Finding Joy on the Journey in Faith, Family, and all Things in Between.
My kids ran everywhere. Racing the shoreline and dipping their toes in the shallow pools that collected when the tide went out. Sun, hot and foreign to the Oregon coast danced on my bare shoulders. Our coast is a fickle mistress, quick to turn frigid in wind and wave. So when she beckoned at 80 degrees with full sun I scoured the internet for a rental house and last-minute deals. We packed for … [Read more...]
My foot always landed with part of my heel over the line or my toe inching into the next box. I blame the fact that my feet outgrew my body and while I jumped and landed solidly, my sturdy little frame balancing in the boxes, I always seemed to be not quite in the right spot when my feet touched the ground. We'd dump the carton of chalk, always white never the rainbow hues, and scratch out our … [Read more...]
It's day 13 since I met my goal for my Dress for Change Project and as promised, I'm doing my first ever dress for the day link up. It's an interesting social experiment. My daily routine now includes picking out clothes, putting on makeup, and fixing my hair before we start school, run errands, or make breakfast. I guess pretty much what normal people do. I've been blown away by … [Read more...]
So I wrote the post. The hard one. The one that had sat in my soul for years but never put into words. But this was my chance. Somehow it felt easier to post it on a friend's blog. God and suffering. She had asked me to contribute a post. She loved the way I wrote about the pain and the beauty. I said yes. I would be honored. And then I thought of the suffering in my life. I paused over … [Read more...]
I started this blog as a ministry to others. To share my stories and develop community here. I wanted to have a place to share what God was doing in my life. I wanted this to be a place where I was fearless. Where I could push past platitudes and be real and transparent. I had no idea this blog would minister to me more than to others. Last year at my blogging début, I chose one word … [Read more...]
I've been kind of stuck. Mired down by thoughts and words and feelings. And I just need a break. I forget sometimes I need light and fun too. I have pages full of starts and stops and I realize I just need to step back and let some things process before plunging into them. In light of my need for some levity, I give you my list of 29 things you never knew you wanted to know about me but now … [Read more...]
I have the start of a migraine, sharp and blinding through my right eye so I'm making this quick and snappy and hoping the meds kick in before the bulk of the pain. This is free writing at it's best since the pain meds are beginning to do the trick. So, definitely no overthinking. I'm not going to edit. I will link and I promise I'll be back to read all of y'all's posts when I don't feel like … [Read more...]
I can only imagine what they thought of me. A sixteen year old girl, just recently surrendered to the cross even though there had been many years of truth, rebellion had prevailed. And on the journey back to God and his redeeming grace, there was always the refining. So much to refine. The hot fire burning away the sins that had entangled during those years of mutiny, raging against God, the … [Read more...]
People whose hearts are stirred by compassion can accomplish so much. We should love justice and mercy. It is the marrow of our souls and out of it should spring forth live giving service and love towards God and others. I know so many wonderful people who want to make a difference. It's hard sometimes as a stay at home mom, home schooling the kids, doing dishes, changing diapers, cooking … [Read more...]
My kids love to play Lego. I join them. We build other worlds in our imaginations. And I sit on the floor in front of their Lego tables criss-cross apple sauce as the kids say. My body can only take sitting on the floor for so long until my feet fall asleep. Completely numb. And when the Lego blocks are arranged and my life summons me to cook dinner, answer emails, or plan lessons; I emerge from … [Read more...]
Write for 5 minutes flat-no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking. Her coughing vibrates through the walls. I wake, wondering if she’s going to come in and climb into our bed, again. I am weary worn from all this sickness. We’ve been hit hard this season with fevered foreheads, runny noses, aching tummies. And even more than the bodies that are drained, my spirit is tired. This … [Read more...]
Her ring has worn a groove onto her finger. Years of wear have etched themselves into that hand. The same hand that carried me as a baby, put band-aids on my ouchies, cooked and fed me, turned the pages on the books that would birth a lover of the written word, and consistently pointed to God through her faithfulness. The same hand that filled syringes, cleaned up vomit, produced warm … [Read more...]
Fasting is a lost discipline in our culture. In many ways we are simply too busy to fast or we misunderstand the concept and purpose completely. I'm not talking about skipping meals so you can fit into your skinny jeans. That is a diet. Fasting without the intention of seeking God is simply asceticism and anyone with a little willpower can do that. Denying yourself to attain righteousness … [Read more...]
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