I love it that the classic tale, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, is still being revamped and retold since it was first published in 1957–sixty-two years ago! Why? Probably because its message still has relevance to us today: Christmas isn’t about stuff, food, or winning the prize for the best light show; it’s about something … Continue reading Maybe Christmas Means Something More: Advent Day 24 →
I have some friends who are much better at being good friends than I am. You know the type: They text regularly just to let you know they’re thinking of you; they remember things about what’s going on in your life and ask you how those things are going; they’re the first to call when … Continue reading Love Keeps Tapping You on the Shoulder: Advent Day 23 →
I live in the most beautiful state in the union: Washington. I bet you thought I was going to say Hawaii, didn’t you? Or maybe Florida, California, or somewhere else where it’s warm most of the year? Well, all I have to say is that Washington rivals every one of those states in so many … Continue reading The Waterfall: Advent Day 22 →
Ok, you can relate to this, all you Amazon shoppers–oh, wait, that’s everyone, isn’t it? Picture this: You order something on Amazon, you’re super stoked to get it, you check the driveway every five seconds for the truck, it seems like it’s taking FOREVER (even though it’s coming next day via Prime), and then the … Continue reading Unexpected Love: Advent Day 21 →
Amazing factoid about me: My husband and I have been married for (drumroll, please) almost 34 years! I know–we’re rockstars, right? We’ve beaten some HUGE odds, and we’re pretty darn proud of ourselves. And even better–we are still madly, sickenly in love with each other, more and more each day. Yes, really. We often get … Continue reading Love Always Wins: Advent Day 20 →
I was once a pretty good strutter. I’m embarrassed to admit it, but in high school I dragged myself out of bed at 4:30 in the morning, not because I was taking a special class before school started, not because I was doing chores, not because I was praying for my family or my classmates, … Continue reading Love Doesn’t Strut: Advent Day 19 →
Warning: I’m going to give you an ear worm right now: “We all need somebody to le-e-ean on.” These words, so soulfully recorded by Bill Withers many decades ago, are well known all around the world–and still true today. Who is your go-to person (or people), the one(s) you lean on, count on, confide your … Continue reading Love Fights for You: Advent Day 18 →
One of the things I love most about teaching first graders is how excitable they are. I discovered very quickly that if I get excited–or make them think I’m really excited–about what I want to teach them, they jump right on board and instantly engage. And everything is a big deal to them, whether it’s … Continue reading His Love Brings Joy: Advent Day 17 →
Truth: Someone mistook me for Jesus once. And I emphasize: ONCE. One dark, chilly spring morning I woke up early to get my bearings before the day started. At the time, my husband and I were running an inner city ministry in Portland, OR, and not long after the rooster crowed, our revolving door ushered … Continue reading It’s the Simple Things: Advent Day 16 →
I speak some Spanish, and I love the chance to practice with anyone I can. Usually these conversations involve long pauses for think time, a few confused looks when I say something completely ridiculous, and a bit of miming when words fail me. But there is one thing that speaks loud and clear, no matter … Continue reading Love Breaks Barriers: Advent Day 15 →