Watching the Olympics is a passionate experience. It’s intense, witnessing the world’s most excellent athletes drive themselves to mind-blowing achievements. In 2012, I saw Oscar Pistorius rise to greatness, racing without lower legs. This year, I witnessed Shaun White defy gravity on his snowboard. Their talent is incredible and I’ll …

There are thousands of tips and techniques out there for all aspects of parenting. But the single most important one gives meaning and purpose to the joys and struggles of everyday life: eternal salvation! God has given us charge over our children for His good purpose; namely, to teach them …

August’s arrival means summer is wrapping up. Vacations are over and we’re headed back to routine, with a little more structure than a month ago. Our noses are back at the grindstone for work, school and practices—and that means busyness. Days fly between August and May, with us dashing between …

Andrew and I are blessed with six children, but a quick head count adds up to just five. Our youngest child, Meg, was born into heaven in 2018—every day our family asks her to pray for us. When I miscarried, friends rushed to my side like Mary to Elizabeth. They …

Heaven never tires from pursuing our hearts through the saints and different titles of Jesus and Mary. If you’re drawn to certain saints or holy titles, consider it a nudge to the soul from the Holy Spirit. I once got lost driving through the middle of nowhere in southernmost Louisiana. …

Some of my greatest experiences of peace came when wandering the woods as a child. My backyard was a lovely forest that boasted of nothing extraordinary. The foliage towered above my small frame when I hiked steep hills, grabbing rocks and branches so I could pull myself along. The environment …

“There’s a new episode of The Chosen,” my husband said. In minutes the two of us were eagerly settled in the living room with our five children, ready for our favorite show. The kids’ questions during episodes range from “Is Jesus in this one?” to my favorite, “Why does Mom …

Christmas is drawing to a close and with it the months-long holiday season. I admit that though I miss Thanksgiving, the joyful anticipation of Advent and the blessed Christmas season, my childlike giddiness lingers into January because it brings my birthday – and I absolutely love my birthday. Balloons, my …

I traveled to Iceland in August. After years of wishing, planning and saving, I was at last on board a 757 headed east to Reykjavik, to start a six-day solo trip across the Icelandic south coast. During my years of preparation, the trip became a beacon of hope. When overwhelmed …

Five years ago my husband, and I began to make concerted efforts toward celebrating Advent and waiting for the liturgical Christmas season to deck the halls and hang stockings with care. Truly waiting cultivated my sense of liturgical seasons, and on a superficial level, I found I wasn’t done by …