I do love Thanksgiving season. Families gather, food is shared, and quality time is priceless. But not everyone enjoys the holidays. In them, we’re encouraged to live a life filled with thanks, a life of thanksliving. Ugh. Yes, it’s a nice thought, but sometimes it’s enough to distract…
Whenever I scroll through my Instagram feed, I often reflect on the “what ifs” in my life. For example, what if my life had unfolded exactly as I had envisioned it during my youth? As a child, I was a dreamer with countless aspirations. I envisioned living in a different…
Every year, the holiday season appears to arrive earlier, a stark contrast to the days when Christmas wasn’t even contemplated until after Thanksgiving. Now, the hustle and bustle of preparations begin as early as Halloween. This year, the approaching holiday season carries a bittersweet weight for me as it’ll be…
The past three weeks have been busy ones in the life of my church family. Since the middle of last month, I’ve performed four funerals and a wedding and led a critical church conference. These events have had emotional consequences. My anxiety level continues to be high as I navigate…
As a former band director, I understand the importance of each musical instrument in an ensemble. The percussion keeps the rhythm steady. The low brass offers the foundation of the music, and the trumpets, flutes, and clarinets play the melodies. Each section contributes to the overall piece. Music is an…
My husband, Jared, and I have an open-door policy for our friends. We warmly welcome them, whether they need a place to stay for the night, a safe haven after a tough experience, a spot to relax, or a place to celebrate life’s victories. In our home, friends become part…
Scrabble, the classic word game that has enthralled generations, is a captivating blend of strategy, vocabulary, and skill. I began playing competitively in 2010. At best, I am a mediocre player, but I love the game and am grateful for my connection to the Scrabble community. For me, Scrabble has…
I turned on the light in my son Caeleb’s room and began my morning concert of songs to wake him up. My top 10 hits (including “Good Morning Starshine,” “Rise and Shine,” and “Good Morning” from “Bear in the Big Blue House”) fuel my soul with energy, though my 17-year-old…
As a hospice chaplain, I visit patients and their families as they are in their last months and days of life. It is humbling. Whether they’re at home or in a nursing home, these patients have something in common: They are being cared for by others. Family caregivers are the…
My husband, Jared, and I have been fur parents for a while. In 2020, we welcomed our first family pet, a golden retriever named Lucky, followed by a delightful Himalayan cat we named Billy. Our home has been lively with the presence of animals for the past three years.
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