At vacation Bible school a few weeks ago, my four-year-old spontaneously marched on stage and joined the worship team in leading 150 adult volunteers and 100 children in worship. Having no practice, no idea what the motions were, and zero clue what he was singing, he led with bravado, much to my seven-year-old’s chagrin. Each evening that week, his generous teachers let him sneak up on stage and lead. He was proud of himself for his courage, and his dad and I were proud of him too (despite our ... [keep reading]
Is God Preparing You for a Season of Growth?
I’m going to be honest with you. I have never considered myself one to be good at gardening or claim the title “crazy plant lady,” yet here I am walking out into my yard to prune my plants. In the desire to make our home feel more welcoming, not only on the inside but the outside too, landscaping was inevitable. I had no experience with it. As a kid I did simple yard work chores, and so on every trip to the greenhouse, I would say to the salesperson, “I need something easy and maintenance free. ... [keep reading]
4 Ways to Encourage Conversation in the Car
“Wesley tried to kiss Abby on the lips today and got in big, big trouble.” My first grader declared these words as we drove to school one morning, and my grip on the steering wheel tightened. We’re only in first grade and talking about kissing already?! Despite the rash reaction I wanted to give, I took a deep breath and calmly asked my daughter, “What would you do if a boy tried that with you?” “I’d run away and tell a teacher.” Good girl, I thought and affirmed her choice with my ... [keep reading]
Discover the Simplicity and Joy of Family Devotions
Canned peaches. Frozen peas. Hamburgers with zero fixins’. The food was plain, just like the small house it was cooked in. But oh, how I loved dinnertime at my high school friend Cheryl’s house. I was always invited to stay for dinner, just like all the other neighborhood kids. Crammed around a small table with folding chairs, we would eat. I never minded the tight space, and I was never picky about the food. I loved dinner at Cheryl’s house because there was something different about her ... [keep reading]
3 Easy Ways You Can Encourage Your Child’s Spiritual Growth
When I look at my children, I see who God has created them to be. When I close my eyes, I envision them walking confidently toward their future while God’s blessings rain down upon them. Then I open my eyes to discover that they have not made their beds, my youngest hasn’t eaten anything but hot dogs for a week, and I have three phone calls from the school to return. Driving to church, we have to stop before we’ve reached the end of the driveway, so that two kids will stop “looking at each ... [keep reading]
How to Embrace the Back-to-School Season
It was my baby daughter’s first day of kindergarten, and I was a complete mess. Of course, I didn’t show my emotion as we waited at the bus stop. My daughter stood tall in the morning sunlight, her blond ponytail swinging as she sported her Elsa backpack and a proud smile. I smiled back and said how excited I was for her. Told her she would be amazing and make so many friends. But once she disappeared inside that big yellow bus, I turned on my heels and bawled the entire way back to my ... [keep reading]
How Attached is Your Child?
Oh, my goodness, he was shaking. He looked like he wanted to run in the opposite direction as fast as his legs could take him. While I had only known him a few weeks, this behavior was very abnormal for Dan-Moritz, the German teen living in my home. Up until this moment, he had been full of confidence and bravado. But it was 7:15 a.m., the first day of school. American high school. My husband had gotten him registered the week before. Dan knew how to open his locker, where to find his ... [keep reading]
One Simple Thing You Can Do to Overcome Worry
I’ll admit it. I am a worrier by nature. When I became a mother, my anxiety tripled instantly. I have always firmly believed that if I keep an anxious vigil over my children twenty-four hours a day, I can somehow will their safety into existence. Frankly, this is an exhausting way to live. Sometimes, I manage to overcome my worry. But just as quickly as I lay that burden down, I snatch it back up because a news story flashes across my Instagram feed about a sinking tour boat or a family found ... [keep reading]
Learn How to Love the Kind of Mom You Are
I don't know about you, but I am giddy with excitement once back to school time rolls around. Probably more excited than I should be. My excitement level for back to school is just about right up there with Christmas. All joking aside, I do love back to school for many reasons, and not because it's been a long summer of hearing "I'm bored” and "Can we go somewhere?" I love the structure it gives my kids from the time they get up, through the time they sit down to a regularly scheduled dinner, ... [keep reading]
What to Do When It’s Time for “The Talk”
My eyes began to water under the harsh glare of the fluorescent lights. Or was I holding back tears because of the question my nine-year-old had just asked me? There we were, walking through Walmart, when I heard the most timid of voices ask, “Can you please tell me about sex?” I tried to wiggle my way out of the bind. “We already read that book. Remember? Do you need to know more than that right now?” “Mom, please tell me everything.” The dreaded phrase. I wasn’t expecting it so soon. ... [keep reading]
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