Category: Uncategorized

Slow but steady progression toward death is an endurance feat. My family and I are in the midst of it, and we are all weary, but we are supporting each other in all ways.

That is a lovely thing.

There is peace. My mom is sleeping mostly, quiet for now. I pray constantly that the Lord would take her. We sing, we pray, we read Scripture to her.

God answers prayer. I think it won’t be long before she sees Jesus.

In the wee hours of the night, after a medication break or something, I sometimes cannot sleep again right away.

On “threads” I read a post of someone who “no longer believes” in Jesus. This person had worked for years in the Christian sector, and now he/she just doesn’t believe in Jesus anymore.

I guess that can happen. Personally I believe that this person never had a true relationship with Christ to begin with. How can anyone reject the sacrifice of Christ after it has been accepted in your heart?

How can one not see the fingerprints of the Holy Spirit working and sustaining life?

How can anyone reject the truth of the universe after seeing it plainly?

I have seen so many, many answers to prayer, and as I was pondering this “loss of faith” this morning I realized that I had not testified to some of the answered prayer I’ve witnessed even this summer.

Prayer answered is faith affirming.

As you know I have my “Snatch List.”

I pray for influencers all over the world. This summer alone I saw one of these influencers be baptized, one thank me for prayer, another weep at the reading of Scripture, and one very special one show deep joy after a time of waste and want.

Answered prayer. God answers.

Another thanked me for a devotional book I gave, promising to read it. (Hooray! Pray with me!)

One is being visited by believing friends again, and I sent my love—another chance to pray for salvation.

One, an agnostic, also indicated a turn toward spiritual things suddenly.

One declared that he would be a pastor if he wasn’t in his current role….! (I had no idea!)

Two more gave open clues in a documentary that they follow Jesus.

God is giving me great love for one individual that formerly threatened me. We are in a good relationship and appreciate each other for the first time.

Can you see these miraculous things?

Another person, (that indicated in the past) connections with the occult, has affirmed a Biblical truth.

God is working in these lives, and through my prayers I get to see the fruit He is cultivating!

Please know that my understanding of prayer is this: it opens a window for the person who prays, to see God’s work in a special way for the one prayed for! That is prayer.

It is a mysterious transaction that God uses to build us all up and draw us unto Himself.

It is NOT a pipeline for things we desire, although when our desires align with God’s desires He grants them willingly as He promises! How they manifest is part of the faith journey.

I sit in a place, at Corgi Hollows, of immense beauty. Long ago I saw a picture in my mind of a round table in a sunny room with a chandelier, and that is now my dining room. God gave me a vision and it came to pass. Just a picture in my mind, but also a huge indicator of His steady work over the years to answer my desires!

Answered prayer may take years. Throwing away your “faith” just halts the process of God’s work.

Better to get up each day and bring those godly desires to God, expecting Him to work His powerful way in bringing them to fruition.

So, at this time of patient waiting for a dear life to pass away I can remember all of these answers to my prayers. God is doing a great work. He has His plan. I will wait.

Fires burn up north, the cicadas are “singing” already this morning with high temps predicted until Friday.

Thankful the nights are much cooler.

Cheri saw a pod of orcas yesterday and sent me a little video clip of them breaching. I cannot wait for her to get back to Minnesota from Alaska.

My niece has been just unbelievably helpful and sweet as she cares tirelessly for her grandma! She is part of our team that helps my sister-in-law, myself, and my brother. I am SO grateful for her. What selfless devotion!

Ed has given his time as support here at home. He has moved back to Corgi Hollows from his bachelor pad, for the most part. (Still back and forth some.) He helps with the pets and running errands for me. It is just nice to have someone around!

I do get lonesome sometimes. So many of my most special people are gone, and now I am losing my mom.

In the midst of this loss I cannot help but think about the next thing. Didn’t Elisabeth Elliot say “Do the next thing!” —-in any crisis.

Perhaps I will go and teach in Asia somewhere for a season. With grandbabies on the way that may be a bit of a trick to pull off, but who knows?

The mentorship program will commence as things settle a bit here. We are otherwise occupied. Pray for a very urgent request for one of our mentorship team currently. It is “unspoken” for us, but the Lord knows.

God answers prayer.

Expect me to “blog” a bit more these days. Quiet summer days are conducive to writing for me. We are waiting, and time feels different.

Grief journeys are never the same. Trust me, I know.

Signing off…

MARANATHA!

There is a weird nether land that exists in the realm of loss.

I am well-acquainted with sorrow and loss, though the process of grief seems to morph each time I meet it.

At moments I am struck by knowing I won’t have my mom around, at moments I am thrilled for her to meet Jesus soon. It is uncanny to have a real expectation of death, imminent.

We have the same hospice nurse that helped with my dad 3 years ago. She is a honey. We all like her very much, and yesterday she prepped us for the last days of mom’s earthly life.

This process of death is a steady path. It seems slow, then remarkably quick overall. Does that make sense?

If you walk the path you may understand.

My family and I see the progression, and it is evident in the way my mom reacts to us, even by the hour, by the night. Death is a part of living, and it happens in so many different ways, but it always carries a mystery for me.

And at times we are overwhelmed by that mystery and feel the most uncontrollable emotion. It is a rush of feeling.

But for the most part, each day has its tasks and its distractions. I am blessed to be a teacher with an open summer time, so my time is only for this “season” of loss.

God is gracious to me.

Also, my brother and sister-in-law have sacrificed their New York life for this time of caring. They are such dedicated helpers! Bearing the burden of hospice care at home together has been truly lightened.

Mom is relatively easy to care for at this stage. She sleeps and her needs are simple. We make sure she is taking her pain medication. Nausea seems to be the worst of her symptoms, (colon cancer), and controlling that is paramount. It is clear that each time she awakens there is significant change in her reactions.

She loved having visitors and she remembered many wonderful things with them. My aunt came and sat with her for two whole days! They had a lovely time.

Church family has kept us supplied with treats and lunches, prayer and sweet thoughts. What a privilege to have been a part of such a wonderful church all these decades! We are so blessed.

Because she is mostly sleeping now the visits are fewer and much, much shorter. Prayers are always welcomed.

I play a song, a hymn, read a devotional, read a passage of Scripture. These things comfort her. She just likes having one of us sit with her.

Waiting for death.

At the hospital one of the nurses remarked that the television wasn’t on in her room, and that was unusual.

When the mind is full of quiet peace there is not a need for worldly noise.

I remember when my grandma passed away in a hospice in south Minneapolis, one of my sons and I visited her on her last day. She kept pointing up at the ceiling, a most joyful expression on her face, seeming to ask us if we could see what she was seeing….

My sweet son, about 10 years old at the time, nodded kindly to her, “Yes, Grandma,” he said, reassuringly. Even at that young age he knew how to comfort!

We both were pretty convinced she was seeing something supernatural, even if it may have been termed “hallucination.”

I wonder when my mom will see the veil lift between this world and the eternal one. Clearly those of us who die with Jesus in our hearts have deep, deep comfort and joy. Peace that passes all understanding.

So this mysterious transformation is still before us, and it is probably very soon.

In the meantime we all can expect and hope for Christ’s return for His bride, the Harpazo. The Rapture of the church. Perhaps Today?

This, too, is an imminent event, and could precede even my mom’s death!

Will keep you all in the loop.

MARANATHA!

This morning’s devotional in “Days of Praise” continues an exposition on Martin Luther’s grand hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is our God.” It mentions our enemy, our foe that works us woe. I began to think about the devil.

This week the Charlie Kirk trial has been happening, and I have always been interested in him since he came on the scene years ago. After all, we share the same values. He had an enemy who murdered him, and many enemies that even expressed joy at his murder.

I have enemies. The devil in particular.

I am a hated “white Evangelical.” Actually the DNA says I am mostly Norwegian, even though I always believed my dad was 100% Swedish. Anyway, I am Scandinavian, and since my maternal grandmother WAS 100% Norwegian it sort of got through to me. The lefse, the lutefisk, the sandbakkels, the krumkaka….

I guess I identify as a Norwegian Evangelical.

The Enemy has turned me into a pariah. Are there any Evangelicals on the Norwegian soccer team?

It is good and sweet to note that the Enemy has not had his way over the past weeks, when people of divergent mindsets have united in bidding farewell to a matriarch.

Mom and I share the same political and theological views. I listened when she taught me. I read the things she wanted me to read. I agree. We are on the same page.

But many who know and love her do not hold our views, and I can say with gratitude in my heart that people have been gracious, willing to check the disagreements at the door, for the sake of saying a final word of love.

We forget who our REAL enemy is. In such circumstances we realize that we are not each other’s enemies, but that the devil has created a wedge between us. He is the real enemy, and we mustn’t forget this!

As Charlie Kirk always sought to dialogue, that should also be our method. He was masterful, and the devil hated that.

His death has lit the fire under many quiet ones, and perhaps this rush to reasonable debate is a last breath of hope before God allows the End to manifest. The Last Days.

I’d like to think so, because I want the Enemy defeated. I want Jesus to come for His bride, the church. I welcome the last days!

God will deal with His promised and chosen bride as prophesied: Israel, He is true to His promises! Jacob’s Trouble is truly at the door as Erdogan, Putin, and Trump form alliances and declare that Israel “is a burden.”

Isn’t that prophetic?

God’s Word is true.

Read it plainly. Read it literally. Understand the contexts.

Satan has wormed his way into every cultural institution.

Do you know what fascism is? I looked up the definition on Google today. I wanted to be reminded of the “correct” meaning.

Collective dictatorship. Socialism under totalitarian authority.

It is definitely coming in the form of an economic global world order under the likes of Soros, Harari, and Schwab. They march to the drumbeat of our Enemy. They seek to implement his will. They have pledged themselves to his side, as so many of our public figures have done.

Watch for those eye-covered photos, you know, the hand covering half the face? Such a blatant symbol of the satanic agenda, and who belongs to it. It’s a dead give-away.

The enemy has effectively brainwashed our world. Open your eyes and see it! His order is coming at break-neck speed!

Our younger generation has swallowed his hooks completely: abortion, trans, sex, fornication, (our churches are full of fornicators and divorce.) MORAL FAILURE. Look at all the duplicitous leaders!

The enemy appears to be winning.

Let us not forget the enemy in our own moral failures. Let us daily bring to God our sins, repent, and begin anew. Let Jesus wash us with the cleansing blood of the cross.

Let us be lights in a darkening world.

Are you praying for Klaus Schwab? Yuval Noah Harari? George Soros? His son, and daughter-in-law Huma Abedin?

Are you praying for Trump?

We need to be DAILY praying for their salvation. They are servants of the enemy.

I struggle to pray for leaders I despise, but I am called to pray for them in love.

“Lord, I pray for the Obamas, the Clintons, the Bidens. I pray for the Putins, the Trudeaus, the Machrons. I pray for the English king, who is so lost. I pray for the Epstein perpetrators. I pray that all of these people would become right with you before the end, that they, in your great mercy, will not have to spend eternity in hell.

I pray for the Muslim world, the Buddhist world, the Hindu world. I pray for those ensnared in mind games and technocracy, in atheism and agnosticism. I pray for the lost. I pray for Asia. I pray for dark Europe, dark Africa, dark South America.

I pray for the influencers in China, Japan, and North and South Korea. I pray they turn their lives over to you and tell the good news of your love and the hope of our future. Lord, you know my list and my contacts there. Work in their lives! AMEN.”

My dear friend told me this little anecdote recently:

When Jesus wept, at the tomb of Lazarus, He wept because he had to call Lazarus back from his eternal home. He knew how hard it would be to leave that glorious place of light and love and come back to this hell-hole that the devil rules. He wept.

My dear mentor, Hazel Goodrich, who passed away years ago, was deathly sick as a child. She went to heaven and spoke with the Lord Jesus. She says this, and I believe her. Jesus told her that she had to go back.

Her heart almost broke as she “went back” to her earthly body.

BUT, the story went on. “I never feared dying after that,” she said, emphatically.

If you knew Hazel (she was my dad’s cousin, a missionary to tribes in Canada and northern Minnesota all her subsequent life) you would know that she had a twinkle in her eye and a purity in her heart. She spoke truth to me and gently curbed my errant behaviors and ideas. She was a stellar mentor.

I think of her so often! A woman of God, she exemplified what I would like to be as well. I seek to mentor, not because I am worthy, but because I know great women like Hazel, and my mom! I need to pass on these convictions that they had!

Mom is still with us, but I know she wants to have a quick passing. Who wouldn’t? Can you pray with me for God’s mercy in her home-going?

Or, Lord, this is a fine time for the Rapture! (PERHAPS TODAY?!)

We know that her days are already numbered and her lingering is in God’s plan. We know life is a gift, even if our heavenly home is much more desirable. We must wait patiently and see what God is teaching us even in these Last Days.

God gave us some signs to watch for in this generation, the church age. They are plainly verified in Scripture. God is not willing that anyone perish!

It is His incredible patience with mankind that stays His ultimate plan of destruction. He wants you to come to Him!

Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death.

Song of Songs

Regarding the enemy: Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Regarding Love and Life: 1 Corinthians, Chapter 13.

I remember that chapter being read at Prince William and Kate’s wedding, being so moved by it. Such powerful words of love. It shouldn’t be underestimated from familiarity.

Find your Bible and read it again this glorious Sunday morning. Let the Word wash you.

The time of the singing of birds is here. As I write the chickadee is calling, and there are wrens trilling. I love hearing the blue Jays bicker in the late afternoon. Crows spat. Cardinals have been keeping mom company as she fades. Glorious sound and beauty.

Don’t forget your Enemy, but realize that with Christ you are MORE THAN CONQUERORS.

We conquer death.

Come Lord Jesus!

MARANATHA!

There are those days when we must “tough it out.”

I guess today is one of those. I am trying to be practical and rather detached from all that is happening, but when something goes slightly off, like a huge branch falling and blocking the driveways, I tend to feel less in control of my emotions.

I just want to cry.

My SIL came to the rescue, and I am blessed to have him. He is a tree person, runs a local business, and he does landscaping and snowplowing as well. I will have him come and take down at least three old oaks as soon as possible.

They are rotten from within.

I hate to see these majestic trees pass, but they are quite old, and all things must die.

*Except for those taken in the Rapture.

I spent some time reading an article this morning from “Rapture Ready” about seven signs of a pre-tribulation rapture. All Biblical prophetic signs are very convincing. It always strikes me that there should be no confusion regarding this issue.

But Satan IS a master of confusion. He likes to fog the truth with his deceit.

Anyway, I can only pray that spiritual eyes will be OPENED TO BIBLICAL TRUTH!

That is my daily prayer for so many, many dear people.

It is easier to just mosey along to our daily routines, but we are called to tell others about the way of salvation. This is our Task.

But today is a tough day, and I will simply try to keep productive, even minimally.

There are those days.

MARANATHA!

As the Norwegian Soccer Team makes its way to the World Cup finals I sort of snicker at the leftist hatred of people who trace their ancestry to northern Europe, AND who are primarily Christians in name, at least.

Several hundred years ago the Protestant Reformation swept northern Europe. Scandinavians jumped on board pretty soon after it began, relatively. Although today Atheism and Agnosticism have largely overwhelmed any Christian influence in Scandinavian countries, there is still a mark that was made. Christmas is celebrated, Easter is celebrated, and people still sing in the churches.

Of course the people that leftists hate the most are people like me: Evangelicals, who happen to look Norwegian. Maybe they used a racist term, but it boils down to that.

How do we respond, as the most hated Humans?

LOVE.

Love your enemies. Do good to them that hate you. Pray for them.

More people added to my “snatch list!”

Jesus is certainly coming soon. I saw a short interview with “Grok” about the end times, and It even believes (or whatever) that we are in the very end of the end of days.

Darkness hates the light, and the light is the Truth. Make no apology for spreading light and truth, and accept the consequences as they manifest.

And, yes, as a great great grandchild of Norwegian immigrants, I’m cheering for Norway in the world cup!

Yay!!

Many people ask me for updates on my mom’s health situation. In a nutshell we see decline daily, but she is still with us, still fairly lucid, and in pretty good spirits.

We are trying to keep her discomfort at a minimum.

All of her grandchildren and all of her great-grandchildren have visited and been able to say “good-bye.”

There will continue to be “in and out” visits, as time permits, but busy summer schedules play a role in all of our lives.

We seek comfort from the Father in heaven, and He has been our Rock, our Harbor in a storm.

I really appreciate the effort that has been made by so many, many, to come and see her. Also, the food gifts and care have been so good! Thanks to all who helped us!

We understand that this phase is a waiting game, patience required, and trust in God’s timing.

My human nature easily gets in the way in crisis, or grief, pain, waiting. It is a constant battle for me to “rest” in God’s perfect will.

In the meantime I keep super busy wrapping up loose ends, touching on projects meant to be completed this summer. I doubt anything major will be accomplished, but at least I am trying.

Getting a Corgi is on hold. Other plans are on hold.

And that’s okay.

A new pup could certainly be a comforting activity for me this fall.

The weather at Corgi Hollows continues to be amazing. We have just the right amounts of rain and sun, heat and cool. Summer 2026 goes down in the books as nearly perfect.

Will update again soon.

MARANATHA!

Post Script: Thanks to the wonderful person who put the “Days of Praise” under the door! I get about 30 of them each publication. I order bulk to give out, myself! They are SO, SO good, a devotional FAR superior to “Daily Bread,” which has become pablum, scripturally and spiritually. Pablum is great for babies. “Days of Praise” is so thought provoking and meaty. I am comforted reading it every day. My mom has been so blessed by the daily devotional reading, as well.

For my readers, I may have an extra copy for you, or order directly from the Institute in Creation Research (Dr. Henry Morris) in Texas. Highly recommend!!

I told you about barley tea, which we could get at any vending machine in Japan. It is a restorative drink, like American Gatorade, yet completely natural.

I have been brewing it here at home this past week.

I am so indescribably weary.

My mom’s heart rate is above 100/minute. This cannot last. Cancer has permeated her liver, her colon, her blood is infected with germs.

But it is a time of waiting, and I am worn out from the past week.

With each trial and sadness my endurance seems to ebb. I am happy to spend the nights with my mom, and someone must, but it seems the days are hard to get through for me without a nap!

I drink a lot of barley tea.

Cheri came home from Alaska. I am glad she did. When Ed got leukemia, she was only 11, and we were home-schooling. My mom picked up the slack while Ed and I were at the hospital. Therefore, Cheri has a very special bond with her grandma.

With weariness comes a compromised immune system.

I am drinking barley tea—-along with taking copious amounts of vitamin C and other supplements.

Still, I have felt a bit stuffed up.

Grief and sorrow will do that to you: tear down your immunities and let the foreign visitors in unchecked.

Family arrives today. My brother and my sister-in-law have been amazing, swooping in from New York, picking up the duties valiantly.

My mom has enjoyed the brief visits from many wonderful friends. She certainly had an impact on many people.

I am supposed to attend a wedding today, but I really cannot muster the energy or courage to be a part of a celebration. Frankly, I would probably be bad luck (if I believed in luck!)

I am grateful for the many, many years I have had my mom: 63 ! I am grateful for all she meant to me and to many, many others. I am praying for a swift passing, pain free.

The next time I see her she will be 30 something, and gorgeous. Heaven does that to people.

Come, Lord Jesus!

MARANATHA!

Last night we came to a point of change.

Some of you know my mom fell in May. She had a traumatic brain injury.

She was not well this past week, and ended up in the hospital last evening.

She has stage four metastatic cancer.

We are looking at a very short time for her on this earth, in this body.

Of course she is looking forward to seeing Jesus, her loved ones, and the glorious home that awaits us.

Getting through a death by cancer has its issues, so I ask you to pray for nausea and pain control.

Grief is present, like a shadow.

My family is coming together, blessedly, to help and support. Our churches are praying. Our friends are present.

Precious in God’s sight is the death of his loved ones.

I ask you to pray that her departure is swift and painless, but God’s will be done. He numbers our days.

You are blessings to me.

MARANATHA!

Although the weather has been nearly perfect: cool, mostly sunny, good rain, everything is green! —- life has been a bit of up and down.

Cancer has occupied my thoughts.

Caring for an elder has occupied my time.

Changes are constantly happening.

Since I am a pessimist extraordinaire I tend to expect the worst. Expecting the worst sometimes results in pleasant outcomes.

I am always mentally prepared to function in the worst case scenario.

Life is a continuous cortisol high. Anxiety is my companion.

But I know God has His plans; His timing, His goals, His outcomes, and this is reassuring.

Do not be anxious! How hard it is to follow this command. I must repent daily for getting anxious.

I know deep in my heart that God is totally in control. My sin nature just gets the best of me too often.

It is the end of June, the year is halfway gone. Is it a new beginning again?

My 2026 words were Truth, Discipline, and Kindness. It is time to refocus on these and steer my path along these ways.

I decided to go back to work at the hotel, but I am not abandoning my mentor program. That is just starting.

I am keeping my eye on the lookout for a new Corgi.

If you have any leads, let me know! Corgi Hollows sort of needs a Corgi, right?

Thanks for praying, for all my needs. God answers prayer.

If you were tired of the past six or so posts about our travels there’s relief: I am back to the business of Corgi Hollows.

Yesterday I filmed an introductory video for our mentoring program.

I am so excited about this prospect!

With the other women involved there is a treasure-trove of information about education and spiritual training for your children and grandchildren. We can all be called “experts,” whether through education or experience. We need to fulfill our own calling as older women who seek to help the next generation of moms raising their offspring.

I am in the process of applying for a business license. We will virtually be a non-profit, but we will act like a business. It’s less complicated. Believe me. I studied public admin, non-profit emphasis.

We want to make this simple.

One step at a time.

This weekend was super quiet. I am on call for my mom, who is running on minimal energy this summer. She was at the doctor twice last week, and got good reports, but there is clearly still an issue with her health.

She is a nonagenarian. This can be normal and expected. Still, it unnerves those of us who interact with her daily. Prayers appreciated, always, for caring wisely and rightly for our elders!

I needed a super quiet weekend, as it has been a time of intensity. I get a bit lonesome without Cheri here, but I realize I need the space. I need the quiet.

I need the reckoning with my own soul.

So I feasted my eyes on the green fields and sunlit leaves of the oaks surrounding the house. Such beauty comes only in June, only here in this lush land.

Birds are trilling.

The pets are company. They make me smile. Alex (Ed’s resident cat) is showing signs of real dependence on me, and when called, he comes, yowling, down the driveway or up from the back of the house.

He is doing his part with hunting the vermin that make their way into the house each fall. Good boy!

Life is quite “normal” for now.

The world may be going to hell in a hand basket, but my eyes are on Jesus, my comfort, my strength, my provider, my everything. He is a good, good God.

MARANATHA!