There’s nothing quite like having a child sit on your lap, reaching for every marker they can find and creating their masterpiece. Color after color fills the page, their joy contagious and their focus unwavering. It feels like a million hugs all at once to watch their excitement and contentment. Then you look at the finished picture. You see all the beautiful colors, but not always a clear image of what they intended. Sometimes, that’s exactly the perspective we need. Becaus

Have you ever driven the same route day after day, seeing the same things along the way—until one day something suddenly strikes differently? A sign in a yard reads, “Shame on you!” It has been passed countless times over the course of years, yet one day its message lands with unexpected weight. Shame is a powerful word to throw around. It carries deep impact and can affect the heart of the one who reads it. Countless people live under the burden of shame, trapped by feelings

God’s love is something to truly revel in. He loves all — “for God so loved the world” (John 3:16). The whole world, not just a part of it. His love is enduring and everlasting. It remains through pain and hardship, and through joy and blessing. His love is vast and deep, covering a multitude of sin. He loved you before you ever knew Him. As you take this in and ponder the magnificence of His love, hide it in your heart. Let His love shape how you walk through your day. Let i

I spotted this perfect little snowflake on my car window and had to take a picture. As I looked at it, I caught myself calling it “perfect”—but is it really? If it had been clumped together with dozens of others, I probably wouldn’t have noticed it at all. So what makes it “perfect”? It reminded me of the verse that says we are God’s masterpiece. To Him, we are exactly who He designed us to be—created in His image. But he perfect? No. Only He is perfect. Yet we can be confide

Speak Up 2023 was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced! As I write this it’s almost a month to the day that I got on a plane and headed to Grand Rapids. I knew I was headed to something “big” and something that God was going to use to change me and perhaps change my life. I was definitely out of my comfort zone and putting my YES out there for God to have His way. My journey to Speak Up started a mere 5 months beforehand when I had the pleasure of meeting Gene and Carol Ke

The biggest decision of my life so far has been the moment I decided to move away from everything I had ever known, to a different state where I knew only a few people and make, what I thought at the time, was a complete career change. At first, my questions were many, but the biggest was, why was God calling me to something SO new? I felt called at a young age to be a teacher and had steadfastly followed that call and now God is saying, “Do THIS instead? Go to Pine Brook C

A familiar phrase has been swirling around in my head over the last several weeks. This phrase, "It's not about me" has a much deeper meaning than I originally thought. As a young child, growing up in a Christian home, I was taught to always think of others before myself, which in itself, isn't a bad concept to learn. However, when you take that phrase to heart and it becomes the core of who you are, it can lead to a skewed sense of self and a roadblock to receiving true l

A familiar phrase has been swirling around in my head over the last several weeks. This phrase, "It's not about me" has a much deeper meaning than I originally thought. As a young child, growing up in a Christian home, I was taught to always think of others before myself, which in itself, isn't a bad concept to learn. However, when you take that phrase to heart and it becomes the core of who you are, it can lead to a skewed sense of self and a roadblock to receiving true l

This post is a bit different from my usual, but I felt it was something worth sharing. These days are uncertain to say the least - hoping this brings some peace to your soul as it did mine. During my quiet time recently, I came upon I Thessalonians 5. At first I wasn't sure what God was trying to say to me, but the more I read it and let it process in my heart I began to understand. I have a prayer journal that I often write prayers in that allow me to truly speak my heart

As I sat at a nearby lake on the first day of almost 70 degree weather, I was drawn into the quiet and stillness. The slowly melting lake had various spots of snow and ice and some spots of freely flowing water. The clouds were bright blue and I could feel the heat of the sun along with a gently breeze. I had taken this time, to quiet my mind and body to write, read and pray. As of late it's been difficult for me to find a balance and take the time I need to sit still and

When I hear the word "abide" I'm immediately taken back to the old Sunday School song, "His Banner Over Me is Love." One of the verses says, "He is the vine and we are the branches." As an adult those words take on a much deeper meaning! I recently had a rare opportunity to attend a ladies retreat with a very special group of christian sisters! It's not often I get to experience a retreat, since my ministry is mainly about hosting those kinds of retreats for others. The th

Today is a special day - yes it is St. Patrick’s Day, but It’s also my second birthday! On this day 44 years ago, I invited Jesus into my heart and it was the single most important thing I’ve ever done! I couldn’t help but reflect on this as I’ve gone about my day today. It’s been a busy day already - but oh how blessed it’s been! I started off this morning in typical fashion, getting to camp early to guide the guest group that had been with us all weekend, through breakfa

As I was driving home from an appointment one day last week, I was in a very contemplative and somber mood. I pulled in to the drive-thru at my favorite coffee place and placed an order. I got my usual coffee, but also some extras that normally, I wouldn't do. How could I resist a pumpkin scone to celebrate fall? :-) I also added on a bottle of water, because unfortunately the word "fall" to my dismay, doesn't mean cooler temperatures these days and my car doesn't have AC!

Enjoying my first full day of vacation at what I call my "happy place" - The Lake! As I was floating on a raft, drifting further from the shore, the image above caught my attention. This tree has been part of our lake landscape as long as I can remember. It's age is recognizable when you look closely and see how thick and deep the roots are. Over the last several years, I've noticed the roots becoming more and more visible, because the shoreline is being washed away by th

I've been thinking about this word quite a bit lately - Grace? What does it mean to me? What does it mean to others? There are several different ways that word can be used. It's such a delicate, soft and almost inspiring word when said. Maybe that is because of the true meaning and very nature of the word. Like the song says, "Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound!" I'm sure many of you like me have been through many difficult situations where you've had to show grace in th

Almost three years ago, my life changed drastically! I went from being a public school teacher to being in full-time ministry at a Christian camp. To say it's been life changing is an understatement! It has been one of the best times of my life along with some of the hardest times. There were all the normal feelings of excitement and joy as I started a "new adventure" - and best of all was that I was starting out with knowing that I was doing exactly what God was asking o

As I sat on the beach today, three things caught my attention: the crash of the waves, the heat of the sun and the gentle breeze as clouds occasionally rolled in. The waves crashing on shore are like our trials and tribulations that sometimes come into our life, or maybe they are like those “things” from the past that have crept in (albeit not so gently at times!) - those things that we need to work through and hand over to Jesus - our healer, our physician our savior. As I f

As winter fades and summer approaches, it's time to start thinking about one of our favorite things…. CAMP! We will be sharing a series of blog posts to help you prepare your children for an unforgettable summer camp experience. Our hope and prayer is that they discover their worth and value in the God who loves them immensely. One of the greatest gifts parents can give their children is a strong sense of identity in Christ. In a world filled with pressure, comparison, and se