(Updated to add:   Winners of this giveaway are Wendy #5 and Judith #14!  I have contacted you via email) My oldest two Ethiopian daughters (both teens) have both had their hair ‘permed’ (relaxed)– very cautiously — by me with a kit you can buy in the store.  We used two boxes of relaxer for...
Read more »

I’m definitely still catching up from vacation over here.  Here are some of the last pictures we took there– I’ve been meaning to edit them for quite awhile!  As usual, you can click on them to enlarge. Life is hopping around here. Our son turned 13 last week, and our daughter turns 9 next...
Read more »

(Note:  the winner of the book “Praying for Your Future Husband” is commenter #35,  Whitney.  Congrats, Whitney!) ~~~~ A reader recently asked me for recommendations of good books for young boys who are just getting good at reading on their own:  engaging interesting books, free of ‘teen’  themes. I thought this was a great...
Read more »

Too long have I lived in the shadow of shame Believing that there was no way I could change But the one who is making everything new Doesn’t see me the way that I do He doesn’t see me the way that I do I am not who I was I’m being remade I...
Read more »

This year we chose to stay on the southern coast of Oregon, for two reasons.  First, we were hoping for sunshine and warmer weather—we definitely had some lovely weather while we were there.  And second, we wanted to be close enough to take a day trip to the California redwoods. The day that we...
Read more »

(Click on photos to enlarge.  Don’t miss the one in the 4th row, right side.)
Read more »

Last week we had the great fun of a trip to the beach. Years ago we discovered that the most affordable vacation lodging for our big crew was a house rental. OK, I admit, camping would be cheaper. But after a decade of camping with kids, I threw in the towel and begged for...
Read more »

When it comes to important life decisions, I doubt that there is one much more important than deciding who to marry.  Ever since our kids were little, we’ve been praying for the people they would be marrying.  Above all we’ve prayed that they would be Godly, committed Christians, and that they would be hard-working,...
Read more »

We’ve been told that the heart is just too far gone to save but grace tells us another story Where glory sends hopelessness away oh grace tells us another story…
Read more »

Looking for good sturdy swimsuits for kids?  I sometimes find good ones at Costco for reasonable prices.  Landsend.com has a nice selection of suits. Swimoutlet.com has an excellent selection as well.  Their rash guard swimwear is a great solution if you’re looking for modest swimwear or swimwear with good sun protection for your kids. ...
Read more »