Listening to the Symphony
I believe we--as humans--were made for a purpose. Our bodies are an astounding testament to it. Eyelashes, fingerprints, and the wrinkles we acquire as we age leave me in awe. Yet, there is one part of being a human I cannot get enough of, cannot appreciate enough:...
Heather: Learning to Breathe
You know those moments that catch you off guard, the ones that steal breath from your lungs and moisture from your eyes? I lived in one of those moments recently. I was sitting across from a beautiful soul named Heather. Picture with me: straw blonde hair and...
Isaac: Remaining Needy
The story of a man choosing God's grace over performance Behind-the-scenes: Isaac and I met in our younger years and became close friends. We both had a need for intellectual conversation and a mutual love for long words—like audacious and proverbial. However, time...
Mary: Alive for Me
Have you ever met someone who you thought could not exist? This may sound like a strange question to some, but it is one I have had to answer “yes” twice in my life. The first “yes” was the day I met my future husband, Justin. I, honestly, did not believe a man could...
Melinda: The Gift of Betrayal
Setting: a quiet, Sunday afternoon, tucked into a small Starbucks table Behind-the-scenes: I could argue that Melinda helped raise me--through the awkward middle school days, entitled high school years, and into my young adult adventures. She is a loyal lover of...
Syd: It Sounds Like Freedom
Meet Syd (and her adorable dog, Boba) Setting: sitting at a tiny, squeaky table on the second floor of Gov Cup coffee shop Behind-the-scenes: This woman made her way into my life almost five years ago. We were young, in-love with the idea of love, and dedicated camp...
My Heartbeat
Feels like blankets wrapped around burdened shoulders hand grasping hand tingling warmth on a mug of tea Looks like laughter spilling out of me and into the world building a platform for wisdom to stand upon being brave by looking into someone's eyes...
Kaylyn: A Story of Promise
Proverbs 31:25 “She is clothed with strength and dignity…” This woman–Kaylyn–is extraordinary. We first met at a week-long mission trip to Oaxaca, Mexico. As a young, impressionable 20-year-old, I was left struck by her confidence in God’s sovereignty and in...
Martha: A Labor of Love
Martha and I met on accident through a mutual friend. (Thanks Bam) I was struck by her tenacity for the world and the people in it. She walked with quiet purpose, sincere hope, and passion. Allow me to introduce you to the story behind Nafiinu, a re-purposed vintage...
Felicia: From the Rooftops
Felicia: a beautiful soul, rich in thought and intention Setting: a whirring Starbucks coffee shop, with both of us perched on uncomfortable wooden chairs Behind-the-scenes: Felicia has ebbed and flowed into varying seasons of my life--childhood and it's bliss, the...