As we have navigated many unchartered waters over the last few months, I have been so blessed that my son has had the opportunity to be part of a private Christian school that has allowed him to be better equipped for the uncertainties that have come with COVID. He has been given a much grander Biblical worldview than I had myself growing up and he has provided me and my spouse a way to develop a greater understanding of what Christian education offers.  We wanted to take a moment to look at what Christian education looks like. Notable it is not just one thing…private, Christian school doesn’t entail the only…

In order to better understand conflict, it is helpful to recognize the different styles of conflict management. Everyone uses all the styles, but we tend to have our favorites based on personality, life experiences, and situational factors. In addition, any conflict may require the use of several conflict styles as the conflict moves forward. One of the keys to getting better at conflict is recognizing which style is needed given the circumstances and how to work on the styles you feel least comfortable engaging. Avoiding The avoiding style tries hard to avoid conflict at all costs. Avoiders do so by changing the subject, denying the conflict exists, engaging in passive-aggressive…

I don’t have celiac disease, an immune disease that causes damage to the small intestine. But, I do have gluten sensitivity which causes many of the same symptoms but stops short of damaging the small intestine. When the doctor told me I should limit or completely eliminate gluten from my life I had a bit of a temper tantrum. I LOVED breads, baked goods, and pasta. Rather than curl up in a corner and admit defeat, I embraced the challenge and created an adventure. How did I do it? It’s mostly attitude. Accept Accept that some things will never be the same. Gluten-free flours and pasta have some limitations. Once…

As I reach out to you today at 45 years old, I would like to think I have seen and handled all the unexpecteds in life. Yet I know the good Lord always has a bigger, greater plan! I know I have not had as many as some but have had more than others. Yet I feel my experiences give me something to share. My most life-changing experiences have been my parents and to be in-laws splitting for a time a few weeks before my wedding. Shortly after my wedding, we lost my father-in-law unexpectedly. Additional unexpecteds have included facing infertility, my spouse facing a potential terminal cancer at 34…