We are thrilled to come home with Ezra today! (I say “today” although we won’t technically be home until tomorrow.) But before we arrive...

It’s Thursday morning and the rain is coming down in sheets. Our friend told us there are two seasons in the Congo—the rainy season and...

By Tuesday Ezra started to come out of his shell. He laughs a loud, wide open-mouthed laugh when he scores a goal (aka – kicks the soccer...

After more than 24 hours in four different airports, we arrived in Kinshasa, DRC. It was Sunday night. Our good friend picked us up from...

Recently, I decided to shake things up a bit and change Siri’s voice (you know that know-it-all on our cell phones) to something other...

Last week I had the privilege of speaking at a women’s conference. Months ago, when I was first asked to participate in the event, I was...

Caution: Stay back over 100 feet. Not responsible for road objects. We’ve all been behind gravel trucks with these signs affixed to the...

When I was growing up, my sisters and I loved to look at Highlights magazine. Our Aunt Jo would renew our subscription every year so that...

I was raised on the importance of Sunday school. Nary a week would pass without my sisters and me getting our Sunday best on (tights,...

When I was little, my mother would buy each of my sisters and me a pair of brown, leather sandals every year. She would caution us to...

How often do you say the following: “It seems like just yesterday” or “This is the longest week ever”? A minute will always last 60...

There are a lot of positives to having a baby: the miracle of birth, the revelations about the preciousness of life, the somber bestowing...

A new study finds that very tiny chameleons—like the ones from Tanzania that can sit on the tip of your thumb—compensate for their small...

During the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, my family and I visited the Knoxville Zoo. On Saturday, my kids were lounging all over my...

I’ve always been impressed by resourceful people. When things look bleak, these amazing pioneers show imagination and gumption. They...

Moses was tired. He was old. His belly was full of his breakfast—wafers of manna and the water that poured from a rock. As he climbed to...

It’s after lunch and I’m in a high school algebra class. Chin propped on hand, trying to stay awake, I’m staring at a poster stapled to...

In the Kingdom of Nerds, there is a special place for those of us who enjoy a good jigsaw puzzle. I’m not especially talented at...

Fall is for brown-eyed brunettes. It’s our time to shine. Our mousy brown locks suddenly takes on streaks of auburn and honey-gold in the...

We had a visitor in Sunday school last week. A mom I’d never seen before dropped off her 5-year old daughter and left us to get...

It happens to everyone at some point: you sit down to eat at a restaurant with family and friends. After perusing the lengthy menu, you...

My friend Amy loves to talk about the forty years the ancient Israelites were forced to wander in the wilderness. Sure, she also loves to...

You inhale deeply as you approach the wooden archway. A voice from the speaker above you and to your right is midway through its...

Mrs. Brackett was my 4th grade teacher. She was, in every way, my favorite elementary school teacher. (She received this praise in part...