Although I appreciate the style, you’ll hardly ever see me wear my hair in a ponytail. Why? These little guys. My ears. In high school, my other insecurity was my height. I hit 5’9” at the age of 13 and my best friend peaked at 5’ 2”, so you can imagine the contrast. Not only […]
Inspirational
Dads, You ARE Appreciated
Bouncing around social media you’ll find all these blogs, videos, and memes encouraging moms, “You are doing great! Give yourself grace. Keep doing the hard stuff. You are amazing.” Etc. Etc. And then we dismiss or ignore the dads. Or worse yet, we applaud the moms and then beat fathers over the head, “You aren’t […]
The Enneagram Book that will Change Your Life
If you’ve ever thought, “I sure wish that person (spouse, boss, child, friend) came with an owner’s manual,” get excited, because Ian Cron and Suzanne Stabile have created just that. In a witty and conversational style, they will lead you through the eclectic energy of each personality type without putting anyone in a box. Their […]
Do You Hate Winter and Dread Monday?
If you hate winter and dread Mondays, you might need a little dreary-day cheer today. Maybe you are just S.A.D. and need a little more sunlight and exercise. Please, if your situation is leading to depression (apathy, hopelessness, irritability, sleep abnormalities, loss of energy and guilt), consult a doctor or counselor immediately. Honestly, sometimes I […]
How to Encourage Your Kids to Write
We’re starting back to school today, which excites a few and makes others groan. If you are a teacher or homeschool mom, these tips might come in handy this semester. As an online English professor I know what it means to teach “the dreaded class.” Aside from public speaking courses, composition seems to be the […]
And to all a Goodnight: Tips to Sleeping Better
Gayle Greene, author of Insomniac, says that “sleep is the fuel of life. It’s nourishing; it’s restorative. And when you are deprived of it, you are really deprived of a basic kind of sustenance.” Although we’d rank sleep up there with water, food, and shelter, we often act like it’s the least important–easily dismissed–aspect of our […]
Christmas Gifts for Kids: Book List Recommendations
If you need a few more ideas for your kids, nieces/nephews, or grands this Christmas, I’m posting some books I’ve read and enjoyed. Tricia Goyer, author (of fiction and non-fiction) and homeschool mom has written this historical account in easy-to-digest sections, transforming events in the minds of readers to the remarkable–and sometimes miraculous–times God intervened […]
The Mattering Part: Life Grows from the Darkness
“The mattering part is never what isn’t. The mattering part is never the chopped-off stump. It isn’t what dream has been cut down, what hope has been cut off, what part of the heart has been cut out. The tender mattering part is–you have a Tree.” ~ Ann Voskamp, The Greatest Gift: Unwrapping the Full […]
Diary of a Wimpy Woman: Here by Thy Great Help I’ve Come
Today I graded an essay by a student recounting the powerful experience of seeing God work in Brazil. Along with several other people, he prayed over the locals that were sick, deaf, and incapacitated, and by God’s great power, they were healed. One older man requested prayer and my student laid his hands on the […]
When You Feel Forgotten
This admission embarrasses me, but in an attempt to certify my understanding, I’ll share it: as a kid I craved popularity. I didn’t just desire to be one of the “in” chicks, but I wanted to be liked by everyone. I wanted my parents to enjoy me as well as my peers. Maybe I craved […]