Through the Tough Decisions
During my first year of youth ministry, my husband and I had siblings that were also teenagers. My youngest sister would tell you that my role in her life was more similar to one of a parent than it was a sister. Sometimes, my sister felt like my... Read More
High School (9th-12th) | Middle School (6th-8th)
Stop Freaking Out, Mom and Dad!
I don’t gamble, but if I did, I’m confident I would lose the house, the car, and maybe the kids in about 32 seconds. Why? As my friends and family have told me all my life, I have a terrible poker face. I just don’t hide my emotions... Read More
Letting Go
There’s a pile of laundry in my oldest son’s room, and it’s driving me crazy. I want to sneak in there, grab an arm full of clothes, and at least wash some of it. I hate when things are undone. Especially when I know I am capable of... Read More
High School (9th-12th) | Imagine The End | Middle School (6th-8th)
3 Things Every Parent Should Do Before Your Kids Leave Home
So you might be just beginning this parenting voyage . . . and can’t even bear the thought of your chubby little gem growing up to leave home one day. Or maybe you’re well into this thing called parenting and you realize that in a few years, your oldest son or... Read More
High School (9th-12th) | Middle School (6th-8th)
Middle School Changes
I can’t say I feel old enough, but it’s true: we have a child in middle school. A new school. A new chapter. A whole new world. And as much as we sometimes feel like a deer in the headlights, thankfully, we’re not on our own during this transition to... Read More
High School (9th-12th) | Middle School (6th-8th)
Cats and Dogs
Ah, middle school. The smell of axe wafting through the air. The endless group texts. The hormonal mood swings. It really is a magical time, isn’t it? When my oldest son was a middle schooler, my wife and I were blindsided by the changes. We were constantly second-guessing... Read More
Character and Values | Family Life | High School (9th-12th) | Imagine The End
A-List Prayers
A couple of months ago, I attended a beautiful ceremony to celebrate a friend who decided to commit her future to missions. At a certain point in the celebration, my friend’s mom made her way over to where I was sitting. We small-talked for a bit, and then... Read More