“When the feast was ended and they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know” (Luke 2:43). Jesus’ family traveled on for the entire day and did not notice he was missing from their group. Whether it was that they were traveling in a caravan or each parent assumed Continue reading

I can’t remember if Ezra liked Thanksgiving. While it doesn’t seem very significant, it made me cry several times last week. I know he loved to be with people. He loved food (he was the one who cleaned off his younger brothers’ plates if they didn’t finish their meals), so I imagine it’s safe to Continue reading

I recently began reading the Gospel of Luke. I often read it as we prepare to step into the Advent season. If I’m honest though, I’m also reading it because I’m in a season right now where I need to be reminded once again of who Jesus truly is. I recently had a friend tell Continue reading

My boys are low on toothpaste. The kind of low where they dug through the linen closet and found the bubblegum flavored toothpaste samples the dentist sent home with them a decade ago that were shoved behind the towels and seemingly lost forever. Now they are brushing with pink-sparkle-bubblegum toothpaste. Needless to say, a run Continue reading

I’ve been really sad this past week. Grief seems to have resurfaced; or at least the sadness of grief has come to visit once again. Is it that we’re stepping into the holiday season and that always brings with it an ache? Even though this will be our fourth Christmas without Ezra, there is still Continue reading

We are at that time of year where the morning light comes later. Prior to the time-change this past weekend, mornings in my corner of the world have been dark until quite late. We recently got a puppy (whom my boys have named Mike), and as things tend to go with puppies, we are often Continue reading

There have been many times throughout my life that I have prayed for healing for someone who is suffering. Often, my prayers have been: “God, wouldn’t your healing of this person bring you so much glory? Wouldn’t it point to your power and your mercy if you were to draw this person from the jaws Continue reading

I’ve been thinking a lot about the holding power of God recently. He has promised that he will “never leave nor forsake” those who are his (Hebrews 13:5). I have seen this truth in my own life and I saw this truth play out as we watched my son lose his battle with cancer. Just Continue reading

There were over 1,000 people in attendance at Ezra’s memorial service. Students, faculty, staff, medical providers, friends and strangers from Christian, Atheist, Buddhist, Mormon and Hindu backgrounds; all who heard the Gospel spoken that day. We have heard of people who have come to faith because of Ezra’s story. The truth is, however, as Ezra’s Continue reading