top of page
Home: Welcome
Life is messy. Sometimes we drop the plate on the floor and sometimes someone throws it at us. Either way, we are stuck with a mess. You could walk away and ignore the busted glass on the floor. I tried that... it doesn't work very well, eventually, someone gets hurt. The only answer is to clean it up.
That's my prayer for this blog - to clean up my messes. I have felt God tugging on my heart, asking me to step outside my comfort zone and be transparent, be real. So, just a word of caution... there's more than one busted plate on this floor. And most of the blood dried to the tile is mine, but not all of it. I'm starting the clean up process, but some of the tiny slivers of glass have been buried deep for a long time.
If you are new to this journey, please keep in mind that blog posts are in chronological order. If you want to start this journey at the "beginning" you'll need to start from the bottom. Thank you so much for joining!
Search
Hot Cross Buns
I love to bake! I've been baking since I was in my 20s... so for a long time. I love the smell! It brings back wonderful memories with my grandma. And baking is therapy for me. When I can't think straight or get my thoughts and emotions worked out, I bake. It calms my heart and gives me a chance to think things through. And baking and cooking for people is my love language. I might not be able to do a lot of things, but I can cook! And it makes me happy to make the ones I lov
Angie G
Jan 44 min read
Blessing in the Dark
The world is so loud! We are bombarded with videos and reels and conflict. The yelling and arguing are overwhelming most days. Even when we try to avoid the constant stream of division, it’s so easy to get swallowed up in the chaos. Even the church has joined the noise. The church used to be a safe space, but not so much anymore. What used to be subtle differences in practice and tradition are now gaping holes. Holes big enough to lose Jesus in! It’s just one more means for
Angie G
Dec 3, 20253 min read
A splash of red
I'm sitting here at my desk, staring at a blank screen, trying to figure out where to start. For those of you that follow this blog, you know that I am a survivor of domestic violence and rape. And I found out recently that the man that was the source of all my nightmares passed away recently. I can honestly say I don't know how to feel about that. Or maybe I should say I'm not sure how I’m supposed to feel? At first, I was numb. Kind of that “deer in the headlights” affec
Angie G
May 5, 20253 min read
Securing the Border
I love puzzles! Not the word games or the “how do I untie this metal knot” but jigsaw puzzles. Big, beautiful, jigsaw puzzles. My favorites are the 1000-piece ones – I’ve done smaller and larger, but those are my favorite. It does have its downfalls. For instance, for me, a jigsaw puzzle is like a good book for someone else… I have a hard time putting it down, even when it’s bedtime. But when done in moderation, I’ve also discovered that it helps clear my brain before I go
Angie G
Feb 13, 20254 min read
The same yesterday, today, and tomorrow
The weather definitely has that fall chill. Like most of the Midwest, Kansas is struggling to decide which season it wants to be. One day we’re warm and sunny and the next day we’re scraping frost off the windshield. Last night I was cold – you know, one of those days where you feel like your body never really had the chance to warm all the way through. And to top it off, I left work with a wicked migraine, which meant some time with the ice pack. When all was said and done,
Angie G
Nov 3, 20244 min read
From dark to light
Recently, in my personal devotion time, I was reading about Stephen. Remember in Acts when the 12 disciples got together and decided that in order to really do the ministry justice, they should have more disciples. Stephen is one of the 7 that they recruited. And the first thing scripture says about him is he was “a man of faith and the Holy Spirit.” But Stephen made a lot of enemies really fast because he was so on fire for God that the Pharisees hated him. They hated him so
Angie G
Oct 16, 20244 min read
Man's best friend
Some of you know I have a dog. She is a 6-year-old miniature boxer. Her name is Aggie. I rescued her from a shelter last December, so we are still learning each other’s strengths and weaknesses. I’ve never rescued an older dog before and it has come with its challenges. I had all these expectations because they told me she was house-broken and leash trained. I thought I was getting the perfect dog. One of my expectations was snuggling. My past is filled with 90-pound lap dog
Angie G
Sep 10, 20243 min read
Take THAT!
Earlier this summer, while preparing for a family vacation, I downloaded some audiobooks to listen to on the long drive. I figured it would help keep me awake and make the time go by faster. I really enjoyed it. So much so that I downloaded a couple more. Please keep in mind that I'm not much of a reader. I like to read, but I haven't really taken the time to do it since my girls were very little. As a stay-at-home mom, I used reading as a "Mom break." So as I was trying to p
Angie G
Aug 29, 20244 min read
A mile wide and an inch deep
Matthew 24:37-39 says, "As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man." As it was in the days of Noah. That verse has been engraved on my heart for weeks now. I don't
Angie G
Aug 8, 20244 min read
Pour like rain
I can't believe I'm almost 60 years old and still trying to figure out who I am. Just when I think I have it figured out some weird life choice comes along and makes me question my identity. I'm not sure why this surprises me. I feel like this has been a lifelong journey... or maybe the proverbial thorn in my side. This identity thing. Maybe that's how everyone feels. I don't know. Or maybe it's God's way of keeping my attention. Disclaimer: Nothing I'm about to say is anyone
Angie G
Jun 24, 20244 min read
... and carry a big stick.
God never ceases to amaze me. As His plan for my life slowly unfolds, more and more I see my always loving, all-knowing Creator at work. There are times when His blessings engulf me like the downpour of a waterfall. But more often than not, it is the drip-drip of a slow and steady refreshing. It is in those times when I feel each droplet touch my heart that reminds me where my courage and my strength lie. The past few days, have been a learning moment for me. A slow and stead
Angie G
Jun 5, 20244 min read
Holy imperfections
Not going to lie, I've been on the struggle bus lately. I could blame a dozen things, but in the end, I'm just frustrated with myself. Frustrated with all my imperfections that seem to be taking over my days... and my nights. And in all my discouragement, I battle with just how much I want to share - with friends, with family, with coworkers. I know it's hard to believe, but at my core, I'm really a private person. It does not come naturally for me to share. In fact, it's muc
Angie G
May 20, 20244 min read
Get up!
During our chapel time at work, we have been reading the Gospel of John. Yep... I got to pick! I love the Gospel of John. I could read it over and over and over again! Every page speaks to me. And even though I've read it numerous times, each time I read it I learn something new. This time around, the healing at the pool of Bethesda jumped out at me. The fifth chapter of the Gospel of John tells the story of Jesus healing an invalid at the Pool of Bethesda. The Pool of Bethes
Angie G
Apr 29, 20243 min read
Refresh, restore, renew
I'm not sure how many more excuses I can come up with to not write this blog. I've known for weeks what God wanted me to say but He's really asking me to step outside my comfort zone. It is in times like these when I remember how scary it was to post my very first blog. How I was just sure my world would fall apart if people knew the real story about me. But in that same moment, I also remember the feeling of total relief and freedom that came from letting go of such a heavy
Angie G
Mar 2, 20244 min read
First things first
So, most people know that I'm an organized worker. My days consist of marking things off my list. It makes me feel like I've accomplished something. Although, these days, I don't have much choice. My memory isn't what it used to be and I'm not good at multitasking. I'm one of those "one thing at a time" folks. But truth be told, I'm not near as organized at home as I am at work. Somehow the "I accomplished something" mentality isn't as important when I'm parked on the couch.
Angie G
Jan 30, 20244 min read
Can you hear me now?
Well, it's New Year's Eve. That time when we look back at the past year and think either "I wish I had a do-over" or "I hope I never forget the many blessings I received." New Year's is probably best known for its resolutions too easily forgotten. We go into the New Year saying "Starting today, I will..." It sounds so easy when we're all fired up and looking forward to change, but it gets tougher when the task requires long term, constant effort. Been there, done that. A few
Angie G
Dec 31, 20234 min read
Tree of Life
Why is it so hard to make the right choices in life? I'm not talking about choosing between becoming a serial killer or a librarian. I mean the everyday choices we make. Decisions that should be so obvious, yet we somehow end up in an internal debate. Some choices, bad decisions, can be corrected... and some cannot. Some serve as lessons so we hopefully don't make that same mistake again and some you're just stuck with. There are some choices you just live with. They are the
Angie G
Dec 15, 20234 min read
Life is a choice
I was reading an article this week that said the average person has an impact on 10,000 lives! Their point was to inform people that your life has an impact on the world - you just need to decide (and make choices) to make that a positive or negative impact. I think most of us WANT to make a positive impact on the world, but honestly, I never thought the average person would affect so many lives! I understand the ripple affect. You dip a stick in the pond and the ripples sta
Angie G
Dec 1, 20234 min read
Never judge a book by its cover
I just finished my first mission trip. I had convinced myself that this would be the hardest thing I've ever done. Now keep in mind that I signed up for this trip almost a year ago! A year is a long time to mentally prepare for the hardest thing you've ever done ! To say that I got on that plane with a little anxiety is an understatement! I wanted to believe that still small voice whispering in my ear - "I've prepared you for this very moment," but it would be a lie to say I
Angie G
Oct 28, 20235 min read
I can't put my arms!
As some of you know, I have had severe tinnitus for several years. Some days the ringing in my ears is more bothersome than others, but I always hear it... especially at night. The silence of the dark is like a loudspeaker in my head! I've tried many things, but the only thing that helps is to break the deafening silence. My trick? I fall asleep listening to the Bible. My Bible app has made sleep possible again! Sometimes I pick a particular book or chapter and sometimes I ju
Angie G
Oct 9, 20233 min read
bottom of page