Photo Credit: http://www.mixingbowlgal.com

I love to bake pies. It’s something I’ve done since we were first married in 1979 due to the kindness of an older woman who lived in our condo complex. She took me under her wing and taught me how to bake all sorts of homemade treats. Pie is by far my favorite, and my family is grateful!

Today I’ll be baking Tom’s favorite, a Triple Cherry Pie, for his birthday (which is tomorrow btw). On a side note: I’d love it if you would be so kind as to leave a birthday wish for him in the comments that I can share with him tomorrow night. 🙂 

A pie looks great as a whole, but the true quality of the pie is revealed when you slice the first piece.

Photo Credit: OKC.net

If it’s too runny, the filling spills out the sides. If it’s too thick the filling is sticky or worse–gummy. But when you get it right there’s nothing like it! I wish we could have you all over to celebrate Tom’s special day and have some pie with us, but I’m afraid that’s not possible. However, I can share with you a slice of something else–our life.

What We’ve Been Up To…

In Our Home:

As you may or may not remember, our youngest daughter moved into her own apartment in May thrusting us into the empty nest stage of life. With all the changes we’ve been through lately–our two older kids and all our grandchildren moving away–I thought entering into this season would be sad for me, but it hasn’t been at all! I’m so happy for our daughter to launch out on her own and see what God has in store for her life. And I’m loving having my husband and our home all to ourselves. It’s wonderful!

We’ve been busy putting in new carpet, redecorating bedrooms, setting up a home office for Tom (something he’s always wanted, but never had the space to do), throwing away junk, giving away items in good condition that we no longer need, and repurposing other things. It’s been freeing and refreshing, not to mention so much fun!

In Our Church:

We’re on our fourth month of hosting a small group in our home for the purpose of mentoring marriages. We have six couples in the group, including our pastor and his wife, and it’s been a wonderful time of growth and encouragement for all involved, including us! The plan is for this group to meet for six months and then start up another group for six months. We’re hoping to keep doing this as long as the Lord leads and for all the marriages in our church to be reached and encouraged wherever they are on this journey. The hardest part will be ending it; We have come to love and care deeply for these couples.

In Our Marriage Ministry:

I was recently interviewed by Belah Rose of the Delight Your Marriage podcast. She reached out to see if I’d be willing to share with her and all who might listen some things God has taught us in our 36 years of marriage. I love telling the stories of what God has done, because I know if He’s done it for us, then He can do it for others. God loves to take two lives and teach them how to live together as one flesh.

There are actually two 30 minute podcasts, and I’ve provided the links for your convenience. I’d love it if you could take some time and listen to them, and I know Belah would be grateful as well.

Thanks so much!

Delight Your Marriage podcast: Beware Of Critical Judgements

Delight Your Marriage podcast: Don’t Waste Your Hardships