“Reading a great work of literature can truly be likened to having a conversation with a great mind.”

“I am not here to serve myself. I am not here to be lauded, petted, admired or ‘affirmed.’ I am here to build men, cultures and kingdoms. When I find myself in the midst of difficulties and pain, will I persevere, or will I become a coward and pity myself? We do not have time for self-pity! We have much to do, and the hour is late! We need a broader vision of home than just ourselves as wives and mothers, sisters and daughters. We need to understand that we are to work to build Christ’s kingdom—for eternity!”

“Everyone does', 'They say', 'tradition', 'studies show', these are not reasons to do or not to do anything, but rather excuses people use to avoid the work of thinking about the question.”

“There is nothing one can do to delay the inevitable, and so it's best just to stand tall.”

“You have to thank God for the seemingly good and the seemingly bad because really, you don't know the difference [until we get to heaven].”

“Last year a baby orca and its mother wandered too far upriver from the ocean; we saw the story in The Oregonian. They didn’t know how to get back home. Pater said all the fuss from people and boaters and news helicopters was probably confusing them more. He didn’t say he thought they’d never find their way back, but I know that’s what he was thinking. In my mind, I like to think they submerged so no one could see them under all that deep blue, popping up again when they were safely out to sea.”

“... sin has always been more delicious than loyalty.”