My husband, oldest son Kyle, and I went to the Outlets nearby. I was watching people coming in and out of stores with boys hands full of bags. There were signs on every store about the sales going on. Salesmen and women luring people in with the once in a lifetime deal. We live in…
At my daughter’s urging last night, we brought the box up from the basement. I hadn’t seen my wedding dress in over 21 years, so it was with an interesting mix of reluctance and anticipation that I tore off the sealing tape. The dress had been treated and painstakingly packaged to keep out the light…
She emerged dripping wet and beaming light, while sporting the most peaceful smile. In this moment, all was as it should be, for her…for all of us there. It was the beginning and an ending all at once. Since living on an island in the Pacific this past year, the ocean has changed for…
Even though we went to church regularly as I grew up and we attended Christmas Eve services, heard the Christmas story with the animals, the inn, the stable, the start, the shepherds and the magi – I did not feel or understand the truth of Hope, Love, Joy and Peace of Christmas until Christmas…
“Sometimes a separation is necessary for the purpose of reconciliation. You really need to consider taking some time to live apart.” Our counselor then suggested the one thing I never expected to hear in a Christian counseling session. “You may even need to file for divorce.” Who would leave? Where would they go? How could…
Read Matthew 1:18-2:23. We rarely hear sermons preached on great faith or courage with Joseph the husband of Mary as the central example. Sadly, his role in the Christmas story has become almost a caricature we tend to skim over at other points on the Christian calendar. Consider what this key New Testament…
This time of year brings a lot of focus onto one of my favorite people of all time. She is viewed by the world through many lenses, and is often pictured as a serene, quiet, submissive girl who graces stained glass windows and religious portraits or jewelry with timeless beauty and grace. She is Mary,…
Like any “good mother,” I have taught my daughter the dangers of playing with certain things. One day in particular rings back to memory. She sat in front of an old box fan, which was turned off at the time, and she recounted to me why she was not allowed to play with such a…
Christmas commercials are the best. During the month of December, there are endless replays of families gathered around trees and tables, laughing and passing the mashed potatoes. Everyone is in love and high on Christmas cheer. And then there’s reality. Husband and wife bicker about the budget. Wife sulks on the way to the…
A couple weeks ago, a certain detail of my former life (before Christ) made an attempt to sneak its way into the new. I won’t go into details. It’s an ugly part of my past, which unfortunately was self-induced through a series of lies and bad choices. It is something that I confessed and…
Mom Inspired Adventures 