Atrice stood at the river’s edge, dipping her toe gingerly into its cool touch. The water’s embrace was frigid, even for this time of year.           Hesitantly, she looked up to scan her surroundings. But there was no movement, save for a single leaf, crisp and golden from the final kisses of Fall, sailing gently… Continue reading The Scandal of Grace: a short story

Dear Failure, There has always been a bit of a perfectionist living inside of me. I’m sure you noticed that. That’s why I’ve tried so hard to shut you out. Because you see, if I let you in, then it only meant that I had not striven hard enough for perfection. But despite these efforts,… Continue reading Dear Failure

As the Christmas season ends and we are suddenly tumbling into the New Year, I think often we find ourselves swimming in new hopes and dreams. “I resolve…” we say, “to eat healthier, to be more patient, to exercise more, to think before I speak…” and the list goes on. We resolve to be better.… Continue reading I Don’t Want to be a Good Person

The late fall air is cool and clammy, and the wind stiff. In the distance we see a mighty fortress, built of stone and mortared together tightly. It looks secure, steadfast, unrelenting—even as the waves, tumbling in from the savage ocean below, pelt against the nearby cliff edges. It will not be shaken. The whole… Continue reading With a Battle Cry: a story

It’s 2:00 am, and I’m still wide awake, sitting here by the light of our tiny Christmas tree because it’s one of those nights where my brain just won’t shut off. But this time the reason is different than normal. I’m not worrying about life, or thinking deep thoughts. I’m simply reminiscing, because tonight…tonight was… Continue reading As This Season Ends

Do what makes you happy.    Take care of yourself first.    Make the most out of your life.    You do you. These lines seem to be the theme of my entire generation, and perhaps that of many individuals before us. Essentially, we live by this philosophy: follow your heart. The truth is, that… Continue reading >  What the Heart Wants <

Here’s a bit of exciting news for you all: Besides a number of grade-school writing competitions, this month commemorates the first time that any of my ramblings have made it into print!  The Banner, a monthly magazine published by the Christian Reformed Church of North America since 1866, decided to publish an article that I… Continue reading Published?!?

I will admit that I’m not a huge fan of either of the top two candidates in this year’s presidential election. In fact, I’m rather embarrassed that as the rest of the world looks on at this fiasco of a political season, that this election is what is currently defining us in the world’s minds.… Continue reading What Did We Expect?

This post is a little out of order from the rest of my posts, because I wrote it several weeks ago when this whole ordeal started and just finally got around to sharing it. Thankfully things are looking very optimistic and my family is constantly reminded of God’s guiding hand through this all. Yet, it… Continue reading Cancer, God’s Timing, & a Dance Party for One

I’m nearly convinced that people innately believe that food heals all ailments (physical, emotional, you name it). This sounds ridiculous, but our fridge and freezer are real-life testimonies to this statement. Tamales, meatloaf, taco salad, raspberry cheesecake, casseroles, pork loin, chocolate chip cookies, and soup on top of soup on top of soup (there must… Continue reading Accepting Help is More Difficult Than Giving It