What you can see when the power’s out & the light’s just right

by Lisa-Jo | Jul 6, 2011 | Family, Motherhood, Raising Boys

{The power’s been out most of today. But this post has been on my mind. I wrote it a year ago. And this boy will turn six soon and we’re planning a special coming-of-age milestone this weekend for him. You boy mamas, how do you bear it? Having arms that...

A boy and his dreams

by Lisa-Jo | Jul 4, 2011 | Callings, Faith, Family, Kids, South Africa, Travel

He’s wearing his red pajamas with the puppy print and chasing the dog from room to room as determinedly as the dog chases her own tail. As if by the sheer volume of his voice and desperate pitch of his pleading she will condescend to sit next to him for more than five...

How to squeeze three years out of three weeks

by Lisa-Jo | Jun 30, 2011 | Family, South Africa, Travel

How do you fit three years into three weeks? How do you pour a grain silo worth of time into a teaspoon? Slowly, perhaps. With lots of prayer to the God who multiplies loaves and fishes. You pray He will multiply the 21 days and nights into a season of memories so...

What Going Home after Three Years Away Looks Like

by Lisa-Jo | Jun 29, 2011 | Family, South Africa, Travel

{Thanks to my brother, Joshua, for capturing this amazing afternoon and South African Airways for helping make it all possible} Want to keep up with this homecoming trip to South Africa? Sign up to get my posts emailed to your doorstep right here Or delivered to your...

For when you’re tempted to just lose it with your kids

by Lisa-Jo | May 11, 2011 | Faith, Family, Kids, Motherhood, Raising Boys

The bacon sizzles hot and fat in the pan. The microwave sings alongside and dust motes dance in the sun along my window frames. Me and the house exhale loudly. The morning tornado of boys has been safely delivered to preschool, the baby is sleeping and other than...

From the big sister to the little brother

by Lisa-Jo | May 2, 2011 | Faith, Family, South Africa, Travel

I sit and rock my baby girl. She coos and looks up at me and I’m her whole word. I wrap arms around her and right there in my embrace is everything that is fragile and strong and beautiful about being alive. The tenderness and the courage of being connected. And it’s...