The Shepherds Got it Right

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Grab a chair and slide it in close. Put a soft pillow on your lap so your arms can rest. Lean in. Imagine we’re sitting together in a quiet place with our slippers on, comfortable in the easy way friends are, while I gently remind you … God is good. And He’s got good things planned for you. Maybe those words make you feel a bit twitchy. Maybe you’re thinking, Hmmm… I must have stepped out of line when they were handing out good things. Because this doesn’t feel like your current situation, and you’re having trouble seeing good Continue Reading

Please Pass the Grace

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Hi! If this is your first Thanksgiving here in our community of encouragement, welcome! I’m glad you’re here. And, if you’ve been here a while, this week’s note may have a familiar ring to it. It’s one of my most favorite things I’ve ever written, and the message is always timely. Sending it to you is an annual tradition. Blessings of gratitude to you, my friend. ❤️ It’s the guest many of us bring to Thanksgiving dinner. The guest that can turn a beautiful get-together into a swirling chaos of frustrations, silent tears, and sour Continue Reading

Lefse Plates and Fairy Tales

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Cooking is not my happy place. Any meal that needs more than three ingredients and a stove sends me searching for takeout menus. Thankfully, at Thanksgiving my sister hosts a family feast, which means I get to show up with something safe: lefse already buttered and divided into brown- and white-sugar plates. But here’s the thing: I feel guilty about not cooking. Like there’s some unwritten rule that says “real Thanksgiving women” spend three days in the kitchen, humming hymns while basting turkeys. And that little twinge of guilt? Continue Reading

🌱 Ready to Reignite? Let’s Plow the Field Together

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Ever wake up and think, “Lord, if You’re giving out refills of energy and enthusiasm, I’ll take a double pump.” Yeah, me too. Some days my motivation packs up and heads for vacation without me.  But here’s the good news: if you’ve ever felt that same “where’s-my-spark?” slump, I’ve got just the thing to help. I’m so excited to open the cover of Reignite Your Spirit! A Companion Guide and show you what’s inside! It’s like a spark plug for your spirit. We’ve all been there. There are days … and then there are days, right? The ones Continue Reading

✨ Feeling Invisible but Not Forgotten

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Have you ever felt like you suddenly became the Invisible Woman, minus the cool cape and superpowers? One minute you’re right there in the mix—talking, contributing, showing up—and the next you’re standing by the potted plant, holding someone’s purse and silently mouthing, “I’m actually very interesting!” If you’ve ever had that “am I even here?” sensation, you are in good company. We’ve all whispered the same thing. It’s just that most of us say it quietly … because we don’t want to make a fuss. (Right?) And you know, sometimes the Continue Reading

💦 A Splash of Encouragement

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You know that moment when you think, Sure! I can totally do this! And then five minutes later you realize, Oh dear. I cannot do this. I have lived that moment.  Dog-paddle with me back to the early 1990s to a weekend church retreat when my roommate Lynn and I created a synchronized swimming routine. Good grief. What on earth were we thinking? Here’s the instant replay: We donned our colorful swim caps, tightened our nose plugs, and set our boom box on the edge of the hotel pool. We’d practiced, of course—on our living-room rug. Not Continue Reading

If God Had a Fridge

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It’s such a joy to spend time with groups of women who love to laugh a little, grow in their faith, and leave with their spirits a bit more refreshed. Honestly, it fills my heart right up. Whether I’m in a church basement where women are spreading colorful tablecloths, setting out centerpieces, and arranging salads, bars, and buns, or at a retreat center where the lake sits still and the trees stand quietly outside the window, one thing I’ve noticed again and again is this: deep down, we all long to know we’re loved and that our lives Continue Reading

Ready to Reignite Your Spirit?

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Sometimes I need a kick in the butt. Other times? I just need a nap. And isn’t it just like God to offer both? Acts 22:10 says, “What should I do, Lord?” And the Lord told me, ‘Get up and go.’” Oh my. Yes. I bet you’ve heard that direction too, right? God didn’t place us here–at this time, in this place—to stand still. He has something for us to do. We are part of his beautiful plan. And we can’t respond to his call if we refuse to move. I’ve discovered that God uses two different voices with me when He wants me to move. Sometimes Continue Reading

Life’s Too Short for Sticky

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My two weeks at one of my most favorite Happy Places have come to an end. Aahhh, how I loved working at the Minnesota State Fair! The fair is known for its collection of all things food—much of what you can eat on a stick. And every corner seems to have a cotton candy stand. The bright, gluey mass of sugar spun around a paper cone is a fair-goer’s favorite. (My favs are Sweet Martha’s Cookies and Peters Weiners. But that’s a little off topic. So, back to our cotton candy corners.) I watch moms trying to clean sticky kiddo fingers Continue Reading

Life is Good. Settle In.

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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

Pink Crocs and Everyday Confetti

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Sometimes the most profound conversations happen in grocery store parking lots with five-year-old wearing pink Crocs. I was coming out of the store when I spotted this little guy and told him his shoes were pretty cool. Oh my goodness, did that open the floodgates. Out poured this delightful stream of consciousness about his blue sucker, those amazing pink Crocs with their tiny giraffe decorations, tomorrow's promised new toy, how his baby brother was going to play with it too, and (announced with a squeal) “Tomorrow I’m going to be Continue Reading

A Promise for Today

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God has something good for you in today. This little community we’ve created here? It’s meant to be a soft place for your spirit. A breath of fresh air. A dose of encouragement when your heart needs it most. And sometimes, encouragement shows up simply as this: an honest nod that life can feel heavy. I wish I could peek into your world today, to understand what your days are holding. Maybe someone you love is hurting, and you’re carrying the weight of it through sleepless nights. Maybe you’re spending more time in a Continue Reading

A Summer Rhythm Refresher

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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

Psst….Got a Little Something for You!

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You were on my mind when I created this. I’ve just finished a brand-new freebie called Reignite Your Spirit: A Jumpstart to Anticipating God’s Goodness, and I wanted you to have it right away … …before the laundry buzzes, the microwave beeps, and your to-do list notices you’ve been ignoring it. Because here’s the deal. Encouragement for your heart and nourishment for your soul matter just as much as anything else on your list. This short, hope-filled guide is for the days when your spirit feels a little sluggish and your to-do Continue Reading

Turning Down the Worry Volume

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I have a love / not-so-much love relationship with certain verses in the Bible. I love the ones that remind me God knows my name. That He loves me. That He’s faithful — always. And then there are the others. The ones that gently (or not-so-gently) tug away my perceived right to whine, grumble, and fret. Like Matthew 6:34: …do not worry about tomorrow… Now part of me wishes Matthew had slipped in a little footnote: “Do not worry about tomorrow … unless things are extra messy right now and you're one stubbed toe away from Continue Reading

This Wasn’t in the Script

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I laughed out loud during my Bible study this morning. And I contemplated body odor. Ah, yes. The Gospels never read as boring, do they? In John chapter 11, we read about the death of Lazarus. Jesus wasn’t just a spiritual teacher to Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha. They were close friends.  So when Lazarus got sick, his sisters sent word to Jesus. But Jesus didn’t arrive until four days after Lazarus had died. Four. Days. Now, Mary and Martha absolutely believed in Jesus. They knew He could perform miracles. But Continue Reading

Stuck in Aisle 7

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Last week, I wrote about wandering in Aisle 7, remembering that God meets us in our circling, providing for every need. Forty years of tunics and sandals that never wore out in the desert? That’s something. (My favorite sweater barely survives one season without pilling.) Well, maybe you’re still wandering in Aisle 7. Or … perhaps you’ve traded the clingy hangers and fluorescent lights of the clothing section for crowded shelves and squeaky grocery carts. You’re not wandering this time, though. You’re stuck. Parked. Staring at the same Continue Reading

Lost in Aisle 7 Again

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Shopping for clothes is not my happy place. The moment I walk into TJ Maxx, it’s like I’ve entered a labyrinth of clingy hangers, fluorescent lights, and racks crammed with too many options. Like they’re daring me to make a decision.  I freeze in place, my brain locking up like my laptop with too many tabs open. My pulse picks up, my breath gets shallow, and a rash starts creeping up my neck. That’s my signal. It’s time to head for the nearest bookstore. Once I recover from the sensory overload and manage to unfreeze, my shopping Continue Reading

Hello Spring, Goodbye Michelin Woman

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We (ahem...Steve) mowed our lawn today, so it’s official: no more snow! Cue the confetti and the lawn chairs! I’ve been waiting twelve whole months to share this note—because this one’s a favorite. 💛💙❤️ This Minnesota girl is feeling hopeful! Just listen... Do you hear it? It’s a sweet, breezy melody that sounds like hummingbirds humming hope — bringing lightness, sweetness, and a whole lot of gleefulness. And it’s just warming up. Over the next few weeks, that hum will swell into harmony -- giggles, outdoor music, and Continue Reading

Chasing Clues and Catching Grace

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If I could pick a dream job? Private Eye. Yup. Think Nancy Drew. I’ve always admired her curiosity, determination, and her bravery. (Yes, I know. She’s a fictional character. But she’s still one of my heroes!)  In my daydreams, I imagine opening my own detective agency: “It’s Sweeter When They Sweat.” (Clever name, right?) I can picture it now… Stiletto heels (not just any high heels). Skinny jeans. A form-fitting v-neck tee. And of course—a leather jacket. Waist-length. Zipped up. Ready for action. Flashlight Continue Reading

She Decided. She Did.

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There’s something about a woman’s memoir—the kind that starts with sunshine and ends with strength—that always pulls me in. I love to read. And memoirs are at the top of my list. My favorites are typically written by a not-so-young woman whose story reads something like this... Her life brimmed with hope. Big dreams. Exciting expectations. Blue skies and sun-filled days. She had energy that made skipping in her summer slip-ons easy-peasy.  Then life happened. Dreams dissolved into disappointment. Skipping?  Not a chance. She Continue Reading

Don’t Miss the Conversation

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Girl, you really need to clean that out. The young man offering this undisputed advice was right. My billfold was stuffed, and its zipper was caught on a corner of a receipt. This vault of receipts, cards, and chaos had officially gone on strike. I bet his billfold was crisply organized with no slips of paper peeking out. He certainly appeared more put together than I was. I had gone into the Verizon store with a headache and a cell phone that wouldn’t send text messages.  When entering this land of gadgets, they introduced Continue Reading

There is More to Life

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If someone whispered to me right now, There has to be more to life, I’d whisper back, You bet there is. If those words feel familiar, know this: You aren’t alone. We’ve all got pillows who’ve heard some version of those whispers. A couple of weeks ago, I spent a day with a group of women in Fond du Lac, WI. We talked about our lives—our hopes, fears, joys, and messes—and how we long to know God more. We want to experience everything he has for us on this side of heaven, embracing the surprises and joy that come from anticipating His Continue Reading

It’s Time to Plow

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Growing up in a small farming community, my sisters and I knew we had really started to “get older” when dad let us plow the field with his beloved John Deere tractor. Getting the field planted depended on that plowing—turning up the soil and breaking up the weed roots. Timing was everything. Weather-watching was all-consuming. Rainstorms weren’t helpful. You’d work all night if the conditions were right. You couldn’t waste a moment.  Plowing brought farming to a whole new level for my sisters and me. We would actually drive the tractor Continue Reading

Mukluks for our Hearts

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Here in Minnesota, we are peaking out from our frosty windows, finally emerging from our frozen tundra.  The days of -20 degree weather, wind chill, and treacherous sidewalks are fading. The snow is clearing, and I even saw a guy in the grocery store wearing shorts when we hit +10 degrees. (It seemed a bit extreme.) No matter the season, we Midwesterners are experts at protecting ourselves from the elements. Remember those elementary school days? We’d spend half of recess just getting ready—pulling on pants under our dresses, Continue Reading