Author Archives: kristen

Saving My Life: My Husband

Posted on 05.Aug.12 | Leave a comment

A new occasional series on the everyday things that show me God’s presence and care.

On this anniversary weekend, it is fitting for the saving my life honor to be bestowed on Michael. This past week was the only week between his summer class ending and the start of in-service. In spite of mountains of preparation for fall classes, he took Kate and Lexi to school with him several mornings and gave me time to work on my own projects and made it possible for me to meet deadlines and feel sane. I am so thankful for how hard he works and how much he chips in around the house to make our lives work.

As I look back on our marriage, it’s been 9 years of consistency in this regard. He is always saving the day and always willing to go the extra mile. He is a good man and an even better husband. I don’t deserve his kindness and daily sacrifice, but I am grateful for them.

Michael, thank you for saving my life, one load of dishes at a time.

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Wordless Wednesday

Posted on 01.Aug.12 | Leave a comment

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July Books

Posted on 31.Jul.12 | 3 comments

How Children Raise Parents by Dan Allender is a great framework for thinking about parenting, but could be slightly more practical. I recommend it highly for parents of children in any age or stage. (9/10)

A Curtain of Green & Other Stories was the first short story collection published by Eudora Welty and it was a great read. Some stories are better than others, “The Key” and “A Worn Path” were my favorites. (8.5/10)

Subtitled “Adventures in Loving Your Neighbors,” Margot Starbuck’s Small Thing with Great Love is a choose-your-own-adventure style book about being compassionate where you are. Great ideas but not overwhelming. (8/10)

The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde is a fun little play that everyone should read once. (9.5/10)

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Why I Love the Olympics

Posted on 30.Jul.12 | 2 comments

We broke down and got cable over the weekend, to watch the Olympics. It got me thinking about the lengths we go to watch and the joy we get from the games themselves. There is something magical about the smile of a 17-year-old girl in pearl earrings who just swam faster than any other woman in the world. It’s the same magic as young adults beating their heroes and of parents in the stands with so much pride it seems to be seeping out their pores.

There is magic, too, in seeing a world focused on sports that usually ignore. We rekindle a love for gymnastics or diving or swimming and remember fleeting moments in our past, whether our own attempts at glory or Olympics of the past. I will never watch a woman vault without remembering Kerri Strug and her amazing second vault (I know, we would have won without it, but it was still magical.)

Most Olympians will never be Michael Phelps. They will never earn a medal, let alone a fortune. They compete because they love their sport. And there is something to be learned from them and their stories, even if NBC has the obnoxious tendency of exploiting them*. They have trained so hard and given so much just to be there.

I love watching the camaraderie between athletes, both teammates and rivals, who appreciate each others talents and cheer others on to excellence. I love knowing that for two weeks, all around the world, there are people who are watching, cheering and caring.

I love seeing my children discover these things for themselves. They find new heroes and new sports to try. I love that watching makes them “Olympic dreamers” as Lexi aptly described. It is good for a child to be a dreamer and to recognize talent and hard work. I don’t want my children to grow up to be Olympians, but I hope they grow up to do their very best. I hope that Missy Freeman and company inspire them to do that, like FloJo and Jackie Joyner-Kersee once did for me.

* It is crazy how bad NBC is getting. Can we get Google or the BBC or something instead? I am so tired of them using the tape delay to build drama in editing. It is out of control. I don’t think we can last through 2020 with them. Also, Bob Costas is looking really scary. The plastic surgery and botox is not a good look for him.

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Wordless Wednesday

Posted on 25.Jul.12 | 1 comment

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Truth and Reputation

Posted on 23.Jul.12 | Leave a comment

Last month, World Magazine’s blog published a letter our friend Molly wrote to her four young adult sons about reputation. The letter itself and Molly’s new blog are both worth reading!

In an earlier version of the letter Molly posted on facebook, she wrote that she had always prayed that if her sons were in sin, that they would be caught. This idea was new and refreshing to me. We are afraid of the truth sometimes. Afraid to admit the truth to ourselves. Afraid to show our vulnerabilities to others. But we know that the truth will set us free. Instead of being enslaved to secret sins or delusional thoughts, the truth brings freedom to grapple with reality and move forward.

Our sin has consequences and the longer it goes on, the worse things can get. Sin steals joy from us and destroys our peace. But there is hope and healing available to us. As Molly said, “Even when you fall you have a way forward—a well-worn path through repentance, confession, forgiveness, restoration, and hope.”

As I meditate on this, I am praying for myself and my family as Molly has, for our sin to be revealed to us. And if we resist that revelation, that we would be caught in sin. The reality is that sin easily entangles us, and we should not be surprised to find ourselves sinning. But we should not let shame or our reputation prevent us from embracing the path of repentance. It may feel easier to live a lie for a little while, but it will only bring more slavery. Praying that we will believe that the truth brings real freedom.

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Return of the Blog

Posted on 17.Jul.12 | 1 comment

I took an unexpected, but much needed break from blogging after being pretty consistent for the last year. I feel refreshed and ready to go again.

I finally posted about the books I read in June, and stuck the post where it belongs (June 30th) for the sake of consistency. I hope I read some more books in July so I have something to share at the end of the month.

The summer is rapidly approaching its end. The girls know their teachers for next year and there are school supplies to buy and things to do. I’ve resumed looking for a job. So I am trying to enjoy the season while it lasts. Most days, I do.

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Wordless Wednesday

Posted on 04.Jul.12 | Leave a comment

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Kate is 8!

Posted on 02.Jul.12 | 4 comments

Happy Birthday to our sweet girl! I cannot believe she is eight years old. Kind, creative, and fun, I am proud to be her momma.

A little interview, for fun.

What was the best thing about being 7? All the fun things we learned in 2nd grade, especially about Ancient Egypt.

What are you most proud of learning? How to do flips off the diving board.

What was the best book you read? Tales from the Odyssey: The Land of the Dead by Mary Pope Osborne.

What is your favorite song? Call Me Maybe.

What is your favorite tv show? Phineas and Ferb.

What are you looking forward to about being 8? The 3rd grade chariot race.

What college do you want to go to? UNC or Rhodes.

Do you think you’ll get married when you grow up? Have any kids? Yes, I think I’ll get married and have four kids.

What do you want to be when you grow up? A singer-songwriter when I am young and then a librarian when I am older.

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June Books

Posted on 30.Jun.12 | 1 comment

Stuart Little by E. B. White was a fun read aloud with the girls. I’ve always been fond of Stuart’s adventures in the city, especially. (9/10)

Like all the Willa Cather I’ve encountered, The Song of the Lark was delightful to read. Her writing is strikingly beautiful, and the story will resonate with artistic people in particular. (8.5/10)

Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr is the sort of YA fiction I want Kate and Lexi to read when they are in high school. It’s a story of struggle and redemption and a solid debut novel, though I’d probably start with How to Save a Life if you are interested in reading her work. (8/10)

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott is a helpful and encouraging read for any writer. (8.5/10)

Breakfast at Tiffany’s was an enjoyable read, especially as I began to see Holly as a manic pixie dream girl. Capote was an able writer and certainly knew it. (8/10)

Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward is a brutal story written in beautiful, poetic prose. It deserves the accolades it’s received and I look forward to reading more from Ward in the future. (8.5/10)

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Saving My Life: the Pool

Posted on 30.Jun.12 | Leave a comment

A new occasional series on the everyday things that show me God’s presence and care.

This week’s honor goes to our neighborhood pool. The pool that is close and not prohibitively expensive is at the small, liberal arts college in our neighborhood. When I am on the Rhodes campus, I feel like I’m in a completely different world from midtown Memphis amidst all the green quads and gothic architecture.

The girls have always loved the water, so they feel at home. Kate learned how to do a flip off the diving board the week! Of course, with the current heat wave, the water is refreshing. Between the heat and spraining my ankle last week, I’ve appreciated the ability to tread water to get some cardio in. The pool is never all that full, so I’m not too self-conscious about it either.

Because it’s in the neighborhood, we often see friends, which makes it all the more fun. We are so glad we joined the pool. Next summer, we’ve got to do swim team. Thanks, Rhodes Pool, for saving our lives one hot afternoon at a time.

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It’s For a Great Cause!

Posted on 29.Jun.12 | Leave a comment

During our time in Birmingham, I got to know Kathy and her family. They are in the middle of adopting a little girl from China and their agency was suspended. Lily is almost four and has been waiting for a family for a long time. Miraculously, they were able to have her file transferred to a new agency, but they are having to pay an additional $5,000+ in fees, duplicating what they have already paid the first agency. Kathy is making very fun and affordable jewelry you can buy to help fund this adoption, and there is also a raffle going on right now for a kindle or a nook (your choice!) you can read about on their blog.

I think these would make great gifts, don’t you? It even comes in a pretty gift box. Even if you don’t buy anything, I know the Wiehls would appreciate your prayers for God’s provision.

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