March of 1993 was the last time that Atlanta had a snowfall like the one it saw in January of 2011. The city shut down for a week or longer in some parts. “What a coincidence,” I thought, as I heard that little tidbit on the radio (knowing full well I didn’t believe in coincidences). … Continue reading Ready to Live, Not Relive, Part 2 of 5 [Mth 3-Day 23-Post 26]

Twenty years ago this past March, I was a shy, 14‐year‐old girl attending a weekend retreat with other teenagers hoping to find God. Instead, I met another girl named Holly who was apparently very popular. So I decided to change my name to “Charlie” to avoid confusion (a nickname originally given to me by my … Continue reading Ready to Live, Not Relive, Part 1 of 5 [Mth 3-Day 23-Post 25]

In 2005 just after Alex and I were married, the Lord spoke to me about the first book I would someday write. He gave me a title that didn’t immediately give away its purpose, but it rolled off my tongue with eloquence and effective inspiration. I pondered and prayed for further insight, coming away with … Continue reading Water into Wine [Mth 3-Day 16-Post 24]

 “Pain” is the one word I would use to describe every day of my life for more than the last 18 months. When it all started, I was pregnant with my second daughter. Both pregnancies fell more on the severe end of the spectrum, far from anything comfortable or mind-glowing. Nausea chased me morning, noon … Continue reading When God Shouts [Mth 3-Day 13-Post 23]

Last year I led a seven-person team on a mission trip to Haiti, a first for me from many angles—my first mission trip I led since moving back from Peru in 2008, first trip I led without Alex, first trip overseas without Alex, and my first trip ever to Haiti. I did not lead with … Continue reading Hope Renewed [Mth 3-Day 9-Post 22]

“What’s the Word on the Street?” echoes in my house and in my mind many times a day. It shouldn’t, though. If I were doing what I’m supposed to be doing, you should only hear it once, maybe twice—in the house, anyway. It’s quite a catchy Sesame Street phrase that you not only hear at … Continue reading “The Word on the Street” [Mth 3-Day 6-Post 21]

Once Alex realized his mistake, he called me to apologize for forgetting our appointment. For various reasons, we never got around to rescheduling. I wasn’t in a hurry to fix the bike after that anyway because I came down with Walking Pneumonia! Unfortunately, my recovery was long and drawn out because, as an hourly employee … Continue reading “Circling,” Part 4 of 4 [Mth 2-Day 31-Post 20]

They say one of the stages of processing grief is bargaining. Well, I was grieving my relationship with K, my “almost” marriage, along with all the pretty hopes and smiley dreams of our future together. And when the Lord said, “It’s time to run away from home,” I said, “Okay, God, I’ll go, but just … Continue reading “Circling,” Part 3 [Mth 2-Day 30-Post 19]

“I was wrong”—three of the most difficult words ever spoken in the English language.I like to be right. All of the time. Just ask my husband. So when someone basically says to my face, “You’ve got it all wrong, girl!”—yeah, I don’t do well with that. I blame the perfectionist in me that insists I’m … Continue reading “Circling,” Part 2 [Mth 2-Day 27-Post 18]

"What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from."  – T.S. Elliot, The Four Quartets"All my life's a circle." – Tom ChapinIn December of 2002, I moved to Georgia in search of one thing: discipleship. The training that … Continue reading “Circling,” Part 1 [Mth 2-Day 22-Post 17]