Archive for the ‘About Amy’ Category

An Audience of One

…should I state the obvious? It’s been over a month since my last post.  I haven’t been in hiding per se, but I guess I have been hiding my heart.  I’m normally an external processor – I gain perspective by sharing or writing about the intricacies of my heart, my struggles and my (small but [...]

Endurance In The Midst

Today my heart wonders why life has to be so hard?  Why being in God’s best does not mean life is easy? Why one-step forward for things that are good demands strength and resolve that should have leveled mountains by now?
And then I remember – He’s called the God who gives endurance. And because I know [...]

20 years later…

I don’t know why I’ve never owned a pair, I just know I’ve always wanted them – and yesterday, I bought them!

Read It Deeper

I like to sing my heart lighter and read it deeper.  I love books that challenge;  words that require digestion.  So, I’ve been in heaven turning the pages of Donald Miller’s A Million Miles in A Thousand Years.  I highly recommend it.  It’s challenging me to live a great story with my life – to [...]

I Run (Tuesday’s Training Confessional)

After my run, I sat down to do a video post and really missed writing because (as my neglected blog attests)  I haven’t had much time to let my thoughts appear in black & white while my fingers speed over the keys.  So, no video today, just words:
I start on pavement.  It turns to gravel, [...]

Tuesday’s Training Confessional #1

(yup, we’re taking a pause on the series that’s in progress… but it’ll be a brief pause!)
Last year I set a lofty goal of making the Harrismith Mountain Race my first running event.  The problem is, I set out with only the finish line in mind rather than all the steps that needed to happen [...]

Proof of Life

Proof of Life from Amy Riep on Vimeo.

At This Moment

I’m ignoring that I’m officially a year older. Denial, denial, denial… but my heart is full from so many wonderful birthday wishes.
I miss blogging. I spend so much time working on this computer that when I’m finally ready to relax, my fingers protest another written thought and my eyes get all squinty and I succumb [...]

Tales from the Trenches

Yes, the word downsizing is intentionally left out. The promise I made to make the first post of every month for six months (this is #3) about my downsizing progress feels like a nuisance.  But, since I committed- here’s the truth:
- I made it faithfully to week 7 day 2 of my running program and [...]

Me Right Now

…Literally.  Basketball is playing in the background (which feels really American), but I’m drowning it out with new music I’ve pulled from noisetrade.com- FANTASTIC fair trade music website that I was just introduced to (thanks Marc and Katie). Totally digging Graci Phillips, Tizrah Lemmens, and Joy Williams… among others.
I’m ignoring a forgiveness issue- or trying [...]

From Here to There

I was part of a missionary panel today (gasp, I totally just called myself a missionary) to answer questions about the challenges and opportunities that come with living overseas and being in ministry.  In my answers, I heard my heart describe how being physically distanced from my family is incredibly hard and how I sometimes [...]

I Should Know

…when I take time to press-in to matters of the heart, there will be backlash
…when I teach about a topic, I will have many opportunities to see if what I say stands true in my own life
…I can’t accomplish everything in one day that I would like to
…when I’m focused on someone else’s “speck” I’m [...]

Notes to Self

Sometimes I forget that I live in Africa because here mostly just feels like  home.  But other times, I’m very aware that I’m not in my proverbial Kansas anymore.  Along this line of thinking, here are some notes-to-self inspired during my solo road trip:
- No shirt and no shoes does not equal no service. Should [...]

Truth in Solitude

I’m on a solitude retreat- 72 hours of only me and God, 4 hours carved out for “external” things that refuel me… and hence, I’m writing.
Months ago, an encouraging word was put on my heart for a friend: Solitude is fertile soil for your heart.  God’s been whispering that back to me since I heeded [...]

It is Finished

Those were His last three words on the cross.  And coming from the lips of my savior- they should mean so much more peace for me than what I’ve been living.
I’ve been seriously worried
…seriously emotional
…seriously caught up in a game of what-ifs
Until today.  I was singing Mighty to Save and the words He conquered the grave spoke [...]

Tales from the Downsizing Trenches

As I sit down to write this obligatory post (I promised, remember?) my mind is going a zillion different directions.  What I think I’m realizing- is that I’ve been (mostly) consistent with the external choices that relate to downsizing (minus the last three days), but I’ve been ignoring the internal ones.  I could say it’s [...]

Laugh So I Don’t Cry…

I had one helluva weekend.  If I outlined it all for you- it would seem too over-the-top crazy to be true…
So I’ll tell you about how I flooded my house.
And I’ll tell you that I’ve been  forcing myself to laugh so I won’t cry.
On Friday afternoon, I was busy with the kids and I realized [...]

Buried Alive

Dark.
Trapped.
Confined.
…but breathing. Living. Ready to resurface.
I’m not sure why I think I can just bury “my issues” and expect them to suffocate and die.  It doesn’t work like that.   When I leave things buried alive they lurk, just beneath the surface, waiting to influence me another day,  in subtle ways.
I’ve been thinking about this [...]

Notes to Self

Confession- I keep a Moleskin journal in my take-everywhere bag and I fill it with notes to myself (is that weird?!).  Nonetheless, these are today’s contributions:
Chocolate brown bath towels are not a good choice when living somewhere with no screens.
When feeling less than pleasant towards “the husband” – play soul-filled love songs because they change [...]

Nextember

I have an extra month in my calendar, Nextember.  It’s not year specific, it just… is.  Nextember is when I “schedule” moments of my life that aren’t in my foreseeable future, or perhaps not in my future at all… but still linger, there in my heart as desires.  Some things I have penciled-in are huge [...]

My Other Son…

I am so proud of him.
A decade ago  when our (first) season in South Africa came to a close- Thabang was there to help us pack up our things and send us off.  I’ll never forget that final hug and the words he said in broken english as we said goodbye.  Thabang lived on the [...]

Downsizing… she’s back!!!

After two months stateside, I returned to South Africa in the beginning of January with renewed vigor for a lot of things- but getting into better shape was not on the top of the list.  Or, should I say- it wasn’t even towards the top of the list until my friend and domestic worker, Emily, [...]

Made For This

Today, as I’m traveling back to my home in South Africa, and my eyes are likely puffy from tears and my heart tender from tough goodbyes- I’m reminding myself that I was made for this.  I don’t know why- I just know that it’s true- that I was made for South Africa. And  in my [...]

Hello 2010

This year my resolutions aren’t traditional.  They are “permissions” that I want to keep before me as the new year begins and as the weeks and months start rolling by:
let myself feel -even the things I’d rather not
let myself risk -and face all of the fear that would try to stifle me
let myself stumble -because [...]

Collateral Growth

My reflective brain can’t get close to the New Year without first looking back.  And when I do- it’s like looking into a passenger-side mirror from the driver’s seat and reading a warning: The events of this year are closer than they appear. 2009 has been intense. When I look back at what should have [...]

Three Weeks Later

…I miss him. Dave went back to South Africa three weeks ago today. I miss his smell, how my head rests perfectly on his chest, his partnership, his I love you’s, his amazing mind, his soft kiss, and those brown eyes. I miss every morsel of him.
Now I can fill in my own [...]

Grace is Messy

I’ve been missing the bigger picture by thinking about grace as a neatly packaged gift that results in the tidying of my soul.  Because I need a whole lot of grace- I think it’s the gift I’m most mindful of this holiday season. I’m unwrapping it to find something much different than I anticipated.  I’m [...]

If These Walls Could Speak…

I grew up on old-school Amy Grant music… and If These Walls Could Speak was one of her back-in-the-day hits. Being back in the house where I grew up has this song resurfacing from somewhere in the filing cabinet of my mind.  I find myself looking around and being besieged with memories- while watching my [...]

Motherhood Compromises

I’m incredibly selfish- and putting aside some of my own wishes for the betterment of my family and kiddos has been no small feat in these 3.5 years that I’ve been a mommy. What I’ve learned- is that sometimes it’s all about compromise, mommy-style:
- sleeping in has become 7am instead of 9:30
- “privacy” for me [...]

Learning about Love

My kiddos teach me so much about love- it’s actually hard for this wordy girl to begin putting these lessons into words.  Like how love is never earned, it’s always given.  How love is never withheld, it’s abundant.  How love isn’t contingent on anything- it just is.
The last week or so, Ellie has discovered her [...]

All-In

I’ve only played poker a handful of times- but I love that moment when you push all of your chips to the middle of the table and say “all in”.  I love that phrase and the weight behind it.  I love the carefree appearance of a calculated move.  When you’re all-in, it’s purposeful and intentional [...]

Like A Thief in the Night

The enemy of our hearts is described as a thief in the night (John 10:10).  This has become a loaded description for me since we’ve had 4 break-ins on our mission base over the past three months. In response, we’ve set up a night-watch patrol schedule, put alarms on some of the buildings, and taken [...]

My Ceiling, Their Floor

In recent months, a specific idea has been a driving force behind my parenting:  I want the ceiling of my life- the highest heights of my inward and outward journey- to be my children’s proverbial floor.  To parent Silas and Ellie in such a way that the things I’m learning (about spirituality, character, authenticity, etc.) [...]

Sometimes, Never, ALWAYS

Sometimes when life is hard, I feel unseen
Sometimes when I pray, I feel unheard
Sometimes I brazenly want to shake my fist at the sky or stomp my feet in a good ol’ fashioned tantrum
And then God speaks: Who do you say that I am, Amy…
He’s never indifferent
He’s never uncaring
He’s always responsive
He is the Lord.
When God’s [...]

Change is Coming…

Do you like change? I do.
I’ve always enjoyed re-arranging my furniture.
I love putting color on walls and if given the chance, I would change it more frequently than is really necessary.
I’m convinced that living space should be accessorized and that those accessories should be switched up- at least seasonally. I grew up in a house [...]

I'm a WHAT?

There are a few labels in my life that I like: Mother, Friend, Wife, Writer, Sister. But there’s one that just doesn’t seem to fit: Missionary.  Someone called me a missionary the other day and I found myself looking around to see who they were talking about.  I wonder why it’s an uncomfortable label for [...]

Inside My Brain

Life has been busy and my mind has been swirling. I haven’t stayed with a creative thought long enough to actually write a post, but I miss blogging. Ironic.
So, as I sit here- trying to flag down a waitress for yet another coffee… my mind goes here and there… have a look inside:
I wonder how [...]

Overwhelmed?

Does life feel overwhelming to you too?  Like a wave barreling down from above. Like quick sand.  It feels claustrophobic. Like an overcrowded elevator on a hot summer day. I’ve felt like that a few times this week, even just moments ago.  And then, His voice says… “Choose to be overwhelmed by Me… and by [...]

Last Book

My heart is proud: I’m Silas’ last book of the day.  Yep, in mom’s terms this is the equivalent of being a last call.  You know- being that connection, that person, that you want to share your final moments of the day with before drifting off to sleep.
So, we have a new routine at bed [...]

Are you Hungry?

It’s a familiar passage: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled (Matthew 5:6).
When I  read over those words without really thinking twice, I knew it was time to skip a few meals.  And in doing so, I was reminded of a few things about hunger. It consumes. It [...]

Dance in the Rain

I have to fight the urge to complain. Toxic words often try to seep past the gates of my lips- and sometimes I spring a leak.  Such was my inner-battle the other day, as I was shuffling down my staircase and getting ready to head out the door- again.  I stopped midway down- partially because [...]

Big Picture

By nature, I tend to be a detail-oriented person and lately I’ve been challenged to be a big-picture thinker.  I’ve been praying for some divine intervention to fill the gap between my innate skills and the ones I’m needing to utilize during this season.  As I was huffing and puffing along Zebra Rd. earlier this [...]

The Next Dozen

Over the weekend I celebrated my 12th wedding anniversary! And if you know me well… you know that I love to reminisce. So on this day, I couldn’t help but to think back and remember every detail of my wedding that my memory has not let fade with time (here are a few):

I remember waking [...]

Living (In)Courage

I’ve been lurking- waiting for this new site for women to actually launch- and it has, and I’m so loving it.  If you haven’t already discovered it, let me  introduce you…

So what does it mean for me to live in-courage?  It means walking forward with strength of heart when all I want to do is [...]

Look Up With Me

I talk a lot about the Southern hemisphere stars that often take my breath away… and now, I invite you to look up with me.  A mission team member took these pictures a few weeks ago… and they capture my night sky perfectly…

That bright clump that you can see… it’s the Milkyway… here’s a closer [...]

Bad Form?

I’m pressing on with my love-hate relationship of all things running.  I hate the actual physical labor part but I love what I learn from in it.  I learn a lot about how my mind works- about the conversations I have with myself and the way they influence my actions.  Like how when I get [...]

One Man, Two Words

Growing up, I was always the one who volunteered.  If something needed coordinated, or planned, or lead… I’d shoot my hand up in the air so fast that I was sure to be first.   Now I know, that back then I viewed leadership as if through a peephole. My “working definition” of what was involved [...]

Crazy Busy

I’m in the midst of a crazy busy couple of months… so if you find yourself missing me here (or so I’d like to think)… did you know you can find me here?  I currently write or edit all of the posts for the Thrive Africa field blog… which is full of daily happenings here [...]

Make Me Grow

There are some situations in my life right now that just plain stink.  They aren’t situations I created or that I have control over. But they impact me.  Their effects seep in to my daily life and the best way I can describe that, is that it stinks.  I was talking to God about this [...]

The Mountain

The weeks ahead are big ones.  Challenging ones. In some ways, I’ve felt like I’m facing a mountain.  So, yesterday I decided to bring my inward journey outward- and I climbed a mountain.  It was empowering. It reminded me how the things I’m facing this month will be conquered in just the same way: one [...]

In Your Face, Failure…

I had about 40 minutes of light left, so I set my aim high and kicked my rear-end into gear, climbing upwards. I had a visual goal of where I wanted to get before heading back down. And then, about a third of the way there- I was exhausted. I stopped, looked at the [...]

Pep-Talk

Now that the air is turning cold (remember- no indoor heat) and I’m resisting the urge to have a pity party for myself (since you are entering Spring/Summer)… it’s time to focus on the perks of living in South Africa:

I have house help, and as of a few weeks ago- “Emily” comes Monday through Friday.  [...]

A Year's Worth

Had I realized that my last post was #365- I’d have written this then. But, since I only noticed it today- I’m cutting myself some slack and still choosing to write about a years worth of life and blogging.
A year ago- my life looked very different than it does today. A year ago- [...]

Humorous or Horrible?

I would have to say a little of both. The day that I wrote my last post- and announced (for accountability) that I’m training for the Harrismith mountain race- I had an accident, and sprained my ankle. OUCH. I was walking down our driveway (I need to clarify…we live more than a mile high [...]

Switching Columns

I’ve got a pretty sizable life-long to-do list.  But, I’ve been realizing lately- that I need to move at least one thing at a time from the “I’d like to” column in my brain, to the “I will” column of my actions. Otherwise, I’ll allow distraction or apathy to keep me from attaining [...]

Wednesday's Window: Pure Bliss

I got swept away this week. A total surprise, that was pure bliss. On Sunday, I left the base with Jennifer and Gator Dave (not my hubby) to take a mission team to Mabula for overnight safari.  On Monday, we dropped them off at the airport and said our goodbyes- and “decided” to eat [...]

I Need a Band-Aid

The last few days have been challenging ones. It started Easter evening. The day had been full of goodness- morning church service, afternoon braai (cookout)- and I went home around 6 feeling physically exhausted but with a full heart. It was about a half-hour later that Silas wanted nothing to do with his Easter [...]

Roots and Wings

Truth is, I’ve been missing home.  And a few days ago I had a dream that I haven’t been able to shake- so here it is…
The line for returns and exchanges was long.  I hated to wait, but I really had no choice; I needed some serious customer service.  I had a gift to exchange- [...]

iSkip

A mental picture keeps popping into my head that is totally going to date me… a classic record player. Did you ever own one? Use one? I did… I used to play the original Grease soundtrack over and over again (pretending to be Sandy, of course).
My biggest frustration with this now-outdated technology was that once [...]

Seeping Through

It is so fascinating to discover the ways that my children have a little bit of me in them… random things, that seem pretty trivial but that speak loudly about how I’ve seeped in to who they are…

I’m totally a label peeler.  I can’t stand labels on beverages, or anything else  for that matter.  And [...]

Many Shades of Gray

On my one-and-a-half mile commute to and from work I usually see a few zebras.  I love that their patterns are as unique as our finger tips… each one is distinct and irreplaceable… and yet they are also simplistic… black and white.

Sometimes, I wish my life could be like that… beautiful, yet simplistic. Black and [...]

Wardrobe Malfunction

Going to town here in South Africa is a bit different than running errands at home. People still get “dressed” for trips to town- kind of how I imagine things were stateside a few (okay, several) decades back. I try to find a happy medium… no athletic wear in town, but jeans… yes… [...]

Scarlet Letters

There are a lot of things that compete for first place in my heart.  Things like my husband, my family, my friends.  Even things that I just like spending my time on… like blogging, reading, taking and editing pictures.  The problem is, when those things subtly creep to the top of my priority list- the [...]

Throwing Stones

Silas has no idea that one of his favorite games- throwing rocks into the water- is incredibly good for my heart.  See, I throw stones right alongside him- but as I pick them up, I give them a name… like fear, worry, insecurity, shame.  And then I fling them as hard as I can into [...]

My iPod ABC's

I love music…and I love swapping playlists and discovering new-to-me artists… so here’s one for you… the ABC’s of my iPod… giving you the most played song under each letter (with a few that tied).  The disclaimer… is that my musical taste is totally random… with a little bit of everything!!  So, here we go…
A: [...]

Let's Talk Love

I’ve been talking to God a lot about love.  How my understanding of it is so limited and how my expectations of what it should look like in my life are twisted by my humanity.  And- so it was this morning on my run to the front gate.  As my feet were pounding the pavement, [...]

Wake-Up Call

I’ve been inspired to be honest.  Transparent?  Well… no… but honest?  Yes.
There have been some circumstances in my life that have served as a wake-up call for my heart.  They’ve required that I take some personal stock and then take action.  I can see now… that I’ve been taking way too much for granted.  I’ve [...]

Think of Me? Pray for Me…

Happy New Year!!
Today- I am on a plane, with my little princess… flying about 9,000 miles back to my home in South Africa.  From door to door- it’s well over 24 hours of non-stop traveling.  So… if you think of me today… say a prayer for me too.
I can hardly wait to scoop up Silas [...]

Laugh With (at) Me

It all started when my mom decided to get my dad a fancy new chair for his upstairs office.  He liked the chair he had… but Mom wanted him to have a better one.  The unassembled chair sat in a hugangous box right by the kitchen,  for 3 days… and I finally decided to intervene.  [...]

The Reveal

Eleven days ago I got a new tattoo. I’ve been (im)patiently waiting to do a reveal post-  and even though it isn’t fully healed, I can’t wait any longer- so here it is:

I think the script itself is beautiful…but it’s the meaning behind those characters that really needs to be imprinted on the core [...]

I Went Away

Emily and I had an unexpected beginning.  I was introduced as her practicum supervisor at child protection services nearly a decade ago… with the tag line “Amy came back to work for us after being a missionary in Africa”.  In Emily’s version of the story- I was wearing a long khaki skirt and had my [...]

I Think About Her

Only since carrying a child in my womb… have I really thought long and hard about Mary. Her innocence. Her reputation. Her trust. Her willingness. Her body that swelled to hold the savior of the world- so that our hearts could be offered the same.  Her trek on a donkey while labor was imminent. Her [...]

Buttons, Buttons, Buttons

I have to confess right up front- that my heart is heavy and there is a lot swirling around in my brain.  And because of that… I need some light-hearted relief.   Enter…
And so- I’ve discovered flair, which for some of you might require a little bit of explanation… for others- you can skip right to [...]

Kitty Litter

Okay- it’s time to set the record straight… and share the story behind all of this “Kitty” business you read about on my blog… or on Kitty’s blog.  The challenge… is to try and make this interesting… because really, the story is not so great… but for some reason the nicknames just stuck. And now, [...]

Flawed

Like an annoying snag in a new pair of panty hose that just keeps running and running and running… I am flawed.
I suck at “everything in moderation”. I wear my heart on my sleeve- to a fault. I envy. I’m selfish. I whine and complain in the midst of so much to be thankful for. [...]

Get Naked

Do you ever stand in front of a full length mirror completely naked?  I do. It’s not fun… but I still think it’s necessary.  The only time in my life I would say it was fun… was during the third trimester of both of my pregnancies. That might sound crazy- but I was in awe [...]

Not Quite 27 Dresses

Being in my parents house stirs up a lot of memories for me.  Some tangible reminders of the young me still remain.  Others, seep through the walls… and whisper to me tales of things long past.
Earlier today I was thinking about all of my formal dresses from high school that have been hanging in a [...]

I Made the Switch

I stood there with Kitty, in silent contemplation.  My eyes were surfing the sea of facial products available at Target.  And then, I made a big decision… I made the switch…  from regular Aveeno products to anti-aging Aveeno products.  Oiy Vey…  enough said.

iRead

I love to read- but it wasn’t until my senior year of high school that I actually read a book from cover to cover.  Sad, right?  But what’s humorous… is that I’ve always loved books.  In middle school- I collected them.  Do you remember the scholastic book club order forms?  Well, using those (and my [...]

Taking Flight

Sometimes, as friends, we have the honor of  standing with one another and holding each other up until we are strong enough to stand on our own.  I remember when Kitty did that for me… and now, it’s my turn.  I’m flying back to the States with her today so that she can have a [...]

Chop Chop

I’ve been holding off for way too long; needing a haircut but wanting to wait until I got to a bigger city to find a salon and trust some stranger with my hair.  But… enough was enough.  So, I got my hair cut in town today.  Six inches are gone… and this is what is [...]

It's Complicated

The heart is a complicated place.  Sometimes- the “complications” are things I would like to avoid all together.  Other times- I want to dive right in… head first… no holding back.  You know- really sift around and see what’s in there… look at both the trash and the treasures that can be found in the [...]

I See

On my drive to town today- I was intentionally mindful of what I was seeing. There are so many differences here that I’m already not noticing as easily as I used to. So, before I forget…

It takes effort to see through the colored metal fences with spiked tops… and to divert my eyes [...]

The Fight

My mind works more like a movie than a novel.  When I think about things… I think more in images than words… So, I “watch” a story unfolding (if you will)… and then sometimes… if I’m lucky- I can capture it adequately in words.  So… I love seeing things that make me think, make me [...]

Walk with Me?

Sometimes solitude is nice… sometimes not.  So- on this morning’s walk… I took you along with me.  See what I see… (through my very small pocket camera anyway!)

Here Kitty, Kitty?

I am not a cat person. Actually, I’m allergic… but there’s ample evidence to suggest that I’m feline friendly..

I’ve owned a cat… I rescued her from an ice storm and got roped in to keeping her because of her kitteny cuteness. And, when we moved to S.A. the first time… my parents owned the cat [...]

Running the Race

The last few weeks- I’ve been running.  And, I should tell you… I hate running.  Nevertheless, running in a race has been on my life to-do list for some time… and I want to check it off.  The last time I was seriously pursuing this goal was before I was pregnant with Silas.  After several [...]

What Are You Growing?

This past week- when I’ve quieted my mind and focused on my heart- I keep getting this image of me standing in the middle of a garden.  It’s a large circular garden… with everything from flowers to foods… and it’s divided like a labyrinth… or with stone paths that would look like a maze from [...]

The Big 3-0-0!!

This is my 300th post- and I’ve been blogging for a little over two years. Holy cow.
Reaching this “milestone” inspired me to take a look back through my blog- and I have to say, I found myself so thankful to have my in-the-moment thoughts recorded.  When I started this blog… I was pregnant with Silas [...]

Calloused

When I want to wear sandals- my feet require a lot of upkeep to look nice.  And, with our international move- I’m having back to back summers… so I’m filing and filing away.  It’s a shame really… but I inherited some serious callouses on the bottom of my feet… from my grandma.  A few nights [...]

God's Whisper

I hopped into our truck solo, rolled down the windows, reminded myself to “stay left and shift with the left” and I headed to town. The majority of the drive is on small dirt roads that aren’t ideal for anything motorized, but they are drivable nonetheless (there is a paved road that is normally open [...]

Beyond the Facts

I’ve started this post over again about five times.  I don’t know why I’m having writer’s block… maybe it’s actually more of an emotional block.  I know I wrote about some of the details of our travels here… but in typical Amy fashion- I want to go a little beyond the facts and get to [...]

Divine Intervention

Have you heard at least one of those great stories about how God uses a physical angel to intervene in someones life? I love stories about divine intervention- somehow they are like a shot of espresso for my heart- they confirm to me that God is active, that He is involved, that He cares. [...]

The Final Countdown

If all goes as scheduled- tomorrow at this time I will be face to face with my baby girl… and yet at this moment she’s still squirming inside of me.  That blows my mind.  Having this delivery “appointment” blows my mind.  In some ways the countdown is excruciating… too much time to think. In other [...]

Roots and Wings

It’s been a crazy, wonderful, hard week. My mind is kind of numb and my emotions are sort of everywhere… so I’m not sure how coherent this will be… but I’ll try to keep it reader-friendly.
I can’t even put into words how thankful I am that my dear friend Alece is here. Just [...]

Bring on Bright

I spent a few hours yesterday washing baby girls’ clothes and making room for her belongings in my closet (we’ll be sharing a room for awhile). You can’t help but shift from feeling generally dumpy to upbeat and perky while being surrounded by such bright colors… by so much pink! Just have a [...]

Different than expected

So, my spring break turned out much different than I expected. I don’t want the goodness of the weekend to be overshadowed by all that followed… but words can’t really portray how God showed up among a few hundred women that had set time apart to seek Him. I will say it was good… [...]

Spring Break

We’ve finally had a break in the weather. Yesterday and today our mercury rose above the 50 degree mark… making it suitable enough to go outside to play- if even for a few brief adventures. Yesterday Silas and I hit one of the biggest parks in our area- it has this huge play [...]

Splurge-O-licious!!

While I’m here in Columbus, I have access to two of my most favorite culinary treats. I recently combined these two blissful treasures for one splurge-o-licious pregnancy meal that was definitely indulgent- but also nutritionally packed. Here’s the details…
One Qdoba naked burrito (in a bowl rather than a tortilla shell). The contents I [...]

Pregnant

I’m pregnant- and not in the obvious third trimester way that my body announces… but in my heart… I’m pregnant.  God has been tinkering with some long-standing baggage that I’ve carried and I’m finally trying to embrace the process of healing that He has me on… and it leaves me feeling pregnant… anticipating new life.  [...]