Charity Lutheran CHurch
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Investing in Quality: The Importance of Good Foundation
Quality comes with a price, and some things are worth the extra time and money, including bras. No, I did not return to Victoria’s Secret in pursuit of undergarments. I opted for a department store, but I still experienced sticker shock, even with a half-price sale and deep discounts for being a credit card holder. Continue reading
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The Real Meaning of Christmas: Anticipation and Reflection
This year, Christmas arrived before winter did. Retail stores began selling Christmas decorations before Halloween was in the rear view mirror. Black Friday and Cyber Monday emails drowned out any important messages we might have received over the past few days. It’s already overwhelming. And it’s just begun. Today, it seems that Christmas has become Continue reading
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North Dakota Winters: Community, Grief, and Gratitude
Winter dropped. Not gradually, but in one day, we went from sweatshirts to ski pants. Here we are, beginning the Christmas season with snow and cold. Hopefully, you were one of the prepared and put those Christmas lights outside before the storm. Tomorrow, we gather with family and friends for a Thanksgiving feast, followed by Continue reading
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Exploring Estonia: A Journey Through Culture and Spirituality
Twenty-one quarts of salsa and 14 quarts of dill pickles later, and I am finally feeling free of the brain fog and fatigue from traveling to Estonia. Oh, I’d better include mention of a couple of 12-hour nights under the quilt. It seems that the days have shortened considerably in two weeks, and nighttime temperatures Continue reading
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Exploring Estonia: More Observations
Words cannot express. I’m back from Estonia. Yikes, 24 hours on three planes with three-hour layovers is exhausting. It might take me a few days to get back in the saddle; however, there are tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, and more patiently waiting to be eaten or processed. I will see how long I last today. One Continue reading
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From the farmer’s field to the mission field
Somehow, everything changes after the Fourth of July holiday. I can’t explain it, but even the weather seems to react to the shortening days. My garden has been loving the rain and there are signs of harvest popping up all over the place. Many of you know I decided to take some time off from Continue reading
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Highlights from a Busy Week in Morton County
Morton County and Mandan NewsLast week was a busy one in Morton County for the Balcom family. Monday, grandchildren Elle W. And Lucy B. Had lunch at the Old Ten in Bismarck with Grandma Sue B.B. followed by conversation and a Starbucks coffee in the Schilling Building on 43rd and Highway 83, Bismarck. It was Continue reading
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Early Detection: The Key to Lung Cancer Survival
November is Lung Cancer Awareness month. It will be two years in January since lung cancer derailed my life. I’ve been picking up and rearranging pieces ever since. Once I began the chemo/radiation regime in early 2023 I had no expectations of living out the year. Here I am, a different person, with a wholly Continue reading
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Let me tell you ‘bout my Jesus
It is done. Not the large tunnel, not the outdoor garden, not the small tunnel, not the flower beds — all of it. Everything. Done. In one day from green and growing to clean for sowing. The sun warmed the still air. People showed up by 10 a.m. By noon, three of us had dumped Continue reading
About Me
I love to write. My background is graphic arts and journalism. My roots are German-Russian from McIntosh County, North Dakota.
My time is spent reading, writing, gardening, cooking, blogging, fiber arts – you name it, we try it.
INDYchildrendotme 