This month marks the seventh year anniversary of Michael’s death. In the Bible, the seventh year was often known as the Year of Jubilee. Many indentured servants were granted their freedom in the seventh year. Many Israelites were forgiven of their debts in the Year of Jubilee, and landowners gave their land rest from farming in the seventh year. The seventh year was a time…
Five years ago, I began praying fervantly for my future husband. As I prayed, I wrote down two lists of character traits and qualities that I wanted in a husband. On one list, I wrote my “must have” list; these were the things that were non-negotiable for me. If a man didn’t meet this list, I wouldn’t even consider a first date. The second list…
As children, we would count the number of days till Christmas. It couldn’t come quick enough. I can remember rushing to bed on Christmas Eve so that Santa could come. On Christmas morning, my brother and I would wake up super early to see what gifts Santa had left. My parents would often tell us to go back to bed because it was too early….
Our hearts were all shattered last week as we heard of the horrifying tragedy in Connecticut. I’ve put off writing about it for days, because what can you possibly say after something so heinous? My heart hurts for the families of the victims as well as for the family of the perpetrator. What incredible pain they must feel knowing that someone they loved could…
Several months ago I told you about Polkala, our pet turtle. Well, Pokey continues to be a demanding little booger. Just last week, I emptied everything (and I do mean EVERYTHING) out of his aquarium and gave it a thorough scrub down. I changed the filter, gave him clean water — the works, and do you know how he repaid this generosity? Well, it hit…
“I don’t know how you could write that. It must have caused you tremendous pain.” These words have been repeated to me time and again by people who have read Tears to Joy. My response? “Writing forced me to go to the dark places I didn’t want to go to and in the process I found healing.” One thing I’ve learned in the past few years…