Planning for the 2020 Holidays: Remember What’s Most Important

Today is the first day of fall and already I am planning for the holidays. I’m not one of those people who starts watching Christmas movies in July or has all their gifts wrapped by Labor Day. I am thinking ahead and planning early because our Christmas will look different […]

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A Few Thoughts on How We Grandparent

  Recently a friend asked me (in a card) if I had a grandparenting devotional that I used and liked. I hadn’t even thought of looking for one. I look forward to answering her question in person, but instead of disappointing her with a “no”, I will share with her […]

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Virtual Bible Study–Week 6–Doing Relationships Well in the Midst of a Pandemic

  The past few weeks have been a challenge in many ways and especially in our relationships. Many of us have lots of time with the same people while desperately missing others. And as such, we have not been the best version of ourselves. We don’t have access to the […]

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When Relationships Get Messy at Our House

We’ve had this sign longer than I can remember. I remember the store I bought it in, but I am fuzzy on what town it was in, who I was with (a dear friend, I think), and what year. Most days I barely notice it. But this morning it spoke […]

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About This Time Every Summer

About this time every summer, I go into a funk. Vacation is over. So is July 4th fun and my birthday. It’s too hot and humid to enjoy outdoor living. So I go into summer hibernation. I hunker down inside until the temperatures turn more livable. But then I thought—I […]

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I’m Not Whining, But. . .

To be honest, I’m having a hard time writing this blog because no matter how I reword it, I sound like I’m whining. I’m not. Really. I’m sharing what’s in my heart at the moment. I’m wondering if anyone ever feels this way except me. Right now, weeks past vacation, […]

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Me at 60

Yesterday I applied for a new ministry opportunity. They asked for my bio. I reviewed my most recent bio and I thought, “That’s not me anymore.” The facts hadn’t changed. Everything I said about myself was true. But something didn’t sound right as I read it. It felt like I […]

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When Your Kids Keep Making Decisions You Don’t Agree With

Yep, it happened again. One of my kids made a decision that I didn’t agree with. In fact, I was absolutely against it. When she shared her plan with me I gave her my reasons why her plan was not a good idea. My wisdom did nothing to change her […]

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A Conversation with the Family Looking Up Moms and Myself–Loving No Matter What

Last week I was delighted to be a guest on the Family Looking Up podcast. These three mamas–Andrea, Camille, and Beth–have thirteen kids (my best count from their pic) ranging in ages from baby to high school. They have lots of hands-on mommying experience. All of this contributed to our […]

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Your Part in Healing Your Relationship with Your Adult Child

I find the biggest obstacle to parents building relationship with their kids who are making decisions they don’t agree with is the parent. Yes, the parent. I’m not blaming parents for their kids’ poor decisions nor am I putting the responsibility of those decisions on the parents. I am saying […]

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