It was just an ordinary visit to the thrift store. My son seemed happy enough playing with a toy digger truck at the store while we picked out clothes. Upon checking out, he asked if I would buy him the truck and I said, "No,...
Every night at our dinner table, each member of our family shares their highlights (or lowlights, as we call the hard moments) of their day. Many times, these highlights are predictable, but always they are valuable and we treasure hearing them. My nine year old daughter,...
Our family ended 2019 by going on a Caribbean cruise with my parents and my brother's family. As we packed for the cruise, I reminded my kids that there would be no opportunity to wash clothes on the ship, so they needed to be thoughtful...
Last weekend we decorated the house for Christmas and as we unwrapped the porcelain figures of our Peruvian nativity scene I notice that a few are cracked from chubby little fingers eagerly unwrapping them (and dropping them) over the years. I can't help but smile...
It was 2 A.M. when he crawled into my bed, shaking with terror. "Mama, the bad guys were in my bed." "You mean you had a nightmare, baby?" "Yeah. I need to stay in your bed." "Ok, honey. You can sleep on Daddy's side" (Daddy's...
I got her text message while taking some time out in my room during our church retreat. A friend of mine in our neighborhood, Ivy, reached out to ask if I could meet with her next door neighbor, Norman Green, a Christian man who was...
It was a lovely day at the park, a time of play and fun and sunshine. Laughter rippled across the playground and swings lifted little legs high until they felt they could fly. It was then that I heard her cry. In the midst of play,...
The Chronicles of Narnia have been a gift to our family as I am sure they have been to many of you. I've been thinking today about the transformation of Eustace in Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Lewis writes about this boy, "There was a boy...
Every year on my birthday I spent time with the Lord reflecting on the year behind and praying into the year ahead. I have done this since I was 19. This year, upon turning 40, I have been extra reflective. Something about the idea of...
“Ok, let’s pray this afternoon.” I clicked send on my text and hopped in the shower, my mind whirring. Looking ahead to our prayer date, anxious thoughts began to assail me. “What if nothing changes? What if it gets worse after we pray? What if...