If Parenting is comparable to the task of laboring long hours, in blistering heat, during the summertime; then GRANDparenting is like harvesting and enjoying the fruit of your labor in the crisp, cool season of autumn! Children are the reward of our youth but GRANDchildren are the GRAND PRIZE from the hand of the Lord! [Tweet “Children are the reward of our youth- Grandchildren […]
Ever since Bethany was diagnosed with down syndrome, I ask myself this question: Why do we place so much importance and make such a big deal about I.Q.? [Tweet “Does our #happiness in #life depend on our #IQ?”] Our new adventure in learning: Bethany is running around the house, excited for her first foray into […]
FACT: EVERYTHING is going from order to disorder. (entropy-2nd law of thermodynamics) every cell in our body is aging: muscle mass decreases, our senses diminish, our brain cells shrink, our bodies, our universe is wearing out (that’s enough of the depressing news- we all get the point 
) [Tweet “The universe is wearing out […]
Bethany “Ann with an e” Barclay (if you’ve read Anne of Green Gables you’ll know why) Bethany means “house” and Anne means “full of God’s grace” God surely chose her name and put it in our hearts~ This picture is Bethany and my brother’s little boy- Jason Charles Benedict. They […]
3-5 Don’t you see that children are God’s best gift? the fruit of the womb his generous legacy? Like a warrior’s fistful of arrows are the children of a vigorous youth. Oh, how blessed are you parents, with your quivers full of children! Your enemies don’t stand a chance against you; you’ll sweep them right […]
What’s on your list for today? ~ I’ll never fully understand what compels me to make lengthy, laborious, lists? Lists that I lose and don’t/can’t complete.- 
~ Today- I think I’ll put “MAKING GOD SMILE” at the tip-top! ~ I was stressing- you know- “the running around, heart pumping, kinda grouchy, I don’t know how […]
The following story is shared by my “sister” in the Lord- Pam. Recently, on Facebook, we were reconnected and I was grieved to hear she had been battling breast cancer. As we visited, I was amazed at the journey of faith she has taken and how faithful God is to us all- even in our darkest moments and greatest challenges. […]
Surprising Treasures was birthed from life experiences which at first glance looked devastating. Underneath layers of sorrow, loss, fear, and pain, I’ve found TREASURE! Instead of seeing life full of random accidents and misfortunes, I am choosing to be a Treasure Hunter, searching for eternal wealth. [Tweet “God has hidden #secret #riches in the #dark places of #life […]
OH- MY- GOODNESS!!! I KNOW YOU’VE ALL HEARD OF TOE-TAPPING MUSIC BUT I’M WILLING TO BET YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OR SEEN TOE PICKIN’ WORSHIP! d [Tweet “Life is short- we have to learn to loosen up and #laugh. #life”] s A little background information before I share the “PLEASE GOD! OPEN UP THE FLOOR & LET […]
Today, I open the treasure chest of memories and celebrate the birthday of our sixth jewel- Moriah Ruth. (not called the wind Mariah- but MOriah- the great mountain of God) My quiver felt full and satisfied when Moriah was born. A little girl again- after three boys, was just what our family needed. While Sarah was […]
If we could tune into the heart of God- I believe this is what His every heart beat is saying. He is 100 % committed to our complete care and it is motivated by an endless supply of His love. The trouble is- our mind and thoughts are “running” through the other “channels” being broadcast. […]
Beauty is in the eye of…. Our Creator (betcha thought I was going to say beholder ) [Tweet “#Beauty is in the eye of the #Creator.”] Besides log throwing, kilt inspecting, bag-piping parades and Highland dancing; face painting was one of the tents we visited at the […]
Walking around Silver Dollar City again, I stole away to observe the glass blowing exhibit. Every time I’m amazed, but today, I was mesmerized! It was like I was watching a visible parable of mankind in the creative hand of the Master Artisan. It reminded me of a verse that most people quote in a negative, ominous tone. [Tweet […]
****We were privileged to recently sit under Dr. Ravi Zacharias at a conference. Here is a story he told… An Indian man and his son were working together to weave a blanket. The father sat up top and the son sat below. All around the father there were threads of all kinds, […]
Today we’re in Branson, mecca of family entertainment and as American as apple pie. I’m contemplating how I can help my children (especially Bethany), understand the solemnity of this holiday. How do I teach her abstract concepts such as honor, bravery, and fighting for freedom? Her life is so simple- she doesn’t even understand why […]