Out of Place – Carrie’s Story As I watched the group of twelve-year-old students standing in front of the homeschool group waiting for their gifts and prayers of blessing, I had this empty feeling in the pit of my stomach. This was an important rite of passage before moving up to the “Challenge years.” My […]
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Every year, it never fails to seduce me: that shiny new planner with all the extra pages for goal setting and notes. The colorful, felt-tip pens. The bright stickers. The pretty planner supplies call my name, beckoning me to open my wallet, because this year, this planner is going to be the magic bullet that […]
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Out of Place – Shawna’s Story “What are you?” he asked nonchalantly. The solid wood bookshelf behind him provided an intimidating backdrop as I thought curiously how to answer. He occupied the coveted position of Partner in our New York City firm. Between his Brooklyn accent and abrupt demeanor, it resembled a scene from The […]
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Everyone is doing it and I can’t help but join in! Today, I’m adding my own list of favorite books I’ve read this year. I’m amazed that I read 70 books this year, and narrowing down my top three in each category was brutal. In fact, I had to add some honorable mentions and some […]
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December is the longest month for kids. The anticipation of Christmas morning, of finally tearing into all those pretty packages under the tree has them wishing they could fast forward the days. Instead, the first thing my boys do when they come downstairs in the morning is to flip the numbered blocks on their homemade […]
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There’s a dangerous myth in Christian culture that can effect our health and well-being. Maybe you’ve seen it floating around in one of its many disguises, but it boils down to this: Self-care is selfish. Moms are especially prone to believing this lie. We are supposed to be masters at setting aside our own needs […]
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One of my favorite parts of this season is waking up before anyone else, and coming downstairs to be greeted by the glow of the Christmas tree. I sit across from it in my darkened living room and admire the halo of colored lights as I sip my coffee. The morning is new. The day […]
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Out of Place – Jennie’s Story “We really don’t fit in anywhere, do we?” I finally admitted it out loud to my husband. We never quite fit the mold provided for us by society. Looking back over the years we’ve been married, we have tended to run from the mold, which has made it difficult […]
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Growing up as a missionary kid in France had its perks, and the local bakery (or boulangerie) was one of them. Bread is a staple in French culture, and each town or village boasted at least one boulangerie. Its primary purpose was to provide a variety of freshly baked breads, for which the locals shopped […]
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Out of Place – Rachel’s Story It was the 5th Starbucks trip that finalized it for me; I was no longer part of the circle and I needed to accept it. The women who I had spent hours doing life together with the prior three years walked by me in the hallway of the church […]
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Sarah K. Butterfield 