Tag: Family

#Sowkind Suggestions: 2019 Holiday Edition
Community · Encouragement · Sow Kind

#Sowkind Suggestions: 2019 Holiday Edition

Alyssa DeLosSantos3 Comments

Last year, I shared a #Sowkind Thanksgiving Takeover post. While I still stand behind every suggestion in that post, it is time to expand our vision. This year, while eagerly awaiting the return and reunion of my maturing children, I cannot ignore an often overlooked subject. Singleness. It presents in many forms. Singles have a…… Continue reading #Sowkind Suggestions: 2019 Holiday Edition

Dear Dad
Encouragement · Healing · Letters from the Heart

Dear Dad

Alyssa DeLosSantos9 Comments

Today’s letter unveils a story I’ve had the privilege of watching over the years. It was written by the man who sees all my meltdowns, mess-ups, and smells my morning breath. Eww. This is part of my husband’s story that takes a peek behind the curtain of his public life. He graciously and reluctantly, agreed…… Continue reading Dear Dad

#SowKind Thanksgiving Takeover
Encouragement · Sow Kind

#SowKind Thanksgiving Takeover

Alyssa DeLosSantos1 Comment

While you might dread the annual family gathering, the tired stories of the difficult relative or traversing the “elephant” in the room, Thanksgiving gatherings are fertile soil for words of encouragement. What might happen if we carry as much encouragement into the kitchen this year as we do delicious pies? For many, speaking words of encouragement…… Continue reading #SowKind Thanksgiving Takeover

Confessions of a Church Shopper: What I’m Learning in a Season of Wandering
Community · Encouragement · Faith

Confessions of a Church Shopper: What I’m Learning in a Season of Wandering

Alyssa DeLosSantos6 Comments

I grew up in church. My earliest memories include my dad leading acapella worship and my mom doing everything from preparing communion to leading Vacation Bible School. We didn’t live near extended family, so the people occupying the pews were our family. I’m not sure I was ever able to accurately discern the difference between…… Continue reading Confessions of a Church Shopper: What I’m Learning in a Season of Wandering

Moment of Truth Monday
Encouragement · moment of truth monday · Sow Kind

Moment of Truth Monday

Alyssa DeLosSantosLeave a comment

Birthdays are important. It’s my personal practice to make much of my loved one’s birthdays. We have birthday traditions I suspect will live on if my children have families of their own. We have donuts and chocolate milk in the morning, blow out candles and open gifts in the morning, and speak words of encouragement…… Continue reading Moment of Truth Monday

Moment of Truth Monday
Community · Healing · moment of truth monday

Moment of Truth Monday

Alyssa DeLosSantos3 Comments

Divorce has the illusion of being an easy solution for struggling relationships. It appears to be as simple as changing out the curtains in the living room when chevron is no longer trending. There is a dark side of divorce that isn’t displayed in sitcoms and headlines, and it involves a great deal of heartache.…… Continue reading Moment of Truth Monday

Choosing a Better Story
Encouragement · Sow Kind

Choosing a Better Story

Alyssa DeLosSantos6 Comments

My body was exhausted. The weekend stretched me beyond my comfort zone, and it was only Saturday morning. The words pouring out of the presenter’s mouth pulled me further into discomfort. “She chose a better story.” He spoke of a family concerned about their rebellious child. They lamented because they had done everything to provide…… Continue reading Choosing a Better Story

Moment of Truth Monday
Encouragement · moment of truth monday

Moment of Truth Monday

Alyssa DeLosSantos1 Comment

Traditions are nice. I appreciate how they offer a baseline for routine, because I love a good plan. Hearing stories of what others do “every year” for holidays is a great instructor for those of us that can’t do the same thing year after year. For some, it’s a matter of distance and finance. For…… Continue reading Moment of Truth Monday

Encouragement · Hope · Uncategorized

Resolved to Surrender

Alyssa DeLosSantos15 Comments

The New Year is ushered in with hoopla and fanfare. It’s tradition. Stay up later than appropriate {hello over 40 talking} and begrudge the headache you nurse throughout the first hours of the new year. I don’t care much about staying up to watch the clock hands move from one year to the next. I do…… Continue reading Resolved to Surrender

Uncategorized

Protect Your Valuables

Alyssa DeLosSantosAside1 Comment

I was making Andrew’s bed while answering many inquires about each item I placed on his bed.  I had just finished an extensive dissertation about how the mattress protector-which I was also recalling was ridiculously expensive-would keep his bed from absorbing any accidents, spills, etc-thereby avoiding a stinky aroma.  The conversation was beyond his three years, and coincidentally he… Continue reading Protect Your Valuables