— Dwelling in the Land, Walking With Christ —

Wisdom Toward Outsiders

Last January, just after a Sunday morning worship service, I stopped by Trader Joe’s to buy a special dessert for a gathering of college students we planned to take them on an international mission trip last summer. It was a signature dessert from the very country we’d be traveling to, and I was excited to… Read More Wisdom Toward Outsiders

— Favorite Things, Good News —

Friday Favorites: Cooper’s Story

A few of you have either mentioned how much Cooper’s testimony meant to you, or expressed a desire to read it. Here it is, reprinted with Cooper’s permission. His baptism, along with two others that day, happened this past Sunday, and it was…well, I’m not sure I have a word for it. Cooper’s life, well-being,… Read More Friday Favorites: Cooper’s Story

— Dwelling in the Land, Fight the Good Fight —

A Battle and a Rescue: Part 2

I watched the kind man in the truck drive away to his early shift, I imagine. Not knowing quite what to do with myself at that point, I walked back outside of my dorm and onto the former boarding school campus where we were staying for our retreat. I knew Robert was walking somewhere on… Read More A Battle and a Rescue: Part 2

— Dwelling in the Land, Exultations —

Celebration Grace

Revelation. It was the next book staring at me as I turned the page from Jude on my journey through the New Testament in recent months. My first thoughts were: Ugh. I don’t want to read Revelation. Crazy visions, bowls of wrath, angels, sealed books, dragons with seven heads, and sea beasts. No one knows… Read More Celebration Grace

— Dwelling in the Land, Hospitality —

Last Week & A Winner

I was going to entitle this post May is cray-cray, but then I realized it’s not even May yet. Yikes.  May will indeed be crazy – baptisms, a wedding, graduations, Kayla’s thesis presentation day, a family reunion in Texas – but it will be also be wonderfully filled with celebration. I can’t wait. Maybe one… Read More Last Week & A Winner

— Adorning the Truth —

Found in “Spring”

I snapped this photo on Monday morning. We had a lunch at our home for potential Deacons/Care Team members on Sunday after church, and one of our guests brought me a bouquet of flowers. It was the perfect opportunity to use these tiny vases which my friend Deborah sent me for my birthday.  They’ve just… Read More Found in “Spring”

— Dwelling in the Land, Holidays —

Best Week of the Year

It really is the best week of the year, though it’s also the busiest. And the desire to take a little breather after the crazy pace isn’t an option for anyone in my house, well, except for Kayla who has the week off from Classical Conversations, but also a major thesis and defense due soon.… Read More Best Week of the Year

— Dwelling in the Land, Hospitality —

A Sunday In The Life

It’s been a routine around here for a very long time. So long that it actually didn’t even start here in Massachusetts, but is more original to our life in Oklahoma when we had a toddler, an infant, and a ministry to college students. It’s the Sunday routine, and we’ve hardly ever veered from it.… Read More A Sunday In The Life

— Generosity, Identity —

A Funny Story and An Identity Crisis

Social Media is such an interesting thing. I have a love/hate relationship with it, and I suspect you probably do too. I love connecting with people there and sharing all of life’s highlights, and I hate the negative way it is used by some. I love the ability to stay up to date on the… Read More A Funny Story and An Identity Crisis

— Holidays —

Giving Thanks, Getting Away, Going Forward

It was such a nice Thanksgiving here. And it’s become such a familiar routine to get ready to host a houseful. Always a few special touches to the day as well. I mean, just take a look at those place cards Kayla made – with a little help from our friend Hadassah. Very special. (The… Read More Giving Thanks, Getting Away, Going Forward