• About fifteen years ago, my world was rocked when mental illness began to rock our home. Until that day, my life had been relatively simple. After years of watching my husband as he sought to control his bipolar disorder, the battle ended with his suicide. My quiet, unassuming life had been thrust into a world of darkness and pain. There were times when I didn’t…

  • Africa: Why I Keep Going Back

    As a young girl in GA’s, I remember being fascinated by the stories of men and women who travelled across the world to share Jesus. I was enthralled by the adventure, but also intrigued by the challenges they encountered. Little did I know that God was planting seeds for missions in my heart. Ten years ago, I went to Africa for the first time. I…

  • Grief: A Strange Bird

    One of the things I love about the Masaii Mara in Kenya is that you never know what is around the next bend. You can drive for miles and see nothing but wide open plains dotted with acacia trees and then out of nowhere you see a lion crouched for a kill. Each safari is unique…each carries unexpected surprises, both good and bad.  (Click here…

  • 13 Reasons Not to Watch 13 Reasons (particularly teens)

    Suicide should not be viewed as entertaining. The Netflix series, 13 Reasons, sensationalizes suicide and the entire premise of the show centers around Hannah’s suicide and the events leading up to it. No alternatives are given for coping with stress. Hannah’s suicide almost seems justified by the writers because of the intense pain she endured at the hands of others. There is definitely an eye-for-an-eye…

  • Seasons Change…and So Does Life

    You know how it is. You bump shoulders everyday with people who ask, “How are you?” If you are like most of us, you lie and answer “Fine.” Fine. Fine? What does that even mean? “I am well.” “I am happy.” “I am hurting.” All of these responses are telling, but fine — what does that really mean? I’ve struggled the past couple of months…