It’s that time of year again! With a brand new year upon us, we are reminded of the opportunity for new challenges and change in our lives, signaled by the gym membership specials, weight-loss commercials, and new organizational products aimed to streamline our lives. Each January, we are challenged to formulate a list of resolutions for the New Year, most of which, we can barely remember by Valentine’s Day. 

In the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, I’m reminded of the value of being emotionally healthy. So, today I’m excited to share a new resource I created with you: 12 Ways to Have an Emotionally Healthy Holiday.

Why is it better to give than receive? What do we gain when we choose to lose some of what we have?

Relationships are arguably the most precious element of life. The element of life that is worth investing in and worth pursuing.

I long to be free of limits and sacrifice. However, when I think about living on a budget, I recognize the character it produces.

How do we navigate these relationships in a way that allows us to press on toward our goals and stay confident in the person that we are?

Having never worn the title of a “good sleeper,” I set out to find ways to make going to sleep and staying asleep just a little bit easier. Here’s what I’ve discovered…

Six weeks ago, I lost my fifth baby to miscarriage. The ending looked nothing like the one I pictured in the beginning. Even after four miscarriages, I still clung to hope that this time would be different. And then it wasn’t.

Sometimes the miracle is movement we absolutely cannot see from where we sit

To celebrate this new season, I’ve put together a grown-up “back-to-school” giveaway for one lucky winner.

Perhaps I’m the only one, but a fresh start can feel like another opportunity to fail and not meet expectations. Thus, the emotional transition from summer to fall can be a difficult one. So how do we manage these “back to school” doldrums? Here are a few ideas…

Though we may be past the days of princess cakes and pink balloons, birthdays are still important and well worth celebrating. As adults, we are wise to seize every opportunity we can to celebrate the special people in our lives. Celebrate big for the people that you love!

Dating relationships provide us with an opportunity to learn more about ourselves and to connect with someone in a meaningful way. However, as the relationship progresses it is important to be watchful and mindful of these five red flags.

I don’t like making mistakes. Not. One. Bit. I hate how I feel about myself after making a big mistake and I feel completely out of control with the inability to erase and “start over.” And most of all, I hate to cause hurt and come between the people that I love. I want to control my mistakes and manage them out of my life.

When we define ourselves by our external circumstances, the unknown can be painful. 

Despite my emotional misgivings about criticism, I also know that constructive criticism is something that propels me forward and is meant to encourage me, mold me, and grow me in the ways that I need to grow.

I was recently reading Joshua chapters 3 and 4 and noticed a different theme than I had when I read it previously. In this passage, we find the Israelites crossing the Jordan. God gives His people very specific instructions about what this should look like. One of His instructions is that they walk into the water and after they have waded in, the seas will be parted.

It’s been almost seven years since Jimmy and I made the decision to move to Connecticut. Jimmy felt excited about the move not only because of the career opportunity for him, but also because he was drawn to the adventure of it. I felt hesitant. Life was comfortable for me in California. I felt known, loved, and secure.

As Charles Spurgeon wisely wrote, “I have learned to kiss the waves that throw me up against the Rock of ages.” The imperfections and pain of life are not pretty. But there is profound beauty in any journey that places our heart in the hands of Jesus.