Category Archives: Life Transitions

Two Years After Leaving My Church: Honest Reflections

Posted on November 6, 2018 by Allison Boley

I quit the worship band at my lifelong church a little more than two years ago. I typed the phrase “easily the most difficult and painful decision I’ve made” in that first sentence, and its sterility taunted me so I … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christian Living, Church, Faith, God, Life Transitions, Math, Music, Scripture | 2 Comments

Memories of Our School Lunches by Betty Mason Arthurs

Posted on September 1, 2017 by Betty Mason Arthurs

School has started and I can hear the children’s voices as they walk past our house to elementary school. The good news today in America is that in neighborhoods all across our country, schools are open and ready to educate … Continue reading →

Posted in children, food, Life Transitions, Lunch, Parenting, School | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Aged Senses for Better…Mostly Worse by Betty Mason Arthurs

Posted on June 3, 2017 by Betty Mason Arthurs

For better or for worse, aged bodies and their five senses groan under the load of sensitive blood cells heading to distinction.  Like the antiques rotting in great-granny’s attic, my hearing, vision, touch, taste, and smell have gone kaput. Let’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Christian Living, Doing Life Together, Family Stories, Greatest love ever, Humor, Life Transitions, Love, Marriage, sweethearts, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

Church at the Nursing Home

Posted on November 18, 2016 by Linda Carlblom

(This post first appeared on Parenting With a Smile in July, 2016.) Rollin and I went to church on a Thursday afternoon in Minnesota with his 93-year-old dad at his assisted living home. Folding chairs lined the activity room and … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Alzheimer's, Church, Faith, Faithfulness, Life Transitions, Ministry, Prayer | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

The Tides of Change

Posted on September 16, 2016 by Linda Carlblom

One of my favorite vacation places is the beach. There’s something soothing about the waves lapping the shore, the roar of the ocean, and the sun kissing my skin. The tide washes up new treasures every morning. It reminds me … Continue reading →

Posted in change, Faithfulness, Family Life, Grief, Life Transitions, ocean, Uncategorized, When life seems too much | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Today I am Sad…But Not Without Hope

Posted on September 6, 2016 by Carol Boley

I am very sad. I know it will not always be so, but today, I am very sad. My mother died one month ago. I miss her. She lived with us the last 20 years of her life. I was … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Alzheimer's, Bible, Caregiving, Christian Living, Death and Dying, Faith, Family Life, Family Stories, Forgivness, Gifts, Grace, Grief, Hope, Jesus, Kindness, Legacy, Life, Life Transitions, Love, Mom, Parenting, Regrets, rest, Teaching, Trust in God's promises | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 22 Comments

A Mother’s Olympics, Part Two, by Betty Mason Arthurs

Posted on September 2, 2016 by Betty Mason Arthurs

Part Two:  A Mother’s Olympics by Betty Mason Arthurs Elementary School Track and Field Track and Field experience is a must to help mothers through elementary years. You pole vault them over the first day of school with cute lunches, … Continue reading →

Posted in Babies, Children's MInistry, Christian Living, Doing Life Together, Life Transitions, Love, Teaching, Teenagers, Uncategorized, United States of America | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

When You Long to Escape

Posted on July 5, 2016 by Carol Boley

Some days I dream about escaping. I picture myself at the Hotel del Coronado (“the Del”) on the southern California coast for three days. By myself. The dream is most vivid seconds before I open the door for the first … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Alzheimer's, Being still before God, Bible, Caregiving, Christian Living, Confession, Dreams, facial, Faith, Family Life, Finding solutions, Frustrations, Gifts, Grace, Grief, Health and Beauty, Honor, Hope, Jesus, Kindness, Life Transitions, Love, massage, Mom, ocean, peace, Perserverance, Prayer, Remembering, rest, spa treatments, Trust in God's promises, When life seems too much | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Experiencing Grace

Posted on April 5, 2016 by Carol Boley

My mother speaks in scripts now. She bears the look of the very old. Clouded eyes and clouded mind. Alzheimer’s? The doctor said sometimes it’s impossible to know until an autopsy. I am my mother’s keeper. I see her daily … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Alzheimer's, Caregiving, Faith, Family Life, Grace, Kindness, Life Transitions, Mom, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 21 Comments

Married 50 years and Never a Dull Moment by Betty Mason Arthurs

Posted on January 19, 2016 by Betty Mason Arthurs

  Married 50 Years and Never a Dull Moment by Betty Mason Arthurs Yes, we’ve been married 50 years in June. I believe a few words sums up our marriage: Never a dull moment and plenty of dumb ones. Our … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Life, Family Stories, Greatest love ever, Humor, Life Transitions, Love, Romance, sweethearts, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments