This week my friend Courtney DeFeo over at Lil Light O’Mine asked me to join her far-more-stellar-than-me line-up as she travels through what she’s calling a Titus 2 year contemplating things like: intimacy with Christ, marriage, purpose, parenting and the likes. Though she asked me to share, I can’t wait to glean from everyone else. So – I weighed in this week on one of my most favorite topics – intimacy with God (not because I’m an expert ..read more

It’s strange to think about a week ago today. Whatever you were doing – one thing is certain (for everyone, everywhere) – business as usual isn’t usual right now. Plans have changed, schools & businesses closed, certainty has taken a back seat – in some cases hopped out of the car all together. Clouds have blown in, making it a bit hard to see what’s happening. Clouds on the horizon can steal our peace. They appear threatening and can ..read more

We just passed the half-way point of our Heart Cleanse that I might be renaming Soul-Cleanse because that’s what seems to be going on. Something deep at a soul level is happening. A levity has entered our sphere. “Have you been doing our little cleanse thing?” I ask Snopes. “In my head,” she replies. I nod. And ask, “Have you noticed a levity? I mean, it seems like with the boys, all of us, a lightness is there.” “I know,” she says – almost wide-eyed – and nods. “Absolutely.” “I’m not making ..read more

Well, we’re halfway through May and it still seems a bit surreal. How can we almost be through another school year? How does time go so fast, yet so slow at the same time? Still, here we are. May with all its activities has barreled onto the scene. So, welcome to the 6th annual (skipped last year – I mean, that was an entirely different story) May Madness Bracket – Covid Edition. We had a few contenders drop out this year as uncertainty around gatherings and future... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more ..read more

A slight change is at hand here at themoatblog – not in content (though maybe with this minor shift, content will be coming back!!) but in context. Our house has transformed from 5 tweens & teens to no tweens and 2 teens (for a short time). And far from my aching heart’s desire (though I never would have thought that at the onset), my days in the carpool line are coming to a close. This kid is on his way to college, this kid high school, and these three are young adults.... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more ..read more

What is more beautiful this time of years than angels? Especially Anne Neilson angels! I mean – seriously. Anne’s story that began with a paper she wrote in 3rd grade, that hit lots of highs, lows and lots of waiting is sure to inspire you as it did us (Brenda Teele to tears) and put wind in your sails as you travel your own journey. Hers tapped into art, raising kids, then back to writing which is why she joined our SaySomething ncarpool chat – to share about her new... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more ..read more

A little something I started a few years ago as the kids started to head into adulthood (and before I say, know that the follow-through has been well-intentioned with a side of freedom to be imperfect) is to highlight a Bible for them. Not in some super-spiritual sort of way or to make a point, I like to highlight all the words that God speaks out loud. In the same way a Bible my parents gave to me (that I still have, with my maiden name stamped on the cover) red-letters Jesus’ words,... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more ..read more

Today is day 8 of 8 Days of THANKFULness (like the 12 Days of Christmas, but instead of gifts, calling out things for which to be grateful that begins the letters in THANKFUL). Today is “L”              I am so thankful LAUGHTER & LOVE!   Laughter might be the only contagious thing we want to catch. Good thing it’s highly contagious. And unlike annoying Covid-19, it’s a wonderful contagion. It’s healthy – for the body and soul. Laughter literally reduces stress hormones,... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more ..read more

On Day 1 of our 8 Days of THANKFULNESS, begins with the letter “T”. Instagram friends landed on things like Table, Teachers, and Time (grateful for extended time with kids & family, a silver-lining of Covid). Which leads to where I landed, thankful for TODAY. Beingn thankful for TODAY might sound weird, but I’m so glad that we don’t have to be held hostage to yesterday [it has already happened — we can linger in lovely memories or learn from the challenges or circumstances,... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more ..read more

This pic popped up on my Facebook memories. It made me smile and linger in the way that gratitude/thankfulness really does turn “what we have into enough.” Along with countless others, we’ve had quite the ride this year. Some of which brought us dangerously close to the edge in ways we never could have imagined. My heart aches a bit as not too distant memories flicker in in and out of my thoughts. Yet even on the darkest day and diciest of moments, the ground stayed... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more ..read more