"Family" is where life happens. Where we share our lives, hearts, and stories. No one was better at "storifying" than my uncle, Norman Naas. There aren't any words for my uncle. He used them all.

There is nothing more beneficial than a few hard knocks in life. It softens one’s approach to others and gives you a better idea of what other people are going through.

I celebrate my fiftieth birthday in a few days. It feels weird. Like I should feel …. different somehow. Older. Wiser. “Mature.” Whatever that means. On one hand I feel I’m way too young to be that old. I mean, my mom was fifty! On the other, it seems my half-century status is supposed to result in pearls of wisdom and sage sagacity. Kind of like a modern Oracle of Delphi. Truth is, I’ve never gotten the hang of that oracle thing.

When four sisters simultaneously fall under attack, they find out not only what it means to be sisters, but sisters in Christ.

“I didn’t ask for that truck to crash into my car,” the man said to me as he looked at pictures of the house he used to own. He built and operated three radio stations at one time. He was a pilot with intelligence in the genius range. Now he had brain damage, had been swindled out of his radio businesses, was in a wheelchair on disability and unable to adequately provide for his family.

A granddaughter shares the life of her grandfather through her eyes and reveals what a blessing his influence has bestowed upon her in hopes of inspiring others to follow Christ. [Matthew 6:33 “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.”]

“Uh, could you clean this up?” The pudgy man looked down at me, waving his fingers in a brush-away motion. “The amateur bowling league is next and we will be sitting at this table,” he stated as he walked off. “I’m supposed to be impressed with an amateur?” I thought to myself. “I’m supposed to clean the area and move from my seat for the amateur?” I began to fume. “Who does he think he is?” I quietly mused as my irritation rose in response to his belittling manner.

I had an abortion in 1978. Now, more than 30 years later I am discovering what an impact it had on my life. Back in 1978 it was just something I felt like I had to do for my parents, so they wouldn’t have to deal with an unmarried, pregnant daughter. I had shamed them by choosing to be sexually active and allowing myself to get pregnant. After causing them so much emotional pain I believed that I owed it to them to have the abortion they wanted me to have. I wanted to restore peace to the family, and if the abortion was what it would take, then so be it.

“Emilie, there is never an easy way to tell a patient this, but I’m afraid that your baby is no longer with us. I’m so sorry.” These are words that an expectant mother never expects to hear. They are words that first time grandparents pray they won’t ever hear. Words that none of us will ever forget. Just a few words, spoken by a total stranger, that changed our lives forever.

“Auntie, where is it?” Anna rose from her feet. “I will kill it for you!” It was an equatorial hot November evening in the year 2008, Uganda, East Africa. I looked up in surprise at this ten year old slight of a girl, determined to conquer my fear for me. I had been re-counting my story of walking alone to their group of thatched roofed houses in the dark. As I walked down the wide path, flashlight illuminating the red clay for my feet to trace, there, to the side of the trail was something black; something coiled.

God uses broken vessels. How many times have I heard that? Too many to count in my lifetime. I am a broken vessel. My life has been broken with tragedy, with sorrow , and with pain. But God used me in a way I could share my life with others.

February 18th started out like any day off with my hubby...

As most professional sales men would say "People are usually afraid of change." - a great tip indeed! And I am one of them, I wanted to keep the year the way that it was but... like the "PROS" say I am one of those that hate change. I was sad and I could not let go of the year. My co-worker asked me why I was sad to end the year and I claimed that I was really satisfied with the blessings I have and I am afraid that I may not have the same thing I have had. To my surprise his response was "you do not have to feel that way because next year will better for you as you have started good this year!" When he said that to me I realized that he was right and I really don't have to feel bad or sad... I have to let go! 2008 is just a number, what is great is that I actually acknowledge the blessings and even understand that I have gained wisdom to feel secure about my life... thanks RED!

‘Why isn’t Grandpa in heaven?’ Those words from my four-year-old niece floored me for several reasons. There is no way she could possibly know how her innocent question would grip my heart.

BLANK PIECE OF PAPER “He’s going to use that writing ability for the edification of his people.” Shock is the only way to describe how I felt. There it was, brought forth just the way I had asked for it. It happened Wednesday evening, October 5, 1983.