Category: Uncategorized

flying high…staying grounded

I saw this quote and had to smile. These pictures remind me of the joy of flying high. These kids model risk-taking, expressing happiness and freedom in movement. There is something so delightful in watching my nieces and nephews play at a level that I can only dream of. I wonder how they learned to be so flexible. I wonder how they learned to trust that they would flip back onto their feet if they flipped their body over. 🙂

So, the directive is to fly high and stay grounded. I was a kid who lived much more comfortably with my feet on the ground. Yet I have never lost the wonder for those who fly high. There is something in the thrill, the surprise, the skill, and the amazement when they take off, but also when they land.

I am grateful that even though I was never comfortable doing the flips and jumps like my nieces and nephews, my parents encouraged us to have our feet on the ground and live as free spirits who follow our dreams and passions. To live this way is a thrilling adventure.

I wonder how your life adventure is unfolding. What stories do you have about flying high and staying grounded? After all, sharing stories and inviting others to live life fully is a thrilling adventure! ❤️trish

Cleared and released

I did not anticipate hearing the doctor tell me that I did not need to schedule a follow-up appointment would make me feel so good.

I had my first double gastroc release surgery for my heel pain on January 27, 2023, which proved unsuccessful. This had me in double boots for 12 weeks. I had my first knee replacement due to complications from being in boots in late May 2023 and my second knee replacement in early October 20203 due to a floating bone spur. December 20, 2023, I had another Achilles repair where they severed the tendon, shaved the bone spur, and anchored the tendon back into the heel. I did the other heel, the same procedure as in December, in February 2024, and have finally been cleared and released.

I went to the car and sat for a few minutes, reflecting on my community’s tremendous support, both prayer and meals. I could not have made it through without my village.

It was a long year, but I experienced kindness, goodness, and abundant blessings during struggle and hardship. Have you ever been given a season of hardship that, looking back, you can call an unexpected season of goodness?

It will be good to get my muscles strong again! ❤️ trish

 

Take time to breathe…

What a beautiful day in our part of the world. The temperature was perfect, the breeze was gentle, the sun brought a gentle warmth, and the sky was blue.

I had a hectic week, but in the beauty of today,  all the time spent in meetings, all my task lists, and all the possible outcomes seemed to fade. I was again struck by the natural benefits of a perfect weather day. Of course, we have our share of them in the spring, summer, and fall, but the real discipline comes from creating space to enjoy it!

The tragedy of life is when we miss the beauty that is right before us.

Take time today and every day to marvel at God’s excellent design. ❤️trish

 

Learning Together

Recently, I became a mentor at our Church. Pastor Kristy sent us such good prayers for our youth. I posted it to share it, and I realized it was long and packed with so much good.

So I reread it, and this section contained the words that resonated with my heart.

Lord, You said let the little children come, 

And we give our children to You.

May they ask questions 

With no easy answers, 

In today’s world there are so many questions that could be asked. These questions do not have easy answers. May we be mentors who create space for questions. Give us the courage to let the questions sit without answers so we can wonder and learn together.

And may we be rooted in You, 

Firm enough in our foundations 

To sit in the mystery with them. 

May we remember that by sitting in the mystery together, the truth can be discovered and/or revealed. May we be mentors who build trust so the mystery is a place of invitation and curiosity May we mentor all the children in our daily lives in how we engage them in their questions!

Help us learn together. 

❤️trish

 

Synod 2024

True Confessions: I am committed to blogging every day for one year. I am on a 163-day streak. I wrote this last night during a reading break from my Synod Agenda. I then fell asleep reading and did not post. So tonight you will get two blogs, one written last night and posted tonight and one written tonight and posted tonight. Then I will be back on track!

In just a few weeks, I will serve as a delegate to the Christian Reformed Church Synod. This week-long commitment involves participating in dialogue and decisions that will shape the direction of the Church for the future. It is an intense week of long days. The agenda is heavy and it is clear that yet again, the division in the denomination is significant.

Tonight, at the end of our Council meeting at church, the leadership team asked if they could pray over me. My initial internal reaction was to tear up, for the idea of being prayed for and prayed over is very touching and dear to my heart. I also felt a wave of anxiety as I realized that when I stand for an extended period with my eyes closed, my balance may not be outstanding, and people may recognize that I am swaying a bit.

As my friends and fellow leaders encircled me and reached an arm out, I bowed my head and closed my eyes. I felt each person’s strength stabilizing and holding me firm. I heard the words of the prayer, asking God to provide tenderness for my heart and wisdom to discern, courage to speak and rest at night, and energy by day. In the prayer and embracing the feeling of strength from my friends, I wept in gratitude for a community that cares, prays, and loves me so well as I prepare to use my voice to speak out in the ways God has convicted me to represent His Church.

I welcome you to join me in extending your arms of strength and your words of prayer for the prep work and spirit-led deliberations the week of Synod, June 13 to 20, 2024. ❤️trish

 

One Singles

My niece is playing first singles tomorrow morning in a tennis tournament. She has worked hard for many months and earned herself a spot on the varsity team as a freshman. She has demonstrated the importance of hard work, commitment, believing in yourself, and giving it your all!

Now, let me assure you this has not been an easy path. It has come with its share of stress and the reality that navigating new pathways, no matter how badly you wanted the dreams to come true, still was difficult. Now, I happen to find myself 90 minutes from home. It will likely be her last match of the year. Do I go? I have seen her play, and I went just yesterday, but it is important to me, and I don’t think I want to miss it in any way!

As we talked about tonight, we are showing up in the morning, leaving the lake at 715 a.m., because we don’t want to show up only if we think she is going to win. We want to show up to honor effort and commitment, offer support, and communicate through our actions that we love you and are proud of you!

I believe in this kid wholeheartedly, but she is an alternate tomorrow, as the #1 singles cannot be present. Johanna is excited to give it her best shot, and we will be there to cheer her on. We won’t miss it!

Consider showing up for who you need to in the coming days or weeks and make it happen. You will be glad you did!  ❤️ trish

 

 

entrapment to freedom….

Tonight’s blog is an invitation to consider the powerful picture below.

What does it provoke in you?

Does it resonate with something from your story or the story of someone dear to you?

Have you ever felt entrapped by someone or something?

Can you relate to the experience of breaking free?

What has freedom looked and felt like on your journey?

These are just some thoughts to consider! ❤️ trish

 

 

Provoking Joy

While I have been on vacation, I have been listening for laughter. It is fun to have an ear out to catch someone’s giggle. I have also had times when someone’s laughter was so full-bellied that it caused me to turn my head! It doesn’t matter if I am straining my ear to hear or turning my head because the joyous laughter piques my curiosity. Laughter often provokes joy!

I have a few favorite photos of times when, if you were present with us, you would have heard an outburst of laughter, and I believe even the pictures provoke joy!

There was a season when I realized I did not laugh much. It wasn’t for any particular reason other than I just took life too seriously. I invite you to do a laughter assessment. The other day, I wrote about spending more time with children, which will provoke joy and bring out laughter. Consider what or who provokes joy in you and commit to spending more time in those spaces. Or set out to listen for laughter. I have found his week, which in itself can make me chuckle. May Joy find you today and every day! ❤️ trish

The greatest challenge of being alive…

Whenever I am out of my routine, I think of blog topics throughout my day. Today, I kept thinking, “I might have a week’s worth of content; every conversation or situation seemed to develop into a potential blog.”

But tonight, I will save them for another day and time.

I am sharing this with you because I believe the invitation is important for us all to embrace. It is one of the greatest challenges of being alive.

The first step, my friends, is to witness the injustices of this world. I encourage you to take time and think about what those are. As you name them, become aware of them and witness them.

We must not stay focused just on injustice. Perhaps the most important part of our response to injustices around us is that we do not allow them to consume our light!

Shine your light at all times, but especially as. you encounter injustice! Always remember you can bring change, hope, and love to those around you! ❤️ trish

 

Decompressing in the sun, sand and water

I am often aware of the privileged life I lead. I feel very grateful as I pack tonight to get away for a few days. I frequently feel torn because I enjoy my everyday life, but in the end, the gift of bringing a change of pace and the freedom to decompress in the sun, sand, and water is good for my soul.

I have excellent co-workers who carry on the business and ensure all aspects of our daily responsibilities are met. My wonderful family ensures my house is watched and lived in. I have a fantastic neighbor family with whom I co-own our wonder pup, Wilhelmina, so she doesn’t miss a beat when she has a few extra days at one of our homes. I may be single in my relationship status, but I am surrounded by community and deeply loved and cared for.

So, I am looking forward to a few days outside of my normal routine, but I will continue to blog. I committed to blogging every day for 365 days, and I can continue, no matter where I am. I also very much look forward to being home soon because no matter how nice it is to get away, it is always nicer to come home! ❤️ trish