Finding Joy in the Journey
A few years ago I wrote an Advent devotional entitled "Draw Near." At the time I wrote it, it was one of those periods where it was "easier" than others to draw near to God. He felt close, he felt present. Life was smooth - if there's such a thing - and we cruised toward... Continue Reading →
To say we're experiencing a storm as a family right now is a giant understatement. It feels closer to a hurricane that throws some lightning bolts and a tornado or two out of no where from time to time. I'm not going to use this space to vent, or to over-detail - because I know... Continue Reading →
It's dark outside. I'm sitting on our front porch, lights pouring out from the inside, sounds of nature and night surrounding from the outside. It's not an unusual spot for me to find myself. In fact, it's alone time I crave and take advantage of most evenings. But, tonight there's more on my mind than... Continue Reading →
Last night as I did my daughter's hair, she said "Mommy. Today you called me a wildling. What did you mean?" I smiled, as I brushed out the knots that seem to form 300 times a day from her constant activity, relentless creative endeavors, and attempts to best her brothers (all 4 of them) at... Continue Reading →
Our neighbors bought a boat. I know. What does that have to do with anything? Well... in our neighborhood, a little bit of everything and nothing at the same time. Let me step back. We were coming home from dinner with my in-laws last night for my husband's birthday (a precious time with family that... Continue Reading →
I'm a believer and follower of Jesus. If you've been here before or have interacted with me at all... I'm pretty sure you already knew that. But, with this week's decision I'm not out dancing in the streets. I'm not crying happy tears, rubbing this decision in any faces. In fact, I'm doing lots of... Continue Reading →
The end of the school year feels like a different kind of crazy in parenting life, doesn't it? From last minute projects, to class parties (don't forget the $2 for pizza!) to varying last days and dismissal times, to costumes for presentations, to band concerts, to pool parties and celebrations, and elementary graduations... it's a... Continue Reading →
Angst. Frustration. Unknowns. Living through the "newness" of 2020 straight on through today, from the global pandemic, to political strife at home, to wars overseas, it's been a lot. Those feelings mentioned at the top have become easy to fall back on, right? Even as it feels like certain situations are starting to resolve, or... Continue Reading →
I'm not a "Vague-Booker," but some things that take up a lot of our attention aren't meant for open sharing while you're going through them. If you're in that place: I feel you. You're not alone. Since the start of this year, lots of things in our family have felt uncertain - more shaky than... Continue Reading →
As we begin to enter into Holy Week, I wonder if we don’t often gloss over the importance of the very start of it. Like so many other parts of life: we jump to the end. We’re good at reflecting on the feeling of Maundy Thursday, we sit in the solemnity and darkness of Friday,... Continue Reading →
Take Two 