We made reservations and paid in advance for our stay. We eagerly counted down the days until the appointed check-in time. Upon our arrival, we receive a warm welcome. Four days and three nights, carved out for our 40th anniversary get-away. Standing on the seashore […]
Tag: spiritual journey
Are Those Your Real Arms?
What is the most unusual question you’ve heard? I have to admit, “Are those your real arms?” still has me scratching my head. After all, I’m confident he knew my arms were real, so perhaps there was another reason for his question. This encounter led […]
Are You Christmas?
Have you ever left a retreat eager to share nuggets of wisdom with the world? Could you do it in another language? On the train to Moscow, my husband helped three older ladies with their mattresses. The boldest of the three said, “Zhank you, Sir!” […]
What Moves You?
What moves you? My fitness journey began with walking. It’s a simple activity that nudged me from inactive to active, from pain to ease, and from insomnia to restorative sleep. Now powerlifting moves me— squat, bench, and deadlift. What activity gets you out of bed […]
Context Is Crucial
What do you do to delight yourself? It’s almost 8 pm, and I am stuffing my face with my favorite snack, popcorn. Most nights, I offer to share with my husband. But not tonight. Tonight I take pleasure in every crunch. True delight takes its […]
The Process of Change
Change comes in stages for most of us. I remember knowing something had to change but not feeling quite ready. My fear of failing, counting the what-ifs and overthinking caused me to hold back. In pursuit of wellness and honoring our bodies as temples of […]
Find Joy In Every Season
I have my alarm set for 4 am, my eyeglasses broke, and I’m staring at a blank screen. As I go to cry on my husband’s shoulder, he reminds me that I’m doing all the things I love. “You’re taking it all too seriously, and […]
Lessons Learned in the Gym
Saturday tore me down. I had expectations when I showed up at the gym. My thoughts spiraled out of control. I felt alone and invisible. As I was holding 110lbs over my chest, I told myself my presence there didn’t matter. The weight suddenly felt […]
Let Him Fight For Us
While I cannot recall the context of our conversation, I remember her passion. She grew animated as she shared with me her study of 2 Chronicles 20. There in the middle of the grocery store, she gave a testimony. I admired her passion, boldness, and […]
Follow the Rules of the Road
“But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:14 NIV We have some minor construction going on in front of our house. We’re replacing our culvert. This required our driveway to be removed, […]