Where Have You Gone? 6/3/2021 - A name came up last week that I hadn’t thought about in a prolonged period of time. My initial thought was “I really miss them being around”. Then my follow up thought was “Why do I miss them?”. The answer had many layers but one foundation. They were unusually kind, intelligent-but not “letters after your name smart” just thoroughly knowledgeable about the most practical things of God, gentle, helpful, not a leader, but someone I wanted to be like as a friend, spouse, and parent, generous but not rich, prayerful, and selfless... Read more
Purpose In The Pain 5/26/2021 - This past Friday night my husband and I had plans to go to dinner with friends. Those plans got derailed when my husband got a phone call from our youngest son’s friend. Kai and a group of his friends were hanging out at a lake house after school. (I’m glad his friend called my husband because I know my mind would have gone a thousand different places). Turns out he dislocated his shoulder. My husband went and picked Kai up and rushed him to the emergency room. He was in SO much pain. Probably the most pain I have ever seen or heard him in... Read more
Drawn to the Light 5/19/2021 - For many years, I served as a youth leader. I had to do many things outside of my comfort zone. I blobbed, zip-lined, wall climbed and I’ve been dropped from the top of a telephone pole in a harness. I have been physically covered in mud, refried beans, buttermilk, chocolate syrup, water then flour, duct tape and chewed up bubble gum. I have been a referee, a surrogate mom, a nurse and a psychiatrist. I have hidden in trees, run un-winnable races, been a human foosball and played “dead” while a group of pre-teens carried me to “safety.” I loved it all. Mostly. Read more
Speed Trap Town 5/12/2021 - I got another speeding ticket. I don’t drive a fast car. I’m not trying to race. I just hold the opinion that most speed limits are 10-15 miles lower than they should be. As it turns out, no one cares what I think (and they shouldn’t), and every few years, I earn myself a nice hefty fine... Read more
"Hey Google, Tacos Near Me." 5/5/2021 - MDWK Motivation Reader, I didn’t set out to write these words for you. I wrote this in a text (insert saucer-eye emoji) to a friend struggling with fear and anxiety and depression and the constant feeling of not being enough. Maybe you’re like my friend and carry this kind of weight too. Maybe ghosts of your childhood still make you feel like a scared child too. Maybe this is for you too, friend... Read more