Paper Towns by John Green My rating: 3 of 5 stars You can see her: *that* girl in your high school, the sparkly, witty, smart one, the one everyone adores and some suspect might be way cooler if she wasn't also the popular kids' ringleader. Her name might be, for example, Margo Roth Spiegelman. Your … Continue reading Paper Towns
Tag: love
Mommy Guilt
Sometimes the person we need to forgive, the one most in need of the gift of grace, is ourselves. We need to release our own guilt. A few years ago I had the opportunity to speak to moms of preschoolers on social/emotional development. As I reflected on my children during the preschool years, the topic … Continue reading Mommy Guilt
The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender
The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton My rating: 3 of 5 stars "Are you a bird, an angel, or what?" ...I didn't have the answer. I certainly wasn't a bird, as far as I could tell. But in the same breath, I couldn't say I was human. What did it … Continue reading The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender
Two Great Reads – Stargirl and Eleanor & Park
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli My rating: 5 of 5 stars I <3 Stargirl! I have read this book twice, aloud with each child at the right time. Stargirl is a gust of flowery-fresh spring air. She leaves change where she finds it, and drops more for those who might need it. She reads community bulletin … Continue reading Two Great Reads – Stargirl and Eleanor & Park
Give
Do you know what gift(s) God has given you to build up His Church? If not, I highly recommend taking this quick test. (There's also a test for youth if that's you or someone you love). Similar to family chores, we all have a role to play in God's family and through our God-given gifts God … Continue reading Give
Grow
God has rarely been subtle with me. In my life, He definitely tends toward the dramatic. Before she knew she was pregnant, God woke my mom up in a London hotel room to tell her she would have a baby girl. When three doctors told her I would be a boy (before ultrasounds, of course), … Continue reading Grow
Gather
Some years ago I worked as a church receptionist. Lydia held a volunteer position that brought her to the office frequently. Unfortunately, Lydia was a true Grumpy Pants. Nothing pleased her and she was quick to let everyone know. I cringed inwardly when I saw her coming. She took all my patience and then some. Lydia also sat near me … Continue reading Gather
Word
You may have noticed the cultural trend away from resolutions - 25% of people who make resolutions break them within a week - and to choosing a guiding word instead, something like "Love" or "Focus" or "Courage." For those who follow Jesus, our word ought always to be "Jesus," the name of our Beloved continually on our … Continue reading Word
Where do we place our hope?
I had a surprising and completely lovely conversation with Tween after Sunday school this morning. I asked him about the lesson, and he told me the story commonly called The Rich Young Ruler (found in Matthew 19:16-22 and Mark 10:17-27): a man who has kept all the commandments asks Jesus what else he must do, … Continue reading Where do we place our hope?
Peace in Pieces
Advent: Awaiting the Savior who brings hope, peace, joy, love. Our version of Advent week 1: crushing activity and little peace. Oops... Some of this week's low lights: A lens popped out of Tween's glasses when he got jostled playing at a friend's house. And then someone stepped on it, cracking the top of the lens … Continue reading Peace in Pieces