What Did You Experience in 2020?
When did you experience wonder and joy in 2020? What do you need to let go of from this past year? What word or verse or story will guide you…
Christmas Recap
A recap of our family Christmas...treasuring memories! CHRISTMAS EVE We always spend Christmas at my mom and dad’s house, and I realized this year that we no longer have a…
Christmas: Prepare for a Party
As we prepare for Christmas, we prepare for a party, to celebrate. For many years, I’ve thought about Christmas as a time to “prepare room” for Jesus. I’ve usually thought…
AJB Recommends: All the Fascinating Ideas
I have so many fascinating ideas to share for you to consider! I took the whole week of Thanksgiving off. I shut down my laptop and didn’t reply to email…
The Power of Saying “I’m Sorry”
Is there power in saying, "I'm sorry"? The nurse at Penny’s school called me to tell me that Penny had a sore throat and a stomach ache and I needed…
Rest Beside This Weary Road
When the kids were little, we got in the habit of singing “Christmas church songs” before bed. We no longer sing these songs all year round, but in December, we…
Pointe Shoes and Developing Perseverance
Penny got new pointe shoes last week. For a long time, I thought pointe—which requires strength in both the feet and ankles that I didn’t believe Penny would ever have—would…
My High Schooler’s Independence
I was recently reminded of my high schooler's independence. Last week I left the girls home alone together while I went to the grocery store. Before I went, I suggested…
Amy Coney Barrett, Down Syndrome, and Abortion
I have a new essay about Amy Coney Barrett, Down syndrome, and abortion (really light topics with no controversy!) up at the Religion News Service site today. I’ve been thinking…
Bloom Where You’re Planted
I used to think that the only way for me to participate in social healing was to move. I live in a predominantly white, affluent, highly educated neighborhood. How could…
