Keep the Doors Open
“Keeping the doors open meant so much more than just foster care. It meant children, birth families, new friends, and even support for our own family that we hadn’t yet realized we would need for ourselves. Keeping our doors open…
God and Sinners Reconciled
“Sin has broken the most important relationship in all of life, the relationship between people and their Creator. This separation alters everything in each of our lives…The bond between God and mankind has been broken. Fear has replaced love. Hiding…
Thoughts During Advent: Labor of Love
Several years ago, my husband and I were invited to perform a song as part of a church’s Christmas worship service. As we were waiting our turn, we sang along with the congregation in various Christmas anthems. The last one…
Growth Spurts: A Farewell and a Letter to My Younger Self
Note: This post was the final installment of my “Growth Spurts” column, which I wrote for Parents & Kids Magazine for nearly a decade. Please enjoy… I started writing “Growth Spurts” almost ten years ago. My three biological children were…
Thoughts During Advent: What to Expect When You’re [Mary] Expecting
Nine months. For some women, the time during pregnancy flies. I wonder how the time felt to Mary. As soon as I found out that I was pregnant, I immediately wanted to tell everyone! I wonder how long Mary waited…
When the Saints Go Marching In…Wearing Snuggies
Note: This post was first published in 2012 in my “Growth Spurts” column for Parents & Kids Magazine. In light of today’s match-up between the Saints and the 49ers, I felt that it was time to re-share it! My son…
Thoughts During Advent: Do Not Be Afraid
Can you imagine it? You’re going about your day, and an angel appears and starts speaking to you! “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you,” he announces. The Bible says that Mary was “greatly troubled at this statement and…
O, Christmas Tree
I love Christmas trees. I love the way they smell. I love the way they look. And I love the thoughts and feelings they evoke. I have fond memories of decorating the Christmas tree with my family when I was…
And Just Like That…
Note: This post is from my "Growth Spurts" column, which runs in Parents & Kids Magazine. I often see social media posts, from moms especially, that begin with the words “And just like that…” And then they finish with phrases…
Gratefulness: Teach Your Children to Look Beyond Themselves
An attitude of thankfulness is sometimes hard to find in our increasingly me-centered society. Attitudes of selfishness and entitlement seem to run rampant, while attitudes of service and gratefulness are often squashed or might even be considered to be weak.…
