We LOVE to use questions (“would you rather…” “what if…” “which of these…”) to start discussions with our kids over meals, during hikes, and in car rides. We’ve used books, and card sets, but they often contain foul or off-color questions or prompts. So I thought I’d share some of the questions we use, to help […]

where there is no water.” In our 6 years overseas, we experienced a number of challenges: my husband inexplicably collapsed (all but unconscious) for 5 days, we lived in 10 residences (that’s counting only the ones we lived in for 2 months or longer), I had 3 babies, and miscarried one, learned to tackle domestic challenges […]

I’ve always thought of myself as pretty brave. Whether that’s true or not I don’t know but I looked to the externals and deemed it so: moving around the world, multiple times, as a growing family keeping having babies even though it HURTS (!!!) every time, and makes life harder quitting my dream job and moving to… […]

{This is the 4th article in a series about modesty. We started with what the word/idea of “modesty” even means. Then we talked through 8 questions we should consider to discern our heart. Next we talked about deference as an act of submission to the Brothers and Sisters in our local Body of Christ.}   But… […]

So you’ve decided to homeschool. Or, not allow sleepovers. You don’t watch certain kinds of movies, Or, you don’t own a TV at all. Or maybe, even though they’re Christians, you’re convicted in ways that are obviously different from the convictions they have, or had. You can feel judged. They can feel judged. They can… […]

Have you ever felt that heavy certainty of heart? The guilty pronouncement that declares: “You’re not perfect enough“?? Sadly, it seems to be more prominent in certain places. And from personal experience I can say– it often accompanies the choices we make as mothers, particularly as homeschooling mothers. Doug and I, on our way up to the top of Enchanted […]

How can we avoid letting feelings rule our lives? 3 minutes of encouragement on that, after having a feelings-heavy day, yesterday: https://youtu.be/It4vOJ-t5XA As always, let me know what YOU have to say, in the comments. 🙂 Category: Grow as a Disciple, Grow as a Woman, Grow as Mom

In August 2016, we took a 12-day backpacking trip around Mt. Rainier with our 7 children (ages 14 to 1 year old), on the incredible Wonderland Trail. In 12 articles, I’ve shared the good, the bad, & the ugly. You can read our story here. I published journal entries, pictures, & memories from our family… […]

Let me something painful but honest. The truth is:  In fact, over the past few years, there have been weeks at a time where I have had almost no desire to read or study my Bible.  It’s embarrassing. But maybe you can relate. The plain truth is, I don’t always desire what I know I […]

Christian woman, you may not even realize it, but are you pornifying our culture? Perhaps you say “no”– “I hate even the idea of porn!” “I don’t invite men to look at me with lust.” “I would never do that!” BUT– TAKE A FIELD TRIP THROUGH YOUR PHOTOS Go right now to the photos you have publicly posted […]

Many moms feel overpowered by anger, and find it difficult to be consistent in discipline. “If you do that ONE more time…” “Do you want to get in trouble?” “I can’t take it anymore!” Listen as Jess talks with Wendy about: giving consistent discipline practical ways to fight mommy anger how to discern whether a parenting resource […]

{Editor’s Note: I wrote this more than 7 years ago. It’s just as true now as it was then. Only difference is, I need to actively work to hear it and believe it more than I did then.} An acquaintance of mine recently asked our group of friends if we ever felt like the best years of life were…

So. It’s Sunday morning. Well, it’s not Sunday morning when you’re reading this, but it’s Sunday morning as I’m writing it. I’m in the middle of what might be termed an adult tantrum, fussing and angry because things haven’t gone my way this morning. You see, I had everything planned. For the first time since our…

At some point this last year (I didn’t date it when I wrote this down), I took time to try and write down, in precise language, some of the things I believe about myself. Things I didn’t want to admit, but that I could tell were impacting my choices and thinking. Tears streamed as I scribbled… […]