We sat in the rented min-van hurtling through the Hollywood Hills, the two youngest on probation in the back seat, the oldest in the middle pretending she couldn't hear any of us, the mother-in-law with nerves of steel next to her. He and I sat in the front, not speaking. Oh, we'd been speaking. We ... Read More about What Hollywood Taught Me About Real Life
Why Making Time For Family Matters
My brother lives in the country, in an old farmhouse built in 1833. Original, wide-plank wood floors run throughout the house, and the kitchen displays a fireplace I can stand up inside at my full height. At 5'2", that's not a huge accomplishment, but it gives you some idea of the scale. Every ... Read More about Why Making Time For Family Matters
When the Only Way Out is Through
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you." ~Isaiah 43:2 The first time I heard the story We're Going on a Bear Hunt, our friend stood in the ... Read More about When the Only Way Out is Through
Encouragement For The Ones Who Think They’re Failing
I haven't finished the laundry, and it's not for a lack of trying. The piles keep piling, despite my best efforts to beat them into submission with a scoopful of Cheer. The refrigerator is appallingly empty. The cupboards lack a certain "fullness" my children have come to appreciate, along with the ... Read More about Encouragement For The Ones Who Think They’re Failing
Garden State: A Lesson in Belonging
The four of us piled into the car, two adults in the front with a camera between us. Two kids in the back, with a bad attitude sitting between them. We drove exactly 2.9 miles to a new-to-us botanical garden. I drive by the entrance regularly, but have never turned into the parking lot, always ... Read More about Garden State: A Lesson in Belonging
Every Little Thing: A Book Review
Over the last few months, I've had a crisis of faith. Not the kind of crisis where I question the veracity of the Bible or the existence of God or the saving power of Jesus. The Gospel is as true to me as ever, to remove the foundation of it from my life would be akin to removing my very bones. I ... Read More about Every Little Thing: A Book Review
