Dear Nate (on your first day of your sophomore year)- Oh, Nate. You’re breaking my heart this year in just about every way. First of all, the good news—or at least the bit of buried joy. You have become the kid I always dreamed of having. So handsome and confident and smart. Here you are....Continue Reading
Dear Sam (on your last first day)… What can I say that I haven’t already?Sixteen last-day of school letters. I’ve celebrated with you for all the ways you’ve conquered hard times, commiserated with you about the really crappy years, told you how you inspire me (you do), predicted which school years would be remarkable, and...Continue Reading
Dear Elisabeth- The other night, while we were praying, you said something profound that I won’t forget. As we made (joking) predictions about senior year, you suddenly got serious and said, “I have a lot I could lose.” And that’s it, sweetheart. Your life glistens with these gorgeous blessings. You have the most loyal and...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
Dear Sam, As I write this, you’re sitting next to me, sweating through AP History notes. Maybe this is the theme of your junior year—sweat. That certainly has been the theme of the past few months. You sweat so much every day. Yes, of course from all the running you’re doing, but it’s more than...Continue Reading
Dear Elisabeth, You have more character, more integrity, more deep strength than anyone I know. You are never shallow. You prefer fresh-faced to make-up, your ancient iPhone to the 15, talking to your grandparents to TikTok, baking bread to fast food. Most of all, you show undying loyalty and vicious protection of those you love. ...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
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
