by Jennifer Mills-Knutsen Scripture Reading: Isaiah 43:18-20 Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the … Continue reading
More Presents? This year, we’ve decided to buy more presents for Christmas, not less. We’re going to spend more money, get more stuff, wrap more packages, indulge in more consumerism. I know, I know—we’re supposed to be teaching our children about Jesus and generosity and not subject the holiday to frenzied consumerism. That’s actually why … Continue reading
As a minister and a mother, I have a relentless, nagging sensation that I should always be doing something else. If I’m folding laundry, should I instead be reading with my son? If I’m answering e-mail, should I be visiting the sick instead? If I’m reading a book about prayer, should I be working on … Continue reading
Craziness or rather chaos seems to be the theme of my family’s life these days. Some days it feels like we are running around with our heads cut off scattered between school, work, homework, afterschool extra-curriculars, night meetings, and birthday parties. While I would like to think that my family’s situation is unique, I am … Continue reading
September 18, 2013 I recently listened to an interview Krista Tippett did with iconic Lutheran pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber. As someone who is usually very down-to-earth, I love Nadia. It was very interesting and almost humorous to listen to her have a conversation with Krista Tippett, the soft-spoken, spiritually ambiguous host of “On Being.” Nadia is … Continue reading
An idea I brought to the family a few years ago, revolved around the concept of “margin.” Raising five children, I quickly realized that I needed help. When they were younger, things like dinner didn’t always happen at nice, tidy times. Baths, getting dressed, ready for bed, wake and sleep schedules, nothing seemed to neatly … Continue reading
![[the] Breathing Room](https://practicingfamiliesdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/breathing-room.jpg?w=290&h=290&crop=1 "[the] Breathing Room")
We have recently weathered a transition from California to Oregon. With the right mindset, moving can be seen as an adventure. Some aspects of the process just plain stink, though, no matter your attitude. Taping up boxes. Playing “Tetris” with packed boxes while trying to fit your belongings in the ever-shrinking truck. Eating out more, … Continue reading
My son has worn not one, but two bare patches in our front yard. He spends every non-rainy free moment outside in the yard, throwing a hardball into the air and catching it in his glove, or tossing a wiffle ball and swinging at it with the bat, or trying to convince every other child … Continue reading
We live hundreds of miles from our closest relatives, which means that my son only sees his grandparents, aunts, uncles and extended family one or two weeks every year. He’s the only grandchild on my husband’s side, and the only one of his generation—which means my husband’s aunts and uncles also lavish him with gifts … Continue reading
A few nights ago, after an especially harrowing day, I relented and moved dinner out to the porch. My husband is currently leading a high school mission trip and I am single parenting for eight days. The boys are obsessed with sitting on our porch, watching the world go by or running through the grass … Continue reading
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