We had an infestation of caterpillars in our neighborhood a little over a month ago, and although I was somewhat disgusted by it, I also found joy in watching my toddler son enjoy them so much. “Pet, pet, pet. I pet a cata-pil-wer,” he would tell me after bending down to stroke each one with… Continue reading To Such Belongs the Kingdom
I keep thinking about the palm tree in our front yard—the one we tried to uproot earlier this year. With only a couple of green, half-inch patches peeking out of its branches, I took it for dead. A few weeks later, with JJ’s approval and only a hand shovel at my disposal, I began to… Continue reading Palm Tree Ponderings
Photo by Tim Mossholder on Pexels.com I’ve been weeping a lot as of late—for tragic events that have happened recently and for the ones that happened twenty years ago during the 9/11 attacks. One story that has especially left me bawling this weekend has been a transcript circulating social media between Todd Beamer of flight… Continue reading May Love Be Our Response
This is the type of book that I hope you’ll never have a need to read. If you do, however, I hope a copy makes its way into your hands. Written by my mother’s cousin’s daughter, Heidi L. Paulec shares the personal account of losing her cousin Jamie to death by suicide, including fond memories… Continue reading Abiding Light: A Book Review
Photo by Suliman Sullehi on Pexels.com I haven't been writing much as of late because JJ, Liam, and I are out of town visiting family. The situation in Afghanistan has been heavy on my heart, however, and I have felt compelled to write about it. Perhaps I'll write a longer post regarding my thoughts when… Continue reading God is the Ruler Yet
The potted plant in my backyard that I blogged about several posts back is really beginning to bloom, leaving me equally delighted and surprised each morning with all the new blossoms bursting forth. Weeks ago, this plant reminded me to look at my own life and to uproot and cast aside any aspect that had… Continue reading Persevering
“Is that a weed?” JJ asked me as he looked out the glass door to a potted plant in our backyard. “No!” I retorted, feeling protective of my little plant. I explained to him how a friend of mine had given me flower seeds for Mother’s Day last year, and I had finally planted them… Continue reading What Are You Growing?
Photo by Sebastian Voortman on Pexels.com My son gashed his chin at the park a few weeks ago. It’s not something I intended to write about, but it really left an impression on me. Considering all the blood and how deep the cut was, I think I responded fairly well. My son was a real… Continue reading The Inner Struggles of a Mom
My mom was making French toast out of challah long before it was a thing. Back in the early 90s, when all of us children were still living at home, she would whip up a couple of loaves on a Friday afternoon. We would then enjoy some of the freshly-baked bread with our dinner that… Continue reading French Toast Made from Challah
Photo by Frans Van Heerden on Pexels.com It drizzled a couple of times earlier this month, and both times were a vivid reminder to me of how much it rained in June a year ago—something odd for our desert region known as the Sun City. My family and I were not complaining though. With highs… Continue reading God is Merciful
Colleen James Publishing 