Can I just say what an amazing blessing it has been to finally talk about the “elephant” in my room? It’s relief to not feel like I have to hide something, yes. But much beyond that, the outpouring of love, encouragement, and shared stories have been unexpected and beautiful. Thank you for being a friend. […]
Coming to Grips: August 2011
If this is the first time you’ve been to our blog (or if it’s a been a while), let me say welcome. Pull up a chair, bring a mug of your favorite tea, and join us. Right now we are in the middle of sharing a very personal struggle. For the first time ever, we […]
Journal Entry at the 12th Month
God has been working wonders in my heart over the past two years as we’ve journeyed down the road of infertility, and I can’t wait to share his goodness with you. But let’s back up the story and visit something I wrote June 9, 2011 (a year and a half ago), when my heart was […]
The One with a 31 Month Confession
Dear friends, I have something to confess. I have been keeping a very large corner of my heart a secret from you all for many months. I didn’t know if I should share or if this was something the Lord wanted me to keep private. And so I’ve waited for a peace about when to […]
The One with the Full House
This month has been filled with quality friends-and-family time, and my cup is overflowing. One wonderful occasion was in a town west of Chicago–yes, an 11 hour drive–to finally attend our college friends’ annual holiday gathering. There is something special andtotally unmatched about the friendships formed during those four years of higher education. Living with friends, seeing each other […]
A Spice Cake Kind of Birthday
For my birthday, my husband surprised me with all of the “favorite things” he’s heard me mention over the years. He baked a spice cake (even made it double layer! and found the cake stand to display it on!), bought extra frosting and graham crackers to enjoy it with. YUM! And of course he couldn’t […]
The Very Beginning of Us
Eight years ago on this very day, I made the five-turned-seven-hour drive back to our college campus after Thanksgiving break to give a certain 18 year old boy an answer. Yes, I will be your girlfriend. That elegant response was quickly followed by a moment of naive honesty— so what does that mean exactly?It was […]
On Capitol Hill
Kevin and I have had lots of great trips with family or visiting family and friends. We’ve gotten many weekend trips, particularly camping excursions, just the two of us. We have been so blessed to have the past 4 and a half years of marriage to focus on each other. But we had been hoping […]
On Gift Giving and Life Changing
Dear friends, If there is one thing I’m passionate about it’s sponsoring children. For such a small percentage of our monthly income, we rich-beyond-comprehension-Americans can change the life of a child in need. We can supply food, clothing, education and the love of Jesus. HOPE. I began my journey of child sponsorship through Compassion International in 2006, my junior year […]
On Eucharisteo
I wrote this originally on February 23, 2011 and have shared its message two different times now–once with a group of teen girls and just tonight at a women’s event. Its meaning is resonating with me once again and I wanted to share it. —- “And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to […]