You're not alone

I love this song. Sometimes all we can do is pray for someone who is hurting. And when we are reminded of our own story and suddenly flooded with memories, we need more than an angel; we need God Himself to provide healing.




"Angel By Your Side"

I can’t say that everything’s okay
‘Cause I can see the tears you’re crying
And I can’t promise to take the pain away
But you can know I won’t stop trying


I’ll be the angel by your side
I will get you through the night
I’ll be the strength you can’t provide on your own
‘Cause when you’re down and out of time
And you think you’ve lost the fight
Let me be the angel
The angel by your side

I know it feels like you’re running out of faith
‘Cause it’s so hard to keep believing
But if I can bring a smile back to your face
If for a moment, you’ll forget all about it


I’ll be the angel by your side
I will get you through the night
I’ll be the strength you can’t provide on your own
‘Cause when you’re down and out of time
And you think you’ve lost the fight
Let me be the angel
The angel by your side

‘Cause this won’t be the last time
You’ll need a little hope
But I want to be the first to let you know

Thankful Thursday... Perseverance

"through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."
(Romans 5:2-5)

Perseverance: continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition : the action or condition or an instance of persevering : steadfastness.

This week I am most grateful to have a person in my life who has shown me the true meaning of perseverance. I admire her so much for her hard work and courage to stick with something for a full year that was beyond difficult. I admire her for the way she handled a situation that was out of her comfort zone on so many levels. These days it seems so many people take the easy way out when the going gets tough; they just quit. She will never quit anything without giving it much consideration. I will never forget the many conversations when she was very frustrated and didn't know what to do next. She just kept plugging along even though her situation caused knots in her stomach and she was critiqued day in and day out. She rarely got any positive feedback when she went above and beyond. She was stretched and did things she never imagined she would have to do. There were tears, but she didn't quit. She persevered by faith and thank God, things have gotten so much better. She's happy she made it!

This is the story of her life. When she decides to do something, she dives in and gives 100%. She is the most thoughtful person I know. She can't stand conflict and she hates to say goodbye. She is so independent and loves to be different. She is a trend-setter. She has style and class. She never talks behind people's back and always gives people the benefit of the doubt. She doesn't have to have a million friends; just a few real close friends. She is laid back. She's no-nonsense; you can't pull anything over on her. She is honest and trustworthy. She's never in a hurry and always plans ahead. She is patient and kind. She is smart. She is a runner and swimmer. She eats well and takes care of her body. She knows how to make herself happy. She has a great sense of humor. She loves candles and loves to pamper herself. She loves to travel and she speaks and sings in French. She shops early; if she sees the perfect Christmas gift in July, she will save it until Christmas. She loves flip flops and the beach. She has the most beautiful hair I've ever seen. She loves the city but she also loves her hometown. She loves to shop, but mainly online. She has no idea how beautiful she is inside and out. She loves her family and she really loves her mother.

Her name is Meghan and she's my favorite daughter.

I'm grateful and very proud of her today!

THE Most Thankful Thursday... It wasn't easy!

What am I most thankful for today?

It's a no-brainer.
It's my son, John.
It's the memory of the day he was born when he came a week early.
It's the surgeon who helped him live. If they couldn't do the surgery to fix his pyloric stenosis he wouldn't be here today.
It's the way he fell asleep before I could say goodnight to him and how he giggled when I put him to bed.
It's his strong personality that showed up when I accidentally splashed him and he splashed me back.
It's his drive and determination that allowed him to learn to ride a bike when he was barely 3 years old.
It's the way he wanted to hurry up and get a week's homework done at one sitting so he could go out and play.
It's his super messy penmanship.
It's his all-around athleticism.
It's his love for our family and traditions.
It's his loyalty to his friends and family.
It's the way his "yes" means "yes" and his "no" means "no."
It's the way he treats people like he would like to be treated.
It's his sensitivity.
It's those compliments he gave me when he thought I was the most beautiful woman in the world.
It's the advice he gives me to this day; and I trust every word.
It's his efficiency to get his work done.
It's the way he manages his time.
It's the way he expects people to live up to his standards and return phone calls right away.
It's the way he fights like heck and never gives up.
It's the way he always comes up swinging.
It's his work ethic.
It's the way he is never ever late.
It's his love for music.
It's the way he knows how to work hard... and then play hard.
It's the way he knows when every sporting event is going to take place; and shares his knowledge with me so I won't miss anything important.
It's the way he wants me to be my best at everything.
It's the way he knows the benefit of a nap.
It's the way he fought his way into advanced classes in middle school.
The way he fought his way into every sport he ever played.
The way he fought his way to play lacrosse for MSU.
It's the courage he had to move out of state to go to grad school all by himself.
It's the way he fought his way into law school.
It's the way he did well once he got into law school.

It's those times God comforted me as his mother when I worried about him in the midst of the entire list.

I'm super thankful that right this minute he is in his last class in law school or any kind of school. I couldn't be more proud... and relieved.

Thank you, God for bringing that little boy into my life. Nope, it's not his birthday. It's just another rainy Thursday where I am so very grateful. You get every single bit of credit for every single thing I listed above. I wrote this in about five minutes, and I know I only scratched the surface of all the gifts God gave my precious son.

First time since 1979... Still as competitive

1979 & in desperate need of a haircut.

Tonight was my first softball practice in 33 years. Here are a few random thoughts that popped in my head and all you never needed to know about tonight's experience...

-I couldn't decide if I should use my newer glove or the old worn-in comfortable one that did well for me all those years ago. I was happy I used my new one.
-I got the sweetest text from my son this afternoon.
-I was thinking about how I played softball my Junior year but not my Senior year even though we were State Champs. I worked instead! Hmmm... still sort of regret that decision.
-I was considering the fact that I didn't need to "find a ride home" from practice this time. I really appreciate having a nice car!
-I wanted to stop to buy a Whatchmacallit candy bar. They were the snack of choice. Do they still make them?
-I didn't know what to wear. I thought most would wear jeans, but I was worried I wouldn't be able to move, so I wore yoga pants. I don't think they had yoga pants in the 70's.
-#14 was my number... and it's going to be my number on this 50 & over league.
-I was worried about a ground ball hitting me in the mouth.
-I noticed I still care about technique and quickly remembered we all need to use two hands when fielding. Ha ;)
-I need to buy some softball cleets. They haven't changed a bit in all these years! I remember it was such a big deal to get them back in the day. Were they really that expensive or did my parents not have enough money to buy them for me? Did they think it was my responsibility to buy them since they wanted to teach me a lesson? Whatever. At least now I can afford to get some and no, I'm not taking it for granted.
-With my mono-vision contacts it was difficult to see. That was never an issue!
-When I found my old picture I remembered an event that happened that exact day the picture was taken regarding "being a woman." and my friend, Judy assisting me! ;)
-I twirled around on a strike ball like a ballerina at bat tonight and was reminded that my coach had told my parents that I ran like a girl.
-I think it's funny that when I posted my old picture on FB and told everyone that I hadn't played in 33 years until tonight, most of my family couldn't remember that we were State Champs and my little sister forgot that I really did get some playing time at 2nd and 3rd base, unlike when I played basketball.  At the time the whole basketball episode was the biggest thing in my life. When my parents moved across town, making me move from one school to the other I was cut from the basketball team, but was asked to stay on as manager; then my Senior year I made the team, but sat the bench. It was so traumatic for me then, but now no one besides me remembers the details.
-I had SO much fun at my first practice! I hope I'm not sore tomorrow! I won't be. Over the years John and I have played plenty of catch. I even had to have him play with his lacrosse stick when he was first learning. I think I'll be okay!
Whoa! What a good day!

I have issues. Obviously. Any girl (lady) my age who writes down all these details about a dumb game has issues.  Thanks for loving me anyway! xoxo

p.s. to my last post

My friend Cheryl just posted a comment on my last post. I was going to respond to it on another comment but decided it was worth a post of its own. She spoke of "gentle squeezes" on the car ride home from our quick little road trip. I had totally forgotten until she mentioned it. A couple of times I looked down and noticed we were holding hands. Let me just tell you that we don't do that often... enough. The best part was that I didn't make a conscious effort to "hold his hand"; it just happened. I'm once again reminded that our marriage is a complete and total miracle. Satan tried to ruin it years ago, but now the thought never enters my mind. We have so much fun together and laugh so much!  Thank you, Lord!

One more delayed response to our weekend: I love the idea of quality time instead of quantity of time. We only had a small window of opportunity to make the trip, but took full advantage of it and packed a lot in to a little bit of time. I want to thank my parents for this one. They taught me to be spontaneous and I just love it!

I'm hoping this post inspires you to do something crazy and memorable. Just do it!

TC :)

Nope. You don't see a Scriptures for Sisters & Nieces post. Sorry if you are disappointed. The truth is, I've still been bad about the readings. It's hard for me to read the books of Kings and Chronicles. I know, I don't doubt I'd gain some great insight if I spent time reading it, but I haven't given it a chance. Okay, I'll stop with the excuses.

This past weekend we went up north to Traverse City and saw some of the most beautiful blossoms I've ever seen.  Check them out. I took the first picture right through the car window.

Don't you just love the cherry blossoms? Soon we will be able to enjoy some of the sweetest cherries! We love a road trip. This one was especially peaceful and relaxing. Linc even let me turn off his favorite music station and listen to Praise and Worship music instead. He really enjoyed it! We had such a good time together! God is SO good!

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindess, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (Gal 5:22-23)

Thankful Thursday Afternoon

As I sit in Caribou Coffee sipping a cappuccini on a Thursday afternoon I am once again reminded of what an amazing life I am privileged to live. I don't deserve this lifestyle. At my age I should be working 40 hours a week. Instead I'm sitting with my laptop and headphones listening to my favorite music, waiting to go to the eye doctor because I'd like to see things a little clearer. I am trying to come up with a post, listing all the little things I'm grateful for today but I'm paralyzed.

I'm in Awe of a God who could allow me to sit here. 

I'll be back with a long list, but for now I'm ever-so thankful for the handsome man in the picture above (who loves me like crazy!).

By Faith...Angie

fun in the grocery store

Saturday afternoon I was in the grocery store picking up a few groceries before my family came over for an early Easter celebration. The older gentleman behind me at the checkout had two items (one of those whole cooked chickens and something else). The Holy Spirit nudged me to ask the cashier to add his groceries to my bill. I like to do that every now and then. I was a little nervous though because the last time I did that in the same store I got some guy ticked off at me. I thought he was going to follow me out of the store and attack me in the parking lot. I was seriously scared. I took my chances and did it again. When the cashier gave him his bags and said they were paid for, he was totally confused. I just smiled at him. He came close to me and immediately told me a joke. (I'm the worst at remembering jokes.) He said, "Did you hear about the blonde who was asked which was closer, the moon or Florida?" She said, "Duh, the moon is closer. I can see it!" I just laughed. Then he came closer to me and tried to hand me a ten dollar bill but I told him no. You would have thought I gave him a million dollars. He was so appreciative and told me he was going to go right home and write it on his calendar. I guess when you get his age that's what you do. Later, as I thought about it again, I wondered if he had anyone to share his chicken? If not, I'm happy to have made him smile for that minute in the grocery store through a little random act of kindness. I'm hoping he saw the love of Jesus even though I didn't mention His name; maybe I should have.

I know God tells us in Matthew Chapter 6 that we are supposed to do these things and not tell anyone. I'm telling you this because I don't need God's reward here. It only cost me ten bucks, but I got way more out of it than he did and you might want to try it one day for yourself. 

"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." (Matthew 6:1-4)

Have a great Monday and go do something nice for someone. It feels so good!

He would do it again

So you might wonder... How will this picture affect me? Will what Jesus went through all those years ago change my perspective or is it just another holiday come and gone? 

I had such a difficult time trying to decide which church service to attend for Easter. Satan has been working on me big-time. I've made myself dizzy jumping from one denomination to another; and worse yet, I have gotten out of the habit of going at all. I can't believe I have to tell you that I almost didn't even go today (on Easter!). Satan was close to winning but I'm happy to tell you he didn't; God won again! I got choked up when I heard a song that reminded me again of my family who is with Jesus today. "I Am The Bread of Life" brought a few more tears (since I could hear my dad's voice singing) that allowed a little more healing. I'm pretty sure I was exactly where He wanted me to be for today.  As I knelt in the pew I asked God to invade my life. I honestly don't think He cares about where I Worship. I think He cares mostly about these three little words: Invade. My. Life.  I'm writing it here in case I forget. And the next time I get confused I hope someone out there will remind me to continue begging Him to come and take over. 

I love having a blog to dump these kinds of thoughts. I'm sure many think the whole wide world doesn't care or need to know what is going on in my heart. But since I'm in the mood to be authentic I want to share something else that you might not know. During these times when God may seem distant He hasn't moved; I have. Did you get that? When I'm struggling over something and it seems God is nowhere to be found it is me. I have made the choice to go it alone. He hasn't moved; I have. 

When I close my eyes and see Jesus hanging there with the light shining on Him I am reminded that death is dark and God shines His light to give us Hope and to make all things new. Do you know anyone who would die for you? I trust He would do it again. I am renewing my Faith here tonight. I'm going to open my heart and share how He invades my life a little more often.

Happy Easter!

By Faith... Angie

Scriptures for Sisters & Nieces

“Now, LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart..." (1 Kings 3:7-12)


I had a wonderful time with my husband and son this past week in Mexico. There were so many blog-worthy moments but unfortunately I don't have time to write them now. I was happy John could join us for his last Spring break before he enters the real world! I didn't do my readings while I was there, but was very aware of God's presence. I finished an excellent book about marriage. I also read one that definitely did not make me smarter; in fact I'd like to erase it from my memory.

I could easily be tempted to skip my recap this week, but I went to His Word and this portion hit me like a ton of bricks. We all need His Wisdom regarding decisions. I am reminded to make sure I go to God first.