If I could, I would skip book release day all together. It’s like birthdays when you’re young or New Years Eve in your twenties. Too many expectations. Too much fear of rejection. Plus, there’s my control freak’s worry about sharing my words with the world. Have I done enough? Will the world be friendly? What did I...Continue Reading
A friend who just finished Last Summer at Eden mentioned she was surprised by all the romance in the book. She wrote this note across the top: “Isn’t it unlikely that hooking up would happen so much at a Christian camp?” I was confused. Because, of course. Camp love stories are as common as the chigger bites and buttered corn. Right?...Continue Reading
Love Rules is 40 stories about real women and also 75 discussion questions to help you think about your own story. Most importantly, Love Rules is the study of how crazy much God loves you. Here are some of my favorite Bible verses from the book that share that message… Matthew 22:38-39….This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is...Continue Reading
Wow. What a week. Are you feeling a little bruised, a little strung-out from social media? Here’s the best news in the world…God loves you more than you can imagine. You already have everything you need: your identity, your hope, your true security, and real peace. God’s love is the message of Love Rules, and it’s the...Continue Reading
Dear Sam…. Your letter is hard to write because there is so much I want to tell you. This summer you have grown up so much. Because of all the ways you’ve matured, I think Third Grade will be your best year yet. Sam, as I’ve prayed for you over the years, I’ve asked God...Continue Reading
Dear Catie…. When you were younger and you didn’t understand something, it seemed harmless. Look at you trying to type! One day we will laugh about how hard this was for you. You hate to comb your hair. You’ll look back on pictures of this and cringe. But now that you’re in Middle School, it feels...Continue Reading
Dear Elisabeth….. Welcome to Third Grade, sweetheart. Lately, you seem more like 39 than 9. Every morning, when you walk down the stairs (with your hair combed, your shoes tied, and your game face on), it’s like you’re a middle-aged woman off to her demanding job. But then …you tell me about your dreams (or nightmares)...Continue Reading
Yesterday’s historic flooding in Houston showed a lot about our city—that we have too much concrete and not enough ditches, that Houstonians are the most fantastic helpers, and that weather can still paralyze our beehive highway system. For our family, the day off revealed something about us. It took until the afternoon, but we finally...Continue Reading
Back when I worked as a waitress, the hostess would sometimes seat four tables, one right after another. When this happened, you would have to flag down another server and say, “My hair is on fire” to let them know you needed help. My hair has been on fire the past few months. I’ve had a book deadline, and the stories...Continue Reading
Dear Catie (on your first day of middle school)… Suddenly, here you are, at the tipping point between childhood and adolescence, right at the center of growing up. The teenager-you is slowly emerging. You’re suddenly taller than some grown-ups, your wide brown eyes are pretty, in the way that will never need mascara. You can cook dinner, beat Daddy and me at trivia, and understand...Continue Reading
