Just Show Up: How to Love Your Neighbor

I’ve learned something huge about what it means to love one another this year, and I wish I could go back and teach it to my younger self. Over the last 12 months, I cannot even count how many times people supported my family and showed us actual, tangible love. We bought a house last …

Advertisement

Holy Spirit, You Are Welcome Way Down Here

I'm finding that I have a hard time writing about life as it's happening. I'm better at narratives, which means I find my footing better in hindsight. Bear with me, as I attempt to share in the midst... 2017 has had some really big moments. We bought a house, Hosanna learned to walk, Josiah started …

Stop Hiding. Shame is Not Your Guide

There’s this thing that keeps up isolated, this thing that keeps us from being freely connected to Christ and the people in our lives. I’ve been pondering this thing, SHAME, because of the destruction I see it causing. Shame is a liar. It tells us that our sin, our struggle, our mess is unique. It …

April 2016 Update

Greetings! In the last month, the main focus around here has shifted primarily to preparing for Baby Dummel #2, whose arrival is just around the corner! We've made a lot of progress on the house, making it more functional and cozy. Pictures and artwork have been hung, and we created a pegboard wall for the …

Yes, Let’s Talk About Anna Duggar

I was scrolling through my news feed on Facebook recently, when I noticed two of my friends shared the same post, which basically said, "Let's talk about Anna Duggar." I thought, "Yes! Let's talk about Anna!" Anytime there is a scandal involving a man being unfaithful in the media, I always hurt for his wife. …

The Weekend Wave: August 2

Do the wave! God continually brings incredible people into my life. I am so thankful. Our friends Joel and Melissa announced they are expecting TWINS this week! That's exciting enough, but when they explained how they've battled infertility for years, I was even more in awe. It just goes to show that you never know how …

The Weekend Wave: July 26

Do the wave! You don't have to look very far to find people doing great things for their families and the community... My friend Kelsey is making beautiful nursing necklaces to support her family and encourage other nursing mothers over at Momma and Bean. When I was nursing Josiah, I learned how difficult it can be …

Please Judge Me: Love and Tolerance Cannot Coexist

I've been mulling over this post for months. I've been arguing with myself. Is this the kind of post I want to write? Is this a message I want to come from my blog? Don't I want this to be an upbeat, encouraging place? Conviction runs strong, though. Although I'm not a confrontational person, I …

When Mother’s Day is the Worst

May 9, 1989 was the day my birth mother died, so believe me, I know - sometimes Mother's Day is the WORST. When everyone else is celebrating, but your heart is full of ache, how do you handle it? Every year, hundreds of thousands of women die from cancer, heart disease, suicide, car accidents, childbirth complications, stroke...Everywhere …

I’m Offended!

Everywhere you turn, someone is getting offended about something, and I think it’s because we are a big bunch whiners. If I offend some people with this post, it’ll probably get more attention for the blog than my other, far more uplifting posts...I think people like being offended. It gives them something to clamor on …