Amazing

What a morning. Beautiful skies, great clouds, vivid pinks and purples. The end to a great week. I am looking forward to seeing family this weekend and enjoying time with more people that I love!

New morning

There is something refreshing about spring. Mornings of snow on the grass and cool temperatures followed by clear days and sunshine with temperatures in the 60's. Trees are beginning to bud and the tulips, crocus and daffodils are beginning to bloom. Robins have been spending more time around my window... and a reminder of the hope and grace of God.

Of loss

The thought of losing someone comes with such great angst for each of us. Even with a faith so grounded that death is not feared, there is the part of one's self that mourns the ability to tell someone how much they really mean to you. The past two weeks have given me time to pause and reflect on great friendships. Glen Leggler, an inspirational coach, teacher and friend from our men's chorus in Casper Wyoming passed quickly last week. He was followed this weekend by my friend, mentor and pastor from Arizona, Rebecca Oakes Long. Rebecca inspired me to go to theology school and helped me pick the one I will graduate from in November. Both of these people will be surely missed by others as they are missed by me. Glen had a knack of bringing the guys of the chorus together and getting them to do stuff that stretched their abilities. He had the same talent with kids and was an inspiration to thousands of young people in the state of Wyoming. His "get it done" spirit moved mountains, and yes at times, it moved this mountain. Rebecca was something else. Unassuming, patient, caring, challenging and loving, "Becky" helped me see God in every moment of every day. Her insights enlightened me to what was in my heart and inspired me to embrace the journey that God had in store for me. My heart goes out to the families and friends of these two great leaders in my life and in the lives of so many. I pray they feel the healing hand of God as they journey forward. I have not shed a tear for either of my friends. I will greatly miss them, but believe they are both in a place that I will see them again. And I pray that they are there to greet me as I will want to tell them the continuation of their story through my life.