Inspirations for Faith and Family

After having three previous deliveries, everything went so different this time around. Our daughter was born on a Wednesday. Two days prior, I had thought I was going into labor. I had experienced small, yet consistent, contractions. So, that evening I quickly began packing my bag only to realize it was a false alarm. However, the false alarm prepared me for when the real contractions came! It was 12:45 am on Wednesday. I awoke to quickly discover my water had broken. It was just a slow small trickle. Later, I learned this happens sometimes if the bag breaks toward the top. I had never experienced this in my other three pregnancies. I came to find out later, that this labor and delivery proved to be a very new experience for me in many ways. After tending to the mess, I quickly sent a message to my doula, my parents, and called the birth center to report the update. I was told to call back when labor started and if it didn't start by morning, they wanted to perform a "stress t...

 My baby is now 9 months old. She is learning to crawl, standing up, and has grown two teeth. Finally, I am getting back to the post I started writing when I was 35 weeks pregnant. It's still worth posting. Someone needs to be encouraged. I think us mama's and mama's to be, need all the encouragement we can get. For, the job of Mom is very difficult, and yet, is of the upmost importance. April 2024 As I sit here and write this, I am currently about 35 weeks pregnant with my fourth baby. My mind and body have been pre-occupied with the upcoming change and new life that will soon enter my arms, our family, and the world. Even after having three pregnancies, labors, and deliveries my mind is just as vulnerable to the unsettling feeling of the unknown that labor and delivery can be. If I am not careful it can be easy to rehearse all the discomfort and the pain that was a part of my previous experiences and play them in my mind thus, producing fear and uncertainty. Recently, I a...

 "To be honest if I were to come face to face with God, I would want to hide from Him", she confessed to me one December day. I could sense the regretful tone in her voice as she admitted this truth. In light of the holiday season, I was reminded of my kids' favorite holiday song as of late, "I'm getting nuttin' for Christmas" by Relient K. The punk rock version of this song frequently fills the sound of our home, and the catchy chorus fills my little boys' lungs and lips as they sing the words, I'm gettin' nuttin' for Christmas Mommy and Daddy are mad I'm getting nuttin' for Christmas 'Cause I ain't been nuttin' but bad In her moment of confession, it occurred to me, that this song reflects how a lot of people think of God. In many imaginations, God is a distant figure in the sky with strategically placed elves on shelves all over the world. His all-consuming interest being our behavior, good or bad. Bad behavior make...

Before I became a therapist I studied worship arts in college, and for a time became a vocational worship leader. Since then, I have continued to lead worship and write songs. It's interesting how the two roles intertwine so well when it comes to helping others achieve spiritual, emotional, and mental health. As a therapist I have learned how cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and mindfulness are both common interventions within psychotherapy to help clients overcome mental health symptoms. These interventions work by training a person how to challenge negative thought patterns and feelings with positive ones which then elicit positive feelings and behaviors. Meditation and gratitude exercises are examples of evidence based interventions proven to help overcome mental health symptoms.  This is where music can be a powerful resource to help overcome symptoms such as anxiety. Through repetition, it touches both our minds and our emotions at the same time. When a person engages with ...

My 6 and 8 year old were motivated to rush through their "prayer bingo" with the sole motivation to get a prize at church. However, they were missing the point of the exercise. Me: "Why do you think your teacher wants you to do prayer bingo? Is it just so you can get a prize?" E: "I don't know." Me: "Your teacher wants you to learn how to pray. And if you rush through it you won't learn how to pray." E: "We already know how to pray." Me: "Prayer is something we can always learn to do better. Let's try something. Close your eyes and imagine something Minecraft. Tell me exactly what you see and all the colors." E: "I see lots of wardens chasing a guy." Me: "What colors do you see?" E: "The wardens are blue and black and the guy is tan with brownish blackish hair." Me: "Okay now keep your eyes closed, and think of a pastor at church. Describe what they look like." E: "I see...

As I sat down to read my Bible and review my prayers, I was reminded of a tear filled conversation where my heart was longing to see restoration. The advice given to me was to wait and trust God with the situation. I was encouraged to trust that He was working. I was reminded that He longs for restoration more than I myself am longing for it. Not long after I had another tear-filled moment, where I felt angry with God for not being with me, like in person. I realize this may sound strange, and there may be extra emotions due to my pregnant hormones raging. Nevertheless, I was longing to be with my Savior, the one to whom I have devoted my life, in the flesh . Is it too much to ask for him to visit? Maybe go out for lunch or how about tea time? I mean why not visit earth more often than one short 30 year lifespan? "If you really loved me",  I thought. As I write this, it's six days until Christmas. It's the season of advent when we are reflect on how long many people ...

Through tears I shared with my ministry team how God mustn't delight in our suffering.  I had in mind someone close to me who is experiencing much pain. It caused me to wonder again how God can bring anything good from this kind of suffering. Later the next evening, as I was rushing from store to store preparing for my son's birthday celebration I reflected on the day. How it was filled with lost and popped balloons, tears, fighting, resisting the car seat, resisting holding my hand in the street, whining, begging, disobedience, a bump on the head that turned into the size of a small egg, and another head injury that broke some skin...few things seemed to go right. And yet here I was buying presents, buying treats, and decorations, buying new balloons to replace the one that got popped and the one one that flew past the broken ceiling tiles at the $ store. Working on behalf of my dear ones who were asleep. I felt God speak to me that night. "That is Me", He said. ...

I’m grieved by the fact that many Christians are highly resistant to consider talk therapy for treating mental health. In some cases this resistance persists even as they watch their friends and family struggle with suicidal ideation and other mental health issues. One held belief is that psychology doesn’t belong in the church because Freud wasn’t a Christian and neither were many of the early founders of the field. Another reason for this resistance is the belief that mental health is best treated with more Bible reading, more prayer, more faith, and/or pastoral counsel. The deeper question is, “Can a Christian benefit from the service, the expertise, the work or craft of a person not ‘saved by grace’?” When it comes to getting a haircut, or getting served at a fast food restaurant the answer is more clear. When it comes to mental, physical, or spiritual healing the issue becomes more critical. Since mental health involves the healing of the mind, emotion, spirit, and body, we don’t ...

       J ust like many of you, this week has been the marker of significant transition for our family with 2 kiddos going to school for the first time. Enrollment has been completed, parent meetings attended, and school supply lists shopped. There has been much preparation, much time, energy, and $$$ getting ready for the first day of school!                                                                                                                                                 Yesterday was the day when I was planning to walk my 7 year old down the hall, help him put on his "inside shoes" and send him ...

Even as a seminary graduate, knowing how to approach my Bible for regular devotions can still feeling overwhelming at times and I can question how to get started. Upon my completion of an in depth study of the book of Matthew this past year, one of the leaders of my Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) class offered a seminar on how to study the Bible over the summer without the aid of other study guides. Her approach to studying scripture was so simple and inspiring that I had to share it so others might also benefit from this approach and be inspired to study their Bible like I have been! STEP ONE: Commit to a Place Daily devotions is like meeting with a friend for coffee. You agree on a time and place prior to meeting. Find a place in your home that is set apart for the special meeting with God. A place where you can keep your Bible and journal without having to search the house for it each time. STEP TWO: Choose a book of the Bible When studying the Bible it's important to study an ent...

I have never been more thankful for the hope I have in Christ as I have been these past few years and even now as the world continues to fall apart in big ways. None of this is a surprise to God. As I consider the darkness of war stirring in Europe, I see in the spiritual realm a large covering of sorts like a canopy, over Russia. The covering is suppressing the destruction and limiting its power. God has not gone anywhere, He is here with us fighting this war.  “He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭46:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬ He is also at work stirring up his church. He is stirring a spiritual revival in the hearts of His people.  “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭41:10‬ ‭NIV‬ When the Creator lives in your heart and holds your destiny in His hands there is noth...

Trying to put a child to sleep can be either the sweetest part of your day or it can be the most challenging! I have experienced it both ways with my own kids. However, it wasn't sleep that first drove me look for kids music, 3 years ago, it was trying to avoid the television on a rainy day when we couldn't go outside to play. My search for kids music brought me across some beautiful lullaby music that I began to implement in my toddlers sleep routine after the birth of his baby brother. I wish that I would have implemented music earlier. I realized after having two kids that I had "no idea" what I was doing with my first. I have experienced that playing music as my kiddos fall asleep not only helps their minds calm, but it helps me stay relaxed too! Now I even play lullaby's for myself when I have difficulty falling asleep. I have too much music to fit it all in one post so I though I would organize it into categories. This first post is music for sleep. I have...

Ok so summer is wrapping up and we only have a few weeks left to soak up the summer rays! I am not looking forward to summer ending especially because I have a hyper 2 year old who would rather live and sleep outside than stay in the confines of four walls. His abundant energy and love for the outdoors has caused me to look for fun things to do outside, especially since we don't have a yard. Thankfully, we have a park we frequently visit just across the street. However, the summer time is a perfect opportunity to explore the great outdoors and spend some quality time with the family. Take some pictures and make some good memories before summer ends! Here are some places I have highly enjoyed. Minnehaha falls-  I discovered this family friendly park at my husbands annual work party. There is a large fenced in splash pad and a modern well kept playground. The camper is especially fun where kids can climb in and rock it back and forth. The splash pad has a shallow end with a grad...

Music has always been my go to source for helping me get through challenging events in life.  The past several months have been no exception and the labor and delivery of my son just last week was one of those events. For both of my deliveries I prepared a playlist that had music I felt would provide support to get me through. These songs have been so beneficial for me I decided to pick my top 10 and share them. Be encouraged! 10.  Yearn by: Shane and Shane This is an all time favorite song and it will never get old for me. It reminds me that my one desire is the presence of God above all else. This song ushers the presence of God into the space! The passionate vocal style fits the burning message of this song. "He brings us joy, life and breath, that's why I sing". They say the crowning of the head brings a burning feeling-you might think of having such a burning desire to know God and his burning desire to fellowship with us! If you are still able to think ...