Please Listen to Me

By Becky | May 20, 2012
A person is slicing fresh cilantro with a large knife on a cutting board. A jar is nearby, and a basket of vegetables waits in the background. Amidst the rhythmic chop and crunch, one might almost listen for the whisper of flavors to come. The person wears a ring and watch on their left hand.

As a former kindergarten and first grade teacher, listening was one of the skills five and six-year-old students worked on often. You’ve heard the old adage, “With two ears and one mouth, listen twice as often as you speak.” The older I get, the more I realize this skill is one not easily mastered by…

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Mother’s Day Wishes

By Becky | May 13, 2012
A bouquet of orange and purple tulips graces a white surface, embodying the spirit of Mother's Day. Beside it rests a piece of paper, elegantly inscribed with the word "love" in delicate cursive.

Have you ever been so surprised by someone’s thoughtfulness you were reduced to tears? I remember my first Mother’s Day. I was really looking forward to the celebration, my first as a mom after years of infertility. On the day before Mother’s Day, I found an envelope addressed to me in the mailbox. I tore…

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Raising a Bookworm

By Becky | May 6, 2012
A person wearing a denim jacket and jeans sits on a wooden bench, embodying the spirit of a true bookworm as they write in a notebook. They're outdoors in front of a large tree, with dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves, creating a peaceful setting.

The summer months are a great time to dig into books, just for the joy of reading. What better way to spend sultry summer afternoons than with a good book in a backyard hammock? The local library is a great source of endless adventures to entice the imagination in children of all ages. Give your…

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A Time for Everything?

By Becky | April 29, 2012
A colorful beach ball floats on clear, rippling blue water, capturing a timeless and playful summery scene.

May and September, the busiest months of the year for families with school-age children. September begins with endless forms to fill out, new activities and classes. May is the ending, the culmination of the year’s events. That said summer activities are just around the corner. After the busyness of the past nine months, why not…

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Attitude, Perseverance, and a Few Good Friends

By Becky | April 21, 2012
Silhouettes of seven friends joyfully raising their hands against a dramatic sunrise or sunset. They stand on a grassy hill, with mist and mountains visible in the background, creating a serene and uplifting scene.

My teenage son, the one with the spiral fracture of the tibia and fibula, has learned to negotiate life the past seven weeks in a new way. His attitude, ability to persevere, and circle of friends have made all the difference. (If you need some background information on his injury refer the blog “Stitches and…

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A Science Experiment for Little Gardeners

By Becky | April 14, 2012
Close-up of small green seedlings with delicate leaves, emerging from soil. The background is softly blurred, emphasizing the fresh, vibrant growth that gardeners nurture in their verdant sanctuaries.

Gardening with children is a lot of fun! My boys loved to be in the garden with me, especially when they were little. In my mind, there are few things more enjoyable than time spent outside, digging in the dirt, planting, and harvesting. Here is an interesting and fun activity for kids to see how…

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The Little Kitchen Garden

By Becky | April 9, 2012
A charming garden with a white picket fence features an arched trellis adorned with pink roses. Sunlight filters through the trees, casting gentle shadows on the grass. A quaint gravel path winds beside a flowerbed filled with vibrant, blossoming plants.

Spring is here! Watching the brown of winter suddenly turn pastel fills me a longing to be outside. The pale green of tree buds and the many hues of blossoms take my breath away. Watching tulips and hyacinth burst forth from the dormant garden spurs me on to begin planning my own garden. I have…

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Just Jesus at Easter

By Becky | March 28, 2012
Close-up of a light brown lop-eared rabbit sitting on green grass, looking directly at the camera with its ears flopping down like a gentle halo.

According to a Barna Study, two out of three Americans recognize Easter as a religious holiday, and less than half, 42 percent, connect Easter with the resurrection of Christ. Easter is decidedly more than chocolate eggs and a bunny. It’s all about Jesus and His everlasting gift for all who call on His name. Everyone who…

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Good Fruit or Wormy?

By Becky | March 17, 2012
A decorative tile backsplash showcases fruits like bananas, grapes, and apples. Above, a Bible verse from Galatians 5:22-23 highlights love, joy, peace as the true 'fruits' of the Spirit. A faucet is mounted centrally.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23). Love, joy, peace, patience… I’ve done a lot of talking about and living out the fruit of the Spirit in the past three weeks, not always successfully. Because of the severity…

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Stiches and Staples

By Becky | March 11, 2012
Close-up of two black ski pole handles, reinforced with intricate stitches, and equipped with wrist straps, set against a backdrop of snowy terrain. The snow appears bright and textured, with the ski poles at a slight angle.

The past two weeks have been a mixture of fear and faith, pain and healing. It began with eye muscle surgery, carefully planned between family commitments and parenting classes. The procedure went well. My eye surgeon was amazing, praying with me on his knees prior to the surgery relieving my fear and apprehension. And I…

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