children

When Your Story Is Not Your Own

When Your Story Is Not Your Own

He clung to that doorway like his life depended on it. He screamed like he was being kidnapped, which is probably what it felt like to him. He cried and cried and cried.

She talked. Talked and talked and talked. On the drive home, she counted to 100. Twice. She tried to ignore the sobs and sniffles of the little brother sitting next to her. She put on a brave face.

The other two just watched. Stared in wonder at the drama unfolding around them. Gave up space in their rooms to allow another person to live there. Shared their toys and clothes. Shared their mommy and daddy.

This is how my story merged with the story of adoption. Dramatically. Traumatically. Saying yes to the call to adopt was the best, hardest thing we have ever done. Prior to that yes, we were living the ‘American Dream.’ Living in a nice suburb on a greenbelt. Two kids, one boy, one girl. We had it all.

Then God flipped our world upside down.

Missional Motherhood

Missional Motherhood

Gloria Furman hits home again with another book on motherhood. However, unlike her book Treasuring Christ When Your Hands Are Full, Missional Motherhood is not so much about the nitty, gritty of day to day life in motherhood. We find a revealing statement in the Introduction: “The aim in Missional Motherhood is to give you laser focus on what God’s word says about his mission, how motherhood fits in to that, and what Christ has done to fuel and fulfill our everyday ministry as moms” (p.17). She states a few times in her book that this concept is not just for women with children in their home but “the spiritual motherhood of making disciples of all nations” (p. 24). This is for all women!

Racial Diversity: Children’s Reading Recommendations

Racial Diversity: Children’s Reading Recommendations

I love reading with my daughter! As you can see from Zion’s photo above, we love reminders of the beautiful creativity and diversity of God. God loves all the different kinds of people He created and here are two of our favorite books celebrating His love for diversity:

What My Preschooler is Teaching Me

What My Preschooler is Teaching Me

I have worked with kids for years (and particularly preschoolers), but things got real when my own daughter turned three. Lyla, my daughter, has taught me a lot in the last three and a half years. Some lessons have been easier than others. Like that I really can’t draw Elsa very well or that coffee can be reheated an infinite amount of times. Some lessons have been harder to swallow.

A Mother’s Day Gift: Hope for Moms with Children who have Lost their Way

A Mother’s Day Gift:  Hope for Moms with Children who have Lost their Way

I have served on the Council Road staff the past six months, and every Monday I sort through the prayer requests from Sunday services to bring to staff meeting where the staff prays. It is a rare week that we don’t get a request from a concerned mother asking for prayer for her struggling child. Some sign their names, others are anonymous…

Creative Options To A Candy-Coated Easter Basket

Creative Options To A Candy-Coated Easter Basket

My oldest child is CRA-ZAY on candy! She has a lot of energy already, but candy sends her into “rare form.” As each holiday rolls around the calendar, I’m always trying to find alternative treats to candy. So here’s your not-quite-comprehensive guide to a candy-free or candy-lite Easter basket.