Update Tuesday, August 25, 2026: This is good, posting again at least in the same month!

Lovely cooler weather now up here in Madison this final week of August. Hard to realize how swiftly the summer went by but we are looking forward to September. Today I am grateful that God invites us into relational connection, with Him, with others and even (in healthy ways) with ourselves. We can choose to turn toward Him. Hallelujah!

Update August 13, 2026: Contrary to appearances, I am still here and fairly well. My husband and I have done a lot of traveling this year but hope to be mostly planted at home in coming months.

My goal is to write regular posts now. Much sorrow is going on in our world but the good news is still good. There are real reasons for hope. God is still changing lives for the better. At 71, we still get to see His hand at work in our local congregation and in the larger body of Christian believers around the world. And it’s still summer! (Now nearly eight years since our move up north to the Madison area and I now have a better appreciation for days without snow and freezing temperatures!) I hope that you and yours greatly enjoy these remaining weeks of summer. Take deep breaths, smile more, make eye contact more and think of what you’re grateful for today. Blessings, Lois

Update February 6, 2026: Winter’s still with us, but it’s not zero degrees today. I even saw sun and blue sky again today.

I’ve been encouraged during this stressful news cycle, to get together with other believers who have hope and care enough to pray together about all the troubles going on. One of the small groups I’m in is working on growing to be more like the Lord Jesus and part of that is how we face into challenges. I think together, with the Lord, we build courage. If courage seems hard to find, maybe you can find another Christian just to pray with. Even short prayers help.

Update January 13, 2026: Today’s a crisp Tuesday in Madison. Blue sky! I feel hopeful this morning after a good Zoom with some special Christian friends. This pilgrim journey is just better together!

The Christmas stuff is packed away now and we’re nearly to the middle of January already.

There’s something about this time of year that is inspiring to me. Maybe because I was born in a December!

I’m grateful for the gift of life, for dear family and good friends, for the fellowship of other believers, for surprises sent by our Heavenly Father. Suffering is real and so is His faithfulness. Both at the same time. Fear not the testing of your faith–it is exceedingly precious to God. Have a good week.

Lois

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Update January 3, 2026: Recent Advent season pressed upon me the wonder of the Incarnation. God actually became a human, in a flesh-and-blood body, on Planet Earth, vulnerable and “at risk” in an impoverished family.

Mind-blowing.

Administrative note: I am currently (1-3-26) in process of cleaning up some old errors that were accidentally published under this domain in the past. They include some “cookbook” templates as if this was a law firm. It is not. This is only a one-woman blog.