Moab was everything we didn’t know to expect. We stood amazed at Arches and Canyonlands, found the most delicious eateries that catered to our many food allergies, and enjoyed several rainbow sightings and surrounding scenery. It always strikes me as odd that we love rainbows, but often begrudge the rain. I imagine it is because…… Continue reading Unexpected Detours
Christmas is my favorite time of the year. Despite difficult relationships, circumstances, and emotions, the season offers a renewed sense of hope and wonder. There is a mix of mystery and whimsy that begins budding and stirs memories as soon as the Thanksgiving meal ends. I delight in remembering the time at my grandparent’s house…… Continue reading Moment of Truth Monday
Trigger warning: __________________. It seems like every other post I read has a ‘trigger’ warning. These warnings, while intended to be a nod toward consideration {and I appreciate that kindness}, give me permission to scroll on when I may need to sit with big emotions. The fact of the matter is, we were created to experience deep feelings. That’s…… Continue reading The Truth About Triggers
Entering the classroom, books falling from my one arm embrace, energized me. Carting around my tiny stool and endless sharpened pencils was purposeful, but my greatest reward was cultivating student writers. Working as a writing specialist was my favorite role as an elementary teacher. My job was to enter a classroom, honor the environment, teach a…… Continue reading A Relevant Mini-Lesson: Show, Don’t Tell
I don’t know about you, but I am quick to qualify and disqualify myself in many arenas. If I think I know more on a subject, I’m eligible to speak. If my thoughts are shaky on a subject, I’m more likely to shrink back. I have sidelined myself more times than I care to admit…… Continue reading Are you Eligible?
He waited by a healing pool. He had been lame for 38 years. Scripture tells us that when Jesus saw him and knew how long he had been ill, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?” At first glance the question seems driven by sarcasm. Of course he would want healing, right? Maybe…… Continue reading A Valid Question
John 4 captures one of my favorite interactions in the Bible. If you’ve never read it, I urge you to invest a few minutes and do so. The story centers around the town well and includes Jesus and a woman from Samaria. Historically speaking, Jesus {because he was a Jew} should not have had anything…… Continue reading Leave Your Water Jar
She did not choose this struggle. If she had been given the option, she would have taken a pass on watching her daughter live with a chronic illness. Since she didn’t have a choice, and she was thrust into this situation, she has chosen to lean into Jesus and walk courageously. She is my friend,…… Continue reading Unexpected Miracle…Joy
The question itself wasn’t bad. But, the afternoon interrogation-which included a single question {presented in varying ways} repeated over and over-was exhausting. He must have asked me 100 times about the old cell phone collection in our hutch. He wanted one of them for his own personal use. I attempted to explain {each time} that there was…… Continue reading In Persistent Pursuit
Post-it Notes protrude from most of my books and notebooks {marking favorite quotes and things I want to return to again}. I place them for the sake of easy {future} retrieval–but–without a doubt, they eventually fall off. Have you noticed that? They transfer to the bottom of shoes, the elbows of sweaters, or to the dreaded “black-hole”…… Continue reading Generous Love: Disrupting a “Me” Centered Theology
Alyssa DeLosSantos 