Janet's Blog

A couple of years ago, I heard a friend lamenting that there were very few contemporary Christian hymns of thanks.  As I thought about it, I realized that he was right.  Contemporary Christian music includes many uplifting hymns of praise, but not too many hymns of thanksgiving.  And, I realized that, out of all the music that I've written, none of them could be classified as hymns of thankfulness.  I didn't sit down right then to write a song, but I mulled it over, off and on, for a long time.  Then, one day this past August, seemingly out of the blue, this song happened.  I love it when God surprises me like that!  So now, as we prepare to celebrate another Thanksgiving Day with our families, I'd like to share this song with you as I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.  Magnify My Thanks   Though my faith is little; You give me much: The crown of life, Your sovereign touch; The Father's care, the Savior's love, The Spirit's blessings from above.

It took me fifty years to realize that the president was shot on my grandma's birthday.  It must have had some awful impact on her, even though she never mentioned it to me.  That one event impacted every living American, and a huge number of other people throughout the world.  Republican or Democrat, young or old, male or female, whatever their circumstances, anyone who was five years old or more can tell you where they were and what they were doing when they heard the news.  Just ask them! I remember that day well.  It was a crisp, sunny, fall day in Norfolk, Nebraska.  Dan and I had gone home for lunch, as usual, since Lincoln Elementary School didn't have a hot lunch program.  We walked back to school shortly before one o'clock.  Our teachers met us outside the front door of the school, and told us the news, that the president had been shot.  Then, they sent us all back home again.  Dan and I ran all the way home to shout the horrifying news to Mom and Dad.  I don'

When our daughter Meagan was just a toddler, she was enamored by tractors.  Whenever she was strapped into her car seat, she would while away the time just looking for tractors.  And, whenever she spotted one, she would proclaim it loudly--"red tractor" or "blue tractor."   However, her greatest excitement was reserved for those John Deere's that are found throughout our part of the country.  When she spotted one, Meagan would yell, over and over again, "green tractor, green tractor, GREEN tractor!"  Did I mention that Meagan's favorite color is green? Until recently, I didn't realize that a love of tractors, particularly green ones, could be hereditary.  But, I guess my grandson, Tobin, comes by it naturally.  I've been told that his dad, Andy, has always loved those green tractors, too.  Tobin carries his love of farm implements just a little further than either of his parents, though.  At the age of twenty-one months, he knows that h

My niece, Lindsey, married her childhood friend, Brian, on Saturday.  It was a beautiful wedding.  The bride was glowing.  The flower girls and ring bearers were cute and well-behaved.   The recessional music was unique and awe-inspiring.  The reception was fun.  The food was good.  Yes, it was a beautiful wedding. Yet, I wish for so much more for Lindsey and Brian.  I hope that their wedding day provides an inspiring beginning to a beautiful, lasting marriage.  I wish them happiness that lasts a lifetime.  I hope that they will continue to love each other day by day, year by year, with a love that grows and matures as time goes by. But mere wishes amount to nothing.  As the old English proverb says, "If wishes were horses, beggars would ride."  If marriage were easy, all couples would stay together "'til death us do part."  Anything worthwhile, including a satisfying marriage, requires work. So, instead of merely wishing Lindsey and Brian a happy life to

As an early childhood educator, I have gotten to know hundreds of young children and their parents.  And I've learned that, no matter what their circumstances are, most parents have one thing in common:  they want the best for their children. It isn't easy being a parent in twenty-first century America.  Today's young parents often lack older adult role models.  Some have no adult support system.  Many of them work long hours outside the home, entrusting their children to daycare staff or relatives for the care they need.  All are greatly influenced by our rapidly changing, increasingly materialistic society.  Many young parents seem overwhelmed at times.  Even the best parents are sometimes conflicted about their roles as their young children's first teachers.  As I've thought about this dilemma, I've come up with fifteen simple, essential things that parents can do with their young children to help them learn: Read at least one bedtime story every day