IBSA’s new camp managers moved to Illinois when many COVID-19 restrictions were still in place, limiting to a very small number the people they met in their first months at Lake Sallateeska and Streator. But they’ve used the last few months to prepare for a camp comeback this summer. At Lake Sallateeska, Manager Brock Vandever […]
Teens celebrate AWSOM in an unusual year
Jacksonville | Tie-dye, popcorn, friendship bracelets, pizza, karaoke, ice cream, sardines (the game, not the food), and of course, solid Bible teaching. Oh, and no sleep. In this year of social-distance, it was essential. And it was definitely AWSOM. This was my first year as a chaperone for the teen girls’ conference IBSA hosts each […]
Oh my soul
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take courage; wait for the Lord! (Psalm 27:14) Real talk here: I just took a music-less bath in the middle of the day. I don’t know about you, but I treat baths like a spa treatment. I only take one every few months. I use bubble bath. I […]
The problem with self-care
The toy company Mattel released a Self-Care Barbie last month. This original influencer of young girls is now instructing them how to care for themselves through play, so they can be emotionally healthy as they grow into adulthood. According to the press release, “Barbie knows to be one’s best is to give yourself the best […]
What a difference a year makes
Last year at this time, I was in shock. God had just taken us through a time of mourning after a miscarriage. We were planning our next step toward a family, which included surgery for me. This surgery was supposed to finally answer why we could not conceive. Last year at this time, all of […]