STAY, in the Breath

letters from a writer & photographer's journey

Dear Mom Who Needs Rest (OR: How to be a Super Mom)

I’ve got a whole lot of hurting hearts on my heart as I write today. People with grief I don’t know how to touch are on my mind. People who find resonance in Jeremiah’s words when he said, “I wish I hadn’t even been born.” I’m praying and I’m wondering what can be done. I’m praying for that illuminating moment we all need from time to time, that hand beyond.. Read More

Exploring His Presence to Live More Present in 2016, Part 3 (OR: When burning letters set my heart on fire again)

I was wrestling with a seemingly impossible barrier in my heart as I tried to sleep one night when somewhere between sleep and wake I saw the words I AM. My mind’s eye followed the image and watched the letters burn off in flame, yet remain. Within moments and breaths, and without fully knowing how or when, the barrier had fallen. Within the name, I AM, I finally understood the answer to.. Read More

Exploring His Presence to Live More Present in 2016, Part 2 of 3 (OR: Waking up in a different language)

Lately, I’m on my way back to go forward again. And the best way to describe that is to say, I am here. Mercy is teaching me this. I’ll back up on what I mean by that for a minute…One morning a few years ago, I woke up speaking Indonesian. Yeah. (For those of you who don’t know me personally: I grew up a Midwest gal and currently have got.. Read More

Exploring His Presence to Live More Present in 2016 (Part 1 of 3) (OR: What I knew at four and remember in storms)

I was four years old and a rowdy Missouri storm was beating down on our roof in the middle of the night. The lightning lit up my room like day and I was a very scared little girl. So I ran to my big sister’s room and woke her up of course. I still remember huddling together in the corner of her bed that was closest to the wall and.. Read More