I’m not a teacher. Or a speech pathologist. Or one of a gazillion amazing professions that know a lot more than I do about reading or speaking or learning. What I do know is that I talked with, read with, and imagined with my children. We played games with sounds, letters, and words. We wrote…
With a stitch and a prayer
It’s cold outside today, and I’m wearing a scarf. But not just any scarf. This scarf has more value to me than any I could buy in a store. About twelve years ago, one of my daughters was very sick. She suffered excruciating pain, unexplained fever, and hives for months. Every day she tediously did…
It’s a holiday!
Now that Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day are over, is there any celebration left in you? I hope so! This day belongs to the Lord! Let’s celebrate and be glad today. Psalm 118:24 (Contemporary English Version) One of the many expressions my mom will be remembered for saying is, “It’s a holiday!” That usually meant that an…
First a Nurse
Family Ministry wasn’t my first career. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from St. Olaf College then worked as a Registered Nurse for fifteen years. My first nursing job was in my home town in Minnesota. I worked on a Labor/Delivery/Nursery unit, and it was exciting to help bring new life into…
It Ain’t Misbehavin’
Disrespect in church, like disrespect anywhere else, is not acceptable. But a child behaving like a child in church is a normal, beautiful part of who we are as a church family. A baby making baby noises is not misbehaving. A toddler crying because he wants a snack or he desires to be held is…
Angel in a blue dress
If you have worked in Children’s Ministry as long as I have, you undoubtedly have a stash of crooked angel halos, tattered shepherds’ gowns, and assorted containers fit for exotic gifts from the East. Children and the nativity story belong together. Does your heart swell when a gracious child invites awkward Joseph and uncomfortable Mary…
I’ll put it on your list.
I have witnessed impatient parents scolding their tantrum-throwing children in more stores than I can count. The scenario usually goes something like this: Child: “Can I have this?” Parent: “No. Put that back.” Child (louder): “But I want it!” Parent: “I said no.” Child (louder): “BUT I WANT IT!” Parent (louder): “1…2…3…” Parent tip: “I’ll…
I never wanted to create a blog.
To be honest, I never wanted to create a blog. For most of my life, I didn’t even know what a blog was. I suppose I had read a few blog posts, but I didn’t know that they could be written by ordinary people. I thought a blog writer had to be some kind of…
Seriously. This is a blog you’re gonna want to read.
This is the journal of a 20-something nurse, taking you on travel adventures around the world. This is the scrapbook of a 30-something wife and mother, raising three successful children (us!) and looking back on the things she did right. This is the story of a 40-something working mom, sharing her wisdom and experience with…
Ms. Marcia's Mom-ologues 