Do you ever choose a word for your new year? It’s usually a word that summarizes what you hope to be the over all tone of your coming 365 days. My word for 2015 was: Intentional. One thing I chose to be intentional about for these past twelve months was reaping the benefits of counseling. I was in an intense … Read More
What to Do When Even Christmas Offends You
Last Christmas, I was a mess. Four months prior, I lost my first child- a miracle child- to miscarriage. My world stopped spinning for a while and so much offended me. Things that were part of my regular rhythms weren’t cutting it for my broken heart. Going to church didn’t feel safe for me, but I went anyway. I was surrounded by … Read More
Immanuel: Born Into Our World{s}
My favorite past time in the whole world is traveling. While I do believe it’s a small world after all, it’s also a very intricate globe that spins on the axis of time. Like a microchip in a computer holds so much information, so Planet Earth does in the Universe. When I can’t travel myself, I enjoy living vicariously through … Read More
Sausage Soufflé
Every Christmas my family has one staple meal tradition: Sausage Soufflé. This breakfast casserole has been a smash hit since before I was even born. My mom got the recipe from someone’s bridal brunch. She has told us many a time that this is her very favorite meal ever. I don’t blame her. It really is the best breakfast casserole … Read More
Gingerbread Boys and Girls
Do you have a teacher or two (or 10!) that just really stick out in your memory as sweet encouragers? I do. And to be honest, my list goes all the way back to my Pre-School days. It’s probably remarkable that I have such vivid memories from Pre-School, but I do. I absolutely loved it. I went to a great … Read More
Gingerbread Milk Shakes
OK, you guys. I seriously love the Gingerbread recipe I acquired from my Pre-School teacher, Mrs. Lucy. It is the best one out there! I really hope that you’ll try them by themselves. But, I also hope that you’ll try them in milkshake form! The same year that my husband and I started bouncing out all our fun Christmas beverages … Read More
People Just Don’t Get It. But Immanuel Does.
Ever have one of those flustered days, weeks, months, years, or even what seems to be a life time of harried moments strung together by frayed nerves? Maybe it’s just me, but when I get in a tizzy, it often feels like no one “gets” why. Sometimes it’s unreasonable to expect people to be sensitive because they have no idea … Read More
A Lesson From Man’s Best Friend: We Wait In Hope
My dog, Oscar, is awesome. He really is the best dog that God ever created. Really. He is. In fact, sometimes, I have a suspicion that he’s part human. Just kidding. (Sort of). He’s just so full of personality. You’d really have to know him in order to believe me as to how wonderful he is. But, I have to … Read More
To The Miserables: It’s a Wonderful Life
Christmas has come and gone and we hardly noticed it… because most of us were knocked out with the flu, just trying to survive. Our plan had been to go see Les Miserables on its opening night of Christmas. Instead, we were The Miserables ourselves. What with all the hacking of lungs, headaches, roller coaster fevers, chills, body aches, sore … Read More
I Heard the Bells
As the year 2012 is coming to a close, I can’t help but think back over the 365 days it has held. Life appeared to be in a rhythm for us the first six months. The very first day of the next six months, drums were beating all over the place and it seemed that no rhythm was to … Read More