Words of Hope: Time for Good News

I am often surprised by sorrow. I didn’t realize how many different shades of sadness I could experience. Small moments trigger me, and I am often triggered, especially when people say something to me about my dad. I rarely...

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Words of Hope: Easy Adjustment

Adjustment is such an important skill in relationships. I picture Dad with his injured neck. He could not easily adjust his posture or his point of view without pain. This is a perfect metaphor for injured relationships, they are...

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WOH: Relational Tipping Points

My husband Shann and I have been talking a lot about the criticism/defensiveness cycle and how insightful it is for relational health. I have found it valuable in my relationships lately. If I find that a person is defensive...

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Words of Hope: Slow the Bus Down

During staff prayer, we selected words we needed for our week. A few staff members chose the word, “Energy.” One of the people I love is a man named Danny Beard who worked at NBC Camps for many years....

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Words of Hope: Fair and Truthful Conversations about Faith

If we go shopping, it is almost always going to be for a book. One of the new ones we picked up was from a cute shop in London. The title of the book caught my husband Shann’s attention....

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Words of Hope: The importance of Symbolism

I watched one of our friend’s post a video of his baptism. His daughter also was baptized. It’s so surprising to me what a joyous event this is. I cry every baptism I watch. The symbolism is one of...

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Words of Hope: An Inspiring Example of Listening to God’s Will

Dad loved biographies more than any other type of book. He read to me children's stories of inspiring people. One person he loved was Florence Nightengale. When we were in London, I had my daughter pose by her memorial....

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Words of Hope: Stories That Save Us

When you read or listen to the stories, the ones that deeply change and transform us are the ones with the great themes of life at their core. Struggle, redemption, betrayal, forgiveness, death, and resurrection. This seems to...

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Words of Hope: Redefining Success

I love that Dad worked hard to redefine success. He had to do it all his life because the temptation to place “numbers” or “money” or “fame” as the barometer of success is such a part of our culture....

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Words of Hope: Easter Story

I am in love with Christianity, but I am also overwhelmed by all the trauma and bloody history this word represents. So I will say I am in love with Christ, this remarkable faith that God became man to...

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