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Consistency and Habits
Two books have come to my attention recently that have similar themes. One is called Atomic Habits: Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results. The other is The Compound Effect: Jumpstart Your Income, Your Life, Your Success. A summary of The Compound Effect is “the strategy of being consistent with smart, tiny choices over time that will produce significant results.” We are all aware that there is truth in these concepts for life. If we consistently exercise it produces a positive result over time. If we eat healthy it’s the same thing. If we save money it will grow. I asked my husband recently what he would say is an “atomic” habit that…
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Home As a Haven
I moved 1200 miles away from my childhood home in Huron, South Dakota about 37 years ago. When Larry and I married we lived in Omaha, Nebraska for about six months and then decided to relocate to Alabama. It was a good move and one we’ve never regretted. We raised our four children in Alabama and love so much about the south. Over the years when I’ve traveled back to my parents’ home I’ve always had the same feeling. It’s obvious time was taken to prepare for my arrival. A warm, welcoming environment is awaiting me. My favorite foods have been planned and the very large freezer that’s always been…
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What Legacy Will We Leave?
Since my dad passed away over nine months ago, I have been thinking more deeply on the aspect of leaving a legacy. My entire family is very aware that the biggest legacy our husband, father, and grandfather left to us is one of faithfulness to God. It affected everything my dad did. He was very mindful of passing along to us faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, and a rock solid belief in the Bible as the inerrant Word of God. His words, deeds, and actions were all a testament to it. Scripture speaks of laying up treasure in heaven; so there is an aspect of our…
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You Are Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
One of my favorite Christian authors is Sharon Jaynes. Many years ago I read her book “The Power of a Woman’s Words,” and then through the years most of her other books and devotionals. Something that comes through in her writing is the background of her personal story. She writes about struggling with feelings of inferiority, shame, and insecurity. But the key for her in overcoming this was understanding who she was in Christ and that her value and worth actually comes from God Himself. What an amazing truth that is a joy to share with people, especially when we’ve experienced this truth ourselves! It reminds me of a time…
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Suffering and Injustice: Interview with Sasha
Lauri: We’ve had many discussions over the years about suffering and injustice. You have had to deal with much of both. I actually don’t know many who are able to speak better on the subject than you. So, thank you for being willing to do so. Sasha: I am always happy if anything in my story can help someone else. It means God is taking what was meant for evil, in many cases, and is using it for good. Lauri: It’s that perspective that is to helpful to people. So what are your general thoughts regarding suffering and injustice? Sasha: Basically, the world is sinful. People are going to do…
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Home As A Haven: Part Two
Last week I shared some thoughts on family and my own heritage and legacy that’s been given to me. This week I want to broaden my focus. I feel saddened by the wreckage that seems to be increasing in families. I’m sure our enemy (Ephesians 6:12, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood…”) knows if families are destabilized the whole fabric of life can be torn. As a woman, I grieve when I hear vicious attacks on what it means to be a woman, wife and mother. I’m sure I ask what so many others do, “What can I do to help stop all of this?” This blog…
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Mindfulness
The word mindful seems to be frequently used these days. That’s probably a good thing. Life can be very busy and often we seem to be going through our days on autopilot without being aware of many details. As a result, most of us are missing out on good things, significant things. This week I was noticing a beautiful flower market as I was walking through a piazza in Rome, Italy. The presence of such a display indicates something about a culture. It made me contemplate why God created such lovely plants. He obviously values their beauty and wants us to notice it also. His creativity is on display in the…
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The Arrival of Abygail Kate: Another Interview with Sasha
Lauri: So the last time we posted it was an interview about your thoughts on the upcoming delivery of your baby girl. And now it’s a few weeks later and she is here. You had some unexpected challenges before your delivery. Would you share what they were? Sasha: Sure. About 11 days before I delivered and just a few days before my actual due date I was diagnosed with COVID. I was running a fever, had congestion, cough, ached all over and no energy. It caused some concern because of the pregnancy and my immune system taking a hit so I went to the hospital three days in a row…
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Interview with Sasha: Adoption and Motherhood
Lauri: Your baby is due any day now. How do you feel about becoming a mother? Sasha: Nervous. Excited. Scared. As any woman would, I guess. Lauri: Do you feel prepared for everything that is about to happen and change? Sasha: I think so. Her nursery is ready. I think we have everything we need for her. We’re excited to have her actually using everything and seeing her. I’m excited to meet her. Lauri: Over the years you’ve often mentioned some deeper thoughts about having your own child. Would you feel free to explain some of that? Sasha: I’ll try. Since I’m adopted myself, this will be the first blood-related…
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Sasha’s Hope Archive: How Do We See Pain?
Recently someone was telling me about a medical mission trip to a poor Central American country. The experience had left her with a positive impression and an openness to participating again in such an endeavor. All this was very good. However, I was stopped short after she said she found it really interesting when a dentist she was assisting said, “These children actually feel very little pain when I work on their teeth.” I asked her to clarify. She said that he had explained they were almost desensitized to the pain. I quickly corrected her that this dentist was wrong about them not feeling the same pain every child, or…
