By Jessica Wolstenholm
One day, a friend and I were discussing the importance of having a time with the Lord each morning. My husband interjected an interesting comment, “God took Heidi to the point that she had to have a quiet time to make it through the day.” As I thought about his observation, I realized he […]
By Jessica Wolstenholm
My brother and I volunteered to be on the “work crew” for the 6th grade retreat at our church this year. We set up inflatable games, delivered snacks and generally held back a couple hundred crazy 6th graders from the doors when it was lunch time. It’s been along time since I’ve hung out with […]
By Jessica Wolstenholm
There’s no way around it: Raising kids is a lot of work. There’s a lot of truth in the African Proverb: “It takes a village to raise a child.” Sure, we are all responsible to raise our own kids well, but I often think: Where would we be without all of the amazing people in […]
By Jessica Wolstenholm
My two girls and I were walking out of the craft store, arms full of bags carrying all sorts of red and pink goodies to make gifts and cards and to decorate boxes, when another customer spoke to us. She asked if I was from a nearby small town (I am) and if my name […]
By Jessica Wolstenholm
When the morning light is barely dawning, you drag yourself out of bed already dreading what the day holds. The baby is crying and the kids are fighting before breakfast is finished. The morning is long and naps are short. Dinner burns on the stove and bedtime can’t come soon enough. The frustrating part is […]
By Jessica Wolstenholm
Book Lists have become my hobby. I mean, of course I like to read. But collecting books to read is almost more fun. It doesn’t matter if it’s a list of classics, best-sellers, picture books, middle grade or YA, I want to see what the best-of-the-best are out there! So, I thought I’d compile my […]
By Jessica Wolstenholm
The other day my son popped his head into my room where I was sitting on my bed propped up with pillows, fighting the flu and nursing my six week old. “Hey mom! I just passed this cool new level on my video game, wanna see?!” He was bouncing up and down, obviously so […]
By Christine Bailey
We’ve all been in the situation: our child has a conflict with another child. Perhaps we feel embarrassed or defensive. We intervene and face the children towards each other and tell them to apologize. After they speak the prompted, sing-songy, syrupy-sweet words, “I’m sorr-yyyyy…”, they run off to play again, unfazed. Then we pat ourselves […]
By Editorial Team
As parents (if we grew up in the church), when we think of discipleship, we often think of a 10 step plan to lead our kids to Christ, including (but not limited to). . . daily family Bible study being at church whenever the doors are open long and meaningful prayers at the dinner […]
By Christine Bailey
Dear Ramona, I admit I was quite hurried when I saw you sitting on a bench in front of the downtown library, holding a crushed, bent-open book in both your hands while you read aloud to yourself. As I slowly pulled my car to the curb in front of you, I could see you were […]