that time i tripped and fell over a question ~ #wordsmatter
You may have read a version of this story before, but what can I say ... It was one of those defining moments in my life. It was the time I stumbled and fell over an innocent, four-worded question. To her credit, she waited until I had stowed my carry-on in the overhead compartment and settled into my seat before she launched into the obligatory small-talk. We were, after all, about to spend twelve hours with our elbows touching, and I'd never even met the fifty-something woman who had scored the aisle seat next to me. "Are you heading home?" she asked. And that's where I tripped over my...
five minute friday :: because
Hey there! Welcome to another week of Five Minute Friday! Can't believe this is already my eighth week hosting this precious community ... Time flies when you're having fun! And you guys just never cease to amaze me with your brave, beautiful writing week after week. I'm continually in awe over how the Lord can stir up so many avenues and ideas as we gather around a single word. If you're new here, all of the info is right over here ... We'd *love* to have you join us! AND ... it's almost October! In case you missed the past two weeks of FMF, something big is about to happen over here,...
when it all hits just a little too close to home
The list of books available for review appeared in my inbox. I scanned it over, and my eyes landed and paused on one title: Experiencing the Loss of a Family Member, by H. Norman Wright. I dismissed it, knowing it would stir up too many raw emotions. The next day, I was drawn back to the same e-mail, and thought about how the book might help me understand the grief of others in a more empathetic way. So I clicked "Request." When the book arrived, it took me a while to muster up the courage to open its cover. I was afraid of what I might find inside. As the review deadline approached, so...
when it’s hard to find hope in the rubble
Today I am *so* thrilled to introduce you to my very own sister, Sarah Baar! First of all, it must be said that she's the real writer in the family. As in, she's written, like, six novels in thirty days each. Yeah, she's one of those. But I still love her. A lot. Like, more than chocolate and ice cream. (That's a lot.) I could go on and on about how wonderful she is, but today I think I'll just let her writing speak for itself. So without further ado, a guest post by my beloved seesta, Sarah Baar: *** On the thirteenth anniversary of the September 11...
five minute friday :: hold
You guys! I am SO EXCITED by how many of you have said you're going to take up the challenge I put forth last week to join The Nester's 31 Days! Like, seriously, it totally made my week. For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about, The Nester started an annual challenge to bloggers six years ago -- namely, to write and post on your blog every day in the month of October. This year I've issued a challenge to all of YOU beloved Five Minute Friday fanatics to do the same, but with a twist -- to write each of your 31 Days posts in just five minutes each. It's like a month-long...
get to know mary – a review
Teach a child to read, and you've unlocked a world of knowledge and unlimited possibility. As a homeschooler, I've got a soft spot for children's books, and particularly books that help my kids better understand the Bible. This new book, Get to Know Mary, by Nancy I. Sanders is one such book. It's a "full-color biography for kids," and is part of a series of "Get to Know" books published by ZonderKidz. I read the book to my second-grader and found it to be very well laid out and informative. It includes a wealth of facts and useful graphics and images, including maps and real-life...
How to Be Sad and Well at the Same Time
It was the day I had dreaded more than any other. The day we buried my mom. Somehow I had managed to get dressed and rote walk my way to the church for the funeral, flanked by my dearest relatives. The "inner circle" of immediate family congregated in a private gathering space, waiting for other attendees to find seats before we would file down the aisle to the front rows. As we waited, the somber conversation turned to one of the last times we had all been gathered together in the same church -- for my wedding, seven years earlier. My two uncles, who positively crack me up every...
for your joy
If they could live on the beach, they’d be happy forever, these kids of mine. On Labor Day weekend, they taunted the churning waves and rode the swell on borrowed boogie boards — one last hurrah as summer lets out her final sigh and exhales into hibernation until next year. The lure of the waiting sand drew them in, and they started to dig. They gravitated toward two pools of water that had collected from overambitious waves, and they began to construct a channeling system that would cause the water to move from one body to the next. After a while, the group of friends we...
should parents have children of a different skin color?
The conversation took place way back in my Bible college days, but for some reason it stuck with me. I was playing table tennis with a guy friend of mine, like we did most days, when we weren’t in class or playing euchre. And like most days, we talked as we rallied back and forth, the lightweight plastic ball a picture of our conversation. It would usually alter between lazy, nonchalant flicks of the wrist to the more serious, intentional points. And one day, I don’t remember how we got on the topic, but we started talking about race. Specifically mixed race marriage. And then, as we...
five minute friday :: ready (and a challenge)
Calling all writers! I have a challenge for you. A big one. Disclaimer: Should you choose to accept it, you may experience days in the month of October when you don't like me very much. It's called 31 Days. Maybe you've heard of it. Maybe you've even done it before. It's a writing challenge doled out and hosted by The Nester every year in the month of October. You can read more about it over at the brand new site, Write 31 Days. The challenge is to write (and preferably post on your blog) EVERY DAY in October. Are you up for it? What better way to sharpen and hone those writing skills,...
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