How Having a Son Ruined My Life
All I’ve ever wanted is a daughter.
I’ve had dreams of my little girl’s face. I have prayed countless prayers for her and over her. And I have imagined having the type of relationship with my daughter that my mom has with me.
God's Protection Is Not Punishment
What is your greatest disappointment? Maybe you have a long list of letdowns. Maybe you feel like your life has been a series of disappointments with a few uneventful victories sprinkled in here and there. Maybe you have a dream you feel God has called you to but He is taking you the long way around and up and over instead of straight through.
Hey Little Flower Girl
My first children's book Hey Little Flower Girl is out in the wild and ready for you to read and gift!
How to Be the Girl God Sees
When do you think we learned to only wear things, say things, or try things if someone else approved?Maybe you don’t struggle with approval of people, but I know I sure do. And I’m trying to take small steps every day to be the exact woman God made me to be, whether it fits the mold others approve of or not.
What I've Learned in Three Years of Marriage
Three years may not seem like a long time to many, but it has been long enough for me to learn a few things about marriage. I had a woman laugh at me one time when I told her I wrote about marriage. She said, "I'm sorry... you just haven't been married very long at all." I smiled and told her I hope to meet people where they are in their marriage with my words, whether they are engaged, newlyweds, or celebrating their 50th anniversary. We can all glean wisdom from each other, and we can always learn something from the life of another.
God Loves Loud Girls Too
Nowhere in The Bible does it tell women to sit down and shut up. But it seems like far too often when we speak up, the person across the table addresses our husbands to make sure what we said was good enough.
stop trying to disqualify yourself...
Ever feel disqualified? Yeah, me too.
I don’t know enough about The Bible.
I’m not always a great wife.
I have a long way to go with my mental and physical health.
Other women lead better than me.
I struggle to keep my time with God consistent.
I sometimes use words I shouldn’t.
when you bite off more than you can chew...
It took me at least 20 minutes and a pack of Hubba Bubba to get a good picture of me blowing a bubble.
There were lots of laughs involved, but deep down, I was kind of frustrated. My husband was off to the side blowing bubbles with ease, and every time I’d get close, mine would pop! My bubble would literally burst. And I thought about how many times in life I have felt the exact way I did standing on a rooftop in front of a camera smacking gum. I’ve watched person after person blow bubbles with ease and get the perfect shot while my bubbles burst.
Look at Your Feet
There are too many times I’ve been desperate to walk in someone else’s shoes and live someone else’s life.
And that keeps me from really enjoying the beautiful walk in my own shoes along the path God specifically planned for me.
Are we missing out on what’s in front of us because we’re wishing for what’s beside us?
A Letter to My Future Daughter
To My Future Daughter, I loved you long before I knew you. I talked to God about you every day and asked him to make you bold, confident, and kind. As I look around and see moms with their little girls, I dream about what it will be like to dress you up, play dolls with you, and tame your curly hair.
Don't Stop Climbing
"I'm just so tired of trying." I sent that text to my husband a few days ago because I was so overwhelmed by my own dreams and goals. He replied: “I know you are. Climbing a mountain is tiring. The air at the top is so refreshing though. You have to keep climbing because you know the peak is coming.
How to Break Your Social Media Addiction
Addiction.
We use the word when we talk about drugs, alcohol, food, porn, shopping, and people. But I think it’s safe to say we can use it in regards to our social media-obsessed culture.
Dear Seventh-Grade Me
Dear seventh-grade me,
Twenty-seven-year-old you will have ditched the bangs that hide the “fivehead” everyone made fun of and will voluntarily get a middle-part hair cut for her curly hair she used to hate.
She will still have insecurities but will have learned to love herself more than you do right now.
A Letter to Everyone: You Matter
Hey, I just want to remind you in case you’ve forgotten that you REALLY do matter. Your life is worth something.
Preparing Your Heart for Post-Pandemic Life
One of my prayers during this pandemic is that my life doesn’t just “go back to normal.” My normal wasn’t working. My normal was too fast. I need a new normal. During a church small group Zoom call a few nights ago, we all discussed what pandemic practices we want to spill over into our post-pandemic worlds.
Don't Forget to Take Sabbath During Quarantine
Real rest isn’t binging Netflix or scrolling through Instagram while you lay on the couch. I’m not telling you not to watch movies or shows during this quarantine (hello, I’ve binged Tiger King and The Morning Show so far.)
It's OK to Grieve the Small Things
Everyone is experiencing grief of some type during the Coronavirus pandemic. My last semester of ministry school is now completely online. Graduation is canceled for the time being. The day I have been anticipating for two years won’t happen when or how I expected. My husband’s coaching season is over. His baseball team, who had a promising chance of winning state, came to an abrupt stop.
The Beauty of Taking Communion at Home
Growing up in a Church of Christ church, we took communion every week. We passed the plate down the pew, took our sip of juice, and remembered all Jesus did for us on the cross. I now attend a large, non-denominational church where we usually take communion once a month.
To the Brides Postponing Weddings Due to Coronavirus
For the girl who has planned every detail, every special touch, and every moment of her wedding day only for it to be derailed by an unexpected epidemic, I see you and I grieve with you. It doesn't feel fair that the date you have prayed over for months has been taken from you. And it isn't fair. It's ok to feel those feelings, but don't let them lead you to anger.