• Thoughts

    We’re In This Together

    Last night I played a softball game with nine other people.  We were down 13 points by the last inning, playing the #1 team. It seemed pretty bleak.  We were up to bat last.  In order to win this game, we would need to rotate through the batting box at least fourteen times before we had three strikeouts.   As each of us got up to bat, rather than focusing on a home run hit, we each just aimed to get on the base.  The score started to change.  First, they were 13 points ahead.  Then 9.  Then, we had just…

  • Thoughts

    Just Trust Me

    Have you ever had a week where you told God “look.  I know you are going to tell me that everything is going to be ok but this time I’m not sure you are right.” We have a convention that we are heading to this week.  In the past week, I received an email with a cost I wasn’t aware of, bringing my total of show costs up so high, I thought there might not be any profit to be had. I was so discouraged with “the future” of this show, I completely shut down.  I knew if I turned…

  • Thoughts

    Finding Him

    Last summer I had a chance to go to a Toby Mac concert.  I’m a lover of christian music and so I couldn’t wait!  I enlisted my two daughters to go with me and, since we all grew up listening to christian music, they were in. It was a little different than what I expected.  I was the minority being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, but listening to Toby Mac was incredible. In the middle of the concert, Toby got a break and they brought in a preacher.  He was all about saving…

  • Thoughts

    Celebrate

    Hi Friends.  Today is my birthday.  As I’ve reflected on this special day I can’t be more grateful that I was born in the family I was born in.  I’m so very grateful for all of the people I have in my life.  Some have been fleeting and some, decades.  (yes I’m that old).  🙂   Birthdays can be a day of gift giving, well wishing, thoughtful gestures towards the one you love moving into the next year of their life.  Today is no different.  I thought I’d share with you a small gift exchange that really made my day this…

  • Thoughts

    Let’s Play Chess

    Not too long ago, I invited a son from another mother to move into our apartment.  His circumstances were grim.  Here was a grown man with two young children living in the basement family room of a family friend.  This room was probably 300 sq. ft. at best.  He didn’t have his own bathroom, no kitchen, and no actual bedroom.  This room was his home.  His bed and the children’s bunk beds were in there.  So was his heat plate to make his meals.  This circumstance was difficult at best but fit his price range at $400.00 a month. Here…

  • Thoughts

    The Change

    Last week I called the airlines to get tickets to Seattle for the big convention this weekend.  Normally, I’d just go on the app and reserve there, but I had a voucher for $600.00 that I wanted to use.  The lady was nice, helped me through it all and reserved the tickets for me. Fast forward to today.  I went on my app to check in early and there was no reservation.  I was sure I had seen the reservation last Friday after I got off the call but I had no trips, so on the phone I went. The…

  • Thoughts

    What Really Matters

    When I was little, about 5 or 6, I watched a show on TV about a man doing tricks.  He did this trick where he moved this pencil with his mind across the table.  Boy was I impressed!  I thought for sure I could do that simple trick if he could! I went into a quiet room, put a pencil on the floor and got to thinking.  I really tried hard to move that pencil.  It didn’t budge.  For a long time I wondered why I couldn’t do it when this man on TV could.   As I got older, I…

  • Thoughts

    In The Details

    I am really lucky to be able to walk to work.  My shop is only a block and a half away from where I live which is a blessing all by itself.  Most of the time I walk to work but on shipping days I drive my Ford to take packages to the post office. This Monday, I loaded up the Ford and drove the boxes to the post office in the back where we can drop off multiple packages.  Usually I can park my running truck by the bins but this day I parked in a stall.   I finished…

  • Thoughts

    The small ask

    I admit, sometimes I feel this cloud of discouragement just over my head, threatening to pour down rain on me.  I know how real depression is and sometimes it’s a daily battle. This one particular morning, I was heading to the Temple to worship.  The cloud over my head this morning was heavy.  I needed to know my Heavenly Father loved me so I asked Him for a tender mercy.  Maybe an “I love you” just from God.   I said Heavenly Father, can you make sure there is a parking spot in the second row?  I had enough faith for…

  • Thoughts

    Don’t Give Up

    There are times I wonder where the miracles in my life are when I’m literally seeing the miracles in others lives.  I have to admit, sometimes I feel forgotten.  Then, as I focus on this thought, I start doubting lots of things, like am I loved?  Why has He turned His back on me?  This self defeating  behavior could go deeper to I’m not worthy. This is a hard place to be.  We, as children of a loving God, are never forgotten.   We’re in the middle of our trial and that is what we see, feel, hear. The trial…