We are summering SO HARD over here. My kids have forgotten they ever attended school. When they see pictures of their class Christmas party, they claim they weren’t even there. They have amnesia about how homework even works. We are now summer people. The kids are not taking long baths, they are jumping in the...Continue Reading
Mama Bear: a well-meaning mother who scolds teachers, shames coaches, and “helps” other parents by delivering never-ending advice about how to protect her kids. Dear Mama Bear….. You are 2018’s Helicopter Mom. I know. You desperately want to save the next generation from the evils of volunteer coaches, minimum-wage lifeguards, and teachers who yell. Please...Continue Reading
A few months ago I joined a gym for one reason: accountability. I was tired of falling asleep—my day’s step count at a dismal low—and vowing to myself that I WOULD work out the next day. Only to discover that the next day was like the one before it—filled with good intentions, but not much of...Continue Reading
Fred Tonn (who we called “Uncle Fred”) has been a big part of my whole life. For all the really big moments in our family–and the millions of tiny moments–Uncle Fred has been there. He has sat with us, laughing, singing, telling stories and jokes, and always (always) praying for us. I can’t find words to...Continue Reading
How To Enter the Giveaway: 1. Click here to enter your favorite camp counselor to win this week’s care package. 2. I’ll select a random THREE WINNERS this Wednesday, June 14. (Entries close at midnight) 3. If your counselor is selected, I’ll send them a care package stuffed with homemade cookies, notes, glow sticks, Bible verses, and...Continue Reading
Hello! I am so happy to announce that my new fiction book, Last Summer at Eden, will be out in a couple months. This book is my absolute favorite because it’s a celebration of so many of my loves: camp, Jesus, teens, and romance. For years, I’ve wanted to share this story with the world...Continue Reading
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away om evil. It will be healing to your esh and re eshment to...Continue Reading
“I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” —God in Ezekiel 36:26 Summer was coming, and I needed to lose some weight. During our busy spring, I had gotten...Continue Reading
When we talk about church, we usually assume we all mean the same experience, but church looks different to each of us. I don’t just mean the ways different denominations celebrate, and I don’t mean pipe organ versus electric guitar. I mean what we get out of church. You’ve probably had seasons when you show...Continue Reading
{This is an essay from my new book, Love Rules. To spread love this Valentines Day, I’m giving away gift-wrapped copies to anyone who leaves a reivew at Amazon, cph.org, or goodreads. Click HERE for more information. Thank you! } For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk...Continue Reading
