I do not use that word lightly, but I see them every day.

This one is big though.

Firstly, my plans are not always followed, and the past few weeks I had some alterations, all wonderful, though.

Here is the true miracle story:

I was scheduled for a PET scan this past week, on Tuesday. I was shot up with radiation, as the scan requires. As the technician put the stuff in my vein I mentioned my radiation story.

Years ago, in 1986, I was a short term missionary living in Ingolstadt, Germany. I arrived in the summer that year. I was 23 years old. Some new friends and I spent an evening at a man-made lake near town picnicking and swimming in the late June light. It was so beautiful and I never forgot that fun day!

A week later we learned that the city pool in Ingolstadt had to be drained because of dangerous levels of radiation in the water! Tchernobyl disaster had happened that spring.

It was the time in history when ATMs were new and used. I had a bank card that kept erasing every few months. ! The bank asked me, “Do you work at a nuclear power plant?”

NO! I am basically an Au pair, a church worker, a “Gemeindehelferin.” Hmmm.

I am telling this little story to the technician, and she responds: “Did you tell Dr. _____ this story? ” (My surgeon?)

“No.”

“You need to tell her.”

SO at my very last post surgery appointment I said to my surgeon, “—the technician for the PET scan told me I need to tell you a story.”

Now, the appointment already revealed that my situation was a bit different from what I knew.

I had thyroid cancer in a large tumor. I had thyroid cancer in an ovary. All of this was removed surgically. I had a PET scan that revealed NOTHING ——even the nodules on my thyroid are not there (?!!!!).

There is nothing more to treat. There is nothing more of concern.

The surgeon listened with interest to my story. She said that the thyroid is the first thing to be affected by radiation. She concurred that there is probably a connection to my experience years ago.

Now, my case; It was Stage 1 cancer, no treatment prescribed, Ongoing monitoring every six months.

My condition is of interest to a panel/board of doctors, it is extremely rare. (Less than 1% of similar situations!)

I see a miracle. I see a miracle that even though I was affected by radiation I have five children, I am cancer free, I am healthy. I see a miracle that even in a few weeks nodules on my thyroid seem to have disappeared.

God chose to heal me. God answered my prayer with healing.

I know this does not happen to everyone. God graciously gave me a beautiful gift. I will say that His plans are always the best plans. He knows the best. Dark and hard it may seem to us, but HE KNOWS THE BEST.

This is trust.

I am looking out at the snowy landscape. Cheri and I have holiday chaos indoors, as we are trying to decorate some, along with restoring order to a house hampered by water for four years! We are using the season to re-organize and clean. It never ends, but we try. I still have stacks of books to re-shelve.

I was unable to swim (after all) until yesterday. The surgeon gave the green light on swimming, but she mandated that I ease into it.

It was quite difficult. My body has gained weight, become stiffer, generally lost strength over these past four months.

I have a physical recovery to manage. I need to be back in shape by the wedding in Japan that we are attending in May!

Getting old is not for the faint of heart! I keep thinking about all of us being 30ish in heaven, robed in light, healthy and JOYFUL. We have an eternity of happiness that awaits, with each other. This is the promise of Scripture! So much beauty and love, peace.

I will attempt to become stronger. I am cutting back on the “Home-Chemotherapy” and I am still treating radiation. (My friend said to take kelp for the aftermath of the PET scan.)

Corwyn is back to normal. She is healthy. Ed had a bad virus, but he seems to be getting better.

I will be cooking for a day or two now. Plans for gathering continue.

I got to go to Hitchville’s Christmas concert this past weekend. What an incredibly talented ensemble! They are as good as Pentatonix, but have such wide talent and ability beyond that! I highly recommend their Christmas concert. So joyful!

I did get to see “The Singers” at Westwood Lutheran Church, with Ed. Such angelic sound! A peaceful and precious time.

Last Friday, my niece, Cherie, and I went to the Norwegian Lutheran Church (Mindekirk) in MInneapolis, for the Gregorian Singers Scandinavian Christmas Concert. They are really top-notch, too! Such an fun evening of sound and sweet traditional Scandinavian folk Christmas. Hardanger fiddle music!

The season has been full of music and joy.

I have a JOYFUL heart.

Surely Jesus is coming quickly….

MERRY CHRISTMAS, dear readers!!! Love to you all.

MARANATHA!!

Today was the second day back in the classroom.

I look back on the last six weeks of recovery as a time to process. I did NOT find it a profitable time, as in getting things done. I wasn’t mentally sharp enough to make stuff or write much. Even reading —I usually get through a lot of books in a time like that, but I just didn’t have the energy. The stacks of books were touched, but not enough.

Still, a quiet time of processing is profitable. Things come into focus, decisions are made subconsciously. Time just rolls on and change happens.

Healing is change. I went from pain to healed, fogginess to more clarity.

There is nothing so constant as change.

I came back to school more cognizant of my abilities and desires as a teacher. As I age my authority grows. Kids who have known me for years are listening to me. I can still have “bad” days when they seem disrespectful and difficult to manage. It lies in the poor discipline they have received since birth (some of them), or congenital issues, or they are just having a bad day.

There is a spirit in each classroom. I can sense it. Keeping a lid on bad behaviors is a challenge, constant, as a teacher. If some are allowed the escalation is remarkable. It spreads like wildfire.

I have my management techniques, but I think the spirit of the room is the most important to consider. I can completely fail on a given day.

If the students don’t respect you, you’ve lost.

I try to keep control by limiting noise. As a substitute teacher, spending only a day with the students, I always feel they can handle silence for one class period or even a day. I don’t demand silence from the little ones, but from 5th grade up it is part of my program.

Respect is such an issue in today’s classroom. I don’t think there is any teacher who does not see this. It’s a chronic problem. I am always writing notes to teachers about the lack of it in certain students. They already know, but it is the only way I can “control” a student who is acting badly. “I am writing this down for your teacher.,.,.”

That can help unless the student has escalated. Then there is nothing to do but call in back-up. That has happened several times over my years of teaching.

Disrespect happens. It happens a lot.

This is a problem throughout our culture. Kids (at least in public school, which I am qualified to generalize) seem to have lost their ability to see adults in a way that shows deference. Adults have had to resort to being “a friend.”

Teachers need to appeal for good behavior.

This is so backwards from historical educational culture. Perhaps some may see this as progression. Sadly, the structure of classroom education isn’t conducive to appeals from the teacher for good behavior. Enforcement is difficult.

Personality and emotion can really have an effect on the spirit of the classroom. The teacher can’t be the same person every day any more than anyone. We bring our ups and downs to the space. It’s dynamic. It has effect.

I have thought in the past that teaching is really acting. It seems that the teacher must put on a performance the entire day.

Acting, performing, getting a point across; this is the state of current education. The time for learning is minimal, but the brain is constantly learning. It’s learning something.

Our brains are vacuums. The space must be filled by the minutes we exist.

It is a challenge to fill those minutes productively.

I’m reflecting on productivity as I come out of my “house arrest.”

I want to do things better, progress.

Lord God, Heavenly Father, Thank You!

Thank you for providing richness in your Spirit, for abiding in my life. Thank you for providing all I need. You have provided for my rest, my sustenance, my peace, by warmth.

Living in the land of snow and ice you have provided protection.

Thank you for the ability to move around, by my healthy legs and feet, by my vehicle, by the help of others.

Thank you for all I get to see every day, the beauty, the colors, the wonders of your creation, the faces of those I love.

Thank you for my eyes, my ears, my senses, my heart and all the other things that sustain my life.

I pray that you would keep me healthy and free from disease. Thank you that I have options for the things that have made me ill. Thank you for removing the cancer from my body. I pray that cancer would not come back, and if I do have it in my body still, that you would heal me.

I pray for my family, Lord. I think of my parents and how they are aging. Please be near them as they deal with their weakening bodies.

I pray for my children and my grandchildren. I trust you to keep them safe. I trust you to help them and guide them. I trust your Holy Spirit to convict them of sin and anything that needs to change in their spiritual lives. Teach them gently, Lord. Give wisdom and love. Let them experience your love and the love of those around them.

Help them be servants in their relationships. Help them to live purposeful and effective lives. Make them who you want them to be.

I pray for those who minister to me. I pray for my pastor, my leaders, my employers. I pray for them to be kind and fair, to be helpful and understanding. Thank you for putting them in my life.

I thank you for the seasons, the changes, the beauty of December and celebrating Christmas.

I thank you for all you have taught me, and help me to do what is right, to understand what is truth and what is a lie. Teach me your ways, Lord. Help me to obey your commands. I want to show my love for you, so I want to know and obey, follow your commands.

Lord, there is so much more to know about you. Please reveal yourself to me in your word and in my friendships. Thank you for the wise counsel of dear friends who I trust. Keep them in your Word, and give them the wisdom and knowledge they need to advise me.

Lord, help me to be humble. Forgive my pride.

Help me to bring my sin to you every day. Help me to look at you and strive to please you every moment.

I pray these things in Jesus’ Precious Name!

Amen.

PS; Come soon, come quickly, Lord. MARANATHA!

It is that time of year when we formulate plans for upcoming change. Resolutions, beginnings, goals, ideas.

I do it every year, and although I seldom feel I achieved much at any time, I do see progress. Therefore I conclude that setting goals is important, even if they are not attained.

I have notebooks of goals and lists. It is probably a form of mental illness. For me, it grounds. I am keeping my ideas in my brain, in the back of my day’s schedule, even on the calendar to some extent.

Today I return to the classroom. Only a half day, perfect for a re-entry.

It has been an interesting six weeks since surgery, twelve weeks since we found my tumor. Today the restrictions are lifted for my post-op regimen. I can lift more than 15 lbs, but I need to ease into it.

I can swim, which I plan to do tomorrow. I have been anticipating getting back in the pool at the Y this entire time.

The extra weight I gained from lack of exercise should disappear, right?

Four of my five kids got their life guard certification. Three worked as guards at area YMCA’s. I must swim, and I have swam all through my adult life, extra pounds or not! One of my sons said to me, “Mom, don’t worry about how you look. I’ve seen it all!”

As a woman in her 60’s I should not care, anyway, right? I am there for my health. I see all of my older peers being faithful to exercise, too. I will brave the stigma of being out-of-shape and join them tomorrow!

We celebrated our family Christmas this past weekend. It was marvelous. We were all together. We ate our traditional Christmas repast: Swedish Smorgasbord. We sang and read Christmas songs and passages. We gave gifts, thoughtful, homemade, sweetness. We laughed and hugged, held babies and remembered. We watched the delight of children opening new toys.

I think it was perfect.

I have determined to do a study on the commands of Christ this upcoming year. I want 2026 to be my year for practicing His commands, understanding them, obeying. I gifted each of my children with a study on His commands in hopes that they will join me in this pursuit. We actually did this study years ago as a home-school, and I think it was one of the most memorable and effective Bible studies we did. I think my “students” even remember all of the commands in the curriculum. (I’ve tested them surreptitiously).

I need a review. I plan to study a different command each week. This curriculum has 49, so it should take most of 2026. I’m starting this week, though. Christmas is already celebrated and I am one to strike while there’s a will to start!

Head start on 2026!

Matthew 4:17 says “From that time Jesus began to preach, and he said,”Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” ”

This command is “Repent.”

What an interesting study for this week!

My first thought about obeying this command is to just look at Jesus instead of looking at the world. I look for His beauty, His goodness, His mercy, His grace. I see His forgiveness for my sin. I am turning toward Him.

This is repentance, for me, today.

Of course there will be other thoughts, but I need something easy to begin with.

I will look at Jesus today.

When you look at Jesus you are looking at the pure and wonderful.

The dirt just doesn’t attract.

It’s supposed to snow today. Lots of snow is predicted. It is one of those days I love being by the fire, writing or reading!

But I really need to get back to work. I am thankful. I am blessed.

Next week will be a week of medical things, another scan to see if cancer is gone, another post op examination. It will be busy. I am praying for good reports.

This week is a gift. Looking at Jesus. Understanding Repentance. Snow. Thankfulness.

Come, Lord Jesus!

MARANATHA!

I’ve always been an advocate of celebration! I love the memories that decor evokes. I like the freshness of unpacking a box of decorations or seasonal decor after a year.

It is a hassle, but it marks time, and I firmly believe that God ordains festivals and holy days to mark time, to remember.

As a musician, I love the music of the seasons. I love the contemplative performances of Christmas time. We are so privileged to have world-class ensembles based in the Twin Cities. It is practically criminal to miss a concert!

I hope to go and hear “The Singers” this Sunday. I wanted to get to the National Lutheran Choir performance, but I can’t do everything.

Along with that I am committed to playing and singing worship services several times at my own church. I am happy to help out.

A huge snag happened this past Thanksgiving weekend.

Cherie and I drove up to Lake Superior for the night. We like to “greet” the lake at least once a year. Snow was on the ground but we were able to visit the Split Rock Lighthouse (most photographed lighthouse in Minnesota) and visit the Northern Waters Smokehaus for their amazing smoked salmon. We drove down Minnesota point, and shopped briefly at some of our favorite shops. Our trip went splendidly, even with snowy roads.

Upon return home we found Corwyn breathing hard. Ed had been watching her, but had wisely waited for us to return. It was a holiday weekend and only emergency pet vets were open.

We took her to the pet hospital. She has pneumonia. She stayed overnight one night, on oxygen and IV antibiotics.

We were able to bring her home yesterday, but I must say—-she and I are both in recovery now! Limited activity, medications, (for me natural/ home chemo) and QUIET.

As we drove toward the hospital my mind and heart, and my voice, were all crying out to God for mercy and grace. I was praying for His will to be done. I was placing the problem in His hands. I was trusting Him to walk the path before us.

I asked all of my friends to PRAY!

That is what a Christian does. We completely rely on God!

As a single woman I hate making big decisions on my own the most. My friend who also lost her husband commiserated with me on this. We feel so responsible for each and every thing we decide. We lost our “united front” as a couple, two brains are better than one status…

That is so hard when it comes to big things. Big decisions.

It is the worst.

So, I walk forward trusting that God is directing my steps and my path. I trust Him to close doors that need closing, open doors (windows), paths that need opening. I trustingly walk through them. I am casting the responsibility onto Him.

HE is in charge.

Yet in this world of material orientation His voice isn’t audible to me. He speaks, but only through my knowledge of Scripture and the character He shows me. I must trust what I have learned about Him and His teaching, His commands, to step forward.

It takes incredible faith. And I don’t even have a mustard-seed sized faith. I look at the hills and mountains in my life and they still seem to be fixed.

But where else do I go?

Looking back I have seen God in everything, even in my failings. I have trusted Him.

And I am grateful.

We just came through Thanksgiving, and my heart was full of gratitude. I know Jesus is returning for us soon. The season proclaims “LAST DAYS!” We just need to hold out a bit longer.

God is restoring relationships. God is providing. God is healing. God is good, gracious, merciful, and a wonder to me.

I am truly thankful.

The only reason He is waiting is so that more dear people can come to the truth of salvation in Christ alone. God is merciful.

Keep praying. Keep thanking. Keep trusting.

Celebrate that Jesus came 2,000 years ago as a baby. I am.

I am going to the piano right now to play a couple of carols. Christmas is HERE!

Love,

MARANATHA!

I have been thinking about something I’ve always said when talking about plans. I can’t help myself. It’s ingrained in me to say it.

I tack on a little phrase after my statement regarding future plans: “Lord willing.”

If you have the same habit, you are my tribe.

We do not know what the future holds, but we know WHO holds the future.

Corgi has dabbled in so many things in life. Six decades will do that for someone. I look back at my childhood, my college years, my missionary days, my military days, my home-schooling days, my teaching days (in public schools), my losses and illnesses.

My illnesses. The illnesses of those I love. The deaths.

I don’t know what tomorrow holds, but I know WHO holds tomorrow.

I will see healing, Lord willing.

I will see reconciliation, Lord willing.

I will continue to be of use in this world, Lord willing.

Knowing that the God who shaped the stars is actually shaping my own little life is awe striking.

That He forgives me my lack of faith, my failing, my shortcoming, is remarkable.

That He loves me is beyond my comprehension.

Why would He love me?

Why would He care about me and my future?

My favorite verse in the Bible is a common favorite verse. Jeremiah 29:11, For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper, and not to harm you, to give you a hope and a future.

This verse is for Israel, but we can claim it for ourselves. We have been grafted in. It is a promise that is precious and sustaining.

Yes, the Lord IS willing to prosper us and not to harm us.

Life on earth is fraught with trouble, but the Lord’s will is to prosper us. We have the hope of eternal life, nailed down by Christ’s death on the cross.

Faith, belief, trust, hope. We are His, and HE IS MINE.

For this I am thankful.

Remember that old song?

My music was limited to bus rides and church back in those days. Of course I played/practiced my instruments diligently. Very often an old song will come to mind as I piece together the thoughts I’m supposed to be having.

I’m well. I got to go to church yesterday and in the afternoon I had coffee with a very good friend. A very good day.

I am healing. I still get twinges of pain, but I think I feel really good overall. I’m still attempting to limit myself with lifting more than 15 lbs. It’s hard. That is the hardest thing for me. There are always things to be lifted around the house.

I am so grateful for the help I received this past week from two different church families. My yard work was done, and I got a load of wood for the fireplace. I’m so blessed.

Two special ladies prayed for me at church. I am always so moved when someone just says “Let me pray with you!”

It is healing.

When trouble comes I look for the supernatural signs that God is still in the picture.

I know He is, but I just need that extra reassurance to boost my resolve and my faith.

Yes, I am weak. If only I had faith the size of a mustard seed.

God is so gracious. He gave me a marvelous sign. As you know I am not earning any income right now. Living on savings….

(Thankful for medical insurance!)

But I had committed to paying my tithe every month. I was going to just pay that fixed amount out of my savings this month.

A friend that I haven’t kept up with enough over the years sent me an encouraging card with a check for the EXACT amount of my monthly tithe. I’m going to write to her and tell her that she is the biggest ENCOURAGER !! What a splendid, supernatural act! God used her to encourage me in the most wonderful way! My tithe is covered!

All of my needs ARE COVERED!

God WILL provide all your needs! I haven’t had to tap into social security nor retirement yet. God is SO GOOD.

I do hope to get back to subbing in January, maybe in mid December, even. Back in the saddle.

I just wanted to share this lovely gift from God.

Come soon, Lord Jesus! MARANATHA!

Here is a brief summary of what Corgi has been going through these past two months.

Yesterday was the 12th of November. On the 12th of September I had severe pain in my abdomen.

I had a tumor.

The tumor was benign, removed on October 28th. Also removed were ALL unnecessary organs in that part of my body.

In one of those organs I had thyroid cancer. Only 13mm of it, but still, cancer.

Yesterday I visited an endocrinologist. My thyroid is actually working, according to blood work. I used to be on levothyroxin for hypothyroid syndrome. I weaned myself off that medication several years ago.

The type of diagnosis that I have currently is extremely rare.

I will have my thyroid screened tomorrow, to see if there are nodules on it. If so, there will be discussion about the next step. Actually the specialists are in discussion right now, anyway. Rare cases require discussion.

I have been blessed, and I am thankful for:

Timely treatment appointments

A dear friend who has literally walked me through this, she’s got the notebook and she’s asking the questions!

Wonderful and supportive, praying friends and family who encourage me

I feel GREAT after the tumor is out of me (It was 13cm, so I was feeling it!)

All malignant cells were removed from my abdomen

I was happy with the specialist who saw me yesterday

I really liked the surgeon and the provider who treated me

I can drive (a bit) again

I am in a six week recovery period, but I still feel somewhat productive

God is providing, (but I get anxious with all these bills and no income)

I hope to be back substitute teaching a LOT in January

I am blessed with a beautiful autumn, the regular company of my two youngest children

The anticipation of holding my grandson, born in September, more

Did you see the northern lights? We did.

Thanks for praying for me! I don’t know what the future holds, but I know WHO holds the future.

MARANATHA!!!

Another pathological report came through yesterday. I should have held off on the reports about the first one until the complete picture came through.

My surgery went great. Everything was cleanly removed.

The tumor was benign, but it contained thyroid tissue, which was an anomaly. There was thyroid cancer in one of the ovaries. (So Far).

This is unusual, and I will need to see an endocrinologist. The outlook is positive. I will know more after my post-op appointment, but there are still some big unanswered questions.

Life continues peacefully here at Corgi Hollows. I love having Ed working from here more often. Cherie is in and out.

My calligraphy class is the epitome of quiet healing.

If life could be this peaceful all the time it would be a joy, but I might get tired of the perpetual quiet.

For now it is perfect.

As I field another “crisis” in my life I am constantly wondering at the level of faith I have in my heart and spirit.

Spiritual discipline, the daily Bible reading and prayer, are my bread and water. The emotions are all over, worry and gratefulness spike and recede. I must turn to truths from Scripture to field the highs and lows.

God will take care of me.

That is the truth, and I will cling to it.

MARANATHA!

Colossians 3:8-9

But now ye also put off all of these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication from out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds.

A post has been brewing in my mind these past weeks, the title above.

Judging people is something we all do in our minds and hearts. It’s what we do.

Judge not lest ye be judged. Jesus warns us that we need to check out our own standards before looking at others.

Lately I’ve seen some mean-spirited judgment among our fellow Christian brotherhood. Whether or not they are RIGHT is beside the point. People make mistakes. It is not our place to shout out judgment to the winds of our current society and its forms of communication.

Whether or not something is provocative is in the eye of the beholder. Gray areas are gray areas. I believe this pertains to people who are going through crisis more. Grief and trauma really mess up normalcy.

God is a God of grace and mercy. He is the supreme judge and He WILL judge. We are accountable to Him, and thankfully He is forgiving, even when we mess up in our trauma or profound grief.

Public figures have, of course, a higher standard to meet, but they are sinners and weak, compromised and trodden down as we all are.

Grace is certainly not a license to sin. I’m sad to see so many stoop to the lows of foul language. I want to shout,”Cut it out!”

I am sad to see people drop judgment on those that are suffering already. Cut it out!

I want to see people acting righteously and uprightly 100 percent of the time, but I know we are all sinners. We all mess up.

Keep your judgment to yourself. I need to cut it out….

I know that I messed up in my trauma and grief, without any intention of doing so. Sometimes it just happened. It may have looked bad to someone watching. It was completely random! I remember at least one specific situation. I still regret it, but it was completely random. I am thankful that I was the one who had the regrets and no one else seemed to witness my failure. I would have been judged.

It’s between me and the Lord. He knows the whole situation, all the angles, all the intent.

May we all be willing to discern right from wrong, watch for a fitting time to teach, refrain from public judgment, and forgive.

The Holy Spirit is a gentle teacher. He is far more gentle than most of us.

May Jesus come soon and save us from ourselves, save us from the judgment of those around us.

MARANATHA!