So, where have I been lately? It’s been almost a month since I posted anything on This New Life. It’s not been for lack of desire, however. Life just happens sometimes. In this case, all the usual suspects are in play again. 

A growing church. An exegetical dissertation. A period of local and denominational leadership. A partial career shift, with its many attendant realignments. A slate of courses to teach, both at the local institute level and the master’s level for a university out of state. And a joyful, ongoing stint as “Papa” to the two most amazing little boys in the universe. 

There was also the attempted recovery from all the pain that accompanied our journey through Alzheimer’s Disease with my live-in mother-in-law. I say “attempted” because one never really recovers fully from such trauma; we simply learn to live into the new normal with divine resources to counter the lingering sadness. The stress is gone, but the numbness remains. Through it all, though, God is faithful to supply our emotional daily bread. Today is Lorena’s first birthday in heaven.

Finally, there’s another new normal we’ve been anticipating and now are preparing for. My younger sister, Ronni Sue, has advanced-stage cancer in several places throughout her body. Doctors give her about six more months to live. Only God knows the real time of our departure, but that’s the timeframe her care team has given.

For lots of different reasons, Ronni is going to move into “the granny flat” addition we built for my mother-in-law several years ago and finish out her journey with us. We’re grateful to have the means and opportunity to do so.

We’re not sure how the adventure will unfold, but we can say with utmost confidence, “Emmanuel,” God is with us. For those who pray, thanks in advance for lifting my sister before the throne of grace. She’s a believer in Christ. And despite her many challenges in life, she’s one of the kindest people I know.