Hurricanes are Dramatic. So is COVID. Hurricanes change lives in dramatic, unstoppable, irreversible ways. So does COVID. The difference, though, is most of the hurricane drama happens in one long night of trees crashing, windows shattering, and floodwaters soaking everything. Through that one night, everyone is praying for the hurricane to pass and morning to...Continue Reading
To run a 5K, or redecorate your living room, or crochet a scarf, or write a book, you have to start with tons of grace—like endless heaps of it.Continue Reading
Wow. The highs are high and the lows are low right now, my friends. Before this, there were so many weeks that I wished for just one quiet day to be with my people–maybe accomplish some house projects? Ha. We are on Day 32 of exactly that. The Ups and Downs of Control. There is...Continue Reading
It takes about a month, but our family has discovered us. We’re into the second month of COVID19’s quarantines and cancellations. Our family has gone through all the stages of disappointment, boredom, curiosity, and fear. I’m surprised, however, to find that we are also grateful. We didn’t ask for this pause button; and yet, we...Continue Reading
Connection & Consequences–that’s what your teen needs from you in 2020. I’ve learned this first-hand these past few months as I’ve stepped back into the high school classroom. I’m teaching one class of seniors at a wonderful Christian school. Spending these past few months with these 17 students has reminded me what teens need. Our...Continue Reading
Dear Mamas of Teen Daughters…. Your daughter is hearing too many harmful messages. The world tells her she should be everything to everyone. She believes the lies of social media and thinks that her value is tied up in likes. She is striving for perfection and no one is telling her about grace. This is...Continue Reading
Dear El… Thank you for making me laugh every single day. I don’t know where you got this sarcasm from (ha—that’s total sarcasm) but it’s just the best. You may only be 12, but you’re sly wit is way beyond that. Here’s another delight that you might not even know is happening: you’re learning to...Continue Reading
Someone in your life needs this sparkly-funny Bible study. It’s pretty much a party-in-a box–but with Jesus. 10. That girl at your church who helps at VBS…or in the nursery…or in the 10. That girl at your church who helps at VBS…or in the nursery…or in the praise band. (Or, you know, that one teen...Continue Reading
This post originally appeared on the CPH Blog. First, the bad news…. our teen girls are in crisis. I’m worried about them and you should be too. My oldest daughter, Catie, is in high school and my younger daughter, Elisabeth, is in middle school. We’re living the teen girl life around here and I see what’s...Continue Reading
This school has become our family and our home. And not it’s time to say goodbye. For the last decade, Westlake Prep has been the seventh member of our family. To our kids—who started here just a few days after potty-training and who are leaving as tweens and teens—this place has been where they learned just...Continue Reading