No Way to Win the Race

My mind raced as the minutes rolled from night into early morning. Filled with thoughts of what could, should, or I wished would be, my brain blocked my body from its needed slumber. With only four hours of sleep, I began my day knowing that...

Spiderweb

Are you Captivated or Captured?

Capturing my gaze, the silk glistened in the sunlight. Dew drops like crystals hung from the delicate creation. Unable to look away, I paused to admire the beautifully designed spider web. How could something crafted to ensnare prey be so breathtaking?  Our world is filled with beautiful...

Autumn Phone Wallpaper

We love autumn! To celebrate this special season, we have new phone wallpapers to help us remember to Live Intentionally and Focus Eternally and to always Choose Hope. Fall leaves, evergreen trees, snuggly sweaters and sun-kissed colors abound...

What are you Searching For?

Early each morning my grandfather left the house to meet the delivery man at the store. Greeting the delivery man by name, he was the first one to lay eyes on the inventory - brand new Hot Wheels. Years of his life were spent hunting...

When it Feels Like a Lost Cause

"It's a lost cause," I thought to myself as I looked out the window. Having been neglected for two years, my once beautiful vegetable garden was now a tangled mess of ankle-deep grasses, weeds, and thorns. Every time I looked at it, all I could see was my...

Learning to Let Go

Eight bags lined the hallway outside my four daughters' bedrooms. Tired of living in a constant state of clutter, the girls decided to clean out their closet and purge some clothes. Before they could discern what should stay and what should go, they covered every...

Reaching the Peak

The trail began as a flat dirt path surrounded by green grass, wide enough to walk beside a friend. Gradually it shifted. Rocks replaced dirt and the grass disappeared as the trail narrowed and pushed deeper into the woods, steeper with each step.  Stepping over logs and clinging...

Making a Plan

Scattered all over the table and spilling onto the floor, our gear for tomorrow's backpacking adventure filled our dining room. Afraid we would forget something essential, we checked our list meticulously. Hiking gear, food, fuel, first aid, rain gear, cook stove, tents - all accounted for.  Earlier...

Empty Promises

After a long day of hiking, our canteens were empty and our bodies yearned for rest and replenishment. We passed a sign on the path labeled "Spring" with an arrow pointing to a spur trail through the woods. Water from a cold, clean mountain spring was just the...