The New Year is still new, my friends! If you are still contemplating why you should choose a Word of the Year, I have some ideas for you. Here are 5 ways a word can positively influence your life in 2018! But first, let me introduce my Word for 2018: Advocate. This word is probably…
My New Year’s Yoga Flow Playlist
One of the highlights of 2017 was learning to meditate on the loving care God has for me. The unexpected catalysts this contemplative practice was a yoga class. The only spiritual connections I have made in yoga are with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I am VERY intentional about setting my mind on things…
Why Did Jesus Come?
“Why did Jesus come?” I asked our kids on the drive to church yesterday. Our son took a long time to arrive at his answer. Eventually he responded, “because he wasn’t there.” His simple, straight-forward conclusion has profoundly impacted me and left me pondering all day. Jesus. Wasn’t. There. There was no access to grace,…
3 Executive Decisions This Momma Made for the Holidays This Year
In a century where holidays are hijacked by outrageous spending and overpriced tradition expectations…. I just want to love my family. I began to notice where my Christmas to-do list no longer lined up with love. Time to change things up! For Thanksgiving, that meant I learned to mosey. For this first week of December,…
A Blanket Fort of Grace: Stay Present Momma
Today was the worst. Add up unrealistic expectations, a messy house, unfinished projects, coat sleeves turned inside-out, tired kids and an even more tired mom, and we got a group of crying, screaming half-dressed small people in the garage by 11am. The worst part was, I knew it was all my fault. I had over…
Let Go Of FoMo: How to Really Enjoy Your Vacation
“Let’s mosey,” my husband said. I tried to decipher whether it was a pleading question or a gentle statement. It took us about 2 years of marriage to discover the importance of communicating expectations for family activities… especially during the holidays. Now after 8 years, this is still imperative for our relationship. Vacation expectations are…
The Day After Thanksgiving: Is it Good Friday or Black Friday… and What Are We Really Searching For?
In less than 10 days, our world will come together for the most anticipated Friday of the year: Black Friday. Long ago, I discovered some gray neutral ground for Black Friday. I do not actively avoid it, however I am not consumed by it. TBH, I appreciate the occasion for people-watching on a grand…
How A Grateful Garland Rescued November
Every year the debate continues should Christmas celebrations start before or after Thanksgiving? Here in the audacious year of 2017, the pivotal day in question has been moved to Halloween. I am definitely not a Christmas-before-Thanksgiving hater. However, I am the kind of person that worries about someone or something feeling left out. For crying…
A Dying Woman’s Request: A Fresh Perspective on Prayer
Ghoulish figures line the aisles of the department store. One cannot ring in autumn without a solute to Halloween. Pointing to a skeleton with glowing red eyes, my 3-year-old son asks, “what is that man?” I explain the skeletal system and how God made our bodies strong and sturdy with bones to hold us…
5 Gospel Sharing Hacks That Will Change the World
Are you tired of anxiety hijacking your chance to share your faith with a co-worker? Does the idea of evangelism incite an eye-roll reflex? Have awkward experiences tarnished the idea of gospel-sharing for you or your family? I get it. I have been there before. Talking about church, God, faith, sin, and the afterlife can…