Forget the past: doing a new thing
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness… ~ Isaiah 43:18-19 Recently, I wrote about unpacking #allthefeels. And I still have a more to unpack. I think, in a…
Gaining a clearer perspective: the root of my problems
For five days, I scoured boxes and bags for a favorite pair of glasses. I became convinced I lost them during our recent move. Negative thoughts berated my carelessness. I recalled my Bible devotion on the fifth morning, which spoke of areas in our lives we avoid identifying as the root of our troubles. Insecurity…
The meaning of prayer: breaking it down
During my husband’s and my move from Arizona’s Southwest Valley—to a small town located along the Mogollon Rim that borders the Coconino National Forest—we left our old lives behind to begin a new adventure. At one point, a vehicle passed us with the words “Keep praying!” sprayed on the back window. I smiled to myself,…
Owning it: accepting that your feelings are valid
We’re more than one month into our adventure and guess what? It’s harder than we anticipated. We ask ourselves often: What did we miss? Did we want it so much that we ignored logic? Maybe. Would we feel differently had we not contracted COVID? Probably. And remember how darkness ushers in doubts and fears? Sickness…
One foot in front of the other: building connection
In my latest writing workshop, participants chose one goal and noted it on the left-hand side of the page, with desired/expected results on the right—and a bridge connecting one side to the other. This is where we filled in actionable “steps” to achieve said goal. For my goal, I chose “build connection,” with 12 stepping…
Transplant shock: handling transition
Whether it’s a new town, home, vocation or church or even where you shop for groceries—or all of the above!)—transplant shock is a thing (access my latest email on that topic here). As my husband and I adapt to all the “new” in our lives, I’ve discovered something: routine no longer supports me in the…
Unpacking the ‘feels:’ shedding the old for the new
A couple months ago, I announced my “retirement” (I use that term loosely!) and spent five weeks preparing for my replacement. During that time, I also entertained out-of-town family, my husband and I sold our home and began searching for “new digs,” I continued submitting writing samples and stories (sold one!) and organized a moving…
The in-between space: how to bridge the gap
Prior to the final move to our wooded property in Northern Arizona—both vehicles loaded down with last-minute household items, clothes and the contents of our fridge and freezer—my husband and I spent a week wrapping up loose ends in the Southwest Valley. It proved an ongoing challenge to stay present when half of our belongings…
Let in the light: combating darkness
Ever notice how—when darkness draws near—doubts creep in? Yet, in the light of day, with the sun streaming through the windows, worries and unfounded fears fade away. This has been my experience for years, so I purpose to wait until morning to make big decisions. Scripture says that sorrow may last for a night, but…
After the leap: beginning a new journey
If you follow my weekly blog posts and receive my Always the Write Time emails, you’re privy to a fresh leap of faith my husband and I recently took. Rather than live with a retirement mentality, we prayerfully chose to retire “early” (by social security standards). We also sold our home and packed up our…
Two are better than one: sharing our burdens
Two are better than one… If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. ~ Ecclesiastes 4:9-10a A couple weeks ago, my husband and I were acting out the bad-cop, good-cop scenario during a situation wrought with adulting. You know the kind: big decisions with life-altering consequences. On one day, I’d be…
When you achieve happy-ever-after: what comes next?
The less time you spend dreaming up a world of happily ever after, the more time you’ll have to actually live… ~ Abby McDonald When you achieve a dream or a goal, do you ever consider what comes next? Predictably, in fairytales and modern-day romances, the two love interests ride off into the sunset. Yet…