In Part 1 we discussed- the unreliability of basing our identity on seasons, or characteristics about us the way we are all geared toward identity idolatry (feeling that what we do/choose is the same as who we are) and the way God – in kindness – seeks to shake us loose of that. Ultimately, there […]

Surely we all feel it! Lockdowns & increasing rules Division, even among groups that normally agree Spiritual leaders exposed as fraudulent and abusive Global economy in crisis Uyghur concentration camps (and no one acting for their justice!) Medical/health battles Increasing isolation Depression, mental health, suicides increasing Rampant domestic violence, divorce, and child abuse Geopolitical strife […]

Skip to content Home Grow as Mom “Do The Next Thing”  Do the Next Thing From an old English parsonage down by the sea There came in the twilight a message for me; Its quaint Saxon legend, deeply engraven, Hath, as it seems to me, teaching from Heaven. And on through the hours the quiet words […]

Since October is my birthday month, let’s talk about birthday depression. Last year, I (seriously) typed in, “why am I sad even though it’s my birthday?” to Google. Yup, I typed in that phrase. It wasn’t much help, except to say, apparently, this is a thing. Some people get sad, instead of happy, on their birthdays. There […]

Recently I was able to get away for a glorious (and gloriously quiet!!) week alone. [If you don’t know, I have 9 children, ages 19 down to 2 years old, and I’ve been a stay-home, homeschooling mom for the duration of those years.] For most of my life, getting away like this has been an impossibility, […]

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One thing that amazes me, the longer I live as a Christ-follower, is the unpredictable way of humans as they interact with Jesus.  Some who appear to start out burning bright for Jesus– fall away and disassociate themselves from Him and His people. Some who seem weak and needy persevere and the light of their light grows […]

When you experience pain inflicted upon you by those claiming the name of Christ, especially by those in leadership in a Christian community, ministry organization, or church, it can turn everything topsy-turvy. What is true? What is right? Did that really happen? Am I losing my mind? Who can I trust? Can I ever trust […]

First: If you are suffering under spiritual abuse, or have recently left a spiritually abusive situation, I want to encourage you– not minimize or question what you experienced. For the purposes of this article, spiritual abuse is defined (by Got Questions) as: To “abuse” is to use something or someone to bad effect or for […]

As our winding story nears yet another “bend,” our necks are craned, but we can’t (YET) see which direction the river flows from here. Within a week, we are scheduled to hear back from the “committee” whose decision will either send our boat down one leg of the river: running a family business each summer in Colorado […]

Happy New Year! Today, let me share with you some of my favorite easy-peasy meals for the hard days. These are the things I make when I want to pull out the paper plates, or use as few bowls/pots as possible. For days like… today. 🙂 When we’ve been going-going-going and I just want something easy and […]

One of the last things our son wanted to do as a family, before leaving for bootcamp, was watch Master and Commander. I’m not generally a fan of Russell Crowe, but that movie is phenomenal. Many times over, it’s clear: it’s not human cunning, nor the battle plan, but providence, that guides one’s path along […]

“No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.”  — Heraclitus of Ephesus Year by year, changes come. And not merely in fashion, home decor, vehicle design, or celebrity culture. The very common fact of change touches the most simple and central things […]

Well. I’ve been quiet for a couple weeks. And the truth is, I have things to say. I’ve got more to say than I’ve been letting on, and I’ve been listening too much to the gurus who give tips on how to write clickable headlines and how to curate your own message and why to […]