When I was growing up I was a huge gift-giver. I spent hundreds of dollars on gifts, even as a child. I loved the look of excitement on my friends’ and family’s faces when they opened their gift and saw that it was exactly what they wanted. Giving gifts has always been fun for me.… Read More How to make sure you have a good Christmas this weekend
I hosted a white elephant exchange a few weeks ago. One of my friends who attended, Nancy, told me that, on the way to the party, she’d had a conversation with her little 8-year-old girl to prepare her for the event. “Now remember,” she said, “you might not end up getting what you want. Your… Read More Put a little more enjoyment into your Christmas season
Over the last few years, I’ve tried to cultivate a lifestyle of hospitality. Whenever I’m tempted to get puffed up with pride at how far I come, I find myself in the home of a Middle Easterner. That always brings me back to earth in a hurry.
I recently got back from a whirlwind trip across the Middle East. Our first stop was in Jordan. A friend of ours lives in Jordan, so he picked us up and played tour guide the entire time we were there. As we traveled around the country, I noticed an interesting trend.
I’ve written before about the importance of running towards healing, instead of away from pain. Pain in itself can be a great source of growth and healing, if we let it. Of course, I am well aware that that’s much easier said than done. No one wants to hurt or be hurt. No one wants to… Read More In the midst of pain, pursue healing
Recently a dear friend came over to my house to catch up. We see each other regularly, but rarely without children or other distractions, so I really relished those precious hours spent sans-children, sipping our hot teas and enjoying the fall evening while we discussed the joys and challenges life had brought to each of… Read More Pain should never be wasted
Today’s story of significance comes from a woman who is near and dear to my heart. I met Caro years ago in college – she was my teacher in French 101. Although she’s a few years older than me, we hit it off immediately, and over the years have visited each other in multiple continents… Read More Caro: go with the flow
One of my favorite Christmas decorations is the advent wreath. Every year as a child, I would look forward to unwrapping my parent’s wreath, the one with all the angels carved around the edges. When Michael and I got married, a new advent wreath for our home was one of the first things I purchased.… Read More The symbolism of the advent wreath
Advent – the four weeks before Christmas – is a time of expectation and excitement. It is a time to reflect on the past and anticipate the future. Since the first day of Advent begins this Sunday, I’m dedicating this week’s articles to the occasion. One of the things I love about Advent is that… Read More What I’m looking forward to this Advent season
Happy Thanksgiving! I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the subject of thankfulness. Thankfulness is something that almost everyone would agree is important, and yet at the same time, almost everyone neglects to actually establish the habit of giving thanks. Why is that?
