I am starting something new, something bigger than I'm comfortable with, something personal and challenging and it feels all wrapped up in my destiny and calling and purpose. I am scared. I am insecure.  So I sent 5 desperate texts to my dear, dear friends this morning...

February 1st through the 28th I've committed to do one act of LOVE a day for a Valentine's Day Challenge. I'm cataloging the journey on Instagram and if you want to join in simply snap a picture of how you're spreading the love and post it with the hashtag #LavishCommu...

A few weeks ago I was being a class-A butthead to my husband. I was being critical for small things, overly snarky in my responses to normal questions, and wanted my space. I wasn’t one bit remorseful for my bad attitude, I just wanted everyone and everything to leave...

Autumn is the embodiment of transition. Leaves shed their classic green and drip from trees in gold and scarlet frocks. Sunshine rumbles into rainstorms. And as the days get slower and cooler I begin to long for tea, books, candles, and time to reflect. Time to transit...

One month ago I woke up on my wedding morning in a 1637-built villa in the heart of a rolling olive grove in Italy. My parents, in laws, and pastors were making a big breakfast when I got to the kitchen. The better part of a week exploring monasteries, winding medieval...

There are so many voices yelling today. And so, so many reasons to yell. I won't say move on and we've all got to unite, because we need time to mourn. We need a minute to process and assess where it is we stand after the dust of this election season has settled. Take...

I  love this time of year. When fog rolls in, evenings grow crisp with storm, trees glow red. Something in my soul comes alive and my heart feels just slightly melancholy and wholly at rest. The transition from summer to autumn comes with two of my favorite holy days,...

Dear Joy,

When you're standing in the midst of ash and rubble. When the ringing is still in your ears from the blast. When you need to pick up your feet over and over through the dusty terrain. When your hands must keep moving and cannot stop. When you push beyond, fu...

Dear Joy,

Last summer you were an unreachable place. A cloud my hand fell through each time I grasped. I never denied you existed, but you were always, always too far to know.

Last fall the windows cracked. All the water pressed against them came rushing in through the f...

Dear Joy,

The prison door in front of me is as comforting as a TV screen, as long I’m behind it my mind is covered over by all-day streams of can you believe that? and what are things coming to? and no one is trustworthy anymore. The buzzing pessimism makes it easy to k...