For most of the fall, I’ve had two due dates in mind. First, the day a final draft of my book was due to my publisher–December 31st. Second, the day our third child was due to be born–January 22nd. I’ve heard the two compared before. The idea is that birthing a child is much like…

Most people think about “summer reading.” I do my fair share in the summer months, but thanks to my mother, who enjoys getting up early in the morning with our children, I read three books over the course of the past two weeks. I always read before bed, but Mom’s devotion means I really can…

In honor of the idea that Christmas continues until the Feast of the Epiphany, we haven’t undecorated yet. It’s been all I could do to keep the tree and the Advent calendar, the festive dishtowels and holiday pillows, in their place. I’ve been ready to move on. But the church calendar tells me to wait…

My sister Kate was asked to contribute a photo and inspirational story for a new magazine, Serendipity. She chose to write about Penny, and I asked her if I could reprint the photo and story here. Thanks, Kate! I took this photo of my Brother-in-Law and my niece Penny three years ago, on a family…

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