’m glad my ancestors colonized America. In fact, many came to the eastern shores to escape religious persecution. At first, they were being forced to become Catholic, and later, they were being forced to become Protestant. Eventually, they were required to join the state church. At the same time, however, with the invention of the printing press, Bibles became available for ordinary people to read for themselves. As a result, when Martin Luther posted the 95 Theses in 1517, many came to understand that God’s salvation from sin and death was free. So, when the Americas were discovered, brave souls chose to leave behind what they knew and establish a new kind of society.

Today, however, society is again growing dark. Because of this, some wonder if it is time to leave once more—to establish a new kind of society on the Moon and on Mars. Personally, I find myself looking forward to the day when the Moon and Mars are colonized.

Even so, there are those who are convinced we are meant to remain on Earth. They argue that we should focus on solving the problems here. Yet, at the same time, as Jesus said, “For you always have the poor with you…”

Meanwhile, space exploration promises new opportunities—advances in communication, discoveries of water and minerals, greater understanding of climate, new career paths, and technologies we have yet to imagine. Still, this raises an important question: how did our ancestors deal with the fear of stepping into the unknown? And likewise, how should we deal with fear in our own time?

In a recent example, Butch Wilmore, the astronaut who was “stuck in space,” explained that he dealt with fear by trusting that God was with him. Because of that, he recognized that fear was not his friend and refused to let it drive his decisions. Instead, he fell back on his training and focused on the next step of the job. In other words, he did not allow his mind to dwell on fear—he chose not to entertain it.

Ultimately, the question is not whether there will be fear—there always has been. From those who crossed the ocean to those who now look toward the stars, uncertainty has never disappeared. What truly matters, then, is how we respond to it. As Butch Wilmore reminds us, fear is not a guide; it is something to be acknowledged but not obeyed. Like them, we move forward not because the path is safe, but because it is right. We trust in God, rely on what we have learned, and take the next step in front of us. Whether building a new life on distant shores or someday on the Moon and Mars, the call is the same: not to retreat from darkness, but to carry light into it.

With that in mind, the words of Epistle to the Philippians remind us of our direction forward:

Philippians 3:13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 

FROM FROZEN RIVERS TO EASTER JOY

 

Evy-- Fairbanks Alaska 1952

Our sister Evy was especially happy in the spring of 1952. Even though she was only four—and wouldn’t turn five until October—she would be allowed to start school in the fall. That alone filled her with excitement. Add to that her new Easter dress and the welcome arrival of “shirt-sleeve weather,” and life felt full of promise. After a long winter of 30 to 40 below zero, the temperature had climbed all the way up to zero, and to us, that felt almost warm.

As spring slowly began to take hold, Evy was ready with her boots for breakup season. The ice and snow were beginning to melt. All winter long, the Chena River and nearby Tanana River had been locked under thick, unmoving ice. By late April or early May, however, longer daylight and warming temperatures weakened that ice from above and below. What looked solid one day could suddenly become unstable the next. Everyone watched closely, especially because of the annual contest—guessing when the tripod placed on the river ice would finally fall as the ice broke apart. Tickets were sold, and the winner received a cash prize. It was a big event and gave everyone something to anticipate.

In the midst of the lingering cold, we still made time for simple pleasures. Picnics at Harding Lake were a treat, even if they were chilly. We didn’t think much about the cold—we were young, after all. Our dad, chief of the Weather Bureau, had the important job of forecasting the weather for the picnic. One year, it rained before the picnic, stopped just in time for us to enjoy it, and then started again afterward. To us, that felt like perfect timing.

When we weren’t at school, my cousins and I spent our afternoons exploring. We would trudge over to the latest gravel pit, wading in shallow water or balancing on pieces of floating wood. One day, we discovered a small lean-to made of branches hidden in the woods behind their house. It felt like a secret world of our own. We even gathered buds from a budding plant to make tea, certain we were creating something special.

All of these small signs—melting snow, running water, longer days—told us the same thing: spring was truly on its way. And with it came Easter.

We dressed in our best clothes and attended both Palm Sunday and Easter services. The music filled the church and our hearts. We sang:

• Low in the grave he lay—Jesus, my Savior,
  waiting the coming day—Jesus, my Lord.
  Up from the grave he arose,
  with a mighty triumph o’er his foes.
  He arose a victor from the dark domain,
  and he lives forever with his saints to reign.
  He arose! He arose!
  Hallelujah! Christ arose!
• Vainly they watch his bed—Jesus, my Savior;
  vainly they seal the dead—Jesus, my Lord.
  Up from the grave he arose,
  with a mighty triumph o’er his foes.
  He arose a victor from the dark domain,
  and he lives forever with his saints to reign.
  He arose! He arose!
  Hallelujah! Christ arose!
• Death cannot keep his prey—Jesus, my Savior;
  he tore the bars away—Jesus, my Lord.
  Up from the grave he arose,
  with a mighty triumph o’er his foes.
  He arose a victor from the dark domain,
  and he lives forever with his saints to reign.
  He arose! He arose!
  Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Another favorite echoed that same message of hope:

Hear The Bells Ringing, They’re Singing
That You Can Be Born Again!
Hear The Bells Ringing, They’re Singing
Christ Is Risen From The Dead!
The Angels Up On The Tombstone
Said, “He Has Risen, Just As He Said.”
“Quickly Now, Go Tell His Disciples”
“That Jesus Christ Is No Longer Dead!”

Joy To The World!
He Is Risen! Hallelujah!
He’s Risen! Hallelujah!
He’s Risen! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Halle! Hallelujah!

Hear The Bells Ringing, They’re Singing
That You Can Be Born Again!
Hear The Bells Ringing, They’re Singing
Christ Is Risen From The Dead!
The Angels Up On The Tombstone
Said, “He Has Risen, Just As He Said.”
“Quickly Now, Go Tell His Disciples”
“That Jesus Christ Is No Longer Dead!”

Joy To The World!
He Is Risen! Hallelujah!
He’s Risen! Hallelujah!
He’s Risen! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!

He’s Risen, Risen, Risen From The Dead!
He’s Risen, Risen, Risen From The Dead!
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!

And in the end, that was what Easter and spring meant to us.
After months of darkness, cold, and waiting, everything came back to life—the rivers, the land, and even our spirits. Just as the ice broke and the waters began to flow again, Easter reminded us of new life and fresh beginnings. For a little girl like Evy, starting school, and for all of us emerging from a long Alaskan winter, it was a season of joy, hope, and the promise that something new was always just ahead.