I remember my wedding day vividly, though it was almost twenty-five years ago. As a young bride, I dreamed of the moment I turned to face the mirror and saw myself adorned from head-to-toe in white. My veil was handmade, a tiara of tiny white blossoms and beads with layers of tulle cascading to my … More The Most Beautiful Wedding Dress
I sat in a rocker on my back porch as the sun set. Beneath a purple sky, geese honked and barn swallows circled overhead. The list of things I had not accomplished today loomed larger than the list of things I had checked off my to-do list. My chest felt tight with anxiety. Moving is … More Thriving in the Land of Busy
It feels like it has been months since I’ve had time to sit down and write. The past few weeks have been full to the brim with boxes, packing tape, anticipation, and then unpacking the mountain of stuff that piled, haphazardly, in my garage awaiting rediscovery. I was tempted to haul it all off, to … More Home at Arundelle Green
A few months ago I read Andrew Peterson’s book, Adorning the Dark. In this incredible work, Andrew describes the labor and intentionality of creativity and community. He describes his family’s decision to leave the city and move out to the country, putting down deep roots. He encourages the reader to be purposeful in settling down … More Give your house a name.
It feels like we just unpacked, happily discarding the last of the boxes and beginning a new life here in this beautiful neighborhood surrounded by hills and pasture. I have become accustomed to the drone of maintenance equipment each morning as they parade out onto the golf course. The dawn has awakened me with her … More Everything Old is New Again
I awakened with the sun, long shadows stretching across the dew-drenched grass. Pink azaleas opened wide to receive the morning as birdsong filled the air, almost drowning out the drone of distant traffic on the highway just over the distant rise. We have been promised suffering this week. This week of all weeks, in which … More The Grace Side
Last Spring I planted three Peony tubers, knowing it takes a few years to produce the flowers but also aware that the result would be glorious and worth the wait. Having had Peonies in our previous house, I thought I knew what to expect the first year: evidence of life, a few leaves, maybe little … More Joy in the Unexpected
A Life of Simple Joys hasn’t felt very joyful lately, and that’s ok. It’s real life. There is no joy in recognizing the reality of suffering in our most vulnerable populations, but there IS joy in seeing God move and seeing His people step in to the fight. There is great joy in looking into the eyes of a rescued survivor and seeing the light of redemption glowing within.I’m not going to completely stop writing about these hard things, but I will sprinkle hard truth with hope. … More Exposing Beauty
I took my dog for a walk this morning, noting the silver slug trails scribbled across the sidewalk. The light of dawn made them shimmer and become almost beautiful. For the first time in several weeks, I felt inspired to sit down and write. The flowers in the South are in full bloom, knockout roses … More Endings and beginnings.
It’s been a dream of mine for while, now, to get away to somewhere remote and just write. No noises. No distractions. Just for a couple of days. Because of the sweet generosity of my husband, who gifted me this very thing last Christmas, my bags are packed as I type. As soon as I … More Retreating
A Life of Simple Joys 
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