I read the above post on Instagram and felt it was worth sharing here. May we always choose what gives us life and hope—wholeheartedly embracing new opportunities, nurturing our deepest passions, and building meaningful connections that uplift and challenge us to become our best selves. Let us savor each moment, finding beauty in small victories and learning from setbacks. May every choice we make draw us closer to fulfillment, resilience, and a future brimming with purpose,

I’m not sure how I got connected to this alert system, but every so often, an unexpected notification pops up on my phone: a burglary has been reported just a few miles from where I live. Recently, these notifications have become even more unsettling, with reports of domestic violence now appearing alongside the burglaries. At first, I was startled—almost disoriented—to realize such terrible things were happening so close to my own home. Instinctively, I whispered a desperate

Continuing from my post last week, I wanted to share the Christmas plan I found on Instagram and how my family and I are making it our own this year. I’m thrilled to embrace both the peaceful solitude and the joyful chaos that will fill our home when my kids return from their colleges. Why not start your Christmas celebration early and savor every joyful moment throughout the rest of 2025? Instead of waiting for the perfect occasion, create your own magic—turn ordinary days

Lately, a quiet sadness has settled over me, wrapping around my days like one of those weighted vests you wear when you’re at the dentist right before an X-ray. It isn’t just my own struggles that press on my heart; I find myself carrying my husband’s and children’s worries, too—their anxious thoughts I catch between the lines of text messages and phone calls. The weight grows heavier as I pray for my friends and family, hoping my whispered words will somehow ease their burde

A couple of weeks ago, I shared a post  about the importance of kindness. At first, I assumed it would be an easy task. I began each morning by telling my family three specific ways I intended to show kindness at the office. Then, as my day unfolded, I would set out to accomplish those acts. However, on several mornings, I found myself sheepishly texting my family mid-morning to admit that I had already stumbled in my commitment. What seemed simple in theory quickly became ch

I’m writing this while sitting on the plane, my heart still pounding from a frantic dash through the airport. Each breath feels like a small victory after the chaos that just unfolded. My husband and I embarked on a whirlwind day trip to Boston to celebrate our son’s 22nd birthday. For weeks, we’d mapped out every detail, our anticipation growing with each passing day. It had been two long months since we last saw him, making this reunion feel all the more precious and overdu

Recently, someone very close to me experienced a situation so alarming that I felt compelled to warn everyone I know. This person was at a busy rest stop, taking a quick break during a long drive, when she entered the restroom and placed her purse on the metal hook installed behind the swinging stall door. It seemed like a routine, almost thoughtless action—one that most of us do without a second thought. Many renovated restrooms now position the hook closer to the center of

Life often feels like a whirlwind, pulling us in countless directions—school commitments, work deadlines, endless to-do lists. In all this busyness, simple acts of kindness can slip through the cracks. We rush from one commitment to the next, juggling goals and aspirations, and sometimes become so focused on our own journeys that we overlook opportunities to uplift others. Yet, Jesus turned this thinking upside down. He showed us that He came to earth to serve, not be served.

Lately, I’ve found myself wrestling with an overwhelming sense of disappointment. What’s been particularly difficult is not always understanding why these things happen, and knowing I may never fully grasp the reasons on this side of heaven. The disappointments haven’t just been mine—they’ve touched the lives of people I hold close to my heart, piling up one after another this year. Watching those I love struggle with their own hardships has made it all feel even heavier. So

For the past two summers, my husband has been my morning chauffeur, driving me to work each day. With two cars and four drivers in the family, coordinating rides is a necessity, so it’s become our routine for him to drop me off, freeing up a car for everyone else. I can’t remember exactly when this ritual began, but it’s now second nature when my husband pulls up to the front of my building and I’m at the door, I turn around for our signature goodbye wave. Only after the simp

September 25th is not just another day on the calendar—it’s a vibrant milestone, celebrating my youngest son’s 18th birthday and the incredible journey our family has shared. A month ago, our home filled with joyful chaos as siblings were still home from college. We celebrated this turning point together. We reminisced over silly and fun stories and wrapped him in all the love we could give. Now, with his official birthday upon us, my husband and I are preparing for a more in

The other day, with a rare stretch of free time in the morning, I decided to tackle my makeup cabinets—a task I'd been putting off for far too long. As I opened drawer after drawer, I was genuinely surprised by the sheer number of products I had collected over the years. Some items were still pristine, wrapped in their original plastic, untouched and forgotten. Others had clearly overstayed their welcome, their expiration dates long past, and it was obvious they belonged in t

I highly recommend listening to Kris Vallotton’s message . Months ago, I heard it for the first time, and revisiting it now, I feel certain the Holy Spirit has led me back to it for a purpose. Take a moment to absorb the wisdom and truth he shares—it has the potential to be genuinely life-changing if you embrace it. Empower yourself by mastering your mindset in the right way.

Imagine waking up to a message that someone you love is in trouble—and realizing you might be one of a few who can help. In moments like these, every second feels stretched, and your heart races as you scramble for answers. This is what happened to my family not long ago, reminding me just how vital it is to have a support system ready when you need it most.   It was just after sunrise on Monday when a ripple of worry made its way through our family. My brother, still groggy

It's hard to believe it's already been over a month since my son’s surgery. I am reminded that recovery is rarely a linear process. It’s filled with unexpected challenges, small victories, and moments of doubt. Every day, my son faces new challenges—sometimes it's the lingering ache in his knee, other times it's the mental hurdle of staying motivated when progress feels painfully slow. He attends physical therapy sessions several times a week, where his therapist guides him t

Although Nate Johnson doesn't explicitly state that it's a continuation of his previous post, I believe it's Part II. Please read... A few days ago, I released a word about the family being the target of the enemy in this hour and I feel today’s word is an extension of that. THE FIRE ALARM About three months ago, we started weekly prayer meetings in our home. We felt a clear leading from the Lord to build an altar of prayer in our house, not just in our personal devotional li

With everything that has been happening in my home, I thought it was important to share the below from Nate Johnson’s blog in case you are experiencing similar. May we all be on alert and do what it takes to protect those that are important to us.   A few weeks ago, I woke up in the middle of the night from a dream. In the dream, the windows of a house were left open, and an intruder was trying to get inside. I woke up in a mild panic and began walking through my own home, ma

We found ourselves amid an urgent situation that required an immediate family meeting. Thankfully, everyone was home, allowing us to gather in our family room—our sanctuary for heartfelt conversation. As we settled in, one family member courageously shared the details of their predicament. The air was charged with a profound sense of empathy as we listened intently not just with our ears, but with our hearts and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. What filled me with the deepest

I'm a little late on my Father's Day tribute post, but better late than never.☺ I am genuinely grateful to be still able to celebrate Father's Day with my dad, who turns 92 this year. He is a man whose qualities inspire me daily. One of the most admirable traits he possesses is his unwavering dedication to prayer. It gives me immense comfort to know that he is always there for us, ready to lift our concerns to God in prayer. His commitment to interceding for our family is a c

This past Friday was a significant day for my son, as he underwent surgery to address his knee issues. Leading up to the procedure, he expressed a mix of nerves and excitement, confidently stating that he was ready to take this step towards healing and recovery. I shared in his optimism; it was heartening to see his determination. The orthopedist provided us with much-needed reassurance after the surgery, informing us that everything had gone as planned. They successfully rep