The Ugly Side of Parenting

by | Apr 28, 2016 | Life Issues

We like to talk about the fun parts of parenting – the wonder of a baby’s tiny toes, the cute things our kids say or expressions they make, and how they snuggle up to us. But sometimes, if I’m honest, parenting can be ugly. I feel intensely vulnerable in acknowledging...

Learning to Pray for My Enemies

by | Mar 14, 2016 | Trends

Last Friday night I was putting the final touches on a talk I would be giving the next morning to a group of ladies in my community. We’d be talking all about kindness and gratitude and what it can look like to live those things with our families. I read through part...

When Love is Spelled P-U-P-P-Y

by | Feb 22, 2016 | Relationships

“We are NEVER getting a dog.” These words had been spoken countless times by my husband and I over the past ten years. Although we’ve always liked our friends’ dogs, we’ve never considered ourselves animal people, and with providing foster care to countless...

Messy Hospitality

by | Dec 31, 2015 | Relationships

“I’M SO ANGRY AT YOU”!   My son’s yell echoed up from the lower level and bounced around the walls of the living room. My husband and I shared a glance before he made a beeline for the stairs and the gaggle of kids downstairs while I glanced...

Let there be Peace

by | Dec 3, 2015 | General

“Let there be peace on Earth, and let it begin with me,” I sing as I sit at my piano, picking out and practicing songs for two upcoming Christmas performances. I have so many Christmas favorites, and it gets hard to narrow my set list down to my top...