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What My Grandmother Taught Me About Faith, Family, and Unconditional Love
My paternal grandmother was truly my hero. Honestly, I want to be just like her when I grow up. She was sassy, loving, wise, and deeply rooted in her faith—and she had me in stitches constantly. When I was younger, I’d spend weekends with her. She introduced me to crime shows and gave me my love for reading the Bible. As I got older and life filled up with school, sports, and driving, she’d call and say it was time for a grocery run. She didn’t ask—she told—and I always said yes. Time with her was sacred. But what made her so incredibly special is that she wasn’t my dad’s…
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How My Aunt’s Unshakable Faith Changed My Life: A True Testimony of Trusting God Through Hardship
A Family Rooted in Love and Faith There’s something special about my dad and his siblings. As adults, they share a closeness that’s rare and beautiful. My dad is the oldest of six children, and I deeply love each of my four aunts and my uncle. But one aunt, in particular, has had a profound impact on my life—especially my faith. Faith That Doesn’t Waver My aunt was the kind of Jesus-follower you only read about—someone who walked through fire without ever letting go of God’s hand. Her personal story is hers to tell, but I can share how her faith shaped mine. She had two double lung transplants. Yes—TWO.…
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There’s Something Special About Farm Kids
I’ve said it time and time again—there’s something special about farm kids. They truly are a breed of their own. And if there’s one week that proves it, it’s fair week. Fair week is a time when farm kids come together and live in a world that feels entirely their own. At the county fair, you’ll see them up early, wearing boots and shorts, caring for their animals. They make sure the animals have food, water, and a clean place to rest. They walk them for exercise and prep them for their upcoming shows. Some kids are laser-focused—locked in, maybe a little frantic—as they get ready to enter the show…
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Keeping The Spark Alive
Keeping the Spark Alive with a Roadside Flower After eighteen years of marriage, it’s easy for the spark to fizzle a bit. Life gets busy—we’re wrapped up in parenting, work, farming, housekeeping, and, let’s be honest, just trying to survive until bedtime (or sneak in a nap). Somewhere in all of that, we can forget to pursue one another. Every now and then, my husband gently reminds me to reflect on whether I’m still pursuing him. He doesn’t do it with words. He does it with a daisy-looking weed. (Daisies are my favorite.) The other day, we were at our farm when he got back in the truck holding a…
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School Lunch Ideas for Busy Families
I don’t know about you, but I run out of ideas for my kids’ lunches—especially ones they’ll actually eat without wasting food. I also don’t want them getting tired of the same old thing every day. With school starting soon, I thought I’d share my Pinterest board full of school lunch ideas. These are quick, easy, and inexpensive options that your kids will (hopefully!) love. Along with ideas from the board, I also send leftovers with my kids. Our cafeteria has microwaves, so it’s super easy for them to reheat food. If your school doesn’t have microwaves, I’ve got a tip for you… Some time ago, I found metal thermoses…
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Why Coffee Dates with Friends Matter -Even if You Don’t Drink Coffee
One way I’ve been able to reconnect with friends is through coffee dates. I don’t even drink coffee! But we’ll head over to our favorite local coffee shop, grab a tea or smoothie, and sit there and chat—catching up on life. I do this with one friend as often as I can, which seems to be about once a year now. We sit and talk about anything and everything. One time, we even sat by the window watching people try to parallel park. It was just as fun as you’d think—especially with our commentary! It’s such a peaceful environment to connect. Today, I met up with four friends I used…
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Parenthood Comes in Seasons
Parenthood comes in seasons. And I’ve learned that you don’t truly appreciate each one until it’s in the rearview mirror. This hit me especially hard after we had our youngest feral one. When my oldest three were little, people would say, “Enjoy it. You’ll miss them being little. You’ll miss the chaos. You’ll miss them needing you. Enjoy it now.” And they were right. I believed them—of course I did—but that doesn’t make it easier to actually enjoy the moment when you’re knee-deep in it. Even now, I have to remind myself that someday, I’ll miss this, too. The running in multiple directions at the same time. The messy house.…
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A Heart To Serve: Where My Journey Began
I didn’t always have a heart to serve others. In fact, anxiety often made it hard to look beyond my own needs. But thanks to the steady example of my husband, I’ve learned that serving others is part of who I am—and who I’m called to be as a follower of Jesus. Christian Service Doesn’t Have to Be Grand Serving others doesn’t always mean doing something big or public. Sometimes it’s the small, quiet things that make the biggest difference. At our church, we use a Meal Train to support families who’ve had a baby, surgery, or other life event. I sign up the moment I see it. Bringing a…
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The Hidden Blessings of Farm Life
Farming may not always come with financial gain, emotional ease, or mental rest—but when we shift our focus, it’s clear: this life holds a treasure trove of blessings. Farmers work long, hard hours. The work is constant, and the rhythm of life often depends on the weather forecast. From sunup to sundown, the farmer is in the field, and family time can feel like a luxury. But unlike many other jobs, farming allows our kids to tag along. They ride in the tractor or combine, making memories inside the cab. He may be away from home, but the farmer is never truly far from his family. Our children don’t just…
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The Blessing of Age-Gap Kids
The Blessing of Being an Age-Gap Sister There’s something really special about age-gap siblings. The oldest often takes a lead role in the lives of the younger ones, and it’s such a cool thing to watch—and to live. I’m an age-gap kid myself. I’m one of four girls (God bless my parents!). I’m the third, with two older sisters who are ten and twelve years older than me, and a younger sister who’s just seventeen months younger. When my older sisters were teenagers in high school, I got to tag along on dates (I’m sure they hated it, but they never let it show). I rode to school with them…
