This morning I woke up with a case of the Shingles. No joke... like the geriatric version of the chicken pox virus. I know this because I had it before when I was 15. Also, I just spoke to my dermatologist friend, Christine, on the phone after sending her a picture and the words "TELL ME THIS ISN'T SHINGLES." She confirmed it is in fact the dreaded virus and told me … [Read more...]

We have been in our new house for two weeks, but it has only taken that long for my heart to break into a million pieces and simultaneously be put back together each day. Every day I look out the picture window in the front of our house, and I have a clear view of their front door from here. The mint green paint is cheerful and someone made sure to hang white Christmas lights … [Read more...]

I got fired. Really, I think the term that companies prefer to use is to say that I was “Let Go.” Letting someone go makes us feel like perhaps we are simply pushing their ship back from a dock to release them to bigger and better things. You have the whole ocean ahead of you and the directions and possibilities are limitless. You let people go so that you don’t hold them … [Read more...]

I'm sitting in my office right now and the buzzer on the washer just went off.  I'm trying to decide if I should keep working and risk forgetting about the wet load again. I should probably just go swap it right quick so it doesn't get that funky smell...you know the one that reeks of too many things on your plate and this particular one called "wet laundry" was the plate you … [Read more...]

“God spoke to me, revealed things to me, and answered prayers through this retreat. It was a beautiful time. The setting was gorgeous, the food was delicious, and the fellowship was incredible.” Kaylee Vida I'm joining my dear friend Sarah Mae again this October for our second Breathe, Pray, Write Writing Intensive and Retreat! The first one was … [Read more...]

You guys, Some things are just so good that I need to come to you immediately and directly...dirty hair, ball cap, no makeup and all. I hope you'll be ok with this. I started making live videos just for fun over on my Facebook Page a few months ago and I've had the best time.  Because the truth is that I'd most prefer to just have a conversation with you as much as anything … [Read more...]

So this is super fun if you live within driving distance of my lovely town of Greenville, SC! I've been partnering and working with DaySpring (the faith-based division of Hallmark) on some super exciting projects, one of which is hosting this awesome FREE event in Greenville next week (on Tuesday March 14, from 7-9pm!  DaySpring is bringing in one of their Bible Journaling … [Read more...]

It's always a treat to share a friend with you here in this space.  I'm a friend maker and a friend connector and so it is a great delight to share the things God is doing through people I know.  Today I want to share my friend Kelly Balarie with you.  I met her somehow randomly on the internet and she started praying for me while I was running Allume and writing Curious Faith. … [Read more...]

I remember the year that 30 babies were dedicated at our church on Mother's Day and I had just lost my fourth pregnancy well into the second trimester.  I was still wearing maternity clothes at that service even though my womb was empty, and I cried through nearly the whole thing.  I was a mom of one little, but my heart ached to mother another. It hadn't been long before … [Read more...]