The Wizard of Oz always fascinated me. Maybe it was the singing and the dancing or the pair of glittery heels with the power to change everything that impacted me so much. Or when reality shifted from greyscale to Technicolor and the world was new. I think, at the bottom, it was the characters. Remember... Continue Reading →

Have you ever gone on a picnic, realizing too late you forgot the picnic basket (piled high with scrumptious bites and sips) on the table at home? I mean, that's kind of a major part of the outing's whole point, right? You could call that the picnic that wasn't. In the same way, you can... Continue Reading →

You've claimed your space. Established a time. Now the fun part: hunting for the ideal set of tools! My heart goes into low-level mourning every September when I re-realize I've grown out of new school supplies—a shiny backpack, lined paper, glittery folders, sharp-pointed pencils that leave No. 2 lead on my hands. Pastel paper clips... Continue Reading →

Ah, London. So thick with culture, so marked by time. Even the skyline is dominated by the constant ticking away of life as Big Ben pushes ever onward. For a girl who has a love-hate relationship with to-do lists (fluctuating back and forth between productivity and procrastination), the clock seems like either a dependable ally... Continue Reading →

Bible study. What image springs to mind when you think about those two words? Maybe a video teacher with fabulous hair? Or monks huddled over stacks of Scripture? A group of women from your church who come away with more gossip than grace? That heavenly star chart with too many empty boxes next to your... Continue Reading →

If all good things must come to an end, I'm so glad this ending comes after Christmas. The trees have been hauled out, all signs of taped-up paper and bits of ribbon bagged and dumped. Carols have faded from the airwaves as we get back to "life as usual." We put a big fat period... Continue Reading →

"Kassie Warren." Silence filled the gymnasium as his voice died slowly, a hundred breathless students behind me. I approached the microphone and prayed for Jesus to come back before I got there. He didn't. "Upheave," the man pronounced. Oh! I totally knew this! "Upheave," I repeated in my fifth-grade voice. "U. P. H. E. A.... Continue Reading →

Mamas have been singing about their little ones for many, many years, but only Mary gets to sing simultaneously of her baby and her God. Let's eavesdrop for a moment at how she begins this beautiful Christmas anthem. And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for... Continue Reading →

Have you noticed that there's a soundtrack for each season? This particular moment in the calendar year sways to the happy pops of a fireplace, scissors gliding across wrapping paper, and familiar melodies wearing themselves out over the grocery store loudspeakers. If you turn down this buzz and attune your ears to the crisp pages... Continue Reading →

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to His teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to Him and said, "Lord,... Continue Reading →