For most of us, summer brings the opportunity to get in the car and take a trip or two. Whether it is a long-distance trek or a few days here and there, traveling interrupts our routines. Most of the time that is a wanted and much-needed interruption. However, interrupting our devotional and church-going routine is a different matter entirely. Psalm 139:7 says, “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I feel from your presence?” Great news! God is a fabulous traveler and goes wherever we go and whenever we go. Our only job is to remain intentional about worshipping, praising, and being in communication with God. How…

This month our theme has been Simplicity in the Sun but we don’t want to forget the magic of the night! Camping is an amazing time to spend with family enjoying the outdoors. There is time for exploration and relaxation. A person can spend time fishing, hiking and so much more. The setting sun brings the sound of a crackling fire and ooey, gooey smores. The stars twinkle and we occasionally have the magic of a lighting bug to see. However, we most often now think of camping in an RV travel trailer that costs as much as a small house. It comes with all the bells and whistles and…

It’s summertime and what a fun way to celebrate summer other than with a picnic. If you have kids, picnics are always fun. For kids, picnics can be simple. It can be as simple as juice, fruit, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. It is the time that we give our children during these picnics that they enjoy the most.   We have a great tree in our yard where my girls and I have laid out a blanket and enjoyed a picnic but there are also other great spots for these kid-styled picnics as well. My girls and I have also had picnics on our trampoline. If you have a…

It’s post-Fourth of July, and you know what that means…the rest of summer is going to slip through our fingers unless we choose to savor it. If you are like me, I’m already anticipating fall’s busyness and missing my husband as he works long hours running his concrete business. Long, relaxing summer trips are not in the realm of possibilities for us. However, I’ve been thinking about ways that we can get away, even if just for a Sunday afternoon or a quick weekend trip. I really wish my memory was better so I could give credit where credit is due on this post. The idea for this came from…

July 4th or Independence Day, as it is known, is a huge celebration for many. For a lot of us, we choose to celebrate with family get-togethers, parades, food, and fireworks.  There is a reason behind this holiday and why we celebrate.  On July 2nd, 1776 continental congress voted for independence from Great Britain. It was two days later on July 4th that delegates from 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, drafted by Thomas Jefferson. However, the Declaration of Independence was not actually signed until August 2, 1776. The day did not become a federal holiday until 1941. Here is an interesting fact as to how fireworks became an important…

I’m going to start with something somewhat controversial. First, I’m not a feminist, nor am I anti-feminist. However, I think that changes in society and the way we view men and women have affected men, their ability in school, work, and finding purpose. The scope of that idea is too broad for a blog post, and I am honestly still processing the information. However, I think the role of women in supporting men in recognizing their purpose, which includes their work, while always important, is now, more than ever, an imperative. A husband’s role in marriage is to love his wife and family (Ephesian 5:29, 33), provide for his wife…

I once again had the privilege of interviewing my Dad and my husband. This time I asked them questions about the differences in raising children now versus in the 1980s and 1990s.  Q1: What was it like raising kids in the 80’s and 90’s?  What is it like raising kids today? Dad: I think it was easy compared to now. The demands weren’t like they are now. Kids asked for things but knew they weren’t always going to get it.  My husband: Raising kids now is exciting because there are lots of fun things to do, but it is also scary.  Q2:What were the safety concerns now and back then? Dad:…