This is fourth of five blogs about my recent trip to the Seattle area. I stole up to her bedroom door and quietly opened it. Little Eden – almost 3 years old – popped up and said that heart-melting word, “Grandma!”And with that we hugged. Downstairs, five-week-old Miranda moved her tiny fingers and looked at me with her little sweet eyes. Another heart-melting moment for Grandma.  What is it about little ones that touches our hearts…and even makes us act like children once again? When I’m with my grandkids, I find myself dancing, or singing, or racing cars. I delight in imaginative play as we share time together. Somehow paperwork and phone calls lose a great deal of interest when my grandchildren want to be explorers or ballerinas, or wants me to watch as they bob a balloon on their leg. Being with these precious children brings a sense of refreshment to my soul. And it’s clear that they so often are delighted to spend time with me. This recent visit with the litt...

My guest blogger this week, once again, is Betsy Ridgway. Her story is one of deep faith; a faith that has sustained her through a major health crisis, multiple miscarriages, wrestling with doubt, adoption issues with her kids, her son's cancer and special needs issues...and more. Her journey is the inspiration for her website and upcoming book, "The Song of My Hope."  Learn more at:  www.Sparklinghope.net Music and its many benefits have been woven into the fabric of my life. Sunday mornings from my childhood overflow with memories of my mom's sweet humming as she prepared our after-church meal. I believe this was my first "music appreciation" class!  In fourth grade our summer school class learned to play the song flute. The plastic instrument produced harsh notes at first while eventually blending into soft, chirping songs. I was hooked on music. I was fortunate to be blessed with piano lessons from a neighbor, learning to plunk out tunes wit...