Do you believe?
As I was in labor with our first child, I looked up at my husband and said, “I can’t do this!” He smiled and said, “Well, I believe you have no other options and I KNOW you CAN!” By the grace of God, WE did and he was born. Nineteen years later, on the day…
October forgiveness…
Fall has always been my favorite time of year. We have three family birthdays in October. In 2014, we had three birthdays and a funeral. No one expected the funeral. Truth is, that with all the beauty of fall leaves in October, we are now filled with anxiety. Trauma sneaks in our unsuspecting days and…
Love is colorblind…
This summer, one of my best friends from high school asked me if I would consider watching her 13 children. YES, I said 13! I expected to be “in charge” of her children for several days, as she and her husband, married over 30 years, enjoyed a MUCH deserved vacation. They were celebrating his 70th…
What if I gave everything?
And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. And He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this,…
Are you weary?
I was working for a small family business and attempting to get to our office. Walking along, I realized I needed to cross a street. Upon crossing the seemingly narrow street, it widened and turned into a highway. When I reached the middle of the highway, I looked down and realized, it had new asphalt…
Loss and growth…
The shock of loss still hits full force some nights. I walk through our home realizing how much has changed since you left. Sometimes it’s difficult to remember what was here before and what you would remember. This holiday weekend reminds me that it was your last visit home. It was your dear sister’s sweet…
Live Intentionally
Do you ever get tired of being judged? If you have an issue with another, do you go to that person and kindly tell them? Do they ignore you and dwell in anger? Some days, weeks and even months seem to just drag us down with judgmental, negative people. It’s these times that looking up…
Happy heavenly 22!
The day Connor was born, we were awake for hours. He was due August 1st and was born at 2am, on August 1st. He was never one to wait around. He was a happy, silly kid with a big heart and beautiful eyes. Dressed in full denim, people would comment at what a pretty girl…
When you close your eyes…
Parents, after you read this, close your eyes. Imagine all the photos of your children in your home. All the places there are memories of school work, drawings, and handmade gifts placed before you. Music begins to play and you are instantly transported back in time. Smiling faces, singing, silliness, opening birthday presents and that…
Blessed Independence!
On this birthday of our country we are reminded of the gifts of freedom and priviledge. The first week of 2017, our Chosen to Shine team was blessed to serve in a third world country. If you are able to travel with a mission team, it is a life changing experience. It is understood that…
Take me instead…
Mom! WHY am I ALWAYS caught doing something I should not be doing?! Funny how sometimes we find out in the newspaper the things that our children have done, good or bad. When they are small it is “Bear – y Cute.” The love we have for our children is never ending, no matter their…
Discerning good from evil
The beautiful flowers that once filled our garden had been overtaken by weeds of death. We now place those flowers near an amazing gift in our life, carved in stone. We weren’t meant to “do life” on our own. God will lead us if we pray that His will be done and patiently listen. For…