I just have to tell you that one of my MOST favorite things of the whole year is when people send Christmas cards. It delights me to no end to see colorful envelopes, handwritten addresses, and shapes of cards that clearly don't contain bills! And for a whole month, I find myself nearly giddy to get the mail each day. A Christmas card reconnects me to people from all … [Read more...]
I Would Cuss You Out If I Did Not Love Jesus…
First let me just say that parenting is hard. It's hard to be consistent, hard to follow through with everything we say, and hard to discipline the little people that we love. But, we do it. Because if we didn't then our kids would turn into wretched adults, and we all know how much we enjoy those. And once in awhile we find ourselves really sticking to our guns and … [Read more...]
Much Much Too Busy for You
"Make new friends, but keep the old...one is silver and the other gold." We sang it every week in my girl scout troop that met at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Hickory, NC. I wonder that those words haven't become an anthem of sorts for me over the years even...reminding me of seasons that come and go, of changes both hard and full of blessing. "Make new friends, but … [Read more...]
Sweet Potato & Chorizo Soup with Fresh Spinach
It's cold and rainy here. The kind of day where all you want to make or eat is soup. This particular soup has been a favorite for years in our home and I shared it here a long time ago, but it's so good that it really begs revival. I love hearty and flavorful soups and this one meets both of those requirements. It is also one that is even better the next day! The … [Read more...]
Irregular Tuesday…or What God is Doing Behind the Scenes
It was just a regular Tuesday. Honestly...there wasn't a thing outstanding about two days ago. Woke up, made coffee for me, oatmeal for one kid, dumped a bowl of Lucky Charms for the other and then sighed relief that my kids are digging the $2 warm lunches at school this year. I kissed my man and my boys, sent them out the door to work and school, and then got some work done … [Read more...]
A Few Favorite Books for Little Boys
Somehow on the phone today with my assistant and friend, Mandy, we got on the topic of kids' books. Mandy has a 2 year old boy, and I could hear him asking to read in the background when Mommy finished talking to "miss Wogan." I love that little bitty boy stage, and as I pondered it for a minute, out of nowhere I started rattling off a few of my favorite children's books for … [Read more...]
Being Brave for One Million Thumbprints
I've never thought that I am very brave. Bold maybe, but in my mind that is different than brave. "Brave" to me carries words like "courageous, fearless, and dauntless." It makes me think about someone who runs towards a risk or a scary thing with an almost reckless abandon...unconcerned for what it may cost them in the end. So, by that definition, I'm not brave. Because I … [Read more...]
Making It Home
Today I'm pretty excited to share with you some wise words from my dear friend Emily Wierenga. Em and I have held hands across miles through lost babies and broken dreams and cheered for one another when God has brought new dreams from the ashes of scorched places. Emily is a true friend, a kindred heart, and a beautiful writer who's words are always balm to my soul. She has … [Read more...]
The Tension of Adulting
I was supposed to have a meeting this morning. But then, one person called and said he'd be late because his car wouldn't start this morning. Another one said her son had an emergency doctor's appointment after a fall resulting in a split chin and a couple of cracked teeth. And then on the homefront for me, our air conditioner went out and the service guy came to fix … [Read more...]
Battles and Brokenness
I turned in my book a couple of weeks ago. It was a glorious exhale after what has felt quite frankly like one heck of a run to get to that point. Oh my words...a real, live book! I can't even... You should know that I love what I’ve written, and I think that you will too. The process of writing it and working through the things God has been teaching me has been hard and … [Read more...]
Why You Need to Track Your Days
It's been awhile since I've had a guest around these parts, but I'm happy to welcome back my friend Claire Diaz-Ortiz sharing about her new book today that releases today! Wise words to make the most of our lives. We all want to look back and have led a life that is full and hopeful, and Claire has some pretty neat practices that are simple enough to help us pinpoint just how … [Read more...]
When Building Bridges Isn’t Enough {Allume}
I cross it nearly ever day leaving my house. It's the fastest route to the interstate, and is a great cut-through to head towards the opposite side of town. I avoid traffic when I cross over and then shortcut through the neighborhood that is adjacent to mine. For sure, it's the best way for me to get most anywhere. The bridge is just 5 houses down from mine. Crossing a … [Read more...]
Breathing in Oxford
I'm going to Oxford, England next week. It was a spur of the moment decision. I know, trips to England aren't exactly spur-of-the-moment sort of decisions though are they? At least not for me. Sometimes though, I think a wild hair strikes and it seems as if the stars align. You have what feels like a pipe-dream sort of idea one day and then you do something nutso and … [Read more...]
Women Are Scary
The first time I met Melanie three years ago, she answered a silly call that I put out to a crowd full of women to figure out how to fold a program that none of us could seem to figure out. I said whoever folded it the best would win a prize. Melanie made it into some origami genius. Clearly she won the prize. Then when I saw her later the next day, I mistook her for some … [Read more...]
My Heart Flew To Uganda…AGAIN….
This time last year I was stuck in Atlanta hoping with all hope that I'd be joining the team I was traveling with to Uganda on a storytelling trip with Sole Hope. Remember that? I had passport issues and ended up watching the team leave me there all by myself in the Hartsfield International Airport. And the 24 hours that followed had us all (myself included) on the edge of … [Read more...]
Painted Brick and Closet Breakdowns
I had to make a spot to sit on the sofa in my living room this morning. Even sitting here cross-legged, computer on my lap, my knee is crammed into a tupperware bin of boy clothes that no longer fit one kid and are still too big for the other. Boxes are piled half the distance to the ceiling all around me, and I keep wishing that I had rolled up the living room rug before … [Read more...]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- …
- 30
- Next Page »