Why My Kids Don’t Do Energy Drinks
When energy drinks first came out, I decided they’d be off limits for my middle-school and elementary-age kids. They had enough energy as it was, why would you give them more? From experiences teaching and counseling teens, I see inerrant dangers when kids use unnecessary substances to alter behavior. It sets a precedence for using something outside of yourself to cope, something of which can become addictive. I’m sensitive to addictive behavior because I’ve spent a lifetime undoing unhealthy behaviors I learned as a teen. At fourteen, I...
read moreWhen Humanity’s Falling Apart, He Holds It Together
Life beyond the picket fence isn’t just a ministry, it’s life - not the Instagram or Facebook kind, but the one you and I live that’s not the storybook image. The one that leaves a hole in your heart where pain, sadness, or loss resides. Do you have a hole like that? Or is your pain so fresh and real that you’re afraid to give words to it? You’re living it, but you’re hiding behind the picture perfect image. Regardless, it’s still there. My life today is peaceful, though it hasn’t always been....
read more3 Steps For Finding Wholeness
“Search me, O God, and know my heart.” Psalm 139:23 Do you ever wonder what God was thinking when gave you responsibilities? Like motherhood or leadership roles? You bring your hurts, insecurities, fears and past relationships into your roles. You bring your coping skills. God created us to be whole women so we can be nurturers in His kingdom. The key to balancing life is finding wholeness. What does it mean to be whole? Being whole means we don’t have gaping wounds in our mental and emotional make-up. It means we don’t look to our children,...
read moreShutting Out The Noise And Finding Rest
Today I sit in quiet. I’ve needed it, not just space away from others, but moments away from social media, TV and noise of life. A book signing, preparations for a big event for teen girls & moms in Iowa, preparing for the Balance retreat, working 25 hours a week, writing deadlines, being a sports-mom, friend, and counselor. All this week. And I found out I had cancer. Skin cancer. Removed, got it all, but nonetheless, cancer. More than quiet, I need time with Jesus. I’ve been troubled as I’ve walked in the noise of...
read moreWhen Your Children Hurt You
There are days your children hurt you. I heard a new mom share her complete joy when her firstborn was laid on her chest. The universal moment a mom feels where hope, joy, and love comes together. New moms aren’t told how it feels when those feelings are invaded with hurt. Hurt that goes deep coming from the one you gave birth too. Motherhood pain isn't a common topic at play groups or the ballpark. Yet it's real.Click To TweetPowered By CoSchedule It might be from things your child does physically or emotionally. It might be from the choices...
read more10 Things I Learned From 5 Minutes Of Fame
This weekend was my first book signing. I am honored to be published in Chicken Soup For The Soul: Reboot Your Life. It was a great time. I made new friends with Glow Bookstore owner Denise Henke, saw old friends (including my elementary school principal!) and was blessed by current ones. My face was plastered in local newspapers and I had colleagues who said, “I know someone famous.” I learned a lot in the last few days. So here are ten things I’ve learned during my five minutes of fame. 1. People will say nice things about...
read moreFinding Value In Family Relationships
In one week, our family’s downsized. College Graduate moved to the East Coast and College Boy returned to the university. That leaves the High Schooler and Junior, the middle school boy. “Our fun little family of four” I call the rest of us. There’s a lot I like about a smaller family. We can go places with minimal cost. We can eat out every once in a while instead of almost-never. There’s less laundry, less arguing, and more quiet spaces in the house. Today we decided to go hiking. In just a few minutes, we packed a less-than-army-size lunch...
read moreHelping Your Daughter Grow Through Pain
There’s a hanging basket on my porch that’s been a challenge this summer. I can pour lots of water on it, but within minutes the water leaks through the soil. Instead of the soil being saturated, the dirt’s depleted. For soil to hold water for healthy growth, it needs nutrients. Enriched soil naturally happens with organic materials – dead foliage, food waste and manure. Things that are smelly and gross. When they do their work, the result is beauty, health and vitality. The words “pain brings beauty”flashed through my mind the other day when...
read moreWhy You Need To Come
One day last spring, I wanted to get a journal for a friend who was going through a rough time. Wanting to shop local, I decided to stop in the new bookstore I’d noticed located on State Road 5, south of Shipshewana. I walked in and saw a spiral-bound journal with a camper on the front at a reasonable price – just the perfect gift to give my friend who was going on a camping trip out West where she could clear her thoughts. I was in the Glow Bookstore. After spending just a few minutes looking around, I was blessed by being there....
read moreWhen God Removes Bitterness
I learned something today. I sat in a room with forty other people and learned they weren’t so different from me. We worshipped God, shared honestly with each other, and worked towards a common goal. Five years ago I would have never imagined I’d be part of a group like this. In fact, five years ago, I wanted to go far away from this faith group. Damaged, unheard, voiceless and angry, I wanted to be somewhere else. But God said no. He didn’t call me away. In fact, His instructions were for me to be myself in this group, to...
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