April 17, 2023
by Maralee
Comments Off on That Time We Stone Souped a Small Group
We have been involved in church small groups for years. I remember babysitting for other people’s small groups during my teen years and hiding in the basement while my parents were hosting their own. I believe strongly that creating community … Continue reading
September 1, 2022
by Maralee
Comments Off on People are Quiet Quitting the Church. I was almost one of them.
“Quiet Quitting” seems to be the hot phrase of the moment. If you haven’t run into it, it refers to doing the bare minimum for your job– not going above or beyond expectations, setting firm boundaries, protecting your off time. … Continue reading
June 7, 2022
by Maralee
Comments Off on When It’s Time to Leave a Church You Love
We have been attending the same church for over a decade. We have loved it there. I’ve written about our church family so many times over the years. They have held us up during very difficult moments and been a … Continue reading
April 28, 2020
by Maralee
Comments Off on Infertility– Suffering, Marriage, Friendship and Faith Radio Interview
It was a weird moment the other day when I verbalized to my husband that we are now experiencing secondary infertility. About fifteen years ago we were diagnosed with infertility, adopted four kids, experienced two miracle pregnancies that ended with … Continue reading
March 2, 2020
by Maralee
Comments Off on Bring Your Kids to Church (radio interview)
Maybe somebody out there has a really easy time getting through the morning insanity of church prep, then their kids sit so nicely and quietly during the service (hands folded, obviously) and afterwards the kids have these insightful conversations about … Continue reading
November 11, 2019
by Maralee
Comments Off on We Take Our Kids to Funerals
We took our kids to a funeral recently. I was getting ready to explain to them how funerals typically go, until I realized they’ve actually been to quite a few funerals already. And every time we take them, I think … Continue reading
September 17, 2019
by Maralee
Comments Off on Radio Interview: What keeps you from getting involved in foster care?
Every September My Bridge Radio does a focus on foster care to correspond with some foster parent recruitment events Christian Heritage puts on across the state. It’s been a joy to be part of those conversations for the last few … Continue reading
August 16, 2019
by Maralee
Comments Off on I wanted a baby. God gave me a grad student.
I have six kids and the oldest is twelve. Our family has been in the habit of adding a baby to the mix every couple years either through adoption, birth or foster care. But a few years ago, we found … Continue reading
April 29, 2019
by Maralee
2 Comments
My mom played piano and organ for our church when I was a kid. This meant some Saturdays she’d bring my sister and me to the dark, empty church building where we would entertain ourselves for hours while she practiced. … Continue reading
November 27, 2018
by Maralee
Comments Off on Mom Moment: The Humiliation of Parenting
A couple weeks ago my husband and I were leading music at church, so two of our kids sat on the front row, unsupervised. . . other than my piercing glare from the stage when they got out of line. … Continue reading