As moms, our hearts ache when we see our daughters struggling with insecurity or self-doubt. We want to pour confidence into them, to help them see the beauty and strength that we see in them. But for teenage girls, confidence is often fragile, shaped by a world that constantly tells them they’re not enough. It’s...Continue Reading
Hi, Nate… And here we are at high school. You are so ready. You told me the other day that you were bored at the end of middle school and that wasn’t good for you. I see this. You’re at your best when you feel like you’re doing something epic, fresh, and thrilling. High school...Continue Reading
Good morning, Lord, Thank you for today, for Your perfect plans, for your child, Catie. Your protection is a blessing, and I’m so grateful for Your care. As Catie begins her junior year, please bless her. Fill her year surprise moments of joy and fun. Continue to grow her incredible sense of adventure and her...Continue Reading
7 The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life;8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. -Psalm 121:7-8 Last week was Senior Walk at our high school, Lutheran South Academy. It’s always a bit startling to see all these students leaving LSA. The cliché is true: it goes fast. One minute, your...Continue Reading
The artic blast this week gave our family one gift: time together. The day off was a nice moment to reconnect—and clean out our teenagers’ rooms. They were thrilled. Ha. Cleaning out closets is an archeological dig through their past goals and passions. Remember those years of softball? Tennis? Learning the guitar? Your Etsy era?...Continue Reading
The Answer is Not Gift Cards What are you getting your high schooler for Christmas? I’m buying gifts for my 4 teenagers and feeling cynical about what they really need. Their Christmas lists are a repeat of last year. Airpods. Make-up. Video games. Gift cards-ugh. But what would really help them? What would help all of...Continue Reading
October Newsletter Are You Valuable? Teenagers Ask This Question… I coach high school students. This means I sit across from them and listen carefully as they talk about their goals, struggles, and hopes for the future. My role is to ask great questions, pay attention to their reactions, and help them move forward. Here’s what...Continue Reading
Dear Lord…. Here we are, God. Year 2. Lord, You keep working Your perfect plan, and I continue to be grateful. Thank You for being with Catie through freshman year, God. You were right there with her—through the nights she stayed out with new friends and the days when she was homesick and weary. Through...Continue Reading
Two realities defined this summer: Texas suffered a terrible heat wave and you ran hundreds of miles. Running and running and running. When the temperature stayed in triple digits? You ran. When you needed to unwind? You ran. When your legs throbbed, you still ran. You ran at 5 in morning, 5 at night, and...Continue Reading
Thank you, sir, for this Summer of Ping Pong. The hundreds of games we played together (ping! pong! ping! pong!) set the summer tone. You are bouncing between full-teenager (your first phone & mission trip) and full-kid. This was a hard summer to be the baby of our family. You hate feeling left behind as...Continue Reading
