We just finished Lacey Rozell’s “What if We Pray” bible study in our neighborhood and as I sit here this evening, I am thinking about some of the changes in me from this study. I pray before meals, even in public places and work. I speak openly about my faith, my prayer life, my beliefs. I send prayer quilts from our church ministry when I hear of those that are undergoing medical issues regardless if I know if they are believers (I’ve not had one rejected!) When I thought of the question when do you pray, my answer is simple-when don’t I pray?

I love our tradition of Sunday family dinners. We started this weekly routine when my mom retired and moved close to us. We never know who will show for family dinner. Sometimes it is just Rob and I with the twins, other times grandparents will show, adult children, and friends. We also make extra food, just in case our family of four expands (I think our record to date is 12!) Attendance is often dictated by the menu offering of the day. Today was salmon and couscous. We start every meal with prayer and on Sundays, we also go around the table and share two roses and a thorn for the week.

When I woke up this morning the last thing I expected to see was the news that a rescue helicopter had crashed on Mt. Kilimanjaro killing all five on board. Two hikers, a guide, a doctor and a pilot. As I read the news blast, I was quickly reminded how close I came to not coming home from that same mountain. I prayed for those lost and could not imagine the Christmas their families would wake up to as I patiently waited for my teenagers to rise. And then, what inevitably enters the minds of survivors, I wondered why them and not me?

I have shared time and again that I don’t believe in coincidences. Nor do I believe that people enter our lives without intent or purpose. It may be a passing word or a pat on the back and we may never know how our actions affect others, but I believe God does. In our family, we remind each other to listen to the nudges…the God nudges. When we do, we see God in the here and now. When our eyes are opened, we the Godwinks everywhere.

I don’t know about you, but I love this season. I start enjoying our holiday season at the start of Thanksgiving where I shared we love breaking bread with family and friends. Our tradition of opening our home to others has continued through the years and as our children have gotten older, our invitation list has expanded with their friends

I’m a fixer. For as long as I can remember, I always focused on taking care of everything around me and rarely did I ever take care of myself…that always came last. In this most recent season, I had no choice but to find a way to care for me as I was brought to my knees time and time again.

I couldn’t wait to share the latest example of the impact of doing good things for others. During the Christmas season, I hear story after story of acts of kindness-imagine if we all did this year round and focused on doing at least one good thing for someone else everyday?

First, it is great to be back. I have missed chatting with you! Thank you all for your patience as I worked to transition my blog and launch my professional website. If you have not had a chance to subscribe or enter for a chance to win one of two personalized and autographed books, please do and share with your friends!

I have been hard at work on a new project and can’t wait to be able to share with everyone. Just a few more days/week and the news will be out. My oldest daughter calls me out on this behavior all the time when I buy her Christmas gift early and then spend the next few months asking her if she wants to open it now knowing full well that she will get it on Christmas Day!