Old friends are like the bread machine hidden in the laundry room cabinet. Over the years, our family has enjoyed loaves of cinnamon raisin, sticky pecan, and plain old white from…
Continue ReadingForty-one doesn’t actually feel as old as it sounded when at 21. After 40 you start to realize every person does not have the capacity to become who you…
Continue ReadingDear 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…
Continue ReadingDear Elisabeth…. Wow! You have been so READY for today. You packed your backpack days ago. You set out the perfect first-day-of-school outfit last night. As we’ve talked and prayed…
Continue ReadingDear 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…
Continue ReadingGod grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; Help me accept our schedule is about to be nuts. Summer is family interdependence, melting into each other, and learning life…
Continue ReadingThis 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…
Continue ReadingOur kids are back from a week of camp. Right before it was time to send them, I almost chickened out. But I kept thinking of this bit of…
Continue ReadingComfort zones are big liars. You’ve probably already learned this, but I’m just starting to understand how tiny and controlling our comfort zones are. What if God is…
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