From Frazzled to Fun

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! 

While the holiday is often filled with shamrocks, green food, and celebrations, many people don’t realize—and our children aren’t often taught—that it is named after a man whose life was deeply marked by prayer, faith, and courage in Christ.

As a teenager, Patrick was kidnapped from his homeland in England and taken into slavery, where he spent years tending sheep alone in the hills of Ireland. During that lonely and painful season, he began crying out to God in earnest prayer. What began as desperation slowly grew into a deep and abiding relationship with Christ.

Patrick later wrote that he prayed constantly—sometimes a hundred prayers a day and many more at night. Through suffering, his faith was strengthened and his dependence on God grew.

Eventually, God led Patrick to escape slavery through a series of remarkable circumstances he recognized as miracles. After returning home to England, God placed a deep burden on his heart to, at the risk of his life,...

Roses are lovely, chocolates are sweet,

But sometimes what moms really need is a retreat.

A place to exhale, to laugh and be known,
To gather with women who don’t feel alone.

Come savor good food (Chef M. Kirkland is a delight!),
Be encouraged, equipped, and filled with fresh light.

Step away for a moment, let your heart come alive—
At Coach Mom Live, you’ll be refreshed and revived.

Because loving your family starts here, too—
With rest, with renewal, and space just for you.

Consider this your invitation to step away, be poured into, and return home encouraged and equipped. I’d love to have you there with us. Foster moms, you can get 6 hours credit from this event!

Earlier this month on The Soapbox Podcast, I shared practical, real-life ideas that were genuinely life-changing for our family. If you’re longing for more unity, clarity, and momentum at home, I think this conversation will encourage you and give you some fresh perspective.

Give it a listen when you have a few quiet minutes, and feel free to reply and share any thoughts or questions it stirs up — I always love hearing from you.

May the Lord fill your table
with laughter and grace,
May His goodness and mercy
feel close in this place.

When chaos surrounds you,
may calmness break through—
A reminder that Jesus
is caring for you.

May every small blessing
show how deeply you’re loved,
By a God who provides
every good thing from above.

Grateful for you, Mama—
your strength and devotion.
Happy Thanksgiving—
you’re a masterpiece in motion.

Heartbroken, we have learned today of the assassination of Charlie Kirk. While our hearts ache with grief, we can be certain that he has already entered into the joy of his Lord, hearing those cherished words: “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” No doubt, he is already receiving eternal rewards in Heaven for a life lived in courage, conviction, and sacrificial service.

Lord, we ask You to surround Erika with Your presence. Be her Comforter, her Shelter, and her Peace. Hold her tightly, wrap her in Your arms, and let her experience the kind of supernatural peace that transcends human understanding. May Your abiding joy—even in sorrow—become her strength in the days ahead. I have tasted this in my own deepest valley, and I know You are faithful to give it. For Charlie’s children, we pray they would never forget the legacy of their father: brave, wise, bold, godly, a hero who poured out his life for God and for the good of this nation. May that memory inspire them to carry forwa...

During prayer group one morning, as a sister lamented how “messed up” young people seem today, I sensed the Holy Spirit whisper something deeply moving to my heart:

"Young people, even those who were fortunate enough to make it to birth, have faced nefarious campaigns against them every single day of their lives."

What was the Father’s heart in that moment?
Not judgment. Not frustration.

Compassion.

Pure compassion and love for His hurting children.

And friend, I believe that compassion and love are being poured out in a fresh way right now — transforming lives and ready to transform our culture.

Do you see it?

• In February 2023, students at Asbury University worshiped day and night for 16 days, unable to pull away because the Presence of God was so strong.
• In May 2025, 5,000 students filled Baylor’s Foster Pavilion to worship and hear the Gospel.
• This summer, 45,000 people crowded into Angel Stadium for the Harvest Crusade, with 5,500 publicly choosing to follow Christ.
• Even
...

Can I share something amazing with you? Earlier this year, I walked into a retreat with my back screaming at a level 9 pain. I could barely shuffle into the room, tears streaming, wondering how I could possibly deliver the one-hour keynote I was scheduled to give. Then, as my dear friend Jill prayed for me, I heard the Lord whisper to my heart: “I’ve got your back.” Moments later, as I started walking toward the stage, the pain went from a 9…to ZERO. Completely gone. I gave that message with full focus, packed up after a full day, and never once thought again about my back. Isn’t God good?  That moment was a vivid reminder to me that our God is greater than any attack of the enemy, stronger than any pain, and faithful when we dare to trust Him. Let me back up and give you the bigger picture. That same weekend was my Coach Mom Live Retreat. Eighty moms gathered—many foster and adoptive moms carrying unimaginable challenges. The enemy tried ...

Chris - Leading strong at Wellspring Church; hunting pheasants, quail and dove with Ruby; expanded his vegetable garden, serving on a few boards

Brenna - Planning 3rd annual Feb. “Coach Mom Live” Retreat for adoptive and foster moms, serving officially as Wellspring Church’s Women’s Ministry Coordinator, leading Arise & Shine weekday morning prayer group on Zoom.

C&B - Celebrated 34 yr anniversary in Maui, spoke for a family conference in El Salvador, enjoying “Pop” and “Gigi” life

Dillon - In his second year of Family Medicine Residency in Indiana. Doing recruiting for his program and involved with Notre Dame medical ethics. So many books, so little time….

Derek & Taylor - Leading worship in many places together. Singing professionally more, including Elijah in Mendelssohn’s Elijah. The choir & acting teacher at a nearby private high school. Taylor released her album in the Spring. 

Caleb & Michelle - New job/new home/new baby! Moved into a new PHX house in summer, had home birth...