from an article originally posted July 8, 2014...
Oh dear, dear summer—you have been so good to us. Moments full of depths of woes and heights of joy. We have embraced all that has been given and attempted to live fully in each moment. The comfortable space beside the loves in our life. We have tasted the goodness of God and also been reminded how temporary this place is. We take each moment in gratitude.
from an article originally posted July 2, 2014...
Jesus loved our family bigger than we could have ever imagined when someone made this once in a lifetime trip possible for our family. We had no idea when we said yes what huge grace we were saying yes to for our family. Months ago when this opportunity came to us, we saw what a gift to our children this time in the mountains would be. The generous offer came and we simply walked through a door knowing there was a blessing on the other side and life to be captured with our children.
from an article originally posted June 16, 2014...
Yesterday, my dear Blythe wrote me a letter. A paper and pencil, put on a stamp, beautiful handwritten letter. It was a gift. A beautiful gift. When I saw the letter in the mailbox, I knew I was holding a treasure. I was tired, deeply tired from my hard week. I quietly took my letter up to my bedroom, hid under the covers, and opened my treasure. I cried. I cried and cried.
from an article originally posted June 2, 2014...
Yesterday I was asked how my summer had started. My simple answer was that it started at a pace that was leaving me frayed and edgy. I struggled with sleep last night and my night thoughts are always a battle for truth and peace. This morning I woke and slowed down. My oldest woke first to the loud sounds of the trash truck and snuggled in my bed. She then lived as my shadow through my morning routine. Snuggled in bed we quietly woke as we watched Jason ready for his day. He talked with us through his day of appointments and asked over my plans. His day, full—mine, not so much. I needed a slow, slow morning.
from an article originally posted May 4, 2014...
May 4, 1994, I was a struggling high school senior. Struggling with life, struggling with drugs and drinking, struggling to find my footing in life. I was sitting beside a zealous convert in German class, Michele Pribble, who was excited to share her faith with me. She pleaded with me to come to her youth group with her. I was curious. I agreed to go. Once I arrived, I was met by kindness, amazing kindness. The youth group at Grace Community Church was a new land of kindness, warmth, and unity. Then the pastor, Rod Vansolkema, spoke on forgiveness. To top it all off, my dear friend Jenny Gates Fitzgerald came and explained to me who Jesus was and why he came to love me, rescue me, offer me new life. That very night I asked God to forgive me for my many sins, I prayed that He would enter my life, and I learned forgiveness for the first time in my life. It was an amazing night.
