12/19 ((from Natalie)) Dear Jesus, Happy Birthday, my son! You’re here and your mom and I are celebrating and studying you with full hearts. It’s all so unbelievable and truly miraculous, I can scarcely take it in. As you peacefully sleep in your Mother’s arms, I find myself reflecting on this journey we’ve been on…

12/18 ((from Kate)) **This week, your Hopers are telling the Christmas story, the birth of Christ, from the perspective of those involved. Yes, some creative license will be taken, but only for the sake of painting a “bigger picture.” Before you read with us – meditate on the scripture shared and give yourself a moment to…

112/17 ((from Bridget)) “Religion that God the Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27 Do you know what I really appreciate?  When things are clear-cut and black & white, with all the expectations spelled…

12/16 ((from Eve)) I don’t remember the first time I met my friend Lauren. She has been at the church I go to for longer than I have, so she’s always been “around,” but it wasn’t until a couple of years ago that we really connected. She was teaching middle school and having a tough…

12/15 ((from Bri)) “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.” James 1:27 This verse has always challenged my heart. There is a clear mandate here: if you want pure religion in the sight of…

12/14 ((from Jessica)) About a month ago, our son came to us with a “big plan.” Apparently, his little heart had been mulling over an idea to raise money for kids in Africa; we had absolutely no clue. NADA. From the backseat of the car, he quickly explained to his father and I that he…

12/13 ((from Megan)) Six Christmases ago, my first baby jumping around in my belly, I trudged off with friends to a movie theatre in Shizuoka, Japan to find out what on earth was all the international fuss about Les Miserables. Three hours and innumerable sobs later, I understood. Among many of the story lines that…

12/12 ((from Natalie)) My home is aglow, sparkling like a diamond with the twinkle of Christmas lights. A pile of gifts has amassed. They have taken over the top shelf of my pantry as they await wrapping, ribbons, and bows. The calendar hanging on the front of the pantry door is jam-packed with travel and…

12/11 ((from Kate)) Diamonds, custom Lamborghinis, silky flowing hair extensions, augmentations and cosmetic adjustments… there are shows dedicated to the lives of NBA and NFL wives that center on what their lucrative lifestyles can afford. Often times those lives tend to center around what they can get. And yet, what beauty can be found when…

12/10 ((from Bridget)) Have you ever had that moment where the words on the page jump off as they seem to have been written just for you?  Can you remember that sensation of bewilderment and awe infiltrating your entire being when a certain passage of scripture grabbed you?  I believe this is the very experience…

12/9 ((from Eve)) I love when music and lyrics combine to give a particular feeling to a song. Do you know what I mean? When the music swells and the lyrics are victorious? Or when your heart beats in time to a drum beat? Sometimes the music and lyrics just match up incredibly well, and…

12/8 ((from Bri)) I grew up in a Christian home and it seemed like I was in church every time the doors were open. My sister and I were raised by loving parents and never went through a ‘rebellious phase”. And, from what I can remember, life was pretty good. It wasn’t until my sophomore…