Several years ago while enjoying a few days away on retreat, I listened to some background music while I ate breakfast. To the peaceful strumming of a guitar, the soloist sang the following words: “God is in love with his people. God is in love with me.”

Tears filled my eyes. “What a relief-producing idea!” I thought. Immediately my longing heart felt bathed with hope. Then a disturbing question threatened my contentment: “But is this true?” When I returned to my room, I searched my Bible for an affirmation. “The Lord appeared. . . saying, ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love,’” I read.

“It’s true,” I whispered. God is in love with me. And God is in love with you, too. Maybe you’d like to write these words on a sticky note and put it on your computer monitor, car visor, or bathroom mirror to remind you daily of God’s constantly active love for you. For time immemorial He has loved you and me.

Happy Valentine’s Day 2008!
It’s Love Day! And my birthday. It’s a BIG one for me, but I’m not telling which one. I had a great day today. It wasn’t “perfect” because my husband was out of town, but it was wonderful. Sounds like The Relief of Imperfection! (Remember–Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful!)

Hey, I’ve been celebrating my birthday for weeks, ever since the “Relief” Book Launch on January 19 when my daughter Lynnette, son-in-law Adam, son Rich, and daughter-in-law Anne surprised me with a special memory book filled with notes, letters and well wishes from over 50 friends, colleagues, and family members sharing funny stories and birthday greetings. It warms my heart every time I read these messages. I’m a grateful woman!

Here’s some photos of that celebration night.

Above photo: My daughter-in-law Anne Webb giving me the Birthday Memory Book!

The 2nd photo includes (right to left) our son Rich, then daughter Lynnette Rasmussen, then my husband Richard, me (Joan) in the middle, and my friend Patty Parker (we’ve been friends since grade school and she was in our wedding) and Patty’s husband Frank Fara. Patty and Frank are in the music business (check outhttp://www.comstockrecords.com/).

3rd Photo: The Relief of Imperfection book table with my friend of twenty years Sue Theobald (on the left) who came all the way from Minnesota to Arizona to celebrate with us. On the right is Lisa Gifford (and her husband Bruce.) Lisa has one of the 35 stories of “relief” in The Relief of Imperfection. She and I are working together on some “Relief of Imperfection” projects. Kneeling down in front of the table with her back turned to the camera is Lynn Bragelman, the winner of the “Relief” basket give away.

Thank you to all of you who came out to The Relief of Imperfection Book Launch Celebration. And thank you to all of you who wrote personal Happy Birthday greetings for my Memory Book. You are part of the joy of my birthday this year. I’m smiling here!

Congrats to Karla Patrick of Cambridge, Minnesota! Karla won the January Free Book Drawing for an autographed copy of The Relief of Imperfection.

When notified that she had won the January drawing, Karla said, “Wonderful!! Thanks so much. I look forward to reading it. I really need it this week! 
In the photo above, Karla and I smile at the camera when I visited Cambridge, MN. Enjoy reading through The Relief of Imperfection, Karla. May you find “glimpses of relief” in these pages. Thanks for signing up for this January drawing.


Maybe you will be the winner of the February drawing. Visit http://www.reliefofimperfection.com/ and send me an email request to be entered in the February drawing by clicking on the words CONTACT US on the left hand side of the HOME page. Then fill out the form and hit send and you’ll be entered. I’d love to hear from you.

Joy! I Don’t Have to Fix It All–Including You!

and
Numb and Number–When Trying Too Hard Dulls Your Soul
These were two of the topics included in The Relief of Imperfection Women’s Retreat at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Faith Community Church in Chandler, Arizona on January 26, 2008. We had interactive sessions on “The Relief of Imperfect Relationships and Families,” “The Relief of Imperfect Emotions, Minds and Bodies” and “The Relief of Imperfect Faith, Prayer, and Spirituality.”

I so enjoyed sharing with these women last Saturday. These are women with varied backgrounds and talents, but all with hearts for God and their families. Lisa Gifford, a professional woman with four young children who has a personal story in The Relief of Imperfection, joined me in sharing/presenting at the one day retreat. Lisa snapped pictures of some of the women. Is your picture here?