…No, really. It was a November evening in the west of Ireland. The sky was black, although dinner had barely finished. The gale winds howled as rain and slush pelted the windows. It had been one of those days. One of those days where nothing particularly terrible, or great, had happened. Just a typical day in a house full of …
Style, Vanity and Personal Expression
The last time I remember having a “style” is around the third grade. During that year, and all the ones leading up to it, I had a definite style. You could look at certain items of clothing or jewelry and think, “That looks like Jen!” What was that style? Girly. If it had ruffles, lace, pink, purple or in any …
The Quiet Celebration of A Life
The lights are dim. The muffled sounds of a soothing lullaby disc waft through the closed door of the baby’s room and into the living room. The day is done and the house, and the family that reside within, are settled in for the night. The day has been spent in celebration. Blessing and celebrating a life. My life. Hugs …
Who You Are
Each morning (mostly) I sit snuggled in my favorite corner of the couch, burgundy fleece wrapped around me, Bible and notebook on my lap. I read Your Word and drink deep the Living Water. And yet something seems…shallow. Wanting. I’m seeking You…but really seeking myself. For my benefit. I forget that I thank You because of what You’ve done; but …
Grounded
Before the foundations of the earth, I knew you… You are fearfully and wonderfully made… I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you, not to harm you; to give you a future and a hope… These are my roots. They anchor me in the muck and mire of this world. Of this life of striving and …
Put Your Hands in the Air
I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but raising kids is hard. Whether you have family around or not; a huge church or just a couple of like-minded folks; whether you have one kiddo or ten. It’s heart wrenching, twenty-four-seven, soul-aching-full-of-love hard work. And like most things that are hard, the rewards are almost incalculable. When that hard work includes shepherding young …
“My” Voice
Find your voice, they say. Tell your story, they say. Your words have power; your story gives hope. The truth? The truth is I don’t want to find my voice. My words are empty and my story is hopeless. My voice says the same thing – Look at me. Hear me! Me, me, me. This is hard and I’m always …
Fall, In Love
An endless path stretches before us, blanketed in a golden carpet of crisp, fall beauty. They run ahead, those three little ones of ours, without a care in the world. Laughter and squeals trail behind them on the air. Beneath our feet the leaves await us – they’ve placed themselves just so, just for us, you know. They sing out …
Pollen From Paint?
The sun streamed in through the floor-to-ceiling windows and warmed our backs as we sipped coffee at our favorite cafe – a rare treat in October (the sun, not the coffee). Our son toddled happily around his familiar surroundings and we just sipped, and chatted, and watched and enjoyed. When out of the corner of my eye I saw something …
The Race of My Heart
I nun-ing, Ma-ma….I na fass-iss! “You are the fastest! Go!!” I watch you run as fast as your pudgy little feet will take you, full cheeks bouncing in ecstasy at the freedom you have to just run; jump; be. You climb on the chairs, color a picture, stacks blocks, and “read” books. Oh, the books. I have them all memorized …