Writing for children and their parents
World Ampersand Day, September 8
“Ampersand” is the name of the symbol we use on the keyboard that means “and.” I’ve seen plenty of silly “national days” and “world days,” and this one competes for the silliest. But apparently, according to nationaltoday.com, ampersands have been in use since the first century AD. There was even one found in the graffiti… Continue reading World Ampersand Day, September 8
Sound of Freedom
The Sound of Freedom* According to Tim Ballard, the US is the #1 consumer of child exploitation material (interview with Daily Signal**). Every one of us must do what we can to prevent and end this bludgeoning evil. Jim Caviezel portrays Tim Ballard of Operation Underground Railroad in the movie The Sound of Freedom, in… Continue reading Sound of Freedom
Challenging Human Trafficking
6 With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God?Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive oil?Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?8 He has… Continue reading Challenging Human Trafficking
Walking our Fostering Journey with Support Friends
I have discovered that support in our fostering journey is essential. I have also discovered that when the church of Jesus Christ gets involved, support is ours. Sixty percent of foster families stop after only one year. This high rate lowers drastically when the family has support surrounding them. And this is encouraging, because not… Continue reading Walking our Fostering Journey with Support Friends
“Fitted Sheets”
Once upon a time, in the land of domestic engineers, we had fitted sheets with corners that had elastic. In just the corners. It was hard enough folding those nasty things so you ended with a nice neat rectangle sitting on your linen closet shelf. And admittedly, I never did master that skill. Fast forward… Continue reading “Fitted Sheets”
New Steps
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens… Ecclesiastes 3:1 Seasons of life leave and seasons of life come. My son just got engaged and we are over-the-top thrilled. With this comes a new stage of life. I don’t know about you, but I have a personality that embraces… Continue reading New Steps
Potential or Rerouted?
As this new year begins, our crib is full. But not with a child. It is full of decisions to be made. In this picture, you see the result of us agonizingly emptying the rest of the house of fostering “tools”—the high chair, the car seat, stuffed animals, the changing pad—stuffed into the crib in… Continue reading Potential or Rerouted?
The House is Empty
The house is empty. No more toddler giggles, squeals and babbles. As children grow up, that very naturally and gradually ends with voices changing octaves and sentences becoming complete—our home’s quietness is not like that. No, this was abrupt. One day happy sounds in abundance, the next day they’re gone. And it hurts. “Look! Look!”… Continue reading The House is Empty
September Wildfires
We are halfway through September and only now have run into the annual problem with wildfire smoke. As I write that, I am very grateful that here in my area, I don’t have to write that we are evacuating. As every year we watch communities not too far down the highway evacuate, it is a… Continue reading September Wildfires
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