There’s a smallness. Well, that’s because you’re 5’1″ Bek. True. Fair. I digress. A smallness not only in stature but in temptation to attach feeling small to worthiness small. There’s a difference. Like wow I feel humbled down to my core small or I am small and therefore, worthless. When people ask how we’re doing, our response remains: We’re still looking. Bry …
Focusing on the Fringe
See that sweet birdy perched on the highest branch? That’s me years ago thinking that to have it all together meant that I had to have a place in church, community, life. That if I was going along with the status quo I’d arrived. Friends, I HAD IT ALL WRONG. I never felt at home there because, what I’m learning, …
Being a Safe Space
I just need a safe space to _______________. I hear this phrase on a weekly – if not daily- basis. I just need a safe space to talk. Listen. Cry. Find compassion. Be welcome Be unconditionally loved. Three days before my birthday my sweet hubby was laid off. Organizational restructuring. You’ve got two weeks. As it is, we are in …
Wow, God must REALLY Care
Last month my sweet friend Maria prayed that God would show up as Provider in tangible out-of-the-box ways. What’s your rent? she asked. I’m going to pray He brings that money in somehow. I smiled over the phone and stifled a laugh. We’re fine. Does God really care about paying our rent through random acts of kindness? We’re praying for …
Sunday Confession: Honest Thoughts About Christmas & Creative Ideas for Budget-Minded Souls
Are you excited for Christmas? she asked. No. I nothing it. The words tumbled out before I knew I felt them. Been there before? Not sure how you felt until someone asked you and suddenly, whelp, there it is. I’m dreading Christmas, actually. We’re on a slim budget. I want to throw big dinner parties and the reality of opening our …
Reminders in the Sky
To date there is no other place I experience God so right-here-present-and-close-I-could-taste-Him near as when I sit among the expanse of green meadow behind David Arm’s Gallery in historic Leiper’s Fork. The ways the trees sway, conducting classical music coming from inside. The adirondack chairs, the open fields, the yellow leaf bursts against a sapphire sky. Up, up, up a …
Responding yes as a Guest
When Ty turned four he wanted to celebrate his birthday with a dance party and homemade chocolate chip cookies on the front lawn. Turned out to be the simplest, sweetest celebration. As we know, the size of a party is affected by the response to four little letters at the end of an invitation: RSVP. Have you ever thought about …
Fillable
I walked into the quaint corner church and found a spot at the end of a middle pew and joined around 200 other women gathered close for bible study. I can’t remember the last time I entered a new church where I don’t know a soul for a bible study I signed up for online. The summer series is on …
Grace & Space
We’ve moved enough in our married life to know that following any big move or transition comes the reality of that newness no longer being, well, new. It’s a whole different ball game doing it with a kindergartener and 2nd grader. The entire 2nd grade put on a “wax museum” where each student dressed the part and verbally shared about …
Dear California
Dear California, Leaving you is bittersweet. We heart you. Your beaches. Your culture. Your food. You see, the first half of our story began with you. We love the memories our family made here. We love that Azusa Pacific University is where Bryan and I met and fell in love (although I played hard-to-get for far too long). We love that …