John the Baptist seemed a little bit nuts. Between his choice of cuisine (locusts? really?!), his odd clothing (camel hair? really?!), and his odd choice for living quarters (the desert? really?!) he would have made for a difficult dinner guest. He was a wild man. A prophet. A seer. His message was simple. Prepare the way. Jesus … More Make Space for Advent
I am NOT good at waiting. Anybody with me on that? … More Waiting, and Other Lessons God Seems Determined to Teach Me
Because even the not-so-crafty among us can handle a few candles and a platter. … More DIY Easy Advent Wreath
Because faithful preparation takes a little time. … More 4 Great Resources for Advent
If you’ll be serving food to tiny humans, don’t overthink the side dishes.
Trust me on this one. … More 10 Things Your Toddler Will Actually Eat This Thanksgiving
Things are about to ramp up around here. Thanksgiving plans are underway; Advent is just around the corner; Christmas is coming. Church is about to get busy. School is about to get busy. Home is about to get busy. I can see the busy on the horizon like a storm front rolling in. It’s a … More Taking Some Soul Space (Soul Space Thursday)
Because the holidays are a’comin, and nothing says holiday like some good old family fun. … More 5 Board Games You Should Try
Your costume had to fit over a snowsuit Those boots in my hubby’s costume above? Yeah, those are Sorrel snow boots. 2. Houses were far apart and yards were big, so you had to work hard for each piece of candy It was like 0.9 miles per mini Snickers. You basically had to eat all … More 10 Signs You’ve Celebrated Halloween in the Rural Midwest
I’m a pretty frugal person. It probably started when I was born in Wisconsin, a state where thou-shalt-live-humbly. Everyone drives Toyotas and Fords and Subarus. Millionaires live in log cabins. As an elementary schooler I literally didn’t know people could buy clothes from the front of the store. I thought those were just for show, since everyone I knew always headed straight … More Faith, Frugality, and Feasting * 10 Minute Devotional
I have no real roots in Lent. My childhood evangelical church didn’t celebrate it. My Catholic grandmother did, but I just chalked it up to the other stuff she practiced that I didn’t understand, like wearing long underwear in July. (“I’m cold,” she’d tell us on an 85-degree day.) Yet in college, amidst papers and … More Why I Do Lent * 10 Minute Devotional
Courtney Ellis 