The Word Became Flesh

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 1:1 -5

When our youngest daughter was around 6 years old I was convicted to change the way our family talked about Santa. I began emphasizing to her that Santa is for fun, but Jesus is for real.

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

That year our daughter eagerly shared this matter-of-fact information with a few of her first grade classmates at school one day. Apparently that didn’t sit well with the mother of at least one of her classmates, who interestingly attended the same church as we did at that time. I heard about it through the grapevine, so to speak; actually it was one day while at church. One of the ladies in my Sunday School class let me know about it. She told me that the mother of this little boy was not happy with Mackenzie or me. It was an interesting moment, to say the least. We no longer attend that church, but not for this reason.

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:18-23

I realized back in the early 2000’s, that teaching my young daughter that Santa is for fun but Jesus is for real was was in direct opposition to what was considered widely accepted and traditional Christmas norms of the day, which was to basically tell a “white lie” to our children about Santa. I, like most of us, have fond memories of childhood Christmases which included the mystery of Santa Claus. In fact, I continued that tradition with our first two daughters, who are 15 and 11 years older than our youngest daughter, but as I matured and grew as a Christian I became increasingly uncomfortable with this tradition. In particular I was (and still am) very uncomfortable with the use of the word “believe” used in any reference to “Santa” and also the word “magic” as used in the phrase, “the magic of Christmas.”

I thought a lot about this and asked myself, why would we, as Christian parents, expect our children to believe in Jesus Christ, after years of perpetuating a “white lie” about Santa Claus while they were a young child, and especially during Christmastime!?

To be perfectly clear, I’m ok with the legend of Santa Claus and the connection with St Nickolas, but I am not ok with perpetuating the “white lie” of telling young children that Santa Claus is real.

“Bah humbug!” Some may say, but truth be told, a “white lie” is still a lie. The Bible is full of warnings about lying.

Jesus said, “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44

The fact is, Jesus was born, to save sinners like me and like you. Jesus is real and sin is serious business. Sin has been around since Adam and Eve began their conversation with the serpent in the Garden of Eden.

Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” Genesis 3:1

It’s a big problem. Actually, it’s a huge problem; what began in the Garden of Eden has infiltrated every aspect of life here on earth. The truth is, if you never see yourself as a sinner in need of a Savior, you will die in your sins one day and spend eternity separated from God, and that’s putting it gently.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6,

And, unless you have humbled your heart, acknowledged your sin, and turned to Him in repentance and faith in Him alone, the “merry” in your “Christmas” is coming to an abrupt end one day and it won’t be pretty or nice. No amount of good intentions or good works will grant you a “get out of hell” card.

And while, good works may be a sign of salvation, the process of becoming saved has nothing to do with being “good” or doing “good things.” Salvation is by grace through faith in God. Similarly, obedience is not required for salvation, it’s a result of salvation.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10

Or, whether you’re “naughty or nice.”

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23.

Salvation has everything to do with the One who took our place on the cross and paid our sin debt in full. He made a way. He who was born and who died so….

that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” John 3:15-21

Merry Christmas 🎄

Bye For Now

A few years ago my little brother started calling me almost everyday. It was usually around 1:00 p.m. Dallas time and 11:00 a.m. Seattle time. That was when The Price is Right was over, which was one of his favorite game shows, and mine as well. I think he got a kick out of the fact that I was a contestant on The Price is Right in 2005, and that’s probably why he thought of me when he’d watch it. Harold and I would try to catch The Price is Right as often as we could so we could talk about the show when Dougie called. We’d talk about who won a car, who overbid, when someone won both showcases, or when they both lost! Sometimes when he called I was busy so he’d leave me a voicemail but would still call me back later if I didn’t get right back with him. I have several voicemails saved on my phone from him:

“This is Doug. Bye for now.”

ALL of his phone messages were pretty much just like this, and they’re really quite special to me now.

Although he was mentally disabled since birth, Dougie believed in Jesus. He had a childlike faith and was “forever young.” He enjoyed going to Sunday School, church, and Vacation Bible School as a child.

“Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14

And, as I mentioned in an earlier blog, in the 1980s he came to me upset one day. He was upset with himself because he had told a lie and knew it was wrong. His lips were quivering and he was near tears. I told him that God knows when we do wrong things and that it was good that he was sorry for what he did. His humility was precious and real. I hugged him and helped him pray out loud, in Jesus’ name, for forgiveness.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.“ 1 John 1:9

Dougie attended church well into his adulthood with mom until she was no longer able to take him due to her illness.

My mom, dad, older brother Eldon, and Dougie have all passed away now; their souls are safe at home with Jesus. I look forward to seeing them one day in heaven and praise God for His perfect plan of salvation for all who will repent and believe in Him.

“So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:6-8

Because,

“Jesus said, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?‘” John 11:25

The Bible has a lot to say about the promise of the resurrection.

“I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you… that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

“Christ has indeed been raised, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” 1 Corinthians 15:20-22

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” 1 Peter 1:3

Our resurrected bodies will be spiritual, imperishable, and raised in glory and power. Resurrected bodies will never experience sickness, decay, deterioration, or death.

The last couple of times I saw Dougie was in May and June 2024.

May 26, 2024, I gave Dougie a 1988 picture of him and Mom. His eyes lit up and a big smile emerged as soon as he saw it. We talked about mom and he said he remembered her making puffed wheat balls at Christmas time and that they tasted really good!

Harold and I visited Dougie and my niece, Debbie, in May 2024 on our way to an Alaskan cruise to celebrate Harold’s 76th birthday. We had lunch together at a downtown Burien, Washington restaurant, and then we took Dougie to Angle Lake Park later that day and sat and watched the children play. He enjoyed watching them run around the water spray, having fun, and hearing them laugh.

Debbie, Dougie, and me at a downtown Burien, Washington restaurant. Dougie and me at Angle Lake Park, May 27, 2024.

My niece was Dougie’s caregiver for 28 years and I believe he was very happy with the life and the home that Debbie provided for him. He had a wonderful, happy disposition! I also believe it was part of God’s plan for my niece to be his caregiver. She grew up loving him as her uncle and ended up loving him like a son. He was a special blessing to everyone in our family and to the many who knew and loved him.

Harold, Dougie, and me in downtown Burien, June 4, 2024 at Debbie’s office. Dougie wanted to go to his favorite nearby restaurant, The Little Chicken Burger, so we walked over to it. This picture of us at the restaurant is our last photo together.

Harold and I returned to Seattle after the cruise on June 4, and visited with Dougie in downtown Burien. I gave him a warm beanie from Alaska in anticipation of the cold weather this coming winter, not knowing at the time that Dougie would not be going through another Seattle winter; not knowing that this would be our last day together this side of heaven.

I last talked to him on the phone on Monday, November 18, the anniversary date of our dad’s passing. Dougie passed away the next day, Tuesday November 19, 2024. No autopsy was done but according to the doctor, he passed away approximately 10:00 a.m. likely due to a sudden heart attack.

My little brother, mentally disabled since birth, was actually very wise. He left me several phone messages reminding me that our parting is only temporary and that we will see each other one day in the future:

“This is Doug. Bye for now.”

I believe this because of what Jesus did on the cross on our behalf and because we believe in Him.

Things That Make You Go Hmmm…

I’ve long found it interesting when people who identify as Christian support abortion on demand. The Bible is perfectly clear about the sanctity of life. To be clear, abortions on demand are not typically due to a medical complication like the pro-abortion commercials on television. The fact is, the overwhelming reason why women get an abortion is because they don’t want their baby that’s growing inside their womb.

I also find it discouraging when I learn of “so called” Christian churches and prominent “so called” Christian leaders who support Kamala Harris and her abortion on demand agenda. There’s absolutely nothing Christian about murdering an innocent baby in the womb.

Recently, I learned of a group called “Evangelicals for Harris” which in itself is shocking enough, but perhaps more shocking, this group has been endorsed by the late evangelist Billy Graham’s granddaughter, Jerushah Duford. Her mother is Virginia Graham Tchividjian, Billy Graham’s eldest daughter. This organization actually used images and quotes of Billy Graham in support of Kamala Harris’ and her liberal political agenda. Franklin Graham, Billy Graham’s son, spoke out strongly against the use of Billy Graham’s images and quotes by this organization in this way. Franklin stated that his “father appreciated the conservative values and policies of President DonaldTrump in 2016, and if he were alive today, my father’s views and opinions would not have changed.”

The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left. Ecclesiastes 10:2

In the meantime, Jerushah Duford continues to attempt to frame her political preferences as biblical and express her “hope” that fellow evangelicals will join in with her to support Kamala Harris. She calls Donald Trump out for his sins, while propping Kamala Harris up as the only viable good choice. As if Donald Trump’s sins are tantamount and Kamala Harris’ sins are non existent. Jerushah Duford purports that Harris is the only candidate that “embodies” the virtues of humility, justice, and love. Oh really?! All while Kamala Harris touts an agenda made up of the most extreme radical secular policies, and the most aggressive pro-abortion agenda in the history of any U.S. presidential candidate to date. Simply put, Kamala Harris’ policies and agendas are a direct assault against Christianity, and not the “Christianity” of Evangelicals for Harris or Jerushah Duford, but the Christianity of the Bible.

Now I know that there’re many other important issues in this year’s presidential election, but I believe the issue of abortion is by far the most important issue, as it involves the life and death of the most vulnerable among us, babies in their mother’s wombs. Kamala Harris and her supporters have zero authority over life and death. God, and His Son Jesus Christ are the only authors of life and of death.

“You killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. We are witnesses to this.” Acts 3:15

And to this people you shall say: “Thus says the Lord: Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.” Jeremiah 21:8

As for me, I believe it all comes down to who and what you believe. Do you believe in the God of the Bible and in the truth of His word, or do you believe in the god of this world and in the lies of the devil?

Some Pro-abortion lies:

Lie # 1. “My body, my choice.”

A Feminist slogan, circa 1969, adopted by today’s Democratic Party, and this year’s “selected, not elected” Democratic candidate for the President of the United States, Kamala Harris.

The truth is, your body is not your own.

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”1 Corinthians 6:19–20

Each of us are created in the image of God, regardless of circumstances; we are intentionally distinct from the rest of all creation. We also have inherent value, dignity, and uniqueness of human life, regardless of age or stage of development, including babies in the womb.

“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” Genesis 1:27

Lie #2 “Reproductive Healthcare”

A catchphrase for those who want the freedom to abort babies upon demand, anytime, anywhere, and for any reason.

The truth is, it’s not healthcare; it’s the exact opposite of healthcare. It’s the killing of a baby in the mother’s womb.

Healthcare is NOT found in an abortion facility.

But, truth IS found in God’s word:

“You shall not murder.” Exodus 20:13

God hates …. “haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,” Proverbs 6:17

Lie #3 “If you cannot control when and how you choose to bring your children in this world,…there is no American dream.” Oprah Winfrey speaking at the 2024 Democrat Convention about “autonomy” and access to reproductive rights.

Being famous and wealthy doesn’t necessarily make one wise or correct. Life and death is under the authority of God, not women who declare that it’s their right to “control” the life and death of their children. It’s no wonder that Oprah is under the impression that the “control” of life and death of a baby is a right. Oprah Winfrey, the same woman who declared publicly in 2008 on her popular television show that “there are many paths to what you call God” and “there couldn’t possibly be just one way.” Her promotion of her pagan philosophy of “multiple paths to God” and the book, “A Course in Miracles” is pure heresy. Oprah does not speak for the God of the Bible.

It’s my prayer, regardless of the outcome of this years presidential election, that God will grant Kamala Harris, Jerushah Duford, Oprah Winfrey, and all those who support abortion on demand, the gift of saving grace:

A saving grace that brings them to faith in Jesus Christ alone.

A saving grace that reveals the sin in their life, and brings them to repentance.

A saving grace that looks to God and His infallible word as the final authority on how we all should live our lives.

And,

A saving grace that says, “No” to the world and, “Yes” to God.

“And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:11

“For he who finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord. But he who sins against me injures himself; all those who hate me love death.” Proverbs 8:35–36

Each and Everyone

My husband and I enjoyed a Caribbean cruise this month in celebration of my 70th birthday. We visited Mahogany Bay Roatan Honduras, Costa Maya Mexico, and Puerto Maya Cozumel Mexico.

We enjoy cruising and are hoping to go as often as we can, now that we’re both retired. The ship on this cruise was the Carnival Jubilee. It’s Carnival’s newest and largest ship, and is based out of the Port of Galveston. The passenger capacity is well over 6500 and although I heard the ship was not full on this cruise, it was packed wall to wall with cruisers.

Out of all those people, there were two of them in particular that caught my attention and brought smiles to my heart. The first one was a lady named Stacy. She was probably in her 50’s or 60’s and was traveling with a large family group. We first met on our van ride over to the seaport from the cruise parking lot. We saw each other often throughout the 7-day cruise and enjoyed talking with one another. Stacy was like a ray of sunshine, always smiling, and quite friendly. Her family, in particular her sister, was very attentive and caring about Stacy and I admired her for that. Stacy was intellectually disabled.

The other person was named Reece. He too was always smiling and very friendly; young, probably in his early to mid 20’s, and very outgoing! He too had some type of intellectual disability but he didn’t let that stop him from meeting people, participating with many of the group activities, dancing, and interacting with the cruise director. Unlike Stacy, who was always surrounded by family, Reece was out and about by himself every time I saw him. Now, his family may have been nearby watching him from afar, but he definitely was quite independent. The first time we met was on an elevator ride and as usual, he was all by himself. I immediately recognized him and started up a conversation. His eyes lit up with joy when Harold and I told him that we saw him dancing with the cruise director earlier. I told him he was a good dancer! He smiled from ear to ear!

Now since being back home from our cruise, I heard a snippet of a radio program in which someone was saying that Iceland has infamously become known as the first country to claim that no one gives birth to a child with Down’s syndrome there. Apparently they’re very proud of the fact that they have aggressively and intentionally pursued prenatal testing and subsequent abortions.

After hearing that on the radio, I’ve since learned that isn’t actually true. Iceland doesn’t have a zero incidence of Down syndrome births. They just like to claim that they do. There are still some Down syndrome children born in Iceland but the numbers are dwindling.

Somehow this all put me in mind of Nazi Germany’s Holocaust; the slaughter of approximately 6 million Jews, and approximately 5 million other people groups including the disabled.

How is it that a person, or a group of people, think that they have the right to dispose of people they dislike, who don’t look like them, don’t act like them, or because they’re disabled in some way?

When I think of all of the joy I’ve had in my life from my younger brother, Dougie, who is intellectually disabled,

And our daughter Megan, who is physically disabled from being born with Spina Bifida.

And, our sweet 3 year old granddaughter, Remi, who has Down syndrome,

I feel sorry for people who don’t know that kind of joy, and that kind of love. They’re not only a blessing to me. They’re each a blessing to so many others and in so many ways.

Each and everyone of us are uniquely planned by God.

“Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book and planned beforehand to the end.” Psalm 139:16

God forms us in our mother’s womb.

This is what the Lord says—He who made you, who formed you in the womb. (Isaiah 44:2)

Each and everyone of us are made in the image of God, including the ones you may dislike, who don’t look like you, don’t act like you, have some type of disability, or a mother who doesn’t want them.

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27

God is sovereign.

The Bible says, “His hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of every human being” (Job 12:10).

God cares so very deeply for each and everyone of us, including the ones you may not like, who don’t look like you, don’t act like you, have some type of disability, or a mother who doesn’t want them.

God is the author of life.

“Your hands shaped me and made me . . . Did You not clothe me with skin and flesh and knit me together with bones and sinews? You gave me life.” (Job 10:8–12)

Finally, as the giver of life, God is also the authority on death. He commands us not to take the life of an innocent person: “Do not shed innocent blood” (Jeremiah 7:6.)

“There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and

hands that shed innocent blood,

a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.” Proverbs 6:16.

The Race

I’ve never been much of an Olympics fan, but there are a few things I will remember about the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. Actually it’s probably better described in a range of emotions.

I was disgusted (but not surprised) with the opening ceremony. The debauchery and blasphemy was overt. I didn’t intentionally watch it but caught a few glimpses of it while my husband had the TV on. He’s a huge sports fan but doesn’t care about the opening ceremony.

I laughed at my husband as he cheered for USA basketball, track, and swimming teams. Whenever they won, he’d jump up off the couch and run around the house waiving the American flag shouting, “USA! USA! USA!” It was enthusiasm overload combined with his need to get up off of the couch and do some exercise!

A feeling of sorrow for the athletes who were simply there to compete in their individual sport but were overshadowed by the Olympic committee’s woke agenda.

And, a feeling of joy for the one girl who stood out among all of the rest: Sydney McLaughlin. She set a new world record and received the gold medal in the women’s 400-meter hurdles. Afterwards she boldly stated, “Records come and go, the glory of God is eternal.” and “I no longer run for self-recognition, but to reflect His perfect will that is already set in stone. I don’t deserve anything. But by grace, through faith, Jesus has given me everything.”

Her faith and her words reminded me of another Olympian, who also stood out among all of the rest, except it was a long time ago; 100 years ago to be exact. His name was Eric Liddell (pronounced “little.”) He competed in the 1924 Summer Olympics Games in Paris.

Eric was born in China in 1902 where his parents were both Scottish missionaries with the London Mission Society. As a youth Eric attended boarding school near London with his brother. They returned to Edinburgh, Scotland to be with their family as often as possible. Eric attended Edinburgh University, played on the Rugby team, trained to race in the Olympics, and was a young man of integrity and of devout faith. He refused to run or play sports on Sundays, the Lord’s Day.

Eric had decided months before the 2024 Olympic Games that he would not participate in any races that were on Sunday. His favorite race was the 100-meter race, however upon learning that the 100-meter heats were scheduled to be on a Sunday he simply withdrew his longing to run in the 100-meter race and set his sights on two other races. He decided to compete in the 200-meter race and also to train for the 400-meter race, all while studying in his last year in college and while teaching at his church. His schedule was so full he decided that he needed to drop something. That something was Rugby.

When he went to the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, he held true to his convictions. He did not compete in his favorite race, the 100-meter race, and instead, ran and placed third in the 200-meter race and won a bronze medal for Scotland! He then took everyone by surprise by placing first in the 400-meter and winning the gold medal for Scotland!

“I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure.” #EricLiddell

A year after competing in the Olympics, at age 23, Eric went back to China where he served as a missionary teacher for Chinese boys for approximately 20 years. He was captured and put in a Japanese civilian internment camp, fell ill and passed away in 1925. It was reported that while he was in the internment camp, he ministered to others up until his death.

Years later, His widow Florence recalled that “Eric always said that the great thing for him was that when he stood by his principles and refused to run in the 100-metres, he found that the 400-metres was really his race. He said he would never have known that otherwise. He would never have dreamed of trying the 400 at the Olympics.”

Eric Liddell’s life story was beautifully told in the 1981 Oscar winning film, Chariots of Fire.

The truth is, as Christian’s we’re all called to run the race that God has set before us.

Eric Liddell most certainly ran the race that was set before him and I’m not necessarily referring to his Olympic feats. I’m referring to the race of a life well lived for Christ.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Hebrews 12:1

Perfect

I like all my ducks in a row.

Seriously. My husband keeps four rubber ducks on the dashboard of his 2018 Jeep Wrangler. I straighten them up in a row every time I get in his Jeep.

I like things to be straight.

If a picture is hanging up on a wall and it needs to be straightened, I straighten it; no matter whose picture it is or whose wall it’s on.

I like colors to coordinate.

When decorating, I pick a main color and specific coordinating colors, and run with it. No exceptions! If it doesn’t match, it’s a no.

I like things to look equal or balanced.

If I trim one fingernail due to a nail breakage, I trim the others to match the one.

I could go on and on but I think it’s safe to say I’m a bit of a perfectionist.

I’ve known this about myself for years and believe all of the above are harmless expressions of autonomy. As a child abuse survivor, living in some out-of-control situations as a child, expressing myself in this way is a relatively “safe” form of autonomy as an adult.

Safe, when it’s confined to personal preferences such as what I listed above, and I also think it could be an asset in artistic endeavors.

Not-so-safe, when perfectionism spills over into personal expectations that are unrealistic or too high; being overly critical of yourself or others; or when it leads to real life obsessive compulsive disorders or depression.

Over the years, God has helped “reign me in” whenever I’ve experienced the occasional unrealistic expectation and during periods of having overly critical feelings about myself or others in my life.

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 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, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14

Fast forward to today, I’m two weeks post-op from having reconstructive nose surgery. Just a few days before the reconstructive surgery I had Mohs surgery to remove a basel cell skin cancer. The Mohs surgery went five rounds and left a big whole on the tip of my nose. It all happened so fast and came as quite a surprise.

It’s early in my healing process. My nose is still healing and I have several months before the scars fade. I really think the reconstructive surgeon did a good job, especially given what he had to work with. However, I can already see that my nose has some asymmetry about it. In other words, it’s not perfect (says the perfectionist in me) but, News Flash: it never was.

Thankfully, as a Christ follower, I can rest in knowing that as imperfect as I have always been, I’m perfect in God’s eyes, and it has nothing to do with my outward appearance and everything to do with my relationship with Jesus. God see’s me through His Son, the author and perfecter of my faith.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-3

I’m fixing my eyes on Jesus, no matter what life sends my way. Life is not perfect. However, a Christian’s life should be different from non believers. Not perfect; no, we’ll never be perfect this side of heaven, but we are called to live a changed life. A changed life that increasingly demonstrates that He is our strength and our power, no matter what.

God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect. 2 Samuel 22:33

I’m thankful the cancer is gone and for skilled reconstructive plastic surgeons. I’m thankful for family and friends who prayed and cared about me; but most of all I’m thankful for my Savior who many years ago “sought me, and bought me with His redeeming love.”

God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. Psalm 18:30

A Wedding in Paradise

“Tulum? Where’s Tulum?” Ha! That was me, the first time I ever heard of Tulum, Mexico. It was the day our oldest daughter, Michelle and her fiancé Marty, told us that they wanted to get married in Tulum!

Let me back up a bit. Michelle and Marty met in 2017 and began dating. The first time I met Marty he reminded me a little bit of Harold. He’s tall, outgoing, and has huge sense of humor. So it was no surprise approximately a year and a half later when he asked for Harold’s blessing on his proposal of marriage to Michelle. Actually, I believe he first asked our grandsons, Colby and Gabriel, then Harold. What was the surprise, was Tulum!

I soon learned that Tulum, in the last 10 years or so, has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in Mexico. It’s located in what’s known as heart the Rivera Maya region on the Caribbean Sea. More precisely, it’s on the eastern side of the Yucatan Peninsula, in the state of Quintana Roo.

This is where Michelle and Marty chose the beautiful Dreams Tulum Resort and Spa, complete with a wedding package and an all inclusive hotel package for the guests. Together, they planned every detail of their June 2019 wedding:

Thursday, June 27th – Welcome Party and Tequila Tasting

Friday, June 28th – Wedding & Reception (best day of our lives!)

Saturday, June 29th – Free day and/or Group Catamaran Cruise

Sunday, June 30th – Farewell Breakfast & Goodbyes XO

Actually, a few days prior to the big day, they had a private wedding ceremony at Marty’s hometown church, so that his elderly grandparents who couldn’t come to Mexico, could witness them marry. It was also an official wedding ceremony, as legally binding Mexican weddings require quite a bit of paperwork.

The Wednesday before the schedule of events were to begin, we flew into Cancun and took a shuttle to the hotel. We enjoyed the extra time in Tulum getting familiar with the resort and all of the amenities.

The Tulum wedding ceremony was simply beautiful. Set on the beach with a gentle breeze, Marty’s dad, Steve, officiated the ceremony.

The reception was also beautiful. Set inside a cleared outdoor area surrounded by tropical trees and greenery, we ate, laughed, and danced in the moonlight. We chose “Michelle” by The Beatles for Harold and Michelle’s Father/Daughter dance, as I used to sing it to her when she was a baby!

The following day we enjoyed a catamaran cruise on the ocean.

It was a such a memorable and wonderful time with family and friends.

It was a wedding in paradise!

And now these three things remain: faith, hope, and love. But, the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

My Harold

Harold would not likely ever write about himself, but I would!

Actually he’s not much of a reader or a writer, but he is good at math. He can add up numbers in his head faster than I can find a calculator. I’m just the opposite; so goes the saying, opposites attract.

Fun fact: Harold lived the first part of his life as “Bernard,” which is actually his middle name, and that’s what his family and oldest friends still call him.

Growing up in Madison, Indiana in the late 1940s, 50s, and 60s, he was the third child born to his parents, James and Mildred. His sister, Marilyn (1943–2024) was five years older, and his brother, Kenny, is two years older. Kenny’s name is actually James Kenneth, but, like his brother, he went by his middle name when he was young.

One of Harold’s favorite childhood memories was going to the Friday night sprint and stock car races in nearby Kentucky. They went fairly often since it was just a short car ride over the Ohio River on the Milton–Madison Bridge. It was there he began his lifelong love of car racing.

His favorite vacation memories were from Indiana Beach. They, and several relatives from his mom’s side of the family, would rent a large house on Lake Shafer where they enjoyed fishing off the docks, riding the rides at the boardwalk, and swimming at the beach. They liked it so much that they returned to Indiana Beach several years in a row.

He played basketball on school teams and also intramural basketball in grade school up through high school, either as a forward or a center. He was tall so that worked out in his favor.

As a teenager he helped his uncles put up hay and tobacco, which was common work in rural southern Indiana. The tobacco work required several different steps: cutting and hanging, waiting for it to dry out, stripping it, and tying it into bundles.

It was in his junior high school years that Harold first came to faith in Jesus Christ. He was baptized soon after at North Madison Baptist Church.

In his junior and senior years of high school, he worked as a lot boy at Bennett Motors. Working at this car dealership was the beginning of what would later become one of his two main occupations in his life.

After graduating from Madison Consolidated High School in 1966, he married his high school girlfriend, Linda, in 1967. Their first child, Kimberly Ann, was born in 1967, and their second child, Kevin Harold, was born in 1970. Linda filed for divorce in 1975, they separated, and then reconciled. They separated again in 1976. She filed for divorce again in 1977. It was finalized in early 1978.

During their 10-year marriage, he worked installing terrazzo flooring and he also opened his own floor covering business. While installing terrazzo flooring, he traveled to various job locations, including a large job in Winsted, Connecticut, where he stayed for several months. He also learned how to do install tile while working with terrazzo flooring. After approximately four years of working for someone else, he opened his own carpet and tile installation company, Crandell Floor Covering, on West 16th Street in Indianapolis.

Harold and I met in late September of 1976 while I was working at the Rodeway Inn near Weir Cook. He was friends with the hotel manager and had been staying at the hotel because of his separation. The manager introduced us one night while they were in the Library Lounge talking about a carpeting job for the hotel. We just so happened to see each other again later that night in the hallway outside the Library Lounge as I was getting off my shift. He asked me if I was hungry and if I’d like to go next door to Denny’s for breakfast. Actually, he likes to tell the story that I was the one who asked him to go to breakfast. I’m pretty sure it was the other way around, but he’s told that story for so many years that he’s almost got me convinced that I asked him!

I was attracted to his heart, his humor, and his good looks. Long story short, we fell in love. We married three and a half years later on my mom and dad’s 41st wedding anniversary: March 15, 1980. We traveled to London, Paris, and Rome for our honeymoon.

At this time in our lives, Harold was working at a car dealership in Indianapolis, and I worked for Sky Harbor at Eagle Creek Airpark. We first lived on the west side in an apartment (Westlake) and then in a duplex on the Southside that my mom owned on Harding Street. It was here that God blessed us with our first two daughters, Michelle Nicole in 1981 and Megan Renee in 1986.

Although Harold had closed Crandell Floor Covering in 1977, he still had an interest in flooring. So, in the mid-1980s we started up a small business of manufacturing carpet tack strips, aka tackless strips. We also sold floor installation supplies. It was a short-lived business though due to low profit margins, so we sold the equipment and Harold then went back to work at a local car dealership. I worked at Sky Harbor Aviation and at American Trans Air during this time.

Kim and Kevin were very much a part of our lives back in the 1980s. They came to our home on a regular basis and they both came to live with us for extended periods of time and at various times. We were a family of six and continued being a part of each other’s lives for several years after we moved away from Indianapolis. Sadly, our relationship deteriorated over the past few years to the point of estrangement: first Kim, and then Kevin a few years later.

Our first big move was in 1988 from Indianapolis to Brandon, Florida. I wrote about this in my story titled, “The Land That I Will Show You.” Harold worked at a local car dealership in Brandon, and it was here I began working at Delta Air Lines in their Tampa office in 1989.

In 1990 we moved to Torrance, California, where I worked for Delta Air Lines in their Los Angeles office and Harold worked at a car dealership in Torrance. I wrote about this move in my story titled, “The West Coast.”

In 1991, we moved to Orange Park, Florida, where I worked for Delta Air Lines in their Jacksonville office, and Harold worked at a car dealership in Orange Park. I wrote about this move in my story titled “Johnny Walker.”

In 1993, we moved to Lewisville, Texas, where I worked for Delta Air Lines in their Dallas office, and Harold worked for a car dealership in Lewisville. I wrote about this move in my story titled “Green Acres.” It was here that God both blessed and surprised us with our third daughter, Mackenzie Anne, in 1996.

We still call Texas home today. We moved from Lewisville to Krum to Denton within a 10-year period, and have been in our Denton home since August 2004. Our favorite family memories here include vacations, holidays, birthday celebrations and being an active part of our children and grandchildren’s everyday lives.

In 2003 Harold opened his own car sales lot and then a couple of years later he transitioned it into RV sales. I helped him in the RV business while still working for Delta Air Lines, and also after I retired from Delta in 2009. Each of our daughters, and Kevin, helped and/or worked for Harold in one way or another and at different times as well.

Megan first helped Harold open the Lewisville car lot and worked with him in the car sales business for around two years. She also helped him transition to RV sales in Denton. Michelle helped transport RVs and even helped sell a couple of them. Mackenzie, who, as a child, said she would never work in the RV business, ended up being very knowledgeable about RVs and the RV business in general. She worked for us the longest, sold more RVs than anyone else, confidently ran the business while Harold and I were out of town, and stayed with us until the day we decided to close the shop.

After a long and successful career in both the car and RV sales businesses, Harold retired at the age of 75 in December of 2023. These days we’re enjoying retirement and are looking forward to whatever God has in store for us. We’re thankful for the gift of faith, the gift of family, and the gift of His providence and guidance in our lives throughout our years together. We celebrated our 45th wedding anniversary on March 15, 2025, with a wonderful 14-day cruise to Hawaii. We’re still in love, and I’m still attracted to his heart, his humor, and his good looks.

It is by God’s amazing grace and work in our lives, “A cord of three strands is not easily broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12

A March Family Tradition

The 15th of March is somewhat of an interesting date in history. As the 74th day of the year on the Roman Republic calendar, March 15 became known as “The Ides of March.” According to this ancient calendar, March 15, was associated with several pagan observances and was also known as a date for settling debts. In addition, March 15 was the exact date in which Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC. Caesar’s death played a role in the fall of the Roman Republic and subsequent rise of the Roman Empire.

Interestingly, March 15 has become a notable date in our family, and it has nothing to do with Ancient Rome, and everything to do with love and marriage.

Starting with my great great grandfather, Sylvester Anderson, who married my great great grandmother, Pauline Terhune, on March 15, 1866. Then….

My mom and dad, Sara and Herman Query got married March 15, 1941.

Then…

My husband Harold and I married on March 15, 1980.

And then….

Our daughter Megan became Mrs. John Williams on March 15, 2009. She and John met at Denton high school but didn’t start dating until after they both graduated. I remember when we first met John, Harold told him that he really liked banana splits. Banana Splits started appearing out of nowhere! The next thing I knew, John asked Harold for his permission to ask Megan to marry him.

Megan and John married in a beautiful traditional Christian wedding ceremony, held in the Cindy Nichols Chapel at First Baptist Church Denton, officiated by Pastor Brad Cockrell.

But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” Mark 10:6-9

Megan’s colors were black and white with a pop of hot pink! The men wore hot pink daisy boutonnières and black Converse tennis shoes. The reception was held in Sanger Texas, where we served a Texas style dinner, and danced to a variety of music, actually mostly country!

March 15!

Four weddings in our family on this same date.

So I think it’s safe to say that we have officially established a March family tradition. Our local newspaper even featured it in their 2009 Bride Guide!

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10

Rose Query & Family

My grandmother, Rose Query passed away in 1930 when my dad was only 9 years old. My dad’s older sisters, Violet and Mildred helped to raise him after their mom passed away. Dad didn’t speak of his mom often but when he did, tears would flood his eyes.

Dad kept a large framed picture of his mom in a small workshop storage area of our basement on McFarland Road in Indianapolis. I was intrigued by her picture from very the first day I saw it. One day, in the mid 1970’s, I saw him sitting near it and asked him if could have it one day. I told him that I’d take care of it and hang up on a wall. He initially hesitated and didn’t reply for a while. I wondered if I hurt his feelings by asking to have it. I think it was one of only a few things that he had to remember his mom by. A few moments later he looked at me and told me I could have it “one day.” His eyes were red, as if he’d been crying.

“One day” came a few years later in 1978. After suffering from the effects of polio half of his adult life, he succumbed to metastasized lung cancer at age 58. As hard as it was to see my dad suffer with cancer, it was even harder when he actually passed away. And while mementos are just tangible objects, there’s a particular comfort in having mementos of our loved ones that are no longer with us. In addition to the picture of his mom, I have one of my dad’s Bibles, some vintage White Castle coffee cups, some video cassette tapes of guitar sessions with his friends, a 45 RPM record in which he played guitar, titled, “Feets too Big,” photos, and a handwritten notebook of their 1926 family train vacation from Indianapolis to Los Angeles.

The notebook diary is really pretty cool. Written entirely by hand, my grandmother, Rose wrote 27 pages of their most memorable moments from their 1926 vacation to Los Angeles and back. It gives me a glimpse of a piece of time in my family heritage. I imagine it was a well planned and much anticipated family vacation. The family trip included my dad, his sister Mildred, his brother Chester, and their parents, Fred and Rose. My dad’s oldest sister, Beulah, passed away in 1925 at age 20. My dad’s sister, Violet did not go with them on this trip as she married in 1925.

Their trip started on the morning of July 6, 1926, by car from Quincy, Indiana to Green Castle, Indiana where they boarded the train. As they crossed over the Wabash River, my dad, who was 5 years old said, “Is that the ocean?”

The train made several stops on the way up to Chicago where they stopped and ate supper on the banks of Lake Michigan facing the famous Stevens Hotel. It was still under construction but was already famous as it was to become the largest hotel in the world with 3000 hotel rooms. What a sight to see for a young family from Quincy, Indiana!

Rose often mentioned the corn and wheat fields, thrashing machines, the weather, and the terrain they saw throughout their train trip. They slept in berths; my dad got an upper most berth. When they crossed over the Missouri River on Wednesday, July 7 at 9:30 a.m. Rose noted how muddy the ground was and and how swampy the river seemed.

Continuing on, they stopped at Kansas City and she noted seeing several large companies such as Montgomery Ward and Sears and Roebuck, and mentioned how hot it was there.

On Thursday morning, July 8, the train passed by Canyon, TX where she noted that the land was flat, however noting it was “the prettiest scenery so far.” After passing by two more Texas cities they arrived in Clovis, NM.

During a stop at Vaughn, NM, my dad saw a Ford “Roadster” and said, “I’ll bet that’s Opal and Edd” which I’m not quite sure what he meant by saying this. Perhaps they were character’s associated with Roadster’s in some way. When he saw the mountains from afar he told his mom that the mountains were “blue.”

They arrived in Gallup, NM on Thursday evening, July 8 at 8:40 p.m. and she noted that it was difficult to breathe as it was near 10,000 ft altitude.

On Friday, July 9, they crossed the Colorado River at 6:45 a.m. and then crossed the state line into Needles, CA at 7:00 a.m. and noted the weather was very warm.

They arrived in Los Angeles at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, July 9 and took a taxi to their friend’s home at 1826 Marne Avenue. The taxi ride cost $3.70.

They rested on Saturday and then went to the beach on Sunday, July 11. After a swim in the Pacific Ocean they ate lunch and then took a sightseeing drive through Hollywood.

On Monday, July 12 they went to Venice Beach where they saw a replica of Noah’s Ark and a huge road sign of a whale swallowing Jonah, as we know of from the Bible. They enjoyed the Fun House, a 40’ steep stair walk, a barrel ride, and the roller coaster!

July 13-23 included shopping, sightseeing, visiting some friends, and several beach visits which resulted in my dad getting “sunburnt.” The sunburn put a halt to their activities for a few days.

July 24-25 they visited Long Beach, Naples, Seal Beach, Anaheim Landing, and Wilmington Boat Landing. They also rode a ferry boat to San Pedro Bay and visited Fort MacArthur. The fort is named after Lieutenant General Arthur MacArthur. His son, was Douglas MacArthur, who later became the commander of our American forces in the Pacific during World War II. Their return trip on the ferry included the transportation of 11 automobiles and a spectacular up close view of two large steamboats going in opposite directions.

July 27-29 they visited a theatre, Exposition Park and Lincoln Park where they enjoyed seeing a variety of animals, plants, and trees. They took the opportunity to weigh themselves on a scale at the zoo: Fred 183 lbs, Rose 146 lbs, Chester 86 lbs, Mildred 88 lbs, and my dad, Herman weighed in at a whopping 50 lbs.

On August 1, 1926 they departed Los Angeles at 8:42 a.m. by train. Their return route was the reverse of the route they took coming out: California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Illinois, and Indiana. They arrived safely back home to Quincy, IN on August 5, 1926, thanking God and remarking, “no tongue can express our gratitude for this grand trip and of the many things that made the trip an enjoyable one.” Signed: Rose & Fred, Mildred, Chester & Herman

My grandmother, Rose Matilda Hunsicker Query, passed away approximately 3 years later after having complications from a goiter (thyroid gland) surgery. Her memorial mentions that her family was with her at the time of her passing and that “Her Savior called her to come up higher.” She passed peacefully away at age 46 at 12 o’clock on Sunday, March 2, 1930 at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Indianapolis.

Fred passed away in 1947.

Violet passed away in 1986.

Mildred passed away in 2000.

Chester passed away in 1985.

Herman passed away in 1978.

And,

Beulah, who was the firstborn and also the first one in their immediate family to pass away. I don’t know what illness took her life but understand she had a long history of ill health. Her memorial speaks of a gracious young girl with a host of friends. Upon realization of her impending death she began making her own funeral plans. She selected the songs, pallbearers, and the minister who was her pastor when she first trusted in Christ at age 14 and who also officiated at her marriage just 7 months earlier. She passed away in 1924 at the young age of 20, but understood “the beauties of Heaven” and that “Heaven is made up of all ages.”

Treasure In Jars of Clay

My life story and journey of faith.

Category: Personal

The Word Became Flesh

Bye For Now

Things That Make You Go Hmmm…

Each and Everyone

The Race

Perfect

A Wedding in Paradise

My Harold

A March Family Tradition

Rose Query & Family