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Belonging, and the curious promise of limited time
Wednesday night's AWANA night. The kids have been in the program for three years, and you could say the Wednesday…
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Blessing the space
Rain was forecast the day our "goodbye Aricos" gathering was scheduled – a scenario unheard of in sunny Ventura, land of…
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A race run
This spring my consulting has involved research and analysis on college athletics. One aspect of the work has encompassed the faith-athletics…
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On spending and Plato
I've gone through a kind of metamorphosis in my spending habits in the past couple years… Or maybe you could…
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When you wake up with a vulnerability hangover
"After I wrote it I had a vulnerability hangover," I said to an old friend as we sat talking about…
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Lessons in joy from Alvin and the Chipmunks
My kids are obsessed with Alvin and the Chipmunks. Last month the oldest, who's 10, went with a friend to…
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Spiritual study abroad
I was 19, and a year felt daunting. Not totally overwhelming, but daunting. I flew over in the early days of September,…
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Pause for poetry
A few months ago I was involved in a fascinating work project at the intersection of faith and culture. Part of the…
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Kudos to Kazdin
Here's a parenting book you perhaps haven't heard of: The Kazdin Method for Parenting the Defiant Child. Not…
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My phone, my car, and me
Nearly three months ago I took up a practice that I wouldn't have predicted, even a week prior. A practice…
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Giving up my imaginary kid
I found myself very discouraged the other day. Defeated by parenting challenges with one of my kids. The day had been one…
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The ‘S-word’ and choosing Option 3
"Mom, what's the s-word?" It comes so innocently; no mischief, no fanfare. She's sitting working…
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The value of a comfortably untidy house
The kids and I drove to Alabama this week to visit family and friends. I was the sole driver (and adult) in…
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Our world and its photos
"Doesn't it seem like people are sending their Christmas cards late this year?" my friend asked as we…
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Acts of kindness — random and otherwise — at Advent
When I was a teen, this phrase came into vogue: "Practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty."…
