Playing piano. It’s one of my favorite things to do in the whole world. Tickling the ivories, and sometimes pounding them, gives voice to my thoughts and emotions. When I sit down at the piano, especially when I’m playing for worship, it feels as if God is right there with me on the piano bench. His presence feels close. Real. Some of my most joyful piano memories come from big, meaningful moments — like touring years ago with Pastor Doug and Donna Fagerstrom and a group from Wooddale Church while performing The Witness. The music Continue Reading
Life is Good. Settle In.
I’m writing this on the week the great Minnesota State Fair begins. Ahhh, this is one of my absolute Happy Places. Free music, barns full of animals, people-watching galore. What’s not to love? Some of my best family memories are tucked into those fairgrounds. And every year, I plan my schedule (and give myself a talking-to about deadlines) so I can savor my two-week job in Guest Relations without guilt. Honestly? I love it. And that brings me to this note to you. Because while I usually write with encouragement for the hard stuff in Continue Reading
Pink Crocs and Everyday Confetti
Sometimes the most profound conversations happen in grocery store parking lots with five-year-old wearing pink Crocs. I was coming out of the store when I spotted this little guy and told him his shoes were pretty cool. Oh my goodness, did that open the floodgates. Out poured this delightful stream of consciousness about his blue sucker, those amazing pink Crocs with their tiny giraffe decorations, tomorrow's promised new toy, how his baby brother was going to play with it too, and (announced with a squeal) “Tomorrow I’m going to be Continue Reading
Live Like the Gate’s Open
I don’t remember where I saw the photo, but the moment it captured has stayed with me. The picture showed a big crowd of parade-watchers pressed onto a city sidewalk. Too many people in too little space. Right in the middle of it all was an older woman resting her arms on the street barrier. She was leaning forward into the scene, watching the parade go by. Smiling. Relaxing. Soaking it all in. Around her, everyone else was busy taking selfies. Posing. Finding the right light. Staring into their cameras with their backs to the Continue Reading
No Distractions
Hey, hi! I’ve got fun news. I’m working on a new book! I’m so excited about this one. It’s due to the editor on Friday. Yikes! Our plan is to have it published by September, so I’ll have it available at my Fall speaking events. Oh, I’m just so excited for you to read it. I’ll share more details once the editor has finished her work. (My brain is full of writing words, writing words, and writing words. But I’m loving it.) In the meantime, would you pray for this book? Pray for the people who will read it – that they will be encouraged Continue Reading
This is Personal for Me
This is personal. I’ve been in the places described below. The Fridays and the Saturdays. That Sunday. And I bet you have too. I’ll never tire of sharing this note. It is truth. Encouraging. It brings hope. Please read it and then share it with two people you care about. People who need an extra dose of HOPE this week. ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ Hi. Scoot your chair a little closer. And if you’re sitting in a comfy arm chair and scooting isn‘t an option, lean in a little closer. Imagine that I’m talking softly - almost whispering. The kind of Continue Reading
A Good Summer Plan
This little note is one of my favorites – an oldie but goodie! It says exactly what’s on my heart this week. Blessings on your summer days, my friend. I’m so grateful for our connection here! It’s summer, and that means the heat index could be maxed out so everything is wilting, or it could be raining cats and dogs with thunder and lightning thrown into the mix. (I wonder who came up with the phrase raining cats and dogs. What does it even mean? OK. Back to our regularly scheduled program.) Just for a moment, let’s imagine that it’s Continue Reading
It’s Time to Dance
This is for you. If your perfect evening out is a gathering of dozens of friends who are all your bestie, where no one worries about how late it is, and you get absolutely giddy about the chance to engage in several conversations at the same time because, you know, there’s so much to talk about … this note is for you. And if your perfect evening out is gathering with a few close friends to catch up and laugh, where small talk quickly turns to heart-felt conversations … I’ve got you covered. And, of course, if you’re somewhere in Continue Reading
You are Bringing It!
He was one of the happiest guys I’ve ever seen. He bounced into Culver’s Restaurant with a broad smile and eyes that said, Today is awesome! This guy ordered a sandwich and fries and the ice cream of the day. Before his order was up, he was already savoring his ice cream treat. He leaned against the counter, clearly enjoying every lick and spoonful of that Snickers Swirl. Fully engaged in the moment. He didn’t have earbuds in, but he obviously had some good tunes playing in his head! Everything about him said he knew how to enjoy Continue Reading
When I Can’t Get it Together
If I had to choose favorite chapters from the books I’ve written, this would be one of them. It’s from “This is Livin’! Learning to Move from Messy Moments to Happy Places.” And since we’re all trying to find a new rhythm and our equilibrium, it seems so timely. Enjoy! Some refer to the occurrence as a moment of amazement that defies talent. I refer to it as the time when my sister Lori was so tired of practicing that her brain froze up. The event was the annual piano recital. Here’s a little set-up to the important performance Continue Reading
Finding A New Rhythm
Hi there. I’m pretty sure you are no stranger to grief. So even though your grief encounter may not be from losing your mom, you probably know the “strangeness” that comes with grief. It’s nothing you can prepare for, and it’s nothing you can practice in advance. When mom died just over a month ago, she had been in hospice for three weeks. My sisters, Julie and Lori, and I stayed in her cute little apartment with her, finding great relief and joy just being with her. Being present. And even though the hospice nurse told us she’d be Continue Reading
Game Changer!
My intention is to live a full, fun, faithful, joy-filled life. My dad would call it a “This is livin!” life. (And he sure knew how to do that!) But you know what? Things get in my way. Things like complaining. Whining. Stressing. Yea. The silly things that can slurp the good right out of everything. Know what I mean? But. I’ve started responding to life’s moments a bit differently, and it’s a game changer! Here’s what I’m doing … I’ve added this phrase to my vocabulary, and I say it a lot: What a great Continue Reading
Dreams and Realities
Dreams are good. And reality is … real. So, may I encourage you with this note … Our dreams matter. Those things we want to see, do, write, experience? Let’s make them come true… Even though our reality doesn’t seem to be cooperating. Last week I shared that I want to re-learn Norwegian. Tap dance. Play more piano. I’m going to enjoy making those dreams come true this year, even though my reality as a caregiver for my mom means … … Sleeping through the night, getting a restful sleep, never happens. … Plans are hard to Continue Reading
One Decision Can Change It
Have you found yourself in this predicament? In this storyline? I have ... We scroll through Instagram. Scroll through Facebook. Sometimes while eating ice cream. Often while eating ice cream. We get lost in our books - the heartbreak, romance, drama, redemption. We are simultaneously repulsed by and captivated by reality TV. (Have mercy!) We dream of homey country kitchens and cute gadgets as we watch the cooking shows. (Have you seen Master Chef Junior? Oh my word. Those ahhhmazing kids can cook with food I’ve never even Continue Reading
The Chicken Fat Song
It is a moment that cannot be erased from my memory bank, even after 45+ years. It was Phy. Ed class back in the 1960’s in the Climax School gymnasium. We had to wear a one-piece navy blue gym uniform with elastic around the waist, elastic around the thighs, and snaps up the front. Absolutely nothing attractive or flattering about it. Really? Are you serious? As if that wasn’t humiliating enough, we had to exercise to the music of … wait for it … the “Chicken Fat” song. Have mercy!! Touch down every morning – ten times! Not Continue Reading
Let’s Have Some Fun!
It’s the weekend! So many errands… An endless to-do list… And the house…well, a bit of cleaning seems a necessity. Yeah. There’s stuff that needs to get done. And … How about this … Can we take just a few moments to just Sit. Or Play. Or Dance instead? Are you finding that it’s really easy to take life a bit too seriously during this “Ha-Ha- It’s-Not- Spring-Yet” month? Me too. Good grief. I’m so ready to just lighten up. Throw off the heavy coat. Box up the mukluks. And then cut the list of to-dos in half. Let’s do Continue Reading
Life is Too Short to Wait
So, this will be new. Different. My perspective has shifted. And it’s a game-changer for me. You know how sometimes that “Ah-ah!” moment strikes you like a lightning bolt slashing through thunderclouds? That deep insight or brilliant idea seems to smack you on the side of your head and you can hardly believe how smart you suddenly became. And then there are those “Ahhhh…of course…” moments that sneak up on you. That deep insight or brilliant idea slides right alongside you and you can only pause and wonder why it took you so long Continue Reading
Toes, Girdles, and Faith Journeys
I never thought my toes would become a faith lesson for me. (I never thought girdles would either, but a moment of girdle-consideration provided insight into my faith journey.) Anyway… I’m reading Hebrews 10:23 today, and I realized…my toes are an example of my lack of trust in God’s faithfulness. Here’s what I mean… My toes look fine. But! My toenails can be pinchers. And when they start to pinch…OUCH! Little nerves in those little tootsies can create all kinds of trouble. When the trouble starts, I’ll make an appointment for Continue Reading
Please Remember
It’s a month filled with busy stuff. Endings and beginnings. And with those changes, we celebrate the events that make us smile, and sigh with the moments that disappoint. I’m guessing that more photos are taken during the month of May than any other month of the year. (Well, maybe December sends more images into the iCloud.) Those moments that we want to capture can be filled with so many emotions, can’t they? Continue Reading
This is Livin’!
Life is good. I believe that with every fiber in my being. I believe that good things happen to everybody. That love exists, God is faithful, and grace and mercy are ours for the asking. The trouble is, people and messy moments can get in the way. So, I’m learning. Learning how to reconcile my core belief that life is good with the not-so-good and you’ve-got-to-be-kidding-me moments. I wrote the stories in this book to help me find my way. It’s a collage of moments where I’ve experienced life from different places, and have used Continue Reading
It is time to Refine!
Time to get-away… Time to laugh, deep from the belly… Time with girlfriends, old and new… Time to be entertained, educated, and inspired… Time to get un-stuck! Doesn’t that sound wonderful? Please come with me and enjoy that Time! The Refine Conference in Bloomington, MN on September 21-22, 2012. Come As You Are…Take Your Next Step with Purpose! You will experience… a place to be understood, a place to be accepted, a place to grow, a place to connect, and a place to laugh and have fun with great professional Continue Reading
Keeping Commitments: The Morning Wake-up Call
It’s that moment of decision. I’m in that beautiful state of relaxation. It’s warm under the covers. My breathing is steady and slow. Every muscle has decided to relax. But it’s time to get up. This is where the day starts for all of us. Making a decision. Do I keep the commitment I made to myself about getting out of bed so I have time for devotions, preparing for the day, and eating my oatmeal? Or do I give in to the bliss of slumber and then go crazy during the 2-minute “getting ready” drill before my first Continue Reading