We recently had a youth pastor live with us for a year. He turned 21 while in our home. He is young in age but he also has wisdom that is God-given. However, God always has MORE in store and we always have room to learn and grow. I see him like a son; therefore I will give him advice […]
“Intentional Living” by John Maxwell My husband and I “parallel read” first thing most mornings. I call it “parallel read” because it reminds me of a psychological developmental term: “parallel play”: a form of play among a group of children, primarily toddlers, in which each engages in an independent activity that is similar to but not influenced by or shared with […]
http://www.cnn.com/specials/cnn-heroes/ If you have not watched this amazing tribute to ordinary people doing extraordinary things please stop reading and watch now. Hands down, I look forward to CNN HEROES more than any show each year. To me, it embodies the spirit of Christmas. The first Christmas is when boots hit the ground on a rescue mission that had already […]
“Freedom Writers” is my favorite movie. I love a true story of hope, life change, unity, reconciliation, love, and freedom. Who doesn’t, right? I have the extreme privilege of journal writing with teenage girls. This journal writing journey began in 2010 at a local, public middle school. At first, all I did was sat in the parking lot and […]
I love words. I love short words, long words, silly words, profound words, new words, old words, descriptive words, etc… You get the point. But most of all I love The Word. He is my passion. The word that The Word gave me today is RADIANT. This word is delightful. I love the way it rolls off my tongue. I […]
As writers (I am trying to get used to calling myself that:), we spend a lot of time alone. We thrive in quiet, because that is where our creative ideas are birthed, and we can actually hear them. Most writers are introverts and that does not necessarily mean shy. The book “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t […]
So 2015 marched on… The book of Job spoke to me. How do we wrap our hearts and minds around undeserved pain and suffering? Job is at rock bottom. He has lost his wealth, health and children. Job is crying out in pain. His grief is overwhelming. His wife begins to tire of his wailing and tells him to, “Curse God, and […]
Day 5 of #my500words is here. I am present and I am writing. February of 2015 started off with the concept of being a “door holder” versus a “door slammer.” What are the characteristics of a “door holder?” -selfless -“others first” mentality -welcoming -kind -humble How about “door slammers?” -selfish -“me first” mentality -exclusive -rude -proud I want to be a […]
2015 rocks on … Take what makes your heart sing and scrap the rest. This gold is not a loan. Anything you glean of value from these words please feel free to claim them as your own. And pay forward anything you deem fit. **I feel that it is necessary to add this disclaimer HERE, so that I don’t have […]
2015 year in review continued… I had to pull over on the side of the road yesterday morning just to catch a little something beautiful before it escaped my mind forever. I though to myself: How do I want my writing, speaking, actions -LIFE-to be described? Here is my list: Kind Honest Simple Adding value, not just another voice, to […]
