Recently I noticed that my motivation for creative activities with my kids has really plummeted. To my credit, I think it’s in part because my kids are much more likely to entertain themselves than they were two years ago. When I had a 3- and 1-year old, they were aimless unless I gave them direction —
One day last week, Tom came home and as he was telling me about his day, he mentioned he’d gone on a prayer walk during lunch. Then he added the disclaimer, “That’s not something you can do, I know.” This year during Lent Tom is taking part in several specific habits and spiritual disciplines. As Lent approached
Here’s a story. Camellias aren’t super common where I grew up, so when I moved to Richmond I became sort of entranced by them. A bush with flowers that look like roses!? That blooms in the winter!? When Tom and I were buying a house for the first time, I put heavy preference on houses
Before David was born I had a unique job working with immigrants and refugees every day. My job had a lot of facets, but I had the great joy and privilege to really get to know families. I attended quinceaneras, baby showers, and citizenship celebrations. We prayed together, cried together, we complained about the weather.
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” – Micah 6:8 On Tuesday, Tom came home a little early and we piled all three kids in our double stroller and ran to the
Last Sunday, just before his first birthday, Thomas was baptized. Baptism is a practice in which the pastors of a church increase the faith of parents by asking them to stand on stage with their young children. (Picture Tom reading this, looking up at me and saying in a stern voice, “Amanda. Do not make
We got David a bed for Christmas last year and it was a huge flop. For weeks leading up to Christmas I tried to build excitement (A new bed! A BIG BOY bed! Just for you!) but he was still disappointed. “Where are all the other presents?” he asked. When all is said and done,
The other day I was reading with David and I put my arm around him and said, “David, do you know Mommy loves you so much?” He looked up at me and replied, “But, Mommy. Sometimes you say…you say…you say that…” He started to stutter as he searched for the right word. I held my breath; I wasn’t sure
It’s becoming an Easter tradition for our family to participate in David’s preschool race and Easter egg hunt. Tom ran last year but this year he volunteered to help. Which reminds me, sometime after the half-marathon, Tom and I retired from running and all other forms of exercise. We just decided to surrender; our kids
For the past several months I’ve been spending my Saturday mornings doing long runs, so the week after my race, I bundled up on Saturday morning and went to the park with some kids (many of whom were part of our Track Club). The trip to the park is called X-games, and it’s an informal ministry
For me, running has always been more about community than winning races or setting PRs. Maybe that’s because I’ve never been super fast, and if that’s the case then my speed limitations are a mercy from God, because running has brought me some great friendships. Even when I was in high school and racing all
Memorial Day weekend already seems so long ago. It was just a week ago, 1/41 of David’s life. I specify the exact amount because David is suddenly very specific about the way he spends his time, and a point he’s been trying to make for most of his 41 (now 42) weeks was finally drilled
Check this out. My friend Elizabeth is having a huge yard sale. And see where it says adoption Yard Sale? That’s because all of the proceeds go toward helping Elizabeth’s family adopt a little boy from China named Charlie. (Her blog is choc-full of their decision to adopt, but you can read the beginning of this particular
We are so excited for Easter. So excited, in fact, that we didn’t mind the loss of dignity that occurred as a result of this photo shoot.
I’m a day late. Ash Wednesday was yesterday. BUT if you’re interested in daily Lenten readings, check out: http://lentreading.wordpress.com/ “Lent is a time to ask God to confront our own mortality and sinfulness; to ask Him to show us our need for grace; to grow in repentance; and, to reflect on the amazing truth of
After David was baptized, people in church kept telling me congratulations. I didn’t realize that was what people tell parents after their children are baptized, but it makes sense. We don’t believe the water saved David, but that it represents Christ’s cleansing power, union with Christ and David’s inclusion in God’s covenant community. When Matt
to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be calledWonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” Romans 8:32
Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;
This weekend David and I went to a baby shower for my friend Mayra. She’s due to have a baby boy at the end of December. This is the guest of honor opening gifts. It’s the only photo I could get of her because she was busy serving food, cleaning up plates, and getting chairs
I follow a blog called Paradox Uganda, and it’s different than any other blog I’ve read. It’s written by Dr. Jennifer Myhre, she and her family have lived in Africa (mostly Uganda, most recently Kenya) as missionaries through World Harvest Mission for almost two decades. Like most missionaries, Dr. Myhre has abundant tales of trials,