On the Horizon

It has been 3 1/2 years of waiting to get a trial date. Every month or so, I pick up the phone to make the same call to the District Attorney’s office. “Hi, this is Dan Smith’s daughter, Crystal. I was just calling to check on any developments in my dad’s case.” I press my ear firmly to the phone, listening carefully to the friendly yet matter-of-fact voice on the other end of the line, anticipating something I did not read in the online news feed. Of course, they share few new details because almost any information could jeopardise the READ MORE

About Me

Since I have a few new readers, I decided to share some information about myself. I grew up in the Midwest and moved many times as a child. My father was a pastor in my early childhood, and my mother was a stay-at-home mom until my parents’ divorce in my mid-teen years. At age 16, my then boyfriend, now husband, and I had our first child. Our oldest is proof that God really does know how to make something beautiful out of our messes. She is awesome. My husband and I got married two years later, and I joined him READ MORE

The Better Plan

May 9, 2014 Twenty years after graduating high school, I walked across the stage at Austin Peay State University to receive my Bachelor of Science, with a concentration in Communications. My heart raced with excitement and anticipation as I made my way to the platform. Less than a minute later, after a quick handshake with President Tim Hall, the moment was gone. I was a college graduate who was ready to start her career as a writer. February 9, 2017 I am a homeschool mom, a wife, and a blogger. After careful consideration and much prayer, I chose to stay READ MORE

Falling In Love

I remember the first time I laid eyes on my husband, Chris. I had recently moved to his hometown and came to the high school to register for classes. He was briskly walking toward the JROTC room. He had just finished drill team practice, and he was rushing to retrieve his backpack so he could head home. He was tall, thin, and playful. He wore black large-rimmed glasses and his hair was spiky. Although I noticed him that day, he was in too big of a hurry to notice me. It would be several weeks before I would learn his READ MORE

I’m Stuck

In last week’s post, I mentioned that I am feeling stuck in my writing. Every time I try to write what is in my head or on my heart, the words come out stuffy and lifeless. As I was talking to a friend about my writing dilemma and a few other areas where I am feeling mentally, emotionally, and physically limited, she responded in an unusual way. “That is encouraging,” she replied. I looked at her, rather puzzled, and asked how my being stuck was encouraging. Her answer, “I thought I was the only one who has felt that way.” READ MORE