I am amazed how much the Christmas season is such a big deal–not only here in America, but all around the world. From decorations, parties and gifts, to music, movies and an all around general sense of good cheer, Christmas has become a phenomenon. And whether people choose to acknowledge this fact or not, it all started with a tiny baby born in a stable over two thousand years ago. Jesus’ birth was so significant that it literally divided our human timeline in half:  B.C. an

Christmas time was magical when I was a child. I remember playing seasonal vinyls on my parents’ old massive stereo in the living room and dancing under the warm glow of the Christmas tree lights. Christmas morning was filled with presents, laughter and sweets–all treasured memories I am very grateful for. Another nostalgic memory I loved were the Christmas specials that came on network television. I would anticipate watching old favorites like A Charlie Brown Christmas , Rud

One of my favorite drinks from a popular coffee chain is an iced caramel macchiato. It has distinct layers–vanilla syrup, frothy milk, espresso and caramel–giving the consumer a unique flavor experience. Upon receiving the beautiful drink, the layers are sharply visible presenting the all-important decision:  to mix or not to mix? I like to sip for a while, tasting the bitter layer of espresso with a hint of sweetness at the end. This drives my husband crazy, who would rather

Let’s face it … life is hard. No one goes unscathed on this side of heaven. There are bills to pay, mouths to feed, unemployment, broken relationships, not to mention, homelessness, natural disasters, wars and oppression. In between the hardships, there are  moments of happiness:  a beautiful day, a stranger’s kind words, a child’s smile, or finding an unexpected twenty-dollar bill in a coat pocket. These moments are there if we notice them, but they also seem … fleeting.  Th

There’s something about the moon. It is beautiful, mysterious and enchanting. Its soft light draws you in and mesmerizes. When reflected on water, the glow is particularly breathtaking. The moon can also be spooky, illuminating the darkness with only enough light to dimly see, while leaving things hidden in the shadows.   Yet, as is common knowledge, the moon is not its own light source. Alone, it does not generate light, but merely reflects the sun’s light. Like much of God’

The world is a scary place. Just turning on the evening news is enough to make one tremble in fear. Plane crashes, wars, human trafficking and school shootings dominate the headlines. Getting caught up in current events can certainly contribute to living life in dread, afraid to venture out from the safety of home.  Have you heard of the book series, The Worst Case Scenario Handbook?  While exaggerated and humorous, the anthology showcases extreme situations and attempts to e

Recently I noticed a land surveyor in my neighborhood as I was leaving for work. They are easy to spot in their bright safety vests and...

The hazy, lazy days of summer are over and it’s time once again to get down to business. I dust off my planner and think through new routines, goals, and to-do lists I want to accomplish.