General

To Begin there must be an End….

Posted by Merrill on May 22, 2011 | 0 comments

“Every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end.” Seneca Oh how we can fight the beginnings and ends within our lives. The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are. Easier said than done, that first step. We have to let go of the old, to embrace the new. Allow something to die, in order to create space for new life to grow. Walk away from what is familiar and comfortable, into the unfamiliar and uncomfortable, you know what I mean. This week I had friends move from a well loved place, filled with loads of memories into a new home that they are not familiar with yet. Jackson, Grace and I...

Our Stories

Posted by Merrill on Apr 22, 2011 | 0 comments

We all have stories to tell, the events and happenings of our lives that over the years bind us up like a book and create our storyline. These stories are written from the the time we are born until we take our last breath. Sometimes the stories are exciting ones, full of adventure, success, love and fun. These are the ones we love to re-read over and over and share. Others were so challenging and painful that we wish they had been edited out of the very first draft. Those are the stories we don’t want read. The ones that show our weaknesses, failures, shortcomings, poor choices and decisions. Yes, those chapters are the ones that most of us would like skimmed over...

Repost….thoughts from last Easter

Posted by Merrill on Apr 18, 2011 | 0 comments

I wanted to repost this, I love what Dr. Bob taught us last year about standing close to Jesus and the cost. Happy Easter Week! How Close is Too Close? Tuesday, March 30th, 2010 Sunday at church our Pastor, Dr. Bob gave a wonderful message on Hail to the King. He spoke of the triumphal entry Jesus and his disciples made into Jerusalem. “Hosanna’s!” were shouted as Jesus came into town riding upon donkey. Jesus knew that the rest of his ministry would be confined to this city, this place called Jerusalem. With him on this journey were 12 men. Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas; James son of Alphaeus and Simon, Judas son of James, and...

4/13

Posted by Merrill on Apr 13, 2011 | 0 comments

Today I had a client email me and tell me about how her daughter has been struggling with the death a teenage friend of hers. She has been using a pen to ink Philippians 4:13 on her wrist to remind her that she can do all things through Christ who gives her the strength. She also pointed out that today is 4/13. What a great reminder today’s date can be for all of us who feel weary, tired, worn out or overwhelmed. We need to remember where our strength comes from. Certainly not from our own energy or making, real strength and comfort comes from the one who loves us the most and can provide just what we need in any given circumstance….our Father knows...

To Curl or Not to Curl…To be like Grace!

Posted by Merrill on Apr 12, 2011 | 2 comments

Last night Grace decided she wanted curly hair for FCAT’s. I know it might seem odd but she loves to put foam curlers in her hair when wet and make her straight hair curly! So we did it while watching Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. “High Chitty, Low Chitty…everywhere you go Chitty…” Rolling away! The real treat is first thing in the morning, when we wake up and take the curlers out. She loves this and is very confident in the way it looks, even though Jackson says, “You look like Einstein!” She feels beautiful, sassy and different. There is the key word, different. Jackson says, “She’s weird” but then quickly follows...

Exit stage left……Again!

Posted by Merrill on Apr 5, 2011 | 3 comments

As a mother of 5 you would think that I am getting use to the coming and goings of my children. With the older ones they all have left for college, then moved home for a few brief months only to get their “grown up” legs under them, before moving out on their own. My little ones come and go on a regular basis between their father and myself, a pattern that is familiar and known. This weekly letting go, as difficult as it is as a mother, has become a little break with the understanding that they will be back under my roof soon. With the final departure of each of the big boys, I find a mixture of sadness and joy. Sadness in the letting go and joy in their new...