He is Greater.....John 3:30 says He must become greater, I must become less"

I have been doing some investigating lately.....trying to figure out what the styles will be for fall.  I have not done a good wardrobe overhaul for years and years.  I keep hoping that I can find the right balance to lose the extra pounds I am carrying and I try and try and then nothing changes....and I don't really want a new stylish wardrobe until I have a fresh figure to celebrate....but I am checking anyway.  Once or twice a year, I start to investigate on the internet.....what's in style now?  What is coming for the next season. I'm sure it is a sign of my age, but seriously, you guys......we are going back to corduroy.....and overalls and turtle necks.  Wait till Roger hears about turtle necks....he hated them 20 years ago and I'm guessing he is less of a fan now!  Go ahead.....type in fall fashion 2017 and see what you get.  I don't know if it all looks silly because I WORE IT 20 YEARS AGO!!!!!!!, or because it is just silly.  What is e...

Lifeline is defined this way in the dictionary: 1.  a rope or line used for life-saving, typically one thrown to rescue someone in difficulties in water or one used by sailors to secure themselves to a boat. 2.  a thing on which someone or something depends or which provides a means of escape from a difficult situation. A lifeline matters in the world today.  In my public health work, I assess this with the families I serve.  I will ask a young mother if she has a lifeline and explain to her what that means.  Far too often, the young stressed and burdened families I visit will say that they do not have a lifeline.  Imagine that.  No one to call out to for help in difficult times.  Nothing to depend on that will rescue them and help them escape hard situation.  No lifeline. Having no lifeline is serious.  It means someone is drifting alone in treacherous water......and that is not ok.  My job, in part, is to help find and secu...

Something has been on my mind today and since I cannot shake it, I think I will write it out.  Maybe it will resonate with someone else in a positive way. I have set up my schedule so that I can be home most days when my children come home from school.  Some of them may stop home for a few minutes and then leave again for an activity.  Some come home and stay home for the day.  My job may be to prepare a sack lunch supper for a teen who has to work or go to dance, or give a ride to another child, or fix a snack....well, lets face it, they all want to eat when they get home......or sit at the dining room table and talk through things. I have done this over and over again....it is sacred space.  It matters so much.   Sometimes I just need to be in the house, not really needed directly but just here.  Present.  I can work from home, start dinner, do laundry, and just be here as the kids run in and out of the house playing with neighbors, needing a...

I'm missing my uncle Todd tonight.  I miss him out of nowhere.....as I am doing my day l remember something he said or did.  Tonight I am missing the fact that he thought about me and my family regularly and always wanted to help.  We have had a busy week here . We usually do.  It would have been typical for him to call me on Monday or Tuesday and say, "Hey Nik.....what does your week look like?  Could I make a meal one night to help you out?"  He did that often.  The meal was a blessing and a treat but actually, the thinking of me meant more.  The knowing that it is a lot of work to do life with a busy family, and that it mattered to him to help give me a boost.  I miss his boost.  I miss that he cared.  More than I miss his help, I miss that I mattered to him.  I miss that after I said yes, and we decided on a day, he would call me over and over again to ask questions.  Would the kids eat broccoli?  Which dessert.....

Today I took my turn washing dishes at my kids' school.  I volunteer once a month, along with dozens and dozens of other parents to do all the dishes and it takes about 2 hours.  It is not easy work.....my right arm has a bit of tendonitis from the constant spraying of trays and moving heavy loads across the washing area....well, that and I am getting really old and stiff. Our school has a great team of cooks.  My favorite is our head cook....a sassy red-head named Nancy.  Disclaimer:  I did tell her she was one of my favorite things about school.  She is smart.  She is creative.  She is responsible.  Being the head cook requires broad shoulders......hearing all of the complaints, trying to follow all the regulations and rules......so much pressure and I'm guessing the pay is not relative to the work!  My grandma was also head cook of my high school and she worked very hard.  I remember her feeling so unappreciated by students wh...

Today we left home in the morning and drove to Sioux Falls to be a part of serving at The Banquet.  The Banquet is a ministry.....a place where people can come and eat lunch or dinner 6 days a week.  It is run on donations and prayer and volunteerism.  Today our church family took our turn serving.  There were a few dozen of us, ages ranging from 4-70s......and we visited with the guests, ate with them, prayed for them and served them.  4 of my 5 kids were able to join us in this.....and begin to understand what it means to serve.  My older kids have done this for years with my parents .  Roger and I can finally join them again because Josiah is old enough to be there too.  This few hours on this Saturday every year of Labor Day Weekend.....it matters. After The Banquet we drove over to spend some time with a special little boy......we took Oh My! Cupcakes and our play mag set and we talked and snacked and played and went for a hike through tra...