He’s Really Living!

April 17, 2026April 16, 2026 RefreshHerLeave a comment

When I was a teenager, I had an aunt and an uncle that reached out to invest in my life. The summer I was 16, they invited me to come spend a couple weeks with them in their Michigan home. I took my first flight by myself and headed off for an adventure!

They had young children at the time and I joined into their family routine during my stay. I remember watching them love their son and daughter, teach them about the Lord, take them to church and just spend time with them. They also spent time with me. We went swimming, out to dinner at a Mexican restaurant, and played games. They also went on a date while I was there and they trusted me to watch my younger cousins for the evening. When we were in their church services I loved singing the alto part along with my Aunt Jan as the congregation sang together. My aunt talked to me and really listened. She was interested in me and let me know so.

That visit was really just the beginning of them pouring into me. It was because of them that I visited a Christian college where I would eventually attend. They came to my wedding, and also kept up with my life and invested in me many times over in my adult years, always letting me know that they cared. We weren’t in constant contact, but often enough that I was well aware of their love and support.

Two years ago my sweet Aunt Jan entered the presence of the Lord. Before she died, she called to tell me she loved me and she would see me in heaven. How precious that phone call was to me! Her daughter had passed a couple years before her, and I imagined the sweetness of their reunion in the presence of Christ. I got to see my aunt on her death bed and she was ready to meet the Lord. Her body was tired and so weak, and she knew she would soon be getting a glorified one! As she spoke to me about leaving her husband, my Uncle Jim, she said, “I just hope he doesn’t sit around and mope after I’m gone. I want him to go on living.” I’ve prayed for him many times since her passing, asking the Lord to help him do just that.

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Easy recipe · Lunch · Pasta · salad

A “Good” Pasta Salad

April 13, 2026April 13, 2026 RefreshHerLeave a comment

Recently I was trying to think of what to fix for lunch and I opened one of my treasured Barefoot Contessa Cookbooks and found a recipe for a cold pasta salad. It combines some of my favorite flavors – sun-dried tomatoes and Mozzarella cheese. Though I didn’t have every ingredient that was listed, I knew I could improvise and make something very similar to the recipe on the page. I love her recipes and knew it would be delicious.

The results were so good!

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God's character · trust

Watching God Provide

April 10, 2026April 15, 2026 RefreshHerLeave a comment

When my husband and I stepped out in faith to launch D&D Ministries, we knew that as God had directed our steps, He would continue to lead and provide for us. We have watched Him do that in so many ways. He’s provided opportunities. He’s given wisdom. He’s given energy and strength. He has also provided financially when the answer could only be supplied by His very full hand. I watched Him step in again just last week, and it was amazing, jaw-dropping, and brought many happy tears!

Because I have Osteoporosis, I have been receiving injections twice a year to strengthen my bones. There was an assistance program that I’ve used in the past that helps women with the very high cost of this medication. However, now that I”m over 65 (!), and am on Medicare, I am denied that assistance. The first cost estimate I was given was to be a little more than $1100. When I learned that, I kind of set the appointment off, knowing this was out of our price range. Then the infusion center where I receive my injection called to set up my appointment and told me that my cost was $367 – much better, but still more than I was ready to pay. Knowing that I needed the injection, I went ahead and made the appointment, then I prayed and prayed. I was truly trusting that God would provide somehow, some way.

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Easter

Being Mindful

April 6, 2026April 6, 2026 RefreshHer2 Comments

Mindful. That’s the word I attempt to practice when the Easter weekend comes. Mindful of why we’re celebrating. Mindful of what I’m reading in the Scriptures. Mindful of what we’re singing in church, of the words that come out of my mouth when I greet my friends and family, and frankly, how I view the entire weekend. The resurrection is the only reason I have hope in a world that is so broken and hurting. It matters how I celebrate and worship and live.

I loved reading The Bible Project Holy Week reading plan. Each day had a video explaining a part of the Gospel, then there were passages of Scripture that went along with it. It kept my heart focused on the cross and the empty tomb all week.

On Good Friday, my husband took me to an appointment that I had. While at that appointment, I became VERY aware once again of how the risen Savior makes a difference in my life every single day. I cannot write about this even now without tearing up. What a wonderful Savior He is! Be sure to come back on Friday – I’m going to share what the Lord did!

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Easter · Resurrection

From Eden to Gethsemane

April 3, 2026April 2, 2026 RefreshHerLeave a comment

I worked in my gardens yesterday. Oh, it was lovely to feel the warmth of the sun, and to see green plants coming back to life after a long, cold winter. You know, digging in the dirt is always a contemplative time for me. It often puts my mind on Spiritual truths. Life after death…hmmm, it reminds me of the Bible reading plan I’m reading right now about Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter. One day’s reading really made me consider something I’m not sure I’ve ever thought on – it was about two gardens.

The garden of Eden is where sin began, when all humanity was plunged into the darkness and guilt before a holy God. There in that garden, God made a promise to put enmity between Satan and man. Jesus would come and crush Satan’s head one day.

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