I pulled into the parking lot behind the Franciscan monastery in D.C. and turned off the ignition of my car. I paused briefly, eyeing the steady downpour before deciding to "make a break" for Hermitage #1, a cozy studio apartment constructed for spiritual retreats nestled...
He came into our room in the middle of the night, shaking with fear. "Momma, the bad guys in my dream were going to get me." My tired voice ushered him in gently. "Come to me, son. You are safe. It was just a bad...
My life began on a fruit and nut orchard in Santa Cruz, California. Before we moved when I was not quite four, I had explored that orchard, eaten its fruits and discovered its treasures, which included a tree house my father and grandfather built for...
Before Abigail could speak, she told us through her actions that she loved animals and all living creatures. She communicated delight with squeals of joy upon encountering a frog in a pond, hushed silence while witnessing a butterfly gracefully alight upon a flower. When she...
Walking (or at many times it has felt like wading) through the challenges of this last year has granted me fresh perspective on the importance of training my children in the truth of God's Word. Scripture reminds us that "the world is passing away along...
Tomorrow we will turn the page on a calendar into a new year. Perhaps this year more than any in our lifetime, we sense the need for a clean page and a new start. And yet the turn of the page on a calendar does not...
I walked quietly around the lake, leaves crunching under my feet as little animals skittered about, gathering up any remaining acorns or food they could before the freezing weather began. I squinted at the winter sun, which seemed aching to set just below the horizon....
A few weeks ago, I experienced a time of shaking when, on a short trip to our family cabin in North Carolina (my favorite get away location!) we found out that my mother had tested positive for COVID-19. We happened to be out at a local...
My Dearest Grace, Today you turned 12 and we took a walk just the two of us through the mountain trail that leads from our family cabin in the woods of Cashiers, NC to a little stream with a waterfall I used to go to as...
My Dearest Abigail, You are my effervescent child. Bubbling over with joy, all of life is your celebration. I crave your energy and very literally can't keep up with you at times. October 8, 2012 we welcomed you into the world here at home, in our...