I married a “what if?” man. That means that with each decision we make, or think about, Michael attaches a plethora of “what if” questions. He likes to lay out all the options, and then verbally process through each one. I do not. I’m more of an internal processer and I don’t like to get stuck in scenarios.

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Integrity. The world needs more of it. I need more of it. We all need more of it.

Have you ever met someone so solid, dependable, kind, thoughtful, and genuinely encouraging that without even knowing them for more than a few minutes you know; they say what they mean, and will do what they say?

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“Can you hurry up time mommy so that it can be Friday?” Phoebe asked during dinner tonight. I had just finished rattling off the plans for the week. Friday is the big day, a school field trip, their end of the year party, and a parade in town that night. We promised them we’d buy the twinkle balloons this time. The excitement is almost too much to bear for a five-year-old.   

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The future feels uncertain — from artificial intelligence to shifting global values — and yet God calls us to trust Him. Here’s how I’m learning to raise my daughters with faith, courage, and joy in a world that’s changing faster than ever.

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When’s the last time you went through your elementary and high school assignments and old journals?

Last night I was so excited when the girls went to bed on time. My immediate goal was to get cozy in my new sweat short outfit, make a cup of decaf coffee, light a candle, make some popcorn, and then sit to write.

That all changed when Michael came into the room with my old notebooks and journals.

When you write a book – I’ve been told, “Do not leave the reader hanging.” What is their main takeaway? What are they walking away with in the end? I’ve been asked this question in various ways over the last few weeks.

People read that which they can relate to or learn from.  This raises the question, why will they even pick up your title? And can you prove that you have any authority to write on THAT topic? 

Two weeks ago I had unexpected time to read and opened my Bible to Ecclesiastes 11.  

“Ship your grain across the sea; after many days you may receive a return. Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight; you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.”

Hm, seems pretty relevant with the volatility of stocks these days. Even more, the rapid change in the US government has Michael and I sitting on pins and needles. Many of you know that Michael has been working in humanitarian aid for the last ten years. We met in North Iraq while working with displaced people and continued to work in aid while in Jordan. The recent cuts to international aid trickle down to our family (maybe) – we are promised word of “wise stewardship” end of next month. For now, he still has his job and we continue life in limbo.

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