Here’s a riddle for you: An introvert walks into VBS. What happens next? If you’re a deep thinker like me, you know the answer. Walking into a rocking sanctuary with 200 people is like stepping on to Super Loud Planet Extrovert. We shut down a little bit. Everyone is yelling. Us introverts would rather think about Jesus than scream about...Continue Reading
Dear Nate… You are so ready for Kindergarten. You have heard the stories about how ridiculously fun Mrs. Miesner is. You have watched the Kindergarten classes as they played big-kid instruments at chapel. You have heard unbelievable tales of Kindergarteners reading whole books–on their own. You have listened wide-eyed to the incredible stories of a class with no naps, who has cooking lessons and...Continue Reading
This question haunts moms: what does my kid really do all day? No matter how many different way I ask my kids about their days, their hopes, their fears, and what makes them happy or hurts them, they don’t give great answers. During the school year is the worst. At the end of every day, I feel like a...Continue Reading
Stress is not a choice. Just getting out of bed is stress. Getting out of your pajamas is definite stress and let’s not even talk about checking your email. Then there are the really epic stressors, like finding your life’s purpose. Or raising kids without being both aloof and clingy. Or trying to make it through the day without eating an entire tub...Continue Reading
Last week I wrote about brothers and sisters and that I worry how our kids’ relationships will turn out. Is their constant fighting a sign of what’s to come? Is there any way their friendships can stay intact through their childhood hurts and tough adolescence? Honestly, the odds of our kids staying close seems dismal. Most adults I know struggle to get along with...Continue Reading
Happy Last Day of School! We’re finally here. After six years of class parties, recess four-square, playgrounds, fast-facts, and planners, you get to say good-bye to Elementary School. Welcome to Middle School. Welcome to lockers, your own laptop, friends with cell phones, adolescence, crushes, and long nights of homework. Welcome to a weird time in your life....Continue Reading
On Ash Wednesday I made the spontaneous decision to write a blog post every day for 40 days during Lent. At the time this seemed like a brilliant idea. After a busy season of writing Bible study curriculum, blogging every day seemed like just the creative antidote I needed. Also, I was out of the habit...Continue Reading
1. Go to church for yourself. You need the quiet space, the Sabbath, the communion. You need to know everything will be okay if you turn off your phone, your Instagram, and your to-do list. Better actually. Listen closely to the ancient Word, the new songs, and the liturgy you’ve heard seven thousand times. You need...Continue Reading
When Catie took this picture of Mike and me, I thought it would turn out pretty good. We felt strong, outdoorsy, and happy and I assumed we looked that way too. Later when I uploaded the picture, I saw we actually looked tired, old, and spacey. Isn’t this true for life, too? Especially in parenting. I’m doing...Continue Reading
This has been the week of decisions, crossroads and overanalyzing the heck out of everything. For real. This week I earned a blackbelt in obsessive thinking. Most of the obsessing had to do with my career. I’ve been working on a book for two years, and this week I finally found a home for it. But I wasn’t...Continue Reading
