s a v o r i n g
grace-filled moments

In 1975, when I graduated from college, I traveled for 15 months with a Christian musical ministry team with Lutheran Youth Encounter. This organization sent hundreds of college-aged kids around the world to share their faith. Our team, New Vision, traveled to and ministered in churches in New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, singing and sharing the good news of Jesus.

One of the songs we loved to sing a cappella was a little ditty that went around and around until it finally ended.

“I shall arise and go unto my father,

and say unto him father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.

and no more worthy to be called thy son.”

And when the father saw his son afar off,

He arose to greet him, kissed and embraced him with love and compassion

saying, “Once my son was lost, but now my son is found!”

This little round tells just a part of the amazing story of a father seeing his son and running to welcome him home.

Our family moved into our big old house thirty years ago.

In those years, we have received spooky night visitors looking for hospitality.

These scary outsiders did not receive an invitation nor did they knock on the door, asking for entrance.

No.

Usually, they squeezed their way in when it was dark and we were asleep in our beds.

Somewhere between silver and gold shines this lovely deep blue stone, celebrating 45 years of busy careers, raising children, celebrating weddings, inviting cherished in-laws, rejoicing over five dear grandchildren, burying our parents, many mission trips, growing in our faith, and finding Jesus to be so important. Now, in our retired years, we find ourselves serving others and giving back to the life we have truly cherished.