“There’s a group of us that planned on going camping this weekend, would you guys want to join us?” The question was posed to a sweet young couple with three little kids. The couple had never been camping, and they had none of the necessary equipment. But they were assured that all they needed to bring was a tent and some food…..everyone else would pitch in and help out with the rest. Not normally the spontaneous type, they debated, but decided that it sounded like fun. So they bought a tent, went to Kroger, and packed up the kids and headed out for the weekend. This couple was my parents….almost…
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To All Who Are Weary….Rest
My personal journey over the last several years has been a difficult, yet rewarding season of life. Through a lot of hard work, pain, and grace, I feel like a fog has been lifted. Literally. I’ve been able to take back control of my mind and my time, and use the assets God gave me for His glory and the good of those around me. Before, I’d see an unattainable list of things that a good American woman ‘should’ be able to accomplish, and I’d just shut down, doing none of it. Now, I can prioritize better, and really devote energy to where it needs to go, and see real…
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What Nana Would Say
Earlier this week, I sat curled up in a chair thumbing through my phone, Googling something I never thought I would Google. “How to write an obituary”. Search. I was sitting in the hospital room where my husband’s grandmother was lying, slowly waiting for the end of her life. She was 88 years old, and had been battling dementia for a year or more now. Her health had taken a quick turn, and she was able to communicate very little any more. She’d surprised us in the past. There were at least two separate occasions where the doctors warned that “this might be it”, but she was back at home…
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A Social Distancing Baptism: Evidence of God’s Grace In Any Circumstance
This past weekend was incredibly special, as Hallie, our nine year old, was baptized! She had asked Jesus to save her back in the spring, but then COVID 19 came on the scene and temporarily shut down churches to in person services. But as some normalcy was returning, it was time to follow through with baptism. Hallie was a nervous wreck, but quietly excited about it. Even as she sat through the service, she was on the verge of tears. The thought of getting up in front of people was terrifying to her. The two scheduled baptisms that morning were spread out, one at the beginning of the service and…
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Birthdays and Pancakes That Fall Off Your Plate
This weekend, we celebrated Hallie’s birthday with a little trip to Owensboro. That’s right, Owensboro. The dream trip of every little soon-to-be 9 year old girl, right? Let me back up and explain how a trip to Owensboro turned into a “magical” birthday…. Last year, we took a trip to Big Splash Adventure in French Lick Indiana. We lived in the water park, from the moment it opened to the moment it closed. In between multiple trips up the stairs and down the slides, Hallie decided to chill with me by the outdoor pool for a moment- take a breather. We started up a conversation with the lady sitting next…
