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My Visit with Samaritan House VA
When I moved to Virginia Beach in August 2025, I knew right away that I would get involved in the local nonprofit scene. Subjects like female empowerment, social justice, and trauma-informed care translate to causes that pique my interest. Suffice it to say, when I heard Samaritan House was hosting their 11th Annual Women Against Violence Luncheon at Westin Town Center, I made immediate plans to attend. At the October luncheon, Keynote Speaker Leslie Morgan Steiner shared her powerful journey from victim to survivor of domestic violence. She tells her touching story in her book Crazy Love. Making Connections Thanks to a colleague, I connected with the Samaritan House Executive…
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A Woodsy Cottage for a Family Weekend
The kids and I snuck away to North Carolina this past weekend to enjoy some time with my brother’s family in Angier. He has four kids ages five and under with one set of twins who I finally got to meet in person. (Have I mentioned how grateful I am to be living in VA Beach within driving distance of most of my family?!) We benefited from my brother’s masterful barista skills and my sister-in-law’s exceptional cooking. The cousins entertained each other with basketball, soccer, board games, and by watching a few classic episodes of Wallace & Gromit. The Woodsy Cottage Location After researching places to stay in the area…
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Walking With You
God gave me this encouragement earlier this week when I was knee-deep in planning the next-steps for my speaking ministry. Through it, he reminded me that I don’t need to feel foolish for pushing down the gas peddle and pursuing my goals with reckless abandon because he is sitting in the front seat next to me. I hope the following invites you to ponder your God-given desires and silences any internal conflict you might be facing. “You can’t run ahead without Me.I won’t fall back and mock you.I will walk with you and show you the way.” You know what it feels like to be left standing on your own,…
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Life Verses And Seasonal Truth
What is your life verse? Maybe you’ve been asked that question or, then again, maybe not. If you’re new to Christian spaces, perhaps the question throws you into a tailspin of internal panic. I don’t know! That’s too much pressure – I’ve barely read the Bible . . . ‘life verse?!?!’ I see you. I’ve sat in my share of church small groups and have felt the pressure of producing a spiritually astute answer to myriads of Christianese questions like this one. But trust me when I tell you there is little need to conjure a perfect answer. There won’t be medals given out or applause offered at Bible study…
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Ordinary Woman
You do not claim an extravagant education, maintain a noteworthy career, or manage a successful startup. You are an ordinary woman who does ordinary things.
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A Bedtime Prayer
Because he is trustworthy, you can lay your head on your pillow and your fears at his feet.
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You Need to Know
Recently, I received the opportunity to contribute as a Guest Blogger to the NorthStar Women’s Network where I wrote on the importance of growing in our comprehension of God’s love. Here is an excerpt: In the context of mutual relationships, love matures in tandem with intimate knowledge and a growing understanding of one another. The cycle works a bit like this: knowing sparks love, love inspires greater knowing, greater knowing produces even deeper love, and so forth. This ever-deepening cycle builds a healthy relationship. However, in the context of a Christian’s relationship with God, love and knowledge work together differently. Father God fully knows His children and loves them infinitely…
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Gentleness
I wrote this family devotional for the Family Fruit Challenge organized by Laurie Christine. You can find additional devotionals for the challenge at www.familyfruitchallenge.com. Have you ever heard someone described as a “gentle giant”? A gentle giant refers to someone who is big, strong, or powerful, but chooses to be kind and gentle towards other people. Instead of showing off his or her own strength, a gentle giant is careful to consider the needs of other people by acting in a way that makes them feel safe and loved. By taking the time to think about what helps others feel safe and loved, a gentle giant controls his or her…
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Jesus Understands
Would it surprise you to hear that Jesus did not go to the cross exuding emotional confidence? In The Reason for God, Pastor Tim Keller observes that “Jesus did not face his approaching death with anything like the aplomb and fearlessness that was widely expected in a spiritual hero,” Rather, Keller describes Jesus “as profoundly shaken by his impending doom.” Gospel Accounts Mark describes Jesus as being “crushed with grief to the point of death” before going on to record the way Jesus pleaded with the Father (Mark 14:34, NLT). “Please take this cup of suffering away,” Jesus pleads (v. 36). Luke shares that “[Jesus] was in such agony of…
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“Boys Will Be Boys” and Other Lies
“He apparently has an issue, what he considers a sex addiction…it’s a temptation for him he wanted to eliminate.” Capt. Jay Baker, USA TODAY When I was fifteen years old, I took my first job as a waitress at a family-owned Italian restaurant. I enjoyed working long hours over my Summer vacation and worked many nights and weekends during the school year throughout my high school career. It was a busy restaurant, and I spent nearly every moment on my feet. One night a man came into the restaurant with his wife and teenage son. He was a regular, and I recognized him. His wife never seemed happy, and something…
