It’s About to Get Wild!

Did you get your end-of-year photo recap on your phone? ⁠

Mine popped up the other day and said, “Your picture vibe for 2024 was Outside with Your People!” Then it magically created a slideshow of us doing all the outdoor things together.

And really, a version of this slideshow could have been created every year for the last 15 years because being outside with my children has been one of the most wonderful parenting hacks and greatest joys. 

An older mom told me when I had four tiny ones, “If it feels like the walls are closing in on you, get rid of the walls.” So we went outside. And the more we did, the more we got to know it. ⁠Children are natural-born explorers and with every tiny discovery there came new questions.

We searched and googled and looked in books to find answers.

We drew and painted and excavated.

We walked our neighborhood, hiked trails, and sought out every park. Though what we did most was simply go out into our own yard.

And these are the roots of my new picture book, Miss Prim Goes Wild!⁠

It has been a joy to work on this story. These lighthearted, alliterative tales with lively illustrations are the kind my children have loved over the years. Talented illustrator, @thai.phuong.artwork, brought the story to life with gorgeous and thoughtful pictures. I hope the children in your life love it, too!⁠

More fun things to share soon, but for now, I hope you consider grabbing a copy and getting ready to go WILD!⁠

How To Be A Neighbor

One cold NYC night near Christmas, my husband and I ran down the steps of the subway station, headed to our apartment. As is usually the case in stations, a man stood at the bottom of the steps, mumbling something to each person who hurried past.

One after another, our stream of people passed by him because the train was pulling up and we had important places to be.

After I’d passed, I heard him behind me saying, "Oh, thank you, sir. Thank you so much!”

I peeked back and saw him leaning in close to another person like they were working on something.

“I can’t do it on my own,” he was saying.

It was clear to see then, once I actually paused to look, that the man had only one working arm and he was trying to find someone who would help him zip up his coat.

So the other person (my husband) fumbled with the zipper, pulled it up to the man’s chin, and the night felt a little less cold.

And when I think about beauty in the world, it’s these kinds of moments that come to mind. Sometimes we’re recipients, asking for help, and sometimes we have the chance to respond with kindness. Either way, we’re changed.

Jesus came as a light in the darkness and we all just have these little chances to carry His light.

I’ve been reading the book of Luke this month and I was struck in the Parable for the Good Samaritan. The lawyer means to test Jesus by asking, “Well, who is my neighbor?” after Jesus has told him to love his neighbor.

Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan and then in Luke 10:36 asks, “Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among robbers?”

The responsibility is on us to be the neighbor, not to determine who is our neighbor.

May our Christmases be full of true beauty and light given.

Art for Joy: Jewelry Making

Since jewelry-making has been found to reduce stress and build confidence, I love occasionally integrating it into our therapeutic art class at the recovery home for survivors of human trafficking. There’s the calming, repetitive motion of stringing beads and the satisfaction of creating something beautiful to wear or share. Typically I ask the ladies to make a piece or two for themselves, a couple to give away.

We make bracelets, rings, earrings, and occasionally key chains, then package them in small organza bags.

If you had a small set of supplies on hand, this would be a fun activity with a friend who’s over for coffee!