Word of the Week: Treasure

What do you treasure?

I’ve been thinking about this lately.

Have you ever wandered around a store looking for something to catch your eye? Maybe that's just me!

A few weeks ago I found a treasure box. I wasn't sure what to do with it. So of course I went back to the store and purchased a second one.

I began to use one treasure box to hold some note cards that have different names of God on them that I want to study. It made me think about what other things I treasure. So I started to make a list.

I treasure the word of God. I love quietly reading my Bible and making notes of the treasures I find within its pages.

I treasure jewelry. I have pieces that were handed down. Ones made by local designers. And things that my husband and children have gifted me...each item is priceless in my heart.

I treasure chatting with friends. As iron sharpens iron so one person sharpens another. I love gleaning wisdom and insight from the people in my life.

I treasure music. I love to listen to music and I love to sing it!

I treasure artistic creativity. Artwork in all of its forms amazing me. From jewelry designing to painting and drawing to spoken word, I love it all!

I treasure laughter. My granddaughter’s laughter fills my heart with joy!

I treasure books. I’ve spent many nights up way too late trying to finish one more chapter.

I treasure time spent in quiet. I truly value having extended times of peace and quiet in my day.

I treasure memories of special moments. With each year that passes I value my memories of events, time with family and friends, traveling with my husband. Making memories is one of my greatest treasures!

I can’t put all of those things in the second treasure box. But, I am gathering up some of my favorite things to give away!

Take a look at the video and follow along on Facebook and Instagram to search for clues that could lead to you be a winner of #AlidasTreasure!

Word of the Week: Adventure

We were going the wrong way but we didn’t know it yet.

What began as a shopping trip ended with an angelic intervention.

Or at least that’s my explanation of our afternoon ride.

A detailed map of the Krasnodar, Russia public transportation system was of no help to us as our eyes alternated between looking at the map and looking out the windows.

Silently praying that a familiar landmark would show us that we were on the right track; my thoughts drifted.

Back home in California we would go for drives on the freeways. If we missed an exit I would tell my little ones that we were on an adventure.

Years ago that was my way of keeping my kids and myself calm as I retraced our path to get back on track.

As they grew older ‘adventure’ became a code word for being lost.

And I was just about to admit to Spencer that we were lost.

A few gentle taps my shoulder made me look up from the map.

“Excuse me.”

Glancing his direction I noticed an outstretched hand gesturing to the map.

I pass it to him.

He looked it over, then looked up at me, “where are you going?”

“The bus terminal near Turgeneva and Gagarina”

Nodding once while politely handing back the map, “You must get off the bus right now, go back 2 blocks and wait for the number 6 bus going the other way.”

Suddenly, the bus came to a halt.

A woman’s voice cried out that we needed to go across to the other side of the street.

Time appeared to stand still as they debated.

Finally, repeating the instructions as I understood them the entire bus, it seemed, yelled out their agreement.

In tandem we jumped up, gathered our belongings, thanked everyone, and exited the bus.

Racing across the street in silence, carefully counting each block, we arrived just in time to catch the correct bus.

Once Spencer and I had a chance to catch our breath we looked at one another to check our reality.

My eyes were glazed over and my heart was still racing. “They were all speaking Russian, right?”

“Yeah, but, I understood it in English.”

Grateful that my teenager heard what I heard I exhaled and acknowledge with relief, “Me too.”

We made it home safely within a half hour but that miraculous moment has remained with me to this day.

We’d been in Russia a few weeks at that point. We had no knowledge of numbers or directions. And yet, as we listened to a language we didn’t fully understand, the Holy Spirit translated those words as they hit our ears.

I’m grateful that God’s power is not limited by language.

As I reflect on this memory it serves as a reminder that He’s still there.

How has He been there for you?

Write down those moments and give God praise for His unfailing love that reaches every corner of the world!

5 Secrets to Deepening Intimacy as a Couple

A flooded bridge, lionfish fingers with sweet potato fries, and a long drive home in the middle of the night were just a few of our memories from Punta Gorda.

When we learned that the Legacy Captivated Outreach Tour I’ve been a part of was going to a place in Belize that we had not yet visited we knew we wanted to go together! Our time there was way too brief and we hope to go again. It was surprisingly peaceful and everyone we encountered was so friendly. We had a great time going from house to house with the outreach team, inviting people out to the concert, giving away some of my cds, and praying with those who asked for prayer.

Tom and I chose to drive down early so that we could spend a bit of time checking out the town before the outreach started. And both of us were so glad that we made that choice. We’d had a few busy weeks prior to the trip and we discovered an atmosphere that allowed us the chance to reconnect and refresh our tired spirits. One of my friends referred to our trip as little “honeymoon” for us and I agree with her.

Over the past few weeks I’ve been thinking about why that trip was so special for us even though it ended with a little more adventure than we’d planned for due to the torrential rains that flooded the bridge on the only way in or out of the district. Tom and I realized that there are five reasons why we both felt a deeper level of connection and intimacy on that short little trip.

1 We truly enjoy traveling:

The U.S. Travel Association reported that couples who travel together are significantly more satisfied with their relationships, enjoy better sex, and have improved romance long after the trip ends.

Exploring new places is always a joy for us. Seeing God’s creation is never boring. Our favorite travel destinations usually involve the coastline. Strolling hand in hand near water is always romantic, relaxing, and inspiring. Punta Gorda had the invigorating smell of the sea with the breeze to match. The beauty of the Caribbean was on full display for miles and miles in the distance.

2 We love eating together:

A study by a team of Dutch and Canadian psychologists revealed that the simple act of eating a meal together can help bring you and your partner to an emotionally better place and create more intimacy in your relationship.

Whether we are sampling new foods or enjoying old favorites it’s fun to sit and chat over a good meal. It gives us time to unwind, make plans, or just simply enjoy each other’s company. Taking a break from cell phones, work, and other distractions is definitely nurturing to our relationship.

3 We shared laughter:

There is great satisfaction to be found in creating humor as a couple. Research found that "playfulness between romantic partners is a crucial component in bonding and establishing relational security" and that laughter, "particularly shared laughter, is an important indicator of romantic attraction”.

I remember telling God that I wanted to laugh for the rest of my life. And I know that he brought Tom and I together for that reason. Whether we are laughing over something that occurred along the way in our travels, or over something seen or heard while we’re out ("pimento cheese" - text me & I'll clue you in on the joke), or even Tom photobombing my efforts to capture our moments together on film, we’ve always found humor as a way to deepen our bond.

4 Our shared faith was strengthened:

We’ve valued our mutual faith in God over the past 35 years of our marriage. No matter what we face together we do it with God’s help and guidance each step of the way. As we were out with the team going from house to house my admiration and respect for Tom grew each time he offered to pray for someone, I felt supported as he prayed for me before I sang that evening, and it was a great comfort to pray together before we drove home in the middle of the night when the flood waters had receded from the bridge. Research also validates the importance of shared beliefs but our own personal experiences of weathering the literal and figurative storms in life strengthened and encouraged by our faith in God have been invaluable to us.  

5 We created positive memories:

Each time we travel we add the memento of a shared experience to our collection. One of my songs, Love Is, is based on a list of memories we’ve created. Drawing on those memories is part of the fun of being together. Even our four hour drive home from Punta Gorda in the dark of the night evokes a positive memory of supporting one another through encouraging words and prayer as we navigated unlit portions of the highway and narrow one vehicle bridges in the rain.

Each trip we take together, no matter how short, is a time of re-connection, renewal, and romance. And I can hardly wait for the next time as I cherish each memory of all the trips we’ve taken over the years. God has been good and we have been blessed!

Princes' Isles, Turkey

Grand Bazaar, Istanbul, Turkey

Pune, India

Paris, France

Cancun, Mexico

Even to your old age

Her face drew me in...numerous lines reminiscent of wave after wave on the Arabian sea. Concerned eyes as intense as the sun. I find unexpected beauty in her presence.





She knows her products well. She is ready to discuss each one and show off its features.

Her pots are on the ground, close to the street, everything is dusty, grimy, but she wipes them down carefully to show them off for prospective buyers.  Hers is the first stall we go to and the last one we visit as we cross off the items on our shopping list.




Stooped over, with her saree tucked in to form a pair of pants of some sort,
she bends low to wrap the pots for us and we are grateful.
None of her wares are very expensive.

One pot sells for 6 rupees (about 9 cents).  We leave with three small pots. The next day we return for 75 more.  I wonder how many more years she will be on the side of the road, bent low, selling a pot or two at a time?



Even to your old age and gray hairs
I am He, I am He who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you
I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
Isaiah 46:4