I like buying my husband hoodie sweatshirts. He wears them for work, layering them in the cold because they give him more movement than big bulky jackets. His sweatshirts get beat up pretty badly. If it's not being crammed behind the seat of a tractor that does them in, it's the grease and grime of a mechanic's life. Especially once warmer weather starts coming and he pulls off layers as the … [Read more...] about A Little What-To-Look-For-In-A-Husband Story
Living Faith
How God is Found in the Darkest Places
My grandmother died the night before my 33rd birthday. Considering that she was 91 years old, it was expected in some ways. Yet, it still seemed a surprise because, well, of course she's always been there. She lived with my parents for almost a decade so my visits with my mom always included her. The idea of her not being there is still foreign. But something happened in Grandma those last … [Read more...] about How God is Found in the Darkest Places
Who Is Jesus? Advent Calendar (Free Printable)
My favorite part about Christmas is the reminder to trace the story again. To remember exactly who Jesus is and what He is doing. It's why I wrote my advent book, Christmas! which takes children through the story from Genesis to Revelation-- reminding them that God promised to make a way for us to be friends with Him, and Jesus (the man who would fight the snake and win!) was the fulfillment of … [Read more...] about Who Is Jesus? Advent Calendar (Free Printable)
The Truth About How God Sees the Depressed Christian
I remember it. I remember crying through the night and hating myself when I looked in the mirror and feeling betrayed and lost and hopeless and like there was no reason to even take another breath. It wasn’t every moment, but the waves of depression would come and settle, sometimes for weeks at a time. And if I could go back, if I could whisper one thing to that girl who knew Jesus but was … [Read more...] about The Truth About How God Sees the Depressed Christian
This Thing Called Hope
I sat deep into the corner of couch, my arms wrapped tight around myself, with ugly tears dripping off the end of my nose. It was the year I had lost a daughter to a failed adoption, lost my dreams to brokenness, lost my ideals to the anguish of barrenness. It was agony. She asked me what was wrong, and I wanted to give excuses for my hurt, but all I could manage through the tears and … [Read more...] about This Thing Called Hope
Of Covenants, Cold Feet, and the One Who Changes Everything
In our family, we know a thing or two about covenants. Our babies didn’t come to us through birth, you know, they came through paperwork and courtrooms and unconditional covenants. Deep, abiding promises that say things like: No matter what you’ll always be loved. No matter what you’ll always have a place in this family. No matter what you’ll always belong. It’s unconditional because it … [Read more...] about Of Covenants, Cold Feet, and the One Who Changes Everything