I’m writing this on the week the great Minnesota State Fair begins. Ahhh, this is one of my absolute Happy Places. Free music, barns full of animals, people-watching galore. What’s not to love? Some of my best family memories are tucked into those fairgrounds. And every year, I plan my schedule (and give myself a talking-to about deadlines) so I can savor my two-week job in Guest Relations without guilt. Honestly? I love it. And that brings me to this note to you. Because while I usually write with encouragement for the hard stuff in Continue Reading
Live Like the Gate’s Open
I don’t remember where I saw the photo, but the moment it captured has stayed with me. The picture showed a big crowd of parade-watchers pressed onto a city sidewalk. Too many people in too little space. Right in the middle of it all was an older woman resting her arms on the street barrier. She was leaning forward into the scene, watching the parade go by. Smiling. Relaxing. Soaking it all in. Around her, everyone else was busy taking selfies. Posing. Finding the right light. Staring into their cameras with their backs to the Continue Reading
A Summer Rhythm Refresher
Well, hi there! Summer rolled in like it owned the place, didn’t it? Sun blazing, birds chirping, and my ice cream melting faster than my plans to “be productive.” Being productive is my usual default. But these summer months? They invite a more fun, slightly adventurous spirit, right? I’m craving a sunshiny rhythm that keeps the business going but leaves plenty of time for ice cream runs, long walks, and a little daydreaming. You too? This morning I asked God, What does this season look like for me? He reminded me of the image Continue Reading
Encouragement Coming Your Way!
I’ve got a word of encouragement for you, but first I gotta’ tell you … My new book is done and it’s available to YOU! Imagine what your everyday life could look like if, instead of waiting for life to show up, you showed up and discovered life! This collection of letters from me to you brings a big dose of encouragement from God’s Word, and stories infused with wit and humor. I really think you’re going to like it! God has really good things planned for you. Anticipate His goodness! You’ll find the book on Amazon. And may I Continue Reading
Make Room for the Good
Along with replacing the tank tops in our closet with sweatshirts and flannels, the Fall season invites us to cleanse, purge, start again, and “finish the year strong!” (I’m a little over the whole “finish the year strong” thing. I’m just focusing on finishing today strong. Because my “strong” needs a nap.) A change of season does seem to signal a time to reflect and consider what the next few months could look like though. A time to start again. And that can be healthy. But it’s easy to mess this up. How? We believe that Continue Reading
I’m ready. Let’s go.
The Minnesota Vikings have wrapped up their pre-season games and I am hopeful. This could be our year, right? Right! I. Love. Football. Please note: Even if you'd rather have a root canal than watch grown men shove each other down onto green turf, please stick with me here. Think about how they play the game. In every single moment of the game, they are moving and blocking and passing and running...intentionally. During every play, each player commits to follow the coach’s plan. Consider the alternatives: As the punter kicks Continue Reading
Soul-Soothing Plan for the Summer
It’s summer, and that means the heat index could be maxed out so everything is wilting, or it could be raining cats and dogs with thunder and lightning thrown into the mix. (I wonder who came up with the phrase raining cats and dogs. What does it even mean? OK. Back to our regularly scheduled program.) Just for a moment, let’s imagine that it’s a perfect, beautiful summer day. There’s no humidity so your hair isn’t frizzing or going limp. The sun is warm, but the cool breeze invites you to tilt your head back and close your Continue Reading
Find Your People and Chase Your Dreams
This is so fun to share! Creativity doesn’t have to be lonely. And the good news is – there is the perfect community if you are a creative like me! If you have dreams of writing a book, booking speaking engagements, launching a podcast, starting a business, AND doing it all in a God-honoring way – Called Creatives is the place for you! I joined Called Creatives a few months ago and found a fun community of women who support one another, but they also know how to get some serious work done. The leaders, Lisa Whittle and Alli Worthington, Continue Reading
The Grace of the Present
The Amazon Prime van drove up slowly through our unplowed streets and I heard the snow scrunch under its tires. I’d been waiting for this day and its delivery, and I caught its early morning arrival from my office window. Somewhere, behind the van’s dark blue siding and the light blue smiling arrow, was the book I’d preordered weeks ago. It had arrived. As the driver cautiously shuffled back down the driveway, I grabbed the box from the front porch with a quick Thanks so much! Before he’d put the van in drive, the package was on the Continue Reading
Rest. Take a Break.
I wrote this early last year, but it’s really been on my heart again. I think someone could use these words… I’m starting a new workout program. Have mercy. It involves a lot of fancy steps and it moves faaaaast. I spend most of the time trying to stay on my feet, watch the online trainer, listen to the instructions, and breathe. There is nothing pretty about my performance. The program only lasts 20 minutes, but I’m exhausted when it’s done. All I want to do is cry. It’s hard to find the rhythm when the exercises change so fast, Continue Reading
Find the Fun!
You know that fun thing you’ve always wanted to try? Go and do it. You know that fun thing you used to do before you got “too busy” or “too old?” Go and do it again. Maybe it’s time to stop waiting for the perfect time to do that fun dream. That one that has lived so quietly inside a corner of your heart for too long. Maybe it’s time to let go of the excuses. Maybe it’s time to move through your fear. Maybe it’s time to stop worrying about what people might think. Maybe it’s time to let go of doing it perfectly … or Continue Reading
Let’s Go See!
This is one of my favorite essays. I never get tired of re-sharing it … I wonder how it felt to be a shepherd that holy night thousands of years ago. The night an angel appeared to them as they leaned on their walking sticks, checking their sling shots, while standing in sheep doo-doo. We have to believe that when “the glory of the Lord shone around them,” things got pretty bright, right? Can’t you just see them squinting, shading their eyes, while trying to figure out what they were protecting their sheep from? Shaking like crazy in Continue Reading
Enjoy Where You Are
The encouragement phrases like, “Live in the moment” and “Be fully present” can be a bit … uncomfortable sometimes. Perhaps even annoying. Right? But there is truth in them for sure. There is power in those statements. I share them with friends and groups. They are little lights along our path that lead us to living a full, rich life. I’m a fan. Here’s the deal … Showing up fully present, paying attention to the people and activity around me? It makes me a better person. A more alive person. A more grateful person. But I admit Continue Reading