don’t try to wriggle out.

She spent Wednesday night out swing dancing, my friend mentioned as she recounted her week. She’s a professional dancer and so when she mentioned swing, I knew I was in for a good story. During one song, she found herself spun around and dipped backwards in one fell swoop, supported only by her dance partner’s … Continue reading »

on being brave when you’re grieving.

brave . . . In the past few years, my heart has become heavy with the burden to serve and love people who grieve over lost expectations. Grief when things don’t turn out like we think they will, like we hope they might. Grief over hopes unfulfilled, dreams unreached, status quo not met. Grief when … Continue reading »

on reader’s choice and audience

Have I mentioned my history with pen pals yet? Friends, this was an epic season for me. Letters in and out of the mailbox daily. I even made friends with our mail carrier. Even though it was me writing to all 60+ pen pals, every letter was different. Why? The audience. Because no two recipients … Continue reading »

don’t even think about taking me out to dinner (wedded wednesdays guest post)

{We need to get talking about what marriage really looks like. In that spirit, we chat about it here once a week, on Wedded Wednesdays.} I can’t remember how Amy Sullivan and I initially connected, but I’m so glad we did. Her heart is decidedly others-focused and her approach is bold, yet relevant. Friends, a … Continue reading »

on kiddos and the Edna Adan Mother’s Day Project

The first time I was in a publication, I was in Kindergarten. It was 100 Day at school — yep, the 100th day of the school year. My pal Giselle and I were photographed counting 100 Cheerios for the occasion. My parents bought a dozen copies of that day’s newspaper and clipped the photo for essentially every … Continue reading »

on conflict (wedded wednesdays guest post)

{We need to get talking about what marriage really looks like. In that spirit, we chat about it here once a week, on Wedded Wednesdays.} Anne and I met in an elevator in Indianapolis, during the 2012 Influence Conference. Starstruck doesn’t even begin to describe it . . . and I mean me towards Anne, … Continue reading »

for Boston and beyond

Initially, I’d planned an interview with my friend Stacy Williams, the founder of Finding Purpose in the Pain, for today’s blog post. She launched an e-book yesterday, called 21 Days to Finding Purpose in the Pain. Over a month ago, I promised to share this interview and spread the word about her book, her book … Continue reading »

wedded wednesday: surprising things about being apart.

{We need to get talking about what marriage really looks like. In that spirit, we chat about it here once a week, on Wedded Wednesdays.} There’s something I haven’t told you, friends. Mr. S. and I are apart more often than I’d like. Most of the time, it feels like quite the “first world” problem, … Continue reading »

on spring cleaning

Just thinking about the end result of spring cleaning brings a wave of calm over me. Something about de-cluttering, organizing and eliminating the unnecessary is remarkably appealing! Last year, I got rid of 112 things in January and the experience was so therapeutic. A weight had been lifted for sure! But at the same time, … Continue reading »

praying for your life (wedded wednesdays guest post)

{We need to get talking about what marriage really looks like. In that spirit, we chat about it here once a week, on Wedded Wednesdays.} Tammy is a woman of grace, of kindness and of mercy. We’ve spent little time with her face-to-face, but as far as our souls go? We’re neighbors. I’m blessed to … Continue reading »