The Pictures of My Heart
Motherhood is a conundrum. The mixture of joys, longings, highlights, and sorrows should be an impossible combination like oil and water. But, somehow, they are all blended into a mother’s heart in a...
View ArticleAn Unlikely Gift
Our oldest son, nicknamed on the blog as “Spock,” has been given a gift that we are only just starting to understand. It took us awhile to know it was in his possession. Spock is dyslexic. Confirmation...
View ArticleLittle Things that Matter to a Big God
When our oldest son, Spock, was six he received a gift from his great grandma (who we call “MawMaw”). A master of garage sales, she found and gave Spock a child’s golf set. We are not golfers, but he...
View ArticlePerfection
“Perfection” Illusions of perfection – We work so hard to build, A picture-perfect image that leaves us unfulfilled. Illusions of perfection – How steep the price we pay, For a temporary image that...
View ArticleAdvent with “The Ology”
For the past few years, we have used an advent reading plan from “The Jesus Storybook Bible” (by Sally Loyd-Jones) to prepare our hearts for Christmas. We have being using “The Jesus Storybook Bible as...
View ArticleThis is my Attic
One of my favorite books is “Little Women.” As a girl I would imagine myself as fearless Jo March. In these modern times, I do not have a black ink stain on my finger that might identify me as a...
View ArticleWrite to Serve
There is something about writing — it can feel selfish. Writing is solitary act that takes time. There are people that depend on me to survive (no,seriously), to be educated, to be involved, keep our...
View ArticleGood News Community
You may have noticed a change in this space – the blog has a new name! “Ashley Ivester – Good News Girl.” The original name, “On the Street Where We Live,” was a sentimental nod toward a time when my...
View ArticleAll That We Do
Last week my Dad made a spontaneous visit. He had wanted to take the boys skiing for over a year. When a window of opportunity presented itself, he drove the six hours to our house. My Dad’s trip...
View ArticleMystery Marks
I sat in silence, pondering the words our son shared. He was looking for answers and purpose. He needed hope. He was diagnosed with a learning difference last year. There are many misconceptions and...
View Article“Not Aunt Becky!”
You may have heard of the recent college admission scandal that hit the news last week involving some celebrities (if not, you can get up to speed here). Almost bigger than the story itself was the...
View ArticleCan You Just Punch Me in the Face?
“Excuse me?” I peered down at our kindergartner. My mouth opened and closed like a fish. I was sure he hadn’t actually said what I thought. Then he said it again. “Can you just punch me in the face,...
View ArticlePick Up Your Stone
“Call me when you wake up.” The text extinguished any traces of fatigue from the night. My fingers couldn’t swipe at the phone screen fast enough. Something had happened. People dear to us are...
View ArticleHe Knows Your Name
Jesus was dead. Those closest to him had experienced the horror and trauma of witnessing the brutal beating and death of their loved one. Then it appeared that the grave had been tampered with and the...
View ArticleWhat She Never Told Us
There is more to a mother than meets the eye. My siblings and I didn’t really understand that until we grew up. Then, when our own kids started to come along, experience revealed that there was a lot...
View ArticleThe Loudest Voice
I didn’t want to read my Bible. Not even a little. But I was awake before everyone else and the house was quiet. It wasn’t long after forcing myself to open the pages before one of of our sons came...
View ArticleA Deep Sea Diving Suit Wish
My hands clutched the towel tighter to my body as the clear water invited me in. I guesstimated the distance to the edge of the pool – too far for comfort. Why hadn’t I done some crunches or not eaten...
View ArticleWhere I Rest
Wounded sinner who needed healing from battle wounds all could see. Though I laid in a black, smoldering field, the Great Physician saw and came to me. Rescued child – Jesus holds and keeps me in His...
View ArticleA Mom and A RipStick
“Mom, I want to teach you.” I wasn’t sure how all of me was going fit on the little board called a Ripstick, but he constantly hears us say that you’re never done learning. It seemed important to...
View ArticleRide the Wind Home
When most people look over a meadow, they see tall grasses and useless weeds. My eleven year old son’s view is different. His eyes notice tall milkweed plants that hold potential. Long, slender fingers...
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