Did you get it right this year? Advent, I mean. Did you do it right? Did your perfectly clean house smell like gingerbread? Were all of your gifts purchased and wrapped before December began? Have you had angelic family devotions every night where your children gathered around the piano and sang Silent Night perfectly onContinue reading “The Burden of Advent”
Tag Archives: Family
“Letters from Father Christmas” : A Review for the Advent Season
In 1920, a small boy asked his father a simple question: “What is Father Christmas like and where does he live?” In answer, the father began the tradition of writing a newsy letter from Father Christmas to his children, detailing the preparations for the holiday, the past year’s events, and other fun tidbits from theContinue reading ““Letters from Father Christmas” : A Review for the Advent Season”
Unable
Listen HERE Last year, when my family and church traveled to camp in Medora, ND, I was too afraid to climb to the top of the butte nearby. I made it halfway up, and then my youngest son’s exuberance and aversion to caution met my fear of heights. I sat down right where I wasContinue reading “Unable”
Ruts
Listen HERE The weather is just right for evening walks, and we’ve been making the most of it. My youngest son recently learned how to ride a bike, so he pedals alongside me as I pull the toddler in the wagon. We live on a dirt road, and the spring rain has left quite aContinue reading “Ruts”
Deconstructed
Our pigs have torn one wall off of their only shelter. The chickens are just about as bad, having picked the insulation out of one side of the chicken house. The cow continually breaks the hay ring so she can lay on her food and peer witlessly at the unused bedding in the barn. NorthContinue reading “Deconstructed”
Back to the Ark
Since we were going to be driving across the country anyway, my children, my adventurous mom, and I decided to visit The Ark Encounter in Kentucky. We had visited several years ago, but we were excited to build on our knowledge. I have a particular interest in the pitch Noah used to cover the ark,Continue reading “Back to the Ark”
Not Invited
I was recently summoned for my first tour of jury duty. I would have been excited except I wasn’t at home to get the notice in time. You don’t just wiggle out of a summons. You are mandated to answer. I called the courthouse and was graciously allowed to serve at a different time. IContinue reading “Not Invited”
Rooted in Memories
I can tell Christmas is coming by the flood of magazines in my mailbox. Everyone wants a little piece of my holiday spending, and they try all kinds of tricks to persuade me to buy their merchandise. This week, a magazine boasted personalized needlepoint stockings, just like grandma used to make, alongside the words, “ThinkContinue reading “Rooted in Memories”
Equip the Saints
You know the kid I’m talking about. He doesn’t sit still. He lives more in his imagination than reality. He talks even faster than he thinks, mostly at a higher decibel level than any other noise in the room. Last week, he sped in the church at the head of the line, as usual, andContinue reading “Equip the Saints”
Got You Covered
Now that it’s summertime, my kids are covered in bug spray, dirt from the garden, ashes from the campfire, and marshmallows from s’mores. Bathtime and bedtimes are more lenient since we are making the most of our long summer days, and I overlook some of the mess. They are thankful then to be covered byContinue reading “Got You Covered”
Sarah Dixon Young 