With a baby coming in less than 2 months, and the school year wrapping up, I am counting down the days until I become a stay-at-home mom with an 18-month-old and a very pregnant belly. Needless to say, there is a lot on my mind. Recently I actually haven't been too emotional...except I cry silent … Continue reading It Takes a Village
Saying ‘Yes’ to Foster Care
Wow. It has been 4 months since our life changed. 94 days since the three-letter word rocked my world again. Yes. Yes to following Jesus. Yes to marrying Brandon Smith. Yes to Wilmington. Yes to living downtown. Yes to teaching high school. Those are probably the biggest yeses I've made in the last 10 years. And … Continue reading Saying ‘Yes’ to Foster Care
More Than a Band-Aid
"Whenever God slew them, they would seek him; they eagerly turned to him again." -Psalm 78:34 Why do you seek God? This is the question I am asking myself this morning. It is a daunting one. In reflecting on the above verse in "The Songs of Jesus", Tim Keller comments that many times "morality is … Continue reading More Than a Band-Aid
Merry Christmas!
Brandon and I reflected on Luke 2 during our Christmas travels today. God has given us the greatest gift. Christmas reflection A tiny town. An unplanned pregnancy. A controversial commitment. An untimely birth. A swaddled savior. A makeshift cradle. A new mom. A new (adoptive) dad. A chorus of angels. A story to tell: Christ … Continue reading Merry Christmas!
A Costly Name
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. -Isaiah 7:14 This name, meaning "God with us," given to Jesus by the Old Testament prophet is so weighty to me. Emmanuel, God with us. And this painting is one of my favorite Christmas decorations! But Emmanuel means more than … Continue reading A Costly Name
to be with Jesus
"..and crowds gathered to him again. And again, as was his custom, he taught them." -Mark 10:1 It didn't matter where Jesus went, a crowd of people followed him. Today, I wondered, "Would I have been one of those people?" I don't think so. My plans are too important. Yep, I said it. I don't think I … Continue reading to be with Jesus
Experiencing Mercy
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved. (Ephesians 2:4-5) Warning: Do not try this at home. This morning I was heading to school, when I saw a police car parked … Continue reading Experiencing Mercy
Tomorrow is Too Much
Confession: I spent today completely overwhelmed. Distracting thoughts swirled in my head all day long, but the ride home (a 30-minute commute) was the most tumultuous. As I drove home, I worried about the following things: school tomorrow school Friday a presentation next week where I will be in 5 years where I will be in … Continue reading Tomorrow is Too Much
My Budget is my Best Friend
You guys. Budgets are amazing. Here is a brief summary of how our budget has made our lives better. I had never known what a budget really was until marriage counseling. During our engagement, finances were one of our largest stressors; partly because we didn't have income & partly because I totally forgot about a … Continue reading My Budget is my Best Friend
Jesus & Work
Work is not easy. And being new to the working world is exhausting. At least for me. Seeking to learn more about it, I just finished Every Good Endeavor by Tim Keller and, goodness, that man is so wise. The book is about how Jesus can be honored in and through our work, and it is phenomenal! … Continue reading Jesus & Work
Her Highest Calling 