Monthly Mentionables {May}

I never thought I’d say this, but I’ve been missing being a teacher. Before leaving my job to stay home with kids, I taught middle school, ESL to college students in China and fourth grade. Though I don’t miss the bureaucracy, grading papers or interacting with livid parents, I do miss the continual learning, creative planning and being a part of the “light bulb moments” that make it all worth it as a teacher.

But who says the learning has to stop?

Just because I’m home with teeny tiny kids all day doesn’t mean all intelligent thought must cease. I can still read, listen and learn. So lately, along with the typical mom stuff, I’ve been gravitating towards educating myself on social justice issues. More than half of those I follow on Twitter are people of color. I love watching my Twitter feed as it chatters all day long with the voices of the world changers and points me toward more resources about doing justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with my God. Here are the books, podcasts, recipes, articles and writing projects I‘ve been into this month. I’d love to hear some of your favorites as well!

Books:

Jesus Feminist: An Invitation to Revisit the Bible’s View of Women, by Sarah Bessey

Since I come from a more conservative background where “feminist” is a loaded word, I was a bit nervous to read this book, honestly. But in reality, I found Sarah Bessey’s discussion of women’s roles in the family, church, and world, to be a refreshing reminder of God’s love for women–and anything but scary or offensive.

While I didn’t agree with everything she said, I appreciated hearing credible evidence for certain doctrines that had often been dismissed as “unbiblical” among conservatives–using plenty of biblical proof. But more than anything, Sarah always carried her discussion back to the living, breathing, pulse-in-our-veins soul relationship with Jesus and the hope we have in Him. She is not out to declare war on those who disagree with her, but to remind us we are not to worship our creeds, traditions and black-and-white theology, but worship our Jesus and see ourselves the way that he sees us as women. Though this book was clearly well-researched, it was not intended to be a reference manual, but more of a personal testimony. I appreciated hearing the experience of another daughter of the King who is following His way in freedom.

The Mother Letters: Sharing the Laughter, Joy, Struggles and Hope, by Seth & Amber Haines

The Mother Letters is a book of letters compiled by Seth Haines for his wife, Amber, during a time when she was struggling as a mother. You can read my review of this book here, but if you can’t get to it, then know that I would highly recommend it for all moms!

Still Life (Book #1 in A Chief Inspector Gamache Mystery Series), by Louise Penny

This was the first fiction book I have read in a while and I mostly listened to it over the Nebraska plains in the middle of the night as we drove to Chicago and back in early May. I loved the characters and was immediately engrossed in the story that took place in the quaint town of Three Pines in Quebec. It had been a while since I read a mystery story, so listening while driving in the wee hours of the morning wasn’t ideal for paying attention to detail, but I felt the sense of triumphant success of solving the case myself in the end that drives a person to dive right back into another mystery. I would recommend this and I’ve heard that they just get better and better in the series, so I look forward to reading the next one.

The Writing Life, by Annie Dillard

I think this was the third or fourth time I’ve read this book, but the first time since I actually started calling myself a “writer.” Even so, it always stirred a secret compartment of my soul that yearned to write. Her perspective on writing is honest and I appreciate the way she validates both the difficulties and the joys of this way of life that I am learning to live.

This quote stuck out to me this time:

“Why do you never find anything written about the idiosyncratic thought you advert to, about your fascination with something no one else understands? Because it us up to you. There is something you find interesting, for a reason hard to explain. It is hard to explain because you have never read it on any page; there you begin. You were made and set here to give voice to this, your own astonishment” (p. 68).

Currently Reading (Books):

I’m trying out a new reading strategy–read several books at once. So far, if I have books scattered around the house, with a pencil already marking my place, I seem to be more likely to pick them up and start reading when I only have a minute or two. It also seems to help to have them in different formats (Kindle and the audio book version). Here are books I’m currently reading or about to start. And, to be fair, we’re going to San Diego for a whole week WITHOUT KIDS, so I‘m being pretty ambitious with my reading goals this month. Anyone want to read along with me?

A Fatal Grace (Book 2), by Louise Penny

Big Magic, by Elizabeth Gilbert

The Invention of Wings, by Sue Monk Kidd (for my new book club!)

The More of Less, by Joshua Becker

Playful Parenting, by Lawrence J. Cohen

Potty Train Your Child in Just One Day, by Terri Crane (ugh–I’ll be skimming this one)

Ruthless Trust, by Brennan Manning

Favorite Podcasts this Month:

Ann Kroeker, Writing Coach

#42 Manage Your Energy So You Can Write

#49 Here’s to the Writer Moms
(This podcast inspired me to write this post)

#50 Stop Waiting for Last Minute Writing Inspiration

On Being

John A. Powell: Opening the Question of Race to the Question of Belonging

Nikki Giovanni: Soul Food, Sex and Space

The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey

#67 Sarah Bessey

#45 Shannan Martin

The Hope * Writers

What I Wish I’d Known Before I Wrote My First Book

Seminary Dropout

Deidra Riggs on Women of Color Writers, the Church, and More!

Jo Saxton on Post-Christendom, Discipleship, and Being a Woman of Color

Michelle Higgins on That Sermon at Urbana (Here is the talk that this is about: Michelle Higgins)

Sorta Awesome

All the Awesome for Summer 2016!

What Should I Read Next?

#19 Great Literary fiction, inspirational favorites, and high school English with Brian Sztabnik

Recipes:

Balsamic Roasted Potato Salad (Your Home Based Mom)
I’m not a fan of mayo-based potato salad, so I was really excited to find this recipe. And it has bacon;-)

Charred Cauliflower Quesadillas (Smitten Kitchen)
Apart from the smoky house, these were really yummy (and hid lots of veggies so my kids ate them without realizing it).

Cilantro Lime Dressing (All Recipes)
I made this to top a salad with lettuce, roasted corn, and avocado and it was really delicious (I skipped the honey).

Sweet Potato and Sausage Soup (Smitten Kitchen)
This was really good, but not my favorite for summertime. I’ll pull it out again in the fall, most likely.

Also made these again (reviewed in previous posts):

Spring Roll Bowls with Sweet Garlic Lime Sauce (Pinch of Yum)

Sunday Frittata (Pioneer Woman)

Veggie Black Bean Enchiladas (Cookie + Kate) with Homemade Enchilada Sauce

Thought-Provoking Articles from the Web:

An Open Letter to My Grown Boys: I Miss You, by Christy Mobley at For Every Mom (this one is a tear-jerker!)

“I miss you.

And to be honest, when the normal busy of the day gets tucked away and I’m ready for sleep…sometimes my heart will ache with the miss.

It aches for tiny arms stretching around my neck to squeeze the ever lovin’ life out of me.
It aches to hear chipmunk-like voices say, “Mommy, I love you more than anything in the world.”
It aches for the heart to heart talks about problems only a mama can solve…”

TGIF: How I Made Peace with my Breasts in a Brothel, by Tina Francis for She Loves Magazine (a must-read for anyone who has spent time in Thailand.)

“Pema Chödrön writes that the truest and best measure of compassion lies not in our service of those in the margins, but in our willingness to see ourselves in kinship with them.”

Ten Things White People Need to Quit Saying, by Melody Moezzi for Huffington Post

“1. Do not use the word “exotic” to refer to humans who do not look like you. We are not fruit, and it is not a compliment. The longer you insist on assuring us that it is a compliment, the stupider you look. Just give it up.

2. Do not use the word “ethnic” as though it were a distinct race or nationality.

3. Do not ask people where they are from more than once. Trust them the first time. No need for “Where are you really from?” or “Where are your parents from?”…

Thirty Ways to Reset Your Day, by Ginny Ellis at Wichita Mom Blog

“1. Eat. Even if you all just ate, see if a PB&J or apple may help get everyone back in the groove.
2. Play with Play Doh. Bonus for lavender calming dough.
3. Give the kid(s) a bath. Daytime baths are so much fun.
4. Throw a mini dance party. Turn up a Disney classic or T. Swift jam and dance it out.
5. Practice calming breaths. Even for the little, little ones. Smell a flower, blow a candle, repeat.
6. Watch puppy or videos on YouTube. Or goats. Goats are cute…”

White Privilege, Explained in One Simple Comic (language alert!)

Why White People Freak Out When They’re Called Out About Race, by Sam Adler-Bell for Alternet

“For white people, their identities rest on the idea of racism as about good or bad people, about moral or immoral singular acts, and if we’re good, moral people we can’t be racist – we don’t engage in those acts. This is one of the most effective adaptations of racism over time—that we can think of racism as only something that individuals either are or are not “doing.”

In large part, white fragility—the defensiveness, the fear of conflict—is rooted in this good/bad binary. If you call someone out, they think to themselves, “What you just said was that I am a bad person, and that is intolerable to me.” It’s a deep challenge to the core of our identity as good, moral people.”

7 Books that Will Help You Care for the Poor, Relevant Magazine (Haven’t read any of these, but they’re going on The List).

Published Articles:

A Letter to My Daughter, for Self Talk the Gospel

The Cult of Calling (originally published at A Life Overseas, but republished this month at For Every Mom)

The Ugly Truth about Diversity, at For Every Mom

When You Feel Like God Misled You, for Middle Places

In Case You Missed it on the Blog…

The Minivan Identity Crisis

To the Writer Mamas

Three Children is a Bad Idea (and why we’re doing it anyway)

You Know You’re Married to a Voice Actor When…

~~~

Do you have any recommendations of books, podcasts, recipes or articles you’ve loved this month?

Subscribe to Scraping Raisins by email and/or follow me on Twitter and Facebook. I’d love to get to know you better!

~~~

Previous Post: To the Writer Mamas

Next Post: Loving Like They’re Lost

Linking up with Emily P. Freeman and Leigh Kramer

Here are the books, podcasts, recipes, articles and writing projects I've been into this month.

May 26, 2016

To the Writer Mamas

Writing while simultaneously being a mother to teeny children is a bit like trying to renovate a house while you‘re still living in it. House projects–or writing goals–abound, but messy, magical, mundane life cannot stand still for you complete them. But is it possible that every finished project, however inconvenient, will eventually improve your quality of life–and the quality of life of your family?

Since I began writing more seriously eight months ago, several older people of faith have warned me not to get “too distracted and carried away” by writing, lest it infringe on my duties as a mother. As a result, I’ve been on the hunt for other mamas who are leaning into this tension of the dual callings of art and home and can help me answer the question: Is it possible to be a mother and a writer–and still do each one well?

Madeline L’Engle is a hero for those of us seeking to debunk the myth that being a writer and mama are in conflict. L’Engle inspires us as writer mamas because she managed to have a flourishing writing career while raising three children. I recently listened to a podcast by Ann Kroeker where she spoke of getting the opportunity to ask L’Engle how she was able to be a writer and mother at the same time during those years when her kids were small. After a long pause, L’Engle finally looked at her and answered, “It was hard.”

But in her book, A Circle of Quiet, L’Engle recounts a time when her eldest child noticed that she had been in a bad mood lately and said to her, “Mother, you’ve been getting cross and edgy with us, and you haven’t been doing much writing. We wish you’d get back to the typewriter” (p. 199). In Walking on Water, she refers to this story and says, “I had to learn that I was a better mother and wife when I was working than when I was not” (p. 166).

Like L’Engle, writing has made me a better mother. It sets me on high alert to notice the beauty, meaning or hilarity in the ordinary. Writing plants seeds of gratitude within me as I am more apt to discover the magnalia Dei, the marvels of God, in my daily life. I have the mind of an explorer, always on the quest for new places, people or ideas. Writing shoves me into the presence of other pilgrims, seekers, and beauty-finders. It gives me the opportunity to “live life twice,” as Natalie Goldberg said, and finally work through my past, present and future with infant eyes. Like thumbing back through my pictures from a trip, writing allows me to slowly reexamine and delight in the minutia I might otherwise have missed as time whizzed by.

Writing also heals. As someone who has always called my journal my “personal counselor,” writing unlocks old, dusty treasure troves of experiences and gives them value as they are polished and given away. Healing comes as I write in league with the Spirit, who illuminates my path and reveals the times when I was not walking alone. Writing enables me to offer a more whole version of myself to all who know me.

Fitting writing into the more than full-time job of being a wife and mother has been a challenge. But L’Engle also admitted that, “For a woman who has chosen family as well as work, there’s never time, and yet somehow time is given to us” (Walking on Water, p. 165). We make time for what is important to us. It‘s been amazing to find that if I am willing to let my floor be a bit messier, the laundry to linger a little longer and the T.V. screen to sit blank and lonely, that I have time in the margins of my day to write. L’Engle remarked that “A certain amount of stubbornness—pig-headedness—is essential” to the mother who wants to write (Walking on Water, p. 165). For me, that is a 5 AM wake-up, writing during the kids’ nap time, scribbling notes for articles while sautéing vegetables for dinner and spending free evenings thumping on my keyboard.

But I also have to accept my limitations as a writer during this season of being a mother to tiny ones. In the conclusion of her podcast, Ann Kroeker finally got a more satisfactory answer to her question about juggling motherhood and a writing career from the writer Holly Miller. Holly told her, “You still have time to develop your career as a writer, but you only have NOW with your kids. Your kids are so little and they’re little for such a short time. You’ll never regret spending this time with your kids.” But she also encouraged Ann to “Keep your finger in the publishing world. Keep it going on a small scale and your time will come.” Years later, Ann agrees that these small deposits into her writing career did add up.

I will have more time later to write. Now is the season for delighting in the magical world of child’s play: splashing in the sprinkler, sending dandelion seeds flying, lying on the ground to poke ants and rollie pollies, taking very slow walks around the block, tickling again and again, building towers, blowing hundreds of iridescent bubbles that float into the neighbors’ yard, making toy cars talk, endlessly making up answers to the question “why?,” rolling out play dough snakes and zipping baby dolls into tiny clothing.

It is talking to my children about this God-man, Jesus, who loves us so, reading stories about talking animals, kissing ouchies, holding up traffic to spot the prairie dogs in the field, finding pine cones in the pots in my cupboards and deliberating over whether picking up the toys again is really worth the effort. It’s wondering if I am still the same person that I was four years ago and deciding that I am not. Parts of me have been lost, but other, more fruitful branches, have grown where the others have been stripped and pruned. Though I may not be writing for five hours a day, this season of slowness is training me in the discipline of noticing.

Tears streamed down my face as I listened to Ann’s podcast because it validated me as a writer, but also gave me permission to enjoy my children right now. To the other writer mamas wondering if their callings of motherhood and writing are in conflict, please know that they do not need to be. You will be more whole and available to your family if you are using your gift and following your call as a writer. But also know that you do not have to achieve all of your goals right now.

Life is long, but the time with our kids is short, so keep in step with your kids and allow your writing to have the same pace that they do—even if that is stopping often, moving slowly and developing gradually. Our writing in this season has a similar rhythm and stride. It is slow, but there is progress as you slowly renovate your rooms. Keep celebrating the small advances in your life as a mother and in your career as a writer and know that these two are not mutually exclusive, but inextricably bound as you settle into the home of the mama writer self you were created to be.

~~~

Are you a writer mama? What has your experience been?

~~~

Resources for Writer Mamas:

Ann Kroeker (Writing Coach) Podcast mentioned in this post: Here’s to the Writer Moms (just 7 minutes!)

How Alive Do You Want to Be? by Ashley Hales (mother of 4) for The Mudroom

An Interview with Sarah Bessey on Faith, Art & Motherhood (writer and mother of 4), by Jerusalem Greer

~~~

Subscribe to Scraping Raisins by email and/or follow me on Twitter and Facebook. I’d love to get to know you better!

~~~

Previous Post: Lessons from The #MotherLetters

Next Post: Monthly Mentionables {May}

Linking up with Grace & Truth

On (most) Thursdays this year, I’ll share thoughts, tips and inspiration for writers. I’m certainly not an expert, but am simply seeking personal encouragement in this art and want to share with anyone who’s also trying to find their way as a writer. These short posts will come from books, articles, the Bible, my own thoughts, and other people. Subscribe in the upper right corner so that you don’t miss a post. If you’re new to the series, find all the posts here. Come meet me in the comments–I’d love to read your thoughts on writing.

Happy writing!

Leslie

Is it possible to be a good mother AND a good writer?

May 24, 2016

Lessons from The #MotherLetters

Last week my almost two-year old and almost four-year old joined forces and put their tantrum-throwing, shrieking, obstinate little heads together to make me question not only my calling as a mama, but my credibility as a decent human being. It was a rough week. So reading again through the book, The Mother Letters: Sharing the Laughter, Joy, Struggles, and Hope, today to prepare for this post has been like pouring healing salve on still-open wounds. As I read the book of letters compiled by Seth Haines for his wife, Amber, for the first time a few weeks ago, I often wept as I drank in the words of other mamas around the world with similar inner struggles during this challenging, yet magical, season with little ones.

Here, I’ve listed ten of the most common themes I noticed throughout the book with a quote or two under each category, but this is just a sliver of the wisdom that this book offers to moms everywhere looking for a shoulder to cry on or a warm, empathetic embrace on the journey of motherhood. Please read it yourself. Designed in letter form for moms with very little quiet time, it would make a perfect companion to morning coffee or as before bed reading.

Here are ten recurring themes from The Mother Letters that I will revisit in the days, weeks and years to come:

1. Slow down and cherish the little moments.

“Slow down…Living a slower life, you can see things more clearly…We all know they grow up fast. All the more reason to slow down.” Ann Kroeker, “Blink”

“I should take some time to appreciate today’s little wins…each day brings its own small delights that eventually contribute to the great victory of seeing our children grow up to be joyful, productive, appreciative, competent people.” Katie Meyering, “Victories”

“Time goes by too quickly. Cherish it all…” Lisa Douglas, “Cherish”

2. Don’t forget you are a person, too.

“Mama, you need to do the things that make you feel like a person…being a whole person makes you a better mother.” Sarah Bessey, “Calling”

“Find some small fragment of time. Find a place where you can be alone with your thoughts. Close your eyes and remember who you are.” Tammy Zufelt Thomas “Queen”

3. When we are weak, then we are strong.

“Ours is a power that comes straight from weakness.” Amber Haines, “A Final Letter”

4. Your children belong to God first.

“Who am I to worry about them when they’re God’s first? Will God not take care of his own far better than I ever could?” Laura Bull, “Worry”

5. Your presence is your greatest gift.

“Your children don’t need you to enroll them in eight hundred activities, to keep the cleanest house, or to entertain them. They need you to be there. Practice the art of sitting. Watch your children play…prove to them by your stillness that you will be there. That you are listening.” Lora Lynn Fanning, “Being”

6. You are your child’s perfect mother.

“This has nothing to do with perfection or being perfect and everything to do with God gifting you to steward their lives.” Robin Dance, “Perfect”

“Over time, I am noticing that I don’t parent out of guilt or my own agenda as much as I used to, because I realize God has equipped me as he sees fit.” Rachel McAdams, “Trust”

“I know God chose me to mother my kids.” Kristen Welch, “Presence”

7. Choose gratitude.

“We will walk this road to the end—no changing that. But we will choose how to walk; chained and bent by bitter disappointment or hands and face freely raised in praise. Our choice…Walk the road, but look for the beauty along the way. And when you find it, rejoice.” Tonia Peckover, “Live”

“Whatever your path to motherhood was, I pray that you can take a moment to be in awe of your children and the fact that they are your children.” Rebecca Whitson, “Together”

“…I try to remember that I could have missed all of this, and I choose to smile.” Carlee, “Here”

8. You are doing a fabulous job.

“There will be so many times you feel like you’ve failed. But in the eyes, hearts, and minds of your children, you are Super Mom. You are their world.” Stephanie Precourt, “Super”

9. God will give you what you need.

“We’re not alone on this journey. God has given us these little people to shepherd for a time, but they are his. When life is overwhelming and dark and exhausting, he is there. When it is precious and thrilling and magical, he is there. Is. 40:11 promises us, ‘He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.’” Shannon Lowe, “Shepherd”

“I have learned to trust that God, who made me a mother, equipped me to meet the needs of my special child.” Kari Clark, “Unexpected”

10. Motherhood is hard…but it is good.

“A thousand, thousand voices raised together across the centuries in the wild chorus of motherhood that soars over all you thought you would be and transforms you into all that Christ believes you can become. The stretching doesn’t end after the first nine months. Nor does the joy.” Lisa-Jo Baker “Anthem”

~~~

Thank you to Seth and Amber Haines for adding more voices to the chorus of motherhood through sharing these precious letters.

~~~

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Next Post: To the Writer Mamas

Related Post: For the Mom Whose Life Feels Small

Check out my other posts related to motherhood here.

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Previous Post: You Know You’re Married to a Voice Actor When…

May 20, 2016

You Know You’re Married to a Voice Actor When…

This is in honor of my fabulous husband, THE Adam Verner, voice actor and audio book narrator extraordinaire (whose birthday happens to be this Sunday).

You know you’re married to a voice actor when…

1. Your spouse does vocal warm-ups in the shower every morning (which your children then mimic).

2. All of your computer scratch paper is on commercials and signed contracts.

3. Your spouse doesn’t feel like talking at the end of the day.

4. Common household words include talk of agents, demos, pay-to-play sites, SAG-AFTRA, royalty share, ISDN, whisper rooms, Studio Bricks, “on ice,” FAFFCON, and WoVOCon.

5. Random strangers say things to your spouse like, “Has anyone ever told you that you have a great voice? You could make a living with it.”

6. Your spouse finishes a project and is immediately out of work again.

7. People ask your spouse to perform and speak in different accents.

8. Your 3-year-old son has already done his first audition and is about to get headshots (college money, people).

9. Your spouse turns his head (and turns up the volume) when listening to commercials on T.V. instead of watching the screen because he’s listening to the voice over (and occasionally says “That’s my friend, so-and-so…”)

10. Your monthly income can differ by thousands of dollars each month.

11. A common joke between you and your spouse is that he should start charging people for expecting him to do readings in church, at weddings and at other public events for free (and that your kids are racking up quite a bill).

12. Getting a cold is a BIG DEAL.

13. Losing your voice is an EVEN BIGGER DEAL.

14. Your spouse tells you that it always ends up being down to him and one other guy (and the other guy always gets the gig).

15. Everyone wants to talk to your spouse about the “person they know who wants to get into voice over…and can you please talk to them?”

16. Your children know that they can’t make noise while daddy is working because “he’s talking into a microphone so that people will give him money.”

17. People love asking your spouse questions about their work.

18. You hear your spouse read to your children and know that one day they will beg daddy to do it every time (because “doing the voices” can’t begin to describe the 5 star performance they are getting for free).

~~~

Life is never boring. Love you, baby;-)

Check out this podcast interview with Adam on What Should I Read Next? with Anne Bogel!

~~~

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Previous Post: The Message on the Bathroom Stall

May 18, 2016

The message on the bathroom stall

Scraping Raisins blog post: How God used a grafitti message on a gas station bathroom stall to speak to me.

We pulled into a sleepy country gas station at 3 AM and I groggily trudged into the store, searching for the restroom and shuffling toward a hand-lettered sign that hung askew above the door. We were in the middle of a 13 hour drive through the night from Colorado to Chicago.

We’ve found that this means of travel is actually perfect for us because the kids sleep the entire way (ideally) and wake up when we arrive at our destination in the morning. There is no time lost in traveling and certainly nothing to miss in the long, flat drive over the lonesome plains of Colorado and Nebraska. The drive is so desolate that many of the exits warn of “no services” or that the next stop will not be for 30 miles. But the stars at night are incredible.

Entering the bathroom stall, I closed the door and noticed that it was covered in graffiti. Right at eye level, a message jumped out at me. Though I was tired, the profundity of the message struck me enough to read it again and again, memorizing each word. It said:

“You are safe. God is pursuing you with true love. Don’t give up.”

What kind of person writes a message like that on a bathroom stall in the middle-of-nowhere Nebraska? And who were they talking to? It felt personal. Intimate. Like a stranger was staring into my soul and speaking a prophetic message to something they saw there.

Being who I am, with all my tendencies to over-spiritualize, of course I read into the message. I felt like God himself had vandalized that stall so that I would see it there in the middle of the night in May 2016 on a long distance drive with two tired babies in my reluctantly acquired minivan. Like He wanted to speak to me personally, but also illuminate a message for friends I have right now who are battling cancer, infertility, miscarriage, depression, disappointment, confusion and feeling forgotten by God.

You are safe.

God is pursuing you with true love.

Don’t give up.

Later in the week, I was on a run and noticed a bird nest high up inside the prism of a street light, straw and sticks poking out of a tiny hole in the glass. The lantern must have provided the heat and light the mama bird needed to nurture her young, but mostly it promised a secure spot away from predators and dangerous weather. I was comforted by the safety of that snugly situated nest, thinking about how we have security in God when we build our nests next to Him. But then it occurred to me that He is more like the mother bird, and we are his tiny, vulnerable, needy babies, completely dependent on Him to keep us safe. He fights for our survival like a mama bird fights for her young.

Familiar words came to mind, like the comfort food of the Bible:

“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust Him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection” (Ps. 91: 1-4 NLT).

If you’re like me, these words are soothing, but also seem a bit naïve, because we know that sometimes we and our loved ones are not protected, healed or spared. We are not always safe. But today as I prayed for my hurting friends that seem to have fallen out of safety, I was reminded that though Jesus could have healed and even protected some of His friends from harm, He chose not to. What He did do was enter right into their pain. He sat down with them and wept. He was present with them in their loss in a way no other human being could ever be. His heart broke with the brokenhearted.

This is where the second part of the Nebraska bathroom graffiti message rings true. “He pursues you with true love.” And that is where our security lies. Though we may not always feel safe physically, we can know that He is always searching for and pursuing our hearts with His unfailing love. Even when we give up on Him, He will never give up on us. And sometimes that means chasing us all the way into a dirty gas station bathroom stall in Nebraska just to remind us.

You are safe. God is pursuing you with true love. Don’t give up, my friend.

~~~

Related Post: When We Fear {for Velvet Ashes}

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Previous Post: When You Feel Like God Misled You {for Middle Places}

Next Post: You Know You’re Married to a Voice Actor When…

May 15, 2016

When You Feel Like God Misled You {Middle Places}

I am honored to be sharing at the Middle Places online community today.

God misled me and lost my trust. From the time I was 16 I believed that I was created to be a missionary. Once, on a flight with violent turbulence, I actually had the thought God won’t let this plane go down, because He needs me to do His work.

It sounds so arrogant now, but at the time it felt incredibly faith-filled.

It’s been 20 years since my original calling and not only am I not living in a hut leading people to Jesus, I just test drove my first mini-van. I’m “just” a regular old stay-at-home mom with a dishwasher and attached garage.

But living abroad did end up being a significant part of my story. From 2005 to 2010 I lived in northwest China, intending to be there forever–even if it meant being single. But God’s narrative looked much different from what I had planned for myself and He had me fall in love with an actor in Chicago who, while open to God’s leading, was not “called to missions.” But he was God’s pick for me. And it was time to go home.

If you’ve ever lived abroad, then you know that your insides feel about like the innards of a baseball as you try and untangle your values, identity and worth as you readapt to a culture that should feel like home, but doesn’t. Now referred to as re-entry, it is synonymous with an astronaut re-entering Earth after adapting to space.

Imagine Alice returning from the Looking Glass, Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy stepping back out of the wardrobe or Dorothy returning from Oz and you have a bit of a picture of how you might feel after adapting to another culture.

But add in falling in love with that country, culture and people and you have another layer to step through.
And it broke me….continue reading at Middle Places

Next Post: The message on the bathroom stall

May 11, 2016February 25, 2018

Three Children is a Bad Idea (and why we’re doing it anyway)

If you make a pro/con list about whether or not you should have a third child, I guarantee you the answer will be no. I know, because I actually wrote that list.

On the con list? It’s more expensive to travel. You need a larger table at every restaurant and a bigger car. There’s less parent (time/energy) to go around. You’ll need more college money. And you have to change your parenting strategy from “man-to-man” to “zone” defense.

There really is no logical reason to have more than two children—especially if you already have one boy and one girl like I do.

But when you take a good look at the pros, you’ll find that though there are far less of them, they are weighted differently than the cons. How can “new life” or “a soul” not be a better reason to try for a third than any other monetary or convenience reason?

Don’t get me wrong. Three is not for everyone. Honestly, I was more of an “even-numbers only” gal, myself. Growing up as one of three siblings, one person is inevitably left out. The phrase “three’s a crowd” was coined for a reason.

But after having two kids, I still felt that spooky “someone is missing from our family” feeling. Since negotiating with my husband for two more kids (and so arriving at my “even number”) was a tougher sell than just one, I conceded to “just” three kids. Five months later, we were staring down at a faint pink line on our dollar store pregnancy test, excited, but going into it all with eyes wide open, wondering how we were going to handle yet another one.

If you’re in the market for three, here are some of the reasons that have helped me overcome the overwhelming list of “cons” you may be staring at on your pro/con list right now.

1. Three is a small “big family”

Large families are boisterous and lively. “I’m bored” moments are rare because there is always someone to play with (or annoy). Your family is the party. So three is a nice compromise for having a big family without having a huge family. Having three kicks you up from the 1-2 category of families to the 3-4 category which equals more chaos, but more life and bustle.

2. One of my children will have a same-sex sibling

I would love for my daughter to have a sister. Growing up with two brothers, I always wished I had one. But if we have another boy, a wise friend of mine pointed out that it is often more difficult for men to find friends later in life (especially after marriage), so having a brother is a built-in guarantee that they will always have a male friend in the world. As for being left out, the one sibling who doesn’t have a brother or sister will get to brag to their friends about how understanding they are of the opposite sex because they had TWO brothers or TWO sisters.

3. More chances my husband and I will be cared for in our old age

Though it’s not generally something we think about during our young-ish child-bearing years, one day we will get old and need help. And with western society spinning with a surprisingly fast centripetal force, flinging our families farther and farther apart, the more children we have that will still be close enough to care for us in our feeble years, the better.

4. We get one more chance at perfection

Poor, poor first born child. Son, we had no idea what we were doing and you were essentially an experiment for us in parenting. We only pray that we did not screw you up beyond repair by all of our failed experiments.

But with number three, hopefully we have learned a thing or two and have a chance to incorporate our wisdom and experience into raising a more obedient, compliant and calm child (insert sarcasm).

5. Life is “supersized”

When we had our second child, we felt like the work didn’t just double, but increased exponentially. I’m not naive enough to believe that going from two to three will be any different.

But just as the grunt work, sleeplessness, frustrations, anxieties and stressors have increased, so have all the counterparts. The giggles, dance parties, hugs, kisses, snuggles, invented words, and heart-bursting love have also increased right next to the difficult parts.

~~~

Although I am not quite as idealistic and swoony as I was with my first pregnancy, I’m still in awe that I get to experience this mystery one more time. Even now, my little one is kicking in my belly and reminding me that I will never regret choosing life. Though we still haven’t chosen a name for our son, God has always known what he will be called.

Three is not logical. But I’ve always been more of a believer in going with your gut than with logic anyway. So if you feel like you want a third–why not? Rip up the pro/con list. Your life is probably chaotic already, so really you’re just adding more life to the party (or more party to the life…).

~~~

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May 5, 2016

The Minivan Identity Crisis

Minivans are not sexy. No girl anywhere ever said to herself, “I can’t wait to drive a minivan when I grow up.”

Today at the dealership the kids ducked in and out of the doors and scrambled on the seats of the used slate-grey minivan as if the entire structure were their personal gym. I yelled at my son through the cracked window not to honk the horn again as he pretended to drive. Standing in the car lot, hands on my hips, I inspected for dents and scuffs. Leaning inside, I noted a tinge of the kid smell that would just continue if it became ours. The van seemed bulky after only ever driving a smaller Civic or Corolla my entire adult life. The entire thing was too big and too loud. “Here comes a mom!” it seemed to scream at the world. If I had any residual aspirations of feeling cool as an aging 30-something, they would be wiped away with one large check and a few hours of paperwork.

“We’ll be in touch,” we said. Buckling the kids in their car seats, we ducked under the exploding blooms of the flowering Crab apple tree in the crowded car lot to rush off to our noon lunch appointment. After lunch at our new Chinese friend’s house and speeding home for the kids to nap (which they didn’t), we decided to buy it.

We strapped everyone back in the car. The sky grew black with rain as we drove the 20 minutes through open fields beginning to glow green and moody mountains catching the last remnant of sun. I tried to talk myself into being excited. More space! More features! More cup holders! At a good price, low mileage and being nearly spotless even though it was several years old, it was perfect for our growing family. But the entire concept threatened not only my ego, but my identity as an independent, adventurous woman. This felt like yet another tick in the “ordinary” box I had avoided my entire life.

My husband parked under the same tree that was now raining pink petals that stuck to our windshield and decorated the jet black tarmac of the parking lot. We prayed in the car for the second time that day. Wisdom. Discernment. Not our will, but yours. Adam went inside to find our car salesman, Ace (seriously), and do some haggling. In the car, I pacified the kids with books, obnoxious kids’ music and finally, with food. Adam texted that the man was checking with “the boss” about our offer. Soon after, he jumped back in the car to discuss the counter-offer. We decided on a firm price. “This, or we walk away,” he’d say. “We have five months, after all, and can wait for what we’re looking for.” It’s strange how hundreds of dollars become arbitrary when it comes to bargaining for a car worth thousands.

Ten minutes later, the text came in. “They took our offer!”

We had a mom van of our very own.

So the kids and I did what you do after you buy a minivan. We went to MacDonald’s. In my defense, I’ve only ever taken the kids to “Old MacDonald’s,” as my son calls it, one other time. Before that, my husband and I would get ice cream or fries at the drive thru and we’d congratulate ourselves when my son would ask, “What restaurant was that?” But now, I admit that (apart from the nasty burgers) the three dollar Happy Meals complete with a chintzy toy, a handful of fries, a bit of fruit, and milk have swayed me to the dark side. The one closest to us is very clean and has a great play area for toddlers and bigger kids, so it didn’t take much to sell my soul. Plus, my guard was definitely down.

My husband came home when it was dark and I had already put the kids to bed. I feigned excitement, but he saw through me. We did what you do in marriage as I assured him that he had gotten a fair price on the car and he reminded me that it’s just a car—a thing—not the essence of my being. But up in the bedroom as we started doing the other thing married people do, I just couldn’t stop giggling. It turned into the belly-laugh-till-you-cry type of laughing that began scaring him. “There’s a minivan in my driveway!” I finally roared. He looked at me like I was crazy. “I just don’t feel that sexy with a minivan parked in my driveway that belongs to us,” I said. And it’s true. Minivans have a way of wrecking your libido.

I don’t have any deep life lessons or spiritual epiphanies yet. I really just needed to put this into print because I kind of don’t believe it myself.

We bought a minivan.

Thank you to those women out there who still remember what it feels like to shrug reluctantly into the skin of the stereotypes of our age and position in life. It helps to know that there are still a few women out there who will give me an empathetic pat on the back as I shake my head and say, “We bought a minivan…a MINIVAN,” and not wonder why I’m not jumping for joy.

“In acceptance lieth peace,” Amy Carmichael wrote. And it really is a pretty nice vehicle—for a minivan.

~~~

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Previous Post: Dear Daughter
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Linking up with Grace & Truth

May 2, 2016

Dear Daughter

Amber and Seth Haines’ new book, The Mother Letters, is a fabulous compilation of letters from over 30 women written to encourage moms at every stage of motherhood. I’ve been a mom less than four years and am expecting my third child, so I‘m still in the thick of it, but I want to share the mama dreams I have for my daughter in the link up on Amber’s page. I‘m also honored to share this letter today at Self Talk the Gospel.

Dear Daughter,

I see the way your attitude already changes as you discover you’re being admired. You shrug your shoulders and peer back at your admirers in a coy way, hoping for more attention. You’ve already received more compliments for your wispy blond pig-tails, wide blue eyes and perfect little toddler body than your brother has had in over three years of his life. And it’s not because you are more adorable than he is.

No. It’s because you are a female.

It caught me off guard at first when grown men would stop and compliment your eyes, because no man had ever done that with your brother. You were no more than six months old, so it all began so much earlier than I had expected.

Of course I want you to be admired, but I also want you to be seen. Right now, you and your brother are equally cute, intelligent and playful. You are both developing in your own ways and have your own strengths. The world is wide open for both of you. So I dread the day when you find your first gate to walk through that is for you alone and not for your brother simply because of your gender. And there will be many more to slow you down in the years to come. But they are gates, and not walls, so I don’t want you to turn back.

My prayer for you is that you grow up knowing you are loved by your family, but especially knowing that you are held, cherished and adored by Jesus. You do not need to be loved by a man to have value. Period. You are already a beloved daughter of the King (1 Jn. 3:1). He–not a man– will fill the empty places in your soul (Eph. 3:19). Never believe that Prince Charming will save you. Instead, remind yourself, “I am my beloved’s and His desire is for me” (Song of Songs 7:10). I pray that you fall deeply in love with Jesus as your first love (Rev. 2:4).

I want you to feel respected, honored and trusted by the men in your life and especially by men in the church, who too often belittle women and make them feel invisible. Jesus sawwomen and raised them to a higher status. I want you to have healthy relationships with men as you respect them and honor them as much as you expect them to respect and honor you (Mat. 7:12). There are good men in this world, so I hope that you surround yourself with the ones who treat you with kindness and dignity; as Ephesians says to “be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you” (4:32).

I want you to have the freedom to pursue your passions, gifts and callings without guilt or apology. While women and men have different strengths and weaknesses, a woman should not be told that she “can’t do” something because she is not a man. I want you to be as educated as you want to be and to find pleasure in all that God gives you to do. Being a mother is wonderful, but it is not the only calling for a woman, so I hope that you find joy using your gifts however God has crafted your soul to serve (1 Pet. 4:10). He is delighted when we use our passions as He intended and especially when they are poured out as an act of selfless worship unto Him (Mat. 25:14; Luke 7:38).

When I think of the woman you will become, I pray that you would “put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Col. 3:12). I want you to see the overlooked, the weak and the oppressed and to be brave enough to speak up on their behalf when you have the chance (Ps. 82:3-4). I hope that you ask questions and don’t just accept the status quo. Don’t be afraid to live differently or push back on a broken system even when you don’t see a way to fix it just yet (Esther 4:14).

I hope you have the opportunity to know and love people who are poorer, richer, lighter, darker, crazier, duller and braver than you are. Each person will enrich your life and broaden your perception of God’s kingdom and the scope of His creativity (Ps. 22:27).

The world right now is scary at times and I don’t see that changing before you are grown, so I pray that you don’t live in fear, but with hope and the knowledge that you are never alone (Is. 41:10). This world is not your home (Heb. 13:14; Jn. 18:36). You’re a visitor here for a time to play, learn, love, grow, change, rest, build and wrestle with the world–and with yourself in it. But mainly God has granted you this precious life to develop a relationship with Him through the sacrifice He made for you (2 Cor. 5:15).

Never forget that you are not alone (Deut. 31:6). Never forget that you are extravagantly loved (Jn. 3:16). Never forget that Someone stands over you smiling and belting out happy songs about you (Zeph. 3:17). Never forget that you have worth and value not because of what you look like or even because of what you do with your life (because that will constantly change), but because you are God’s daughter, His precious one (Ps. 139). He knew your name before your daddy and I did and He loves you more than we ever could (Jer. 1:5; 1 Jn. 3:1).

I thank God daily that I get to be your mommy and walk this messy magical life with you. I have so many hopes for you, baby girl, but I know that you are in hands that are stronger and more loving than mine (Job 12:10). I pray that one day you will decide to give your life to your Greatest Admirer and accept His gift of Life through Jesus, because He is the place where your heart and soul will find their true home (Rom. 5:8).

I love you, my little miss.

Your mommy

~~~

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~~~

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Linking up with Grace & Truth

April 30, 2016January 13, 2017

Monthly Mentionables {April}

April was a month filled with fabulous books, podcasts, recipes, and articles that stretched me and gave me much to think about. My husband, Adam, will be chiming in on the book and podcast section. Be sure to read to the end for some surprises…

Books

Leslie read:

Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is the true tale of an African American lawyer in the south fighting for rights of death row inmates who were unjustly incarcerated. Though it is non-fiction, it reads more like fiction as Stevenson draws you into the stories of the men and women he has met on his journey as an attorney. This book illuminates the racial injustices that are happening not during slavery or the early 1900’s, but RIGHT NOW. It proves that we are not in post-racial times, but still living in the midst of rash injustice. Please read it.

The Furious Longing of God by Brennan Manning
I read this in the mornings this month as a devotional. Like his other books, Manning draws you up into his love affair with Jesus through his poetic words and vulnerability. It is a very quick read and I’d recommend using it as a companion to your daily Bible reading. Beautiful words from a beautiful soul.

The Quotidian Mysteries: Laundry, Liturgy & ‘Women’s Work’ by Kathleen Norris
This was a quick read and in a monastic way Norris aids the reader in extracting spiritual meaning from menial chores and simple daily living. She says: “We want life to have meaning, we want fulfillment, healing and even ecstasy, but the human paradox is that we find these things by starting where we are, not where we wish we were.” And another quote that summarizes her ideas is: “I have come to believe that the true mystics of the quotidian are not those who contemplate holiness in isolation, reaching godlike illumination in serene silence, but those who manage to find God in a life filled with noise, the demands of other people and relentless daily duties that can consume the self.”

Between Worlds: Essays on Culture and Belonging by Marylin Gardner
This was my night stand reading this month since each chapter was only a page or two and told a brief sketch of her thoughts about living “between worlds” in Pakistan, Egypt and the U.S. Having lived overseas myself, I could identify with some of her feelings of grief over leaving a land you love and confusion about identity. This is a lovely book that dives into deep subjects without making you feel that you are underwater.

Adam read:

The Stand by Stephen King
So, I (Adam) have this condition called popularity aversion. I’m allergic to hype, as it were. This means if something is popular I tend to avoid it and look down my snooty little nose. Despite being a lifelong SciFi and fantasy fan, I have never read Harry Potter, and I read Game of Thrones back in the 90s when it was cool and no one knew about it, darn it. All this to say I’ve avoided Stephen King my whole life. Surely any writer that prolific with books cramming the airport book seller’s stands must be low brow and common. As I age and slowly pull on the mantle of wisdom (and aching joints), however, I’m trying to let this go. So – The Stand. I’m a huge fan of post-apocalyptic fiction, and The Stand is one of the only novels in this genre I haven’t read, and I finally decided to give it a chance. It’s great! A bit long at 1200 pages, but worth it. He knows how to spin a yarn, and his characters have depth and reality.

Podcasts

Leslie’s podcasts:

This was the month of podcasts, as you’ll see. I feel the need to explain how I managed to listen to so many (and thus prove I wasn’t shirking all my other duties). Here’s when I listened: in the shower (if they speak loud enough–thank you, Megan Tietz), while doing laundry, cooking dinner, picking up toys, driving (I got some good listening in when I drove around the mountains for two hours while my kids napped on the way home from the zoo), while getting ready in the morning and while cleaning.

The Liturgists:
Episode 34–Black & White: Racism in America
This is the most important podcast I’ve ever listened to. At an hour and a half, it takes some time, but it is completely worth it. In it, two white guys and two African Americans candidly discuss the race issue in America in a way that lays out the problem in a very articulate, real and honest way.

On Being:
Nadia Bolz-Weber–Seeing the Underside and Seeing God
Nadia was one of the keynote speakers at a recent writing conference I didn’t get to go to, so I read many of her quotes on Twitter and admired her from afar. I was excited to this podcast interview. First of all, as a former comedian, she is hilarious. And she is exactly the kind of out-of-the-box Jesus follower that reminds you that you are following a God become flesh and bone. She is witty, honest, real and refreshing.

The Practice:
This was a new podcast for me that I found mainly because I wanted to hear Sarah Bessey speak. More than just a podcast, you find yourself entering into Jesus’ presence as you are invited into this community’s worship service. It had me weeping more than once this month. I have really loved the following episodes so far:
Stories of Resurrection in Religion: Sarah Bessey
Stories of Resurrection in Race: David Bailey
Seven Practices for Sabbath Keeping: Rabbi Evan Moffic

Restory:
Because of my own story of coming home from China, I loved this podcast about Amy Young and her story of returning to the U.S. after 20 years in China.

Seminary DropOut:
This one was new to me and I am absolutely loving it so far. Austin Channing Brown shared about how she got into racial activism and Shane Claiborne talked about radical living for Jesus. I’m looking forward to delving into the archives to hear more.

Gospel in Life (Timothy Keller):
March 21, Doing Justice & Mercy
You’ll notice I’m listening to a lot of fringy-type Jesus followers these days and dipping my toes into some social activism, so I listened to this one to include some more mainstream evangelical thought into the mix. He says, “It’s grace that turns us into someone who does justice.” This was a very biblical and inspirational sermon on justice and mercy.

Also listening to: The Simple Show, Sorta Awesome, World Citizen Podcast, What Should I Read Next? and Anne Kroeker Writing Coach, Shalom in the City

Adam’s podcasts:

Radio Lab:
Debatable
A great episode about the state of debate in the college scene, race, gender, and underdogs vs. top dogs.

Arrvls:
In the Left Pocket by my Heart
A touching piece about the loss of a child.

Snap Judgement:
Fall Guy
A series of vignettes, “Nellie’s Pond” is an incredible example of story telling.

Love and Radio
Bride of the Sea
A half Irish half Libyan tells his story of fighting in the Libyan revolution.

New-to-me Recipes:

Spring Roll Bowls (Pinch of Yum)
This was really delicious, though a bit time-consuming to make, as I’m finding many of the Cookie + Kate recipes tend to be. It was very light and tasty and my kids even ate it!

Veggie Black Bean Enchiladas (Cookie + Kate) with Homemade Enchilada Sauce
I made this last night and went with the cauliflower instead of broccoli since broccoli in enchiladas just seemed to cross too many lines. I was feeling ambitious and decided to make her sauce as well, which was fantastic and only took about 15 minutes while the veggies were sauteing. I doubled it and froze the rest for later. Though it took almost an hour total to make (20 minutes in the oven), it was very tasty and I will definitely make it again.

~~~

Didn’t try as many new recipes this month since we were pretty busy, but I did have 4 ladies over for a dinner party when my husband was out of town. We each made a recipe from the spring recipe list on the food blog Smitten Kitchen (well, some of us deviated, but it was a suggestion, not a requirement). Here’s what we tried:

Garlic Butter Roasted Mushrooms (Smitten Kitchen)
My friend, YeJee, made these for our appetizer and they were really amazing. Swimming in butter, they were certainly a treat fit for a ladies night!

Garlicky Party Bread with Cheese & Herbs (Smitten Kitchen)
I made this bread and while it tasted good, we had a hard time getting it off the loaf, so I ended up just cutting it into squares. Because of that, it may not be the best for a party. But my kids and I enjoyed the leftovers heated up in the microwave later!

Carrot Salad with Harissa, Feta & Mint (Smitten Kitchen)
My friend, Jessica, made this one and it was sooooo good. She said she substituted red pepper flakes for harissa since she couldn’t find that and it had a really nice kick to it.

Spring Panzanella (Smitten Kitchen)
I made this one and I really wasn’t a fan. I’d skip it.

Rhubarb Snacking Cake (Smitten Kitchen)
My friend, Melinda, made this and it was a very nice, light dessert. It would make for a great coffee cake if you have guests over.

Spicy Thai Chicken and Quinoa (Pinch of Yum)
This is my favorite recipe this month. I ended up using it as the entree for our dinner party since we had a last-minute cancellation and I had all the ingredients on hand. It fulfills all of my food hopes and dreams: healthy, simple and delicious!

Articles (on race, ethics, culture and spirituality):

Creating with the Creator {how to start writing with God} by Elizabeth Trotter at her blog

Good Mom by Shannan Martin at her blog

Immigrants Explain What Shocked Them about American Culture by Serena Solomon at vice.com

It’s Not a Multicultural Church if… by Starlette McNeill at Raceless Gospel

My Low-Pressure Approach to Cultivating Intimacy with God by Elizabeth Trotter at her blog

Raising Race Conscious Children–a site dedicated to this topic with many resources

The Recipe: A Reflection on Black Womanhood by Austin Channing Brown at her blog

This is Infertility at In Due Time

When Christians Won’t Say #BlackLivesMatter by Kevin Wright at Huffpost

White Privilege: Lessons from a White Mama of Black Children by Christy Richardson at Elephant Journal

40 Ways to Go Greener at Home by Tsh Oxenreider at her blog

4 Things ‘LEMONADE’ Teaches Us About Black Womanhood by Courtney Hall Lee at Sojo.net

Leslie Published this month:

The Cult of Calling for A Life Overseas

I Was a Stranger, Extravagantly Loved for SheLoves Magazine

When Life is Less Radical Than You Imagined for The Mudroom

Scraping Raisins Posts
(in case you missed them) It was a very “listy” month;-)

3 Things Helping Me Right Now as a Mother

Surviving the Culture Shock of Motherhood

21 Ways to Live Counter-culturally

9 Things I’ve Learned in 6 Months of Writing

Family News:

So this happened:

Then this:

And now we’re getting ready for this:

Seemed worth mentioning;-) So stay tuned for the posts about minivans and thoughts on having three children…

We’re excited!

~~~

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April was a month filled with fabulous books, podcasts, recipes, and articles that stretched me and gave me much to think about.

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