In light of the current times, we are encouraging you to move forward in your groups as planned. This does take courage and we are given little foresight, so know that things might change along the way. People are in need of some sense of structure, clarity, and "normalcy" in the midst of a lot of uncertainty. However, with that said, figuring out what is safe for you and your group will vary from community to community. That is okay! 

The summer of Covid-19: How exciting (tongue-in-cheek)!  Depending where you live, pools are closed, masks are required, and you can’t enjoy summer with full freedom. My mom always says only boring people get bored, and I know I don’t want to be boring. So here are a few tips and suggestions for things to do this summer, just in case you need a few ideas!

Everyday I wake up and gaze into the beautiful faces of my children, made in the image of God: vibrant eyes, infectious smiles and beautiful brown skin. And still, I know that their joyful laughter, kind hearts, and love for other people will be overlooked; all someone will be able to see is their skin color and discriminate against them for it. I grieve that day. I have grieved that day.

“Conflict is a necessary ingredient in the process of being known and building intimacy”(Terra Mattson, Courageous: Being Daughters Rooted in Grace). As moms, we expect conflict between our children. We expect it between our kiddos and friends they play with. When my kids were toddlers and preschoolers, I welcomed disagreements as they provided learning moments I could teach within. As they have gotten older, though, I catch myself uttering the words, “Can you please just get along?” Or, “Please stop disagreeing,” negating the fact that my kids still need to learn how to move throughconflict. Conflict allows depth to develop within relationship. Walking through conflict, owning one’s mistakes, and practicing the act of forgiveness are valuable learning moments for kids and adults, alike.