When it comes to being the spiritual leader of my home, I like to think of myself less like an expert and more like a guide.  I love to be outside and to explore the outdoors. Because of my highly spontaneous personality, I often say to my kids, “Let’s go on an adventure!” We stuff a backpack full of snacks and head out to explore a trail we’ve never been to.  As we hike, I feel like it’s my job to point out all the amazing things happening around us. My kids like to move fast, ... [keep reading]

We were driving down the highway when my son shut his book, looked up at me in the rearview mirror and asked, “Mom, why do all stories end the same? Why do they always have a good ending?” “Do you remember the parts of the gospel, bud? Creation, Fall, Redemption, Consummation and how that’s the story God is writing for all of us? Well, authors, regardless of if they love God or not, usually can’t help but follow that same pattern, because it’s inherent in all humans. It’s written on our ... [keep reading]

On January 1, 2019, I started a yearlong painting challenge. My first piece was of a paperwhite bulb in a favorite geometric-patterned planter sitting on the kitchen counter. I added a shadow to mimic other artists and captioned it “A Paperwhite Waiting to Bloom.”  All year, every single day, I painted. I set up a desk in my office to keep all my supplies out, and each afternoon, as I quieted my mind, I chose a subject to sketch and paint. Some paintings told stories about the day—a ... [keep reading]

The Bible is like a huge treasure chest, full of knowledge and profound, wonderful truths. Many people hesitate to read it because they think they won’t be able to understand it. Simply put, the Bible tells us about God, that He created us, how we should behave, and how we can please Him. It teaches us what is right and what is wrong, and reveals that everyone is born a sinner and needs God’s forgiveness. It tells us many things we otherwise wouldn’t know. It is very important to introduce ... [keep reading]