My "Baby" is a baby No More...

Next Monday Tim turns 18 years old, and I honestly don’t know where the time has gone. These past 18 years have flown by, and I’ve cherished every single moment of watching him grow into the man he is now. Being his mom has been one of the greatest privileges and blessings of my life.

Motherhood comes with both beautiful moments and challenging ones, but through it all, the love we have for our children only grows deeper. Every hug, laugh, milestone, and even the hard days become memories we hold close to our hearts.

Tim will always be my most precious Mother’s Day blessing. Having him on Mother’s Day was the greatest gift I could have ever received. No present could ever compare to the moment I first held my child in my arms on a day meant to celebrate being a mom. That memory will forever be one of the most special moments of my life.

Even though his birthday doesn’t always fall exactly on Mother’s Day, it always comes around that same time of year, and it serves as such a beautiful reminder of the best Mother’s Day gift I’ve ever been given — his life, his love, and the joy of being his mom.

His dad and I are counting down the days until we get to celebrate our boy turning 18🩵. We’re so proud of the young man he’s becoming and can’t wait to continue supporting him and cheering him on as he goes after his dreams with everything he’s got.

4 Days to go...

God Has A Beautiful Plan...

God’s plans for our lives are good—full of purpose, hope, and a future that is far greater than what we can see in the moment. Even when life feels heavy, uncertain, or overwhelming, we can hold onto this truth: what you’re walking through right now is not the end of your story.

If you find yourself in the thick of it, don’t lose heart. Better days are not just wishful thinking—they are part of God’s promise. He has not left you, and He never will. He is present in the waiting, in the struggle, and even in the silence. His Word does not return void; what He has spoken over your life will come to pass in His perfect timing.

And prosperity—true prosperity—is so much deeper than finances. It’s found in a healthy mind, a renewed spirit, restored relationships, and the quiet peace that comes from knowing you are held by Him. It shows up in love, in family, in growth, and in the strength to keep going when it would be easier to give up.

When I look at my own life, I see God’s goodness in ways that can’t be measured by material things. I am rich in love, in family, in grace—and for that, I am deeply thankful. Every day, I’m reminded of just how much He has blessed me, and that gratitude continues to grow with each passing moment.

Whatever season you’re in, trust that God is still writing your story—and it’s going to be beautiful.

5 Days to go...

Real Beauty Comes From Within...

It’s possible for someone to look stunning and speak with charm, yet carry a heart that’s anything but kind. Beauty on the outside and eloquence in words can be convincing—but they don’t define who a person truly is. At best, that kind of “beauty” is a performance. It may impress for a moment, but it doesn’t last.

Genuine beauty reveals itself over time. You see it in the way someone loves without keeping score, in how they show up for others, in their patience, their humility, and their willingness to extend grace. It’s found in quiet acts of kindness, in integrity when no one is watching, and in how a person treats those who have nothing to offer them in return.

That’s the difference—surface-level beauty draws attention, but inner beauty builds trust, respect, and lasting impact. One fades, the other deepens.

Real beauty isn’t something you put on—it’s something that flows from within. It’s reflected in a heart that chooses compassion over convenience, truth over image, and love over self. And when you encounter that kind of beauty, you don’t just see it… you feel it.

Mom's Outpatient PT Yesterday for her New Knee...

Mom had her first outpatient PT session yesterday, and it went really well. They gave her a solid workout, and she handled it like a champ—she’s such a trooper.

Later in the evening, while we were watching the hockey game, she said, “My knee feels much looser,” as she was sitting there moving it around. That was so encouraging to see and hear. She’s definitely heading in the right direction—getting stronger and feeling a little better each day.

We do need to find an in-network PT, though. Because of insurance, her current sessions aren’t being fully covered, and the out-of-pocket cost just isn’t something we can manage long-term. So now we’re looking for a provider that’s fully covered under her plan.

You Are Stronger Than You Think...

Some days you don’t feel strong.

Some moments stretch you more than you thought you could handle.

But look how far you’ve come.

Look at what you’ve made it through.

God doesn’t bring you this far just to leave you here.

There’s purpose in your progress—even in the pain.

Keep going. Keep trusting. Keep leaning on Him.

When I was younger, I clung to the verse, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" like it was oxygen. It wasn’t just encouraging—it was survival. Christ gave me the strength to get through each day when I didn’t have any strength of my own.

He still does. But back then… it truly felt like life or death.

People often say, “If it weren’t for God, I don’t know where I’d be.” I don’t have to wonder. I know with certainty—I would not be here. I had no will to live. I wanted out.

But Jesus met me there.

He rescued me. He pulled me out of that darkness and set my feet on solid ground. He breathed life back into me when I felt empty and showed me that life was worth living. That kind of transformation doesn’t just change you—it reshapes everything.

From there, God began writing a new story. I went to Bible college, got plugged into a church, served in youth ministry, and even went on a mission trip that deepened my faith in ways I can’t fully put into words.

I met my husband at church. A year later, we were married. The next year, we welcomed our son—who is now about to turn 18 and graduate high school in just 12 days.

Life hasn’t been perfect. Not even close.

There have been hard seasons, unexpected challenges, and moments that stretched us more than we thought we could handle. But through every high and every low, God has been faithful. He has carried us, sustained us, and never once let us go.

Looking back, one truth stands out more than anything else:

I am stronger than I thought—but only because He has been my strength all along.

So if you’re in a hard place right now, hear this:

God has brought you this far for a reason.

He has a plan for your life.

And you are stronger than you think—because you’re not doing this alone.

Don’t give up now.

Update on Mom...

 

This is what a total knee replacement looks like.

Total knee replacements are no joke—they’re incredibly painful. It’s taken about three weeks for Mom’s pain to drop to even half of what it was right after surgery. She’s doing her best to wean off the stronger pain meds. She still needs them occasionally, but far less than before—most of that progress has happened in the last week.

About a week ago Thursday, she broke out in hives, and it’s taken over a week for them to fully clear. What I’ve noticed is that as she tapered down the opioids, the hives eased up too—until they eventually disappeared. My best guess is that her system was overwhelmed by the medication, though I can’t say for sure if a doctor would confirm that. There haven’t been any changes in her environment or diet, so that’s the only clear variable.

When it comes time for her other knee replacement, I’m going to advocate for pain management options that don’t rely so heavily on opioids—if that’s even possible at this level of pain. Recovery is already tough enough without adding something like hives into the mix.

So where is Mom in her recovery now? She’s actually doing wonderfully. Her home PT has been thrilled with her progress, especially given her age. On his last visit, he even said outpatient PT is going to be impressed with how far along she is. Hearing that has been incredibly encouraging, especially considering all the challenges she’s faced through this process.

She starts outpatient PT on Monday. I will update again once she's gotten a few sessions in. 

That's all I have for now.

Keep Doing Your Best...

This message cuts deeper than simple motivation—it speaks to the reality of what high-level performance actually demands.

At the top, external validation is inconsistent at best. Crowds cheer when you win, go silent when you don’t, and critics are always waiting. If your drive depends on praise, you’ll burn out or break down the moment it disappears. The best athletes learn early: you cannot outsource your belief.

“Keep doing your best every day” isn’t about perfection—it’s about discipline. Some days your “best” is a personal record. Other days it’s just showing up when your body is tired, your mind is off, or life is heavy. What separates elite athletes is that they show up anyway. Consistency beats intensity over time. This is Tim—all day long. 

“And if no one is proud of you…”—that’s real. As Tim's parents we see it all—the highs and the lows and everything in between—and we are proud of him. What the phrase "if no one is proud you" is getting at is the outside world because—let's face it—there are long stretches where no one sees the sacrifices, the missed events, the quiet grind. Progress at the highest level is often invisible before it’s undeniable. If you need recognition during those seasons, you’ll lose momentum. 

So, “Be proud of yourself.” That’s the anchor! Not arrogance, but earned confidence. It comes from knowing you honored your standard when no one was watching. You stuck to the process. You didn’t cut corners. You kept going when it would’ve been easier to quit.

Tim has learned to be proud of himself. It's anchored him because he knows he's honored his standard when no one is watching. He's stuck to the process. He hasn't cut corners. He keeps going when it would be easier to just quit. 

Elite athletes don’t just train their bodies—they train their mindset to be self-sustaining. Because when the spotlight fades, when the noise dies down, and when it’s just you and the work…

That’s where greatness is actually built.

Correct Mind = Life Falling Into Place...

What we allow to take root in our mind will eventually shape the direction of our life. Our thoughts influence our attitudes, our attitudes shape our choices, and our choices determine our path. So when our mind is aligned with truth—God’s truth—everything else begins to fall into place in a way that reflects His order and purpose.

Correcting our mind isn’t about pretending life is perfect or ignoring reality. It’s about choosing to see life through the lens of who God is instead of through fear, doubt, or circumstance. It means reminding ourselves daily of what is true: that God is present, that He is faithful, and that He is working even when we don’t see it.

When our mind is fixed on God, our perspective shifts. Anxiety begins to lose its grip because we trust His control. Fear starts to quiet because we remember His promises. Even in chaos, there’s a sense of steadiness—not because everything around us is settled, but because our mind is anchored in Him.

But this doesn’t happen passively. It takes intention. It means catching negative or false thoughts and replacing them with truth. It means choosing faith over fear again and again, even when it’s difficult. Over time, that renewal of our mind begins to reshape how we live.

And when our mind is in the right place—centered on God—our actions follow. Our decisions become wiser, our reactions more measured, our heart more at peace. It doesn’t mean life becomes easy, but it does mean we’re no longer being driven by instability. Instead, we’re being guided by something constant and unshakable.

When we align our mind with God, we don’t just think differently—we live differently. And that’s where real transformation begins.

You are Never Alone...

We are never alone—not in our highest moments and not in our lowest valleys. There is not a single season of our lives that God is absent from. When everything feels full and joyful, He is there, steady and present, reminding us that every good thing flows from Him. And when life feels heavy, uncertain, or even unbearable, He is just as near—closer than we may even realize.

Joshua 1:9 reminds us clearly and powerfully: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” That promise—to be with you wherever you go—isn’t conditional. It doesn’t depend on your circumstances, your emotions, or how strong your faith feels in a given moment. It is rooted in who God is—faithful, constant, and unchanging. 

Just before that, God repeats the command to—be strong and courageous—3x. That kind of repetition carries weight—it’s a clear call to pay attention and take it to heart. This isn’t a suggestion based on how we feel—it's a command to be obeyed. Because He's always with us, we can, be strong and courageous.

His presence doesn’t come and go with our circumstances. In our victories, He is with us. In our struggles, He is with us. Even when we can’t feel Him, He hasn’t moved. There will be seasons where we feel confident and full of purpose, and others where we feel lost, weary, or overwhelmed. In both, God is not watching from a distance—He is walking with us. In our victories, He celebrates with us. In our struggles, He strengthens and sustains us. Even when we can’t feel Him, He hasn’t moved.

Sometimes, the lie creeps in that we’re facing things on our own—that no one sees or understands what we're carrying. But the truth is, God sees every detail. He knows every burden, every fear, every unanswered question. And He stays. He doesn’t leave when things get hard. He doesn’t withdraw when we falter. His presence is constant, not fleeting.

So when fear tries to take hold, when discouragement settles in, go back to that promise: He is with you wherever you go. Not just in certain places, not just in certain seasons—wherever. That means right where we are today. Then we will also be able to stand—with our heads held high—and Be Strong & Courageous!

Always remember that we are not walking through any part of this life alone—He is with us in every step and in every season. 

God Is Not Only Good...

Mark 10:18 (NIV): "...No one is good—except God alone."

This verse emphasizes that no one is good except God — his goodness is a foundational, eternal characteristic.

God is not only good—He is the author of everything good.

Every blessing, every moment of peace, every ounce of strength we didn’t know we had… it all traces back to Him. Good isn’t random. It isn’t luck. It flows from the very nature of who God is.

When life feels heavy or uncertain, it’s easy to question where the good is. But even then, God is still writing—still working behind the scenes, still bringing purpose out of pain and beauty out of brokenness.

He doesn’t just give good things… He is the source of them.

So today, whatever you’re facing, hold onto this truth:

If it’s good, it comes from Him. And He’s not finished writing your story yet.

Rise & Move Forward...

Every morning, I remind myself of this: there’s no such thing as a day without challenges. And if you find yourself in a season with none, it’s worth asking whether you’re really pushing forward at all.

Growth requires resistance. Moving forward means you’re stretching yourself, facing things head-on, and choosing not to stay comfortable. That alone sets you apart—because not everyone is willing to do it.

Life isn’t meant to be easy. It’s meant to test you, shape you, and push you. That’s how you know you’re alive. That’s how you discover your strength—the ability to keep going, to keep growing, no matter what comes your way. When you meet life head-on, you build the backbone to create the life you want instead of settling for the one handed to you.

I’ve always been someone who takes life by the horns. And when necessary, I’ve been a bit of a bull in a china shop too. I don’t sit back and let life happen to me—I meet it head-on. That doesn’t mean life hasn’t thrown its share of challenges my way. It has. But what matters is how you respond.

It matters that you face those moments and turn them into something that moves you forward. Something that builds strength instead of defeat. Because defeat should never define you—it should shape you. Refine you. Push you closer to who you’re meant to become.

Your life is what you make of it. Don’t let circumstances—or anyone else—convince you otherwise.

At 56 years old, almost 57, I’ve seen and experienced a lot. And I’ve raised my son differently than how I was raised. He’s forward-thinking. He goes after life instead of waiting for it to come to him. He faces challenges with the mindset of a warrior, not a worrier. That mindset has helped him become a successful elite athlete—but more importantly, it’s helped shape who he is as a person.

You don’t have to accept life as it’s handed to you. You can choose to rise, to grow, to become. Be intentional. Be driven. Be you—with purpose. And whatever you do, don’t quit.

Hebrews 12:1 (NIV) says, 

". . . Let us throw off 

everything that hinders. . .

And let us run with perseverance

the race marked out for us."

Romans 12:6-8...

Paul lists a number of gifts God has given the members of the body of Christ. Paul uses this word "gift" elsewhere to denote a God-given ability to serve the community of Christ in a particular way.

Whatever gifts we have been given, we are under obligation to our Lord to use them to serve his people. Other Christians need what each of us has to offer, so participating in the larger community of faith through the local church is a critical responsibility of believers.

Oh What A Day...

Today was quite a day. Mom was up most of the night dealing with hives and constant itching. She took Benadryl—the pill form—and I applied hydrocortisone, but instead of improving, it actually got worse.

We ended up at orthopedic urgent care this evening, and after talking with two doctors, we finally figured out the cause—she was having a delayed reaction to the prep cloths used before surgery. They advised me to thoroughly wash her to remove any remaining solution, keep her skin well moisturized, and give her liquid Benadryl around the clock for the next few days.

In the middle of all that, I also took the boys lunch at a commercial job and squeezed in some shopping. Thankfully, once we got home tonight, Mom has been resting really well.

What a day.

Mom's Appt. Today...

Just wanted to keep you in the loop with a little update. Mom’s 2 week post-op appointment with her surgeon went really well today—he was so pleased with how her knee is looking. She’s bending it really well (even though it’s still painful), and he said her range of motion is already at 100%, which is amazing for just a little over two weeks post-op.

She’ll continue home PT through next week, then start outpatient PT the week after. Getting up so early for the appointment really wore her out, so she’s resting now. We’re just so thankful to be seeing this kind of progress.

Mom's Total Knee Replacement Recovery...

Just a quick update: Mom is progressing well. She’s moving much better, which is encouraging. I’m looking forward to getting her off the oxy pain medication—she’s been taking it consistently since surgery, and I’m not a fan of it. 

She has a follow-up with her surgeon on Thursday. Home health PT wraps up next week, and she’ll start outpatient PT on May 4th—I’ll be taking her. Everyone we’ve talked to says that by the two-month mark, there’s a noticeable difference and you’re really glad you had the surgery. 

She’ll hit that two-month mark on June 7th—just a week before Tim’s Nationals Meet in Colorado—so I’m praying she’s recovered enough by then to house-and pet-sit for us. If not, we go to plan B which we are still putting together as I type this—it will include someone to be here for her as well.

I’m really proud of her—she’s a trooper. We’ve learned a lot through this, especially for the next time. The advice we’re getting is to wait at least 6 months, maybe even a year, before doing the other knee, so we’ll just see how her recovery goes.

Isaiah 55:6...

The people of Isaiah's day were faced with a clear choice: remain in unbelief or move forward in uncertainty. God was calling His people to exercise faith first and allow understanding to come afterward.

For the people of Isaiah’s day—and even for us today—this is no easy task. We naturally want to know exactly what we’re stepping into. We want full clarity before we commit. We prefer understanding first, and then we’re willing to place our faith in something.

But that’s not how it works with God. Faith comes first—that is His order. Understanding follows. It may not feel comfortable, and it may not be what we would choose, but it is what God asks of us.

Romans 12:4-5/1 Corinthians 12:1-31...

This picture is brought to you by Precept Ministries 

The church, Paul says, is like our individual bodies. It has many different parts, each with its own function. But all the parts form "one body," and each part is needed if the body is to function as it should.

I strongly encourage you to read 1 Corinthians 12 and if you have a study bible read all the footnotes as well. It helps in the understanding of the scripture. 

In my bible 1 Corinthians 12:1-31 has this footnote:

"Our is an age that delights to exalt Christian celebrities, to demand that our pastors entertain, have charismatic personalities, and display more spiritual gifts than any one Bible character ever had. Little wonder that burnout from full-time ministry seems to be at an all-time high and that failures of whatever kind—at times—results from the stress. We need to follow the model of servant leadership (recall ch.4) and allow our leaders and ourselves to spend the majority of our time doing those things at which we excel." 

To that I personally say, a big, AMEN!!!

When I was growing up, going to church looked very different. We sang from hymnals, accompanied by a pianist and an organist. Occasionally, a soloist would share a special song—something meant to encourage, uplift, and prepare our hearts for the message the pastor was about to deliver.

There was no production—no lights, no fog, no bands. The sanctuary truly felt like a sanctuary: a sacred, set-apart place. We didn’t bring food or drinks inside. It was understood that this was holy ground.

When the pastor preached, it wasn’t flashy. In fact, a lot of the sermons felt a bit monotonous at times, mostly because many of the preachers spoke in a steady, unchanging tone. There were no theatrics, no storytelling, no personal anecdotes—just straightforward teaching from the Bible. Simply what it said.

Looking back, I can’t help but think there’s value in returning, at least in part, to that kind of simplicity. A focus on truly learning and understanding Scripture. It might not appeal to everyone, but it would quickly reveal who is genuinely seeking a deeper relationship with Jesus—and who isn’t.

Burnout doesn’t have to be inevitable—if we, as the church, choose not to let it be. When we step back and refuse to let the pressures of this age define how we gather—pressures like turning worship into a concert with lights and fog, expecting pastors to entertain us, or believing they need a certain charisma or an extraordinary display of spiritual gifts just to keep our attention—we create space for something healthier.

If we resist those expectations and return to a simpler, more grounded approach, we’d be far better off as a church—spiritually stronger, more focused, and less exhausted.

No One Can Stop God's Plan For You...

No one can stop what God has already set in motion for your life.

People may misunderstand you. Doors may close. Plans may fall apart in ways you didn’t expect. But none of that has the power to override what God has purposed for you. What’s meant for you won’t miss you.

There will be delays—but delays are not denials. There will be obstacles—but obstacles are not the end. Even the things that seem to work against you are often the very things God uses to position you exactly where you need to be.

You don’t have to force it. You don’t have to fight every battle. What God has ordained will come to pass in His timing, not yours—and nothing and no one can stand in the way of that.

Stay faithful. Stay focused. Keep moving forward.

Because when God has a plan for your life, it will find you, carry you, and unfold exactly as it’s meant to. 

Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God knows the plans He has for us and that they are good plans to give us a future and a hope. Let's cling to that—today and everyday—as we also cling to the knowledge that no one can stop His plans for us.