Handling Conflict: Some Tips for the Conflict-Averse

February 14, 2018.Reading time 8 minutes.

I am naturally conflict-averse. I always have been, and I still am. But over the years I’ve learned how to better manage my sensitivity to tension, how to better communicate with those I disagree with, and how to stay true to myself while still being considerate of others. I’m still a work in progress, but here is some of what I’ve learned […]

Putting Things In Order

January 25, 2018.Reading time 5 minutes.

During a recent trip home, I rediscovered my love for organizing things. Strange what can make a person feel alive. My mom was moving houses, so I had to go through all my old stuff, organize the keepers and trash the rest…

The End of 2017, My Year of New Beginnings

December 28, 2017.Reading time 9 minutes.

2017 has been a great year. But I am also extremely excited to turn the page to 2018. For the first time in recent memory, I am eager to greet the new year, not because I’m in a rush to say goodbye to the last season, but simply because I am expectant of the good […]

The Fear of Failure

December 8, 2017.Reading time 9 minutes.

Recently, I told God that I was scared to be elevated to a higher position of influence. I might fall into pride or lose the intimacy I have with Him. I might forget that I needed Him and become the kind of person who shouldn’t be looked up to. Going higher can do that to people––I’ve seen it even in myself.

The Difficulty of Loving (and facing my desire for affection)

November 24, 2017.Reading time 9 minutes.

The Importance of Love I’ve been thinking a lot about love lately. Not romance, but the kind of love we are all supposed to have for one another. Sacrificial love. Brotherly love. Compassionate love. Strangely, at the very same time I’ve been pondering the importance of love, I have simultaneously been dismissing my own need […]

The Joy of Serving: Overcoming Disillusionment

November 9, 2017.Reading time 12 minutes.

Several months ago, I shared about my struggles with obligation as a good Christian girl. I wrote, “Obligation killed my joy.” In the same post, I shared that God had promised to take me deeper into the JOY of serving. He has. Here is some of my journey and what I’ve learned. Disillusionment I loved […]

Managing Negative Emotions: Some Tips

October 26, 2017.Reading time 8 minutes.

I am a deep feeler––of happiness, as well as loneliness, regret, and fear. My effectiveness in dealing with the negative emotions has been mixed over the years, but I’ve recently gained some clarity about this area that I would like to pass on. This list is by no means exhaustive. But I hope it may […]

Teacher Life: When Everyone Decides to Go Cray

October 21, 2017.Reading time 5 minutes.

Sometimes I think teaching has literally made me insane. Or perhaps I was simply insane to decide to teach in the first place. Sometimes my students are great. Everyone comes on time with their books prepared and pencils sharpened, having gone to the bathroom and drunk a satisfactory amount of water. Whatever candy or toys […]