Teaching the Children: Independence Day
On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. This bold and risky proclamation shouted to the world that the thirteen American colonies were no longer under British rule but were “free and independent states.” Today, fireworks, parades, and cookouts will mark the day, and...
What’s in Your Cup?
I enjoy my morning coffee (and sometimes an extra in the afternoon, and a bedtime hot chocolate or herbal tea). I’ve collected a variety of mugs over the years, each with some sentimental meaning. Every one of them reminds me of a person, a place, or a moment that...
Teaching the Children: Friendship
This title could easily be “What Children Taught Me about Friendship.” No inhibitions. No prejudices. Nothing to prove. As I watched a group of 3–7-year-olds during Bible class, I witnessed the beauty of connection. Children of different backgrounds and skin tones sat shoulder to shoulder, holding hands during the...
The Best Relationship Advice
Relationships can uplift us, teach us, or test us — sometimes all at once! Fortunately, we have the greatest wisdom for every relationship in the Word of God, specifically in Romans 12:9-21. Here, the apostle Paul offers some of the best relational advice you’ll ever find! In my study,...
Who do you see?
The memories feature on Facebook occasionally contains a past writing that did not make it to the blog. I often take those memories and share them with new insight or updated illustrations and applications. Today, one crossed my feed that doesn’t need changing but absolutely needs sharing: On...
Mountains, Waterfalls, and the Wonder of God’s Word
Our family recently spent a week revisiting Colorado Springs. Fourteen years have passed since we lived in the area. While driving around the city, we recognized a few landmarks, but many had faded from memory. Much has changed, for our family and for many of the places we once...
Stuck in the Middle (the Younger Older Woman)
When we lived and worshiped in Germany, a twenty-something pregnant woman walked into the church building. People often came into our building, since our congregation met in the middle of downtown. Even parts of her story were not unusual. The baby’s father had recently deployed to Afghanistan. She was...
Just Five Minutes
In September 2015, I wrote an original piece for BonBonBreak, called “Just Five More Minutes.” At that time, we had been in our new hometown for three months. My son turned seven and my daughter was about to be three. We lived in a perpetual state of transition, trying...
Teaching the Children: Inauguration Day
For the second time in United States history, a President will serve for two non-consecutive terms. It is only the third time Inauguration Day and MLK Day coincide (the second inaugurations of presidents Bill Clinton in 1997 and Barack Obama in 2013 being the other two occasions). Homeschooling allows...
Real Life Duck Tales
“What exactly is the function of a rubber duck?” Arthur Weasley asks Harry in the movie adaptation of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. One of the original purposes included checking the temperature of bath water. In recent years, a couple of my favorite YouTubers have determined, “Ducks...