the life creative
My dad and I hunted for that particular refrigerator box all over the city. I had this fantastic idea that involved glow-in-the-dark paint, black butcher paper and blowing away the other kids in my science class. It all hinged on the box. My plan was to create a solar system room. As the cardboard door... Continue Reading →
It comes the very moment you wake up each morning. All your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists simply in shoving them all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other larger, stronger, quieter... Continue Reading →
Today I've been hit with a mighty dose of the "Who-Do-You-Think-You-Are"s. You know what I mean; that familiar spirit that mocks you as you try to do anything outside of yourself... I've actually been waiting for him to show his ugly face. Last weekend I spent three days in Palm Springs with some of my... Continue Reading →
Josh and I were not planning on being in the Santa picture. Each year we herd our children to the local North Pole satellite location, so they can sit on Santa's lap, smile and "say cheese." They are then rewarded with a candy cane. This year turned out a little differently. Ezra was leery about... Continue Reading →
Yesterday I shared my crazy. Today, I want to share God's crazy. Can I be honest with you and say that these posts this week have been hard for me? As much as I felt like this topic was something that would be good to talk about, to air out in the open, I have... Continue Reading →
I'm lonely by choice. Yup, for all my whining and complaining about feeling isolated, it's All. My. Fault. When invited to attend this new bible study or that event, my default response is, "No." There's always an excuse or reason to justify my exclusion, but the reality of the situation is that I'm not trying very... Continue Reading →
For my fifth birthday my grandpa took me out and got me a puppy. Without asking my parents first. But that's another story. Bringing home that wiggly little bundle of red fur was so exciting. He was a Vizsla, we named him Joseph and the Coat of Many Colors; we called him Joe. After the... Continue Reading →
It all started with Top Ramen. Little 3rd grade Melissa was cooking. Too short to reach the stove, I teetered on a footstool handmade by my great-grandfather. My dad was on the phone in the living room and my mom was working late. They'd always warned me to turn the pot handle away from the... Continue Reading →
After reading Mad Church Disease earlier this year I eagerly anticipated Anne Jackson's latest book, Permission to Speak Freely. Once again, Jackson is tackling a topic within the church today that's not getting much coverage. This time instead of showing how the church asks too much, she's pointing out that it doesn't ask enough. In May... Continue Reading →
