I met Shelly Carvan when my heart was in shreds, soon after our family came home battered from the mission field in France. We attended the same Life Group at church, and I distinctly remember talking to her in the hallway outside of class, knowing immediately that I wanted to befriend her. She, I sensed, […]
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Thank God for NOT giving me what I thought I needed
July 11, 2020

I’ve shared this story before, but it begs repeating. In high school, I pined for a boyfriend. I prayed for a boyfriend. I made bargains with God about said boyfriend. But heaven was silent. Single Mary stayed single. No boyfriend. And now? I’m grateful. Because my besetting sin also echoes my deepest need from childhood: […]
I despise neediness in myself
June 16, 2020

This is one of those posts I am starting that I don’t know how it will end. During this time of Covid, racial tension, and employment worries, I (like you) have had some space to observe my life. And something has bothered me. I get mad when I see someone offer grace to a struggling […]
Celebrating = healing
June 1, 2020

I am terrible at celebrating. Ask my husband. I flit from thing to thing, seldom stopping to cherish a moment or celebrate a milestone. Can you relate? I’m reading a really helpful book right now called Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg. It’s been the habit book that has truly produced life change in me. I now have a […]
A Deep, Yet Accessible Bible Study
May 22, 2020

I remember picking up my first Bible study book when I was probably sixteen years old. I turned it over, looked at it like an anomaly. Why? Because I was an unchurched girl, recently converted, and I had zero idea about the Christian culture, Bible studies, or even what Habakkuk was. I devoured the study. […]
Pray Every Day is TWO!
February 1, 2020

I’m so grateful to share a milestone with you. The Pray Every Day Podcast is officially two years old today. CUE JOY! It’s been downloaded over a half a million times. It’s available on your Alexa device. And it’s an app! It’s supported by listeners like you over at Patreon. In case you didn’t know, the […]
I’m taking a Sabbatical
December 19, 2019

This blog post I’m writing is a task I’ve been thinking about for a long time. I’ve hinted at the strain of this year, and I’ve asked for prayer. But now it’s time to actually do something about my level of fatigue and health issues. Stress is real, friends, and it messes with your body and […]
The Most Beautiful Letter
August 21, 2019

I’ve been given permission to share this letter that a childhood sexual abuse survivor wrote to her little self. It’s so beautiful, so poignant, that I wanted you to see it. Lavender and Periwinkle If I had written your story little one, there would be so much you wouldn’t know. I would’ve written your story […]
Why I Wrote We Too
August 13, 2019

Today my book We Too: How the Church Can Respond Redemptively to the Sexual Abuse Crisis releases, and I am excited! Why? Because it is my sincere prayer that this book would challenge Christian leaders to think differently about the hurting people in our pews. Jesus came to love and serve all of us–including those […]
Prayer Requests
May 24, 2019

Hello dear ones! I have not died. I’m sorry it’s been a bit chirp-chirp around here, but I’ve been working crazily on finishing up wetoo.org. New Book Release! I also launched HEALING EVERY DAY a few weeks ago! Next Book Release: In addition, I’m working very hard on launching WE TOO: How the Church […]