Adoption Eight years ago, when John and I were engaged, we talked about growing our family. Foster care and adoption were often on the table. John’s parents were both Pharmacists, and his Mom, who worked in the NICU, often brought home stories of babies whose parents would leave them at the hospital. This motivated him to want to do something….
Recently, John and I watched Hocus Pocus 2. As I watched, I remembered my two dear friends who lived up the street from my Dad’s house growing up. These girls were my best friends. We acted in plays together, danced in talent shows, and created songs just for our trio to sing on the top of our lungs while riding our bikes…
Humans look at the outside of a person, but God looks on the inside. Like King Herod: He may have seemed like a brave person being a king and all, but he was willing to appease people, especially his wife and step-daughter/niece, who asked for John the Baptist’s head. He really liked John the Baptist, but feared what people would…
Who dares despise the day of small things? Zechariah 4:10 Normally, I don’t want to feel small, but this is a good feeling while meditating on God’s word. As I read how Jesus walked this earth as a humble man and God, I wonder if he ever felt small. I wonder if my smallness is appropriate in other places/spaces, as…
ENOUGH LORD, hear my cry The roots You planted deep In my heart are being pulled And tangled up with weeds The seeds of joy are Experiencing tumultuous Weather Jesus the true vine Shows up Takes no time “Quiet, be still!” The wind dies down Rays of sunlight beam In my heart This temple God says Is HIs Do not…
This is a reflection of the time spent in Africa. My heart goes out to all the teachers who are preparing for the end of another difficult year. Students sat in pairs. The 8th grade class responded with every prompt the teacher gave. While the teacher taught about metrics and conversion, students willingly participated and listened. One student raised his…
Create in me a new heart, O’ Lord, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 I am not trying to be emotional but my heart is all about it. I feel called to go to back to Africa – I’m all about it. With a passion to help others paired with the rich experience John and I gained…
A teacher of mine once said, “If you have a dream, and it’s not bigger than yourself, then it’s not from God.” As I saw Zebedee running his adorable toddler-run towards me, I jumped in front of two people in line to reach Zeb faster. I was impatient for his little hands to wrap themselves around me, and as soon…
Idolization, addiction, and toxicity have been a few of my least favorite words this past week as I dove into Scripture, sermons and books. A big question faces me as I reflected on my studies: “Are you escaping into _________? “ The escape, at times, has been food, marriage, and alcohol; that once-in-awhile habit easily tried to take up space in the…
Earlier this week, my husband and I sat down as a social worker asked us questions about our personal lives, marriage, and family histories. This was the second interview for required for our home study, which is part of the adoption process, but answering some of these questions unexpectedly brought up painful memories. The social worker asked specifically about a…