At our CBC Ladies’ Bible Study meeting last Thursday night, Jen encouraged each of us to make a list of 100 things we’re thankful for and then to pray that list back to God. Last night I sat down and made my list. It took some real work! While I could have just written down… Read More 100 Things
This month I’m trying something new–a book club on Facebook. I miss the book club I was privileged to be part of in Indiana. We would read one book a month and then get together to talk about it. I loved that the first question we were asked was, “What did you like about the… Read More Online Book Club
Marriage is not what I expected. It’s better, richer, deeper, fuller. Marriage is common grace. Grace given to believers and unbelievers alike. Grace that allows each marriage–each union of man and wife–to portray Christ’s relationship to His Church. What wonder! Marriage is reconciliation. Though bride and groom are permanently joined at the altar, the ministry… Read More This Mystical Thing Called Marriage
Carefree. Where we spent the night. Carefree. How we felt. We took our first ever overnight date since having kids. And we can’t wait to do it again! My friend, Rebekah, insisted that we should let her babysit the boys while Stephen and I took a night away, just the two of us. The idea… Read More Romantic Carefree Getaway
The thing about long-distance friendships is that you often can’t picture your friend in her daily routine. Visits come at holidays or special events and the daily routine is replaced with vacation mode. But the way to really grow close to a friend is to enter into her life–side by side. My closest friend, Rebekah,… Read More Doing Days
Everyday moments aren’t so ordinary when you live miles from family. Though we did visit some attractions in the Valley, most our time with my dad, mom and sisters was spent savoring ordinary life at home. My family played with the boys, read to them, sang to them, and cared for them–in between all the… Read More Making Manka Memories
St. George, Utah will always be my special place. My own personal greenhouse where I grew into womanhood. I learned to love in new ways, to explore with abandon, to spread my wings, to soar. My first year out of college I took a teaching position at Westside Christian School and formed precious friendships with… Read More Mini Roadtrip
I know it–how much I’m loved. But it’s nice to be reminded. Stephen reminded me when he walked through the door with a gift in hand last week–a single rose, a Starbucks gift card, and a book on motherhood and the gospel. My weary mama’s heart needed that touch of romance on a Thursday… Read More Weekday Romance
Mother’s Day is a chance to say ‘thank you’ to my mom. To thank her for carrying me under her heart and then in her arms and now in her prayers. I love you, Mom! Mother’s Day is a chance to celebrate the gift of motherhood. It is a gift. One I don’t take for… Read More For Your Mother’s Day
It was a tennis date. Yes, Stephen and I do have a few moments of “alone-togetherness” in the middle of this precious, chaotic little-boy-world we live in. We have been gifted a monthly date night by our dear friends Ryan and Jen! Last week Stephen and I dug out our tennis gear and hit the… Read More Love–15