I was eager to return home after a week on the West Coast. The early morning ride, the shuffle through security, and the familiar ritual of finding my gate with a book in hand were all part of the journey. Travel is never just about the logistics—it’s about the people we meet along the way. A delay and gate change brought me to Gate N3, where I settled in and took a moment to notice…
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Last week, I shared a story and a lesson on how to begin sheltering friendships in my blog. This blog post is a lesson on how to continue doing so. Throughout my years of homeschooling and serving in leadership roles within churches and nonprofit organizations, I’ve had the opportunity to run many events. One spring, I was leading a two-day tournament where students spent their time delivering speeches—again and again, in multiple rooms, to multiple audiences.…
Leave a CommentGrowing up, Thanksgiving was a big event in our home—often bringing together 30 or more people. We’d always pull in an extra table to fit everyone. I can still picture my mom in the kitchen, managing the chaos, while I mostly stayed out of her way. Those days, with my parents at the center, are long past. Now, as my parents are gone and my siblings have their own families and traditions, the shape of…
Leave a CommentThe Art of Holiday Preparation: Purpose and Connection Over Perfection As soon as the clock strikes midnight on November 1st, all attention seems to turn to Christmas. It’s like a collective switch is flipped, and we find ourselves swept into the holiday season with excitement, stress, and anticipation. And let’s be honest; any major celebration requires some preparation. But here’s the thing — preparation doesn’t just mean buying gifts, decorating the house, and planning the…
Leave a CommentHave you ever noticed that 2 am seems to be the perfect time for your brain to unload all the thoughts that somehow stay quiet during the day? It’s as though my mind decides that now, with the house dark and silent, it’s the ideal time to declutter the stored chatter. This late-night surge of thoughts feels oddly familiar and powerful, and if you’ve experienced it, you know exactly what I mean. Over the past…
Leave a CommentI have a hibiscus bush that has made it through several seasons of living inside and outside. I loved it for its color and was happy to make the effort to keep this plant alive. This most recent transition from inside living to the outdoor deck seems particularly rough. It currently looks much like a Hawaiian Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree. I was surveying the hibiscus this past June and wondering out loud with my daughter…
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