Who doesn't love Christmas morning? 

Though the theme of the LifeWay Women's Leadership Forum was Steadfast, the word permanently sown deep into my heart is ABUNDANCE — ample quantity; relative degree of plentifulness.

If Christmas morning were 3 days long, Forum would be it.

When going for an 11-course meal, one expects to be eased in with something on the lighter side — perhaps appetizers or soup. Not so at Forum. Every one of the 11 sessions (general and breakout alike) was a spiritual feast in the Word, with the Word. 

Bring stretchy pants for your soul. 

A quick glance at what I'm reading... The Bible, Hinds Feet on High Places, Dance Stand Run, Freedom Session and Longing for Home 

Many conversations with Mike in our current season of life are like ground beef: practical and necessary, but not the most exciting. Do you want to bathe the kids or do the dishes? Can you pick up milk on the way home? What’s this week looking like?

These kinds of conversations must be had, but they don’t really get anyone going. Don’t get me wrong – I love ground beef. Its low cost and flexibility make it a staple in my kitchen.

But after a while, I long for something different. I want more.

The conference was like a fine steak in a ground beef season. The content and speakers were great, but they alone weren’t what made the weekend so wonderful. Neither were the conversations we had as a couple.

It was the combination: truth, time, and the chance to talk about it.

Have you ever ordered the White Chocolate Brownie on Moxie’s dessert menu?

Picture an immense, warm white chocolate brownie hidden beneath two generous scoops of creamy vanilla ice cream, covered by swirls of whipped cream and trails of chocolate sauce. It’s as decadent as it sounds.

When you’re enjoying this dessert with friends, it’s fantastic. Multiple spoons divide and conquer, leaving your whetted appetite wanting more.

On your own, it’s a different story. The first few bites are delightful, but as your stomach runs out of room, the melting mound staring back at you becomes overwhelming. Maybe you’re the type to push past reason and down the thing because you’re no quitter. Or maybe you’re on the other end, and you surrender your spoon after only a few bites, and think no point.

My yard has been home to several columnar aspen trees that unfortunately haven't weathered the storms– some nature and some lack of nurture. I was relieved that we were able to replace them for free, initially thinking, no harm done. But then I noticed my neighbor's same trees, planted around the same time as our first failed attempt. Only her trees were taller, fuller, and stronger because of the years the roots had been getting established. Replacing the trees didn't mean reproducing the growth that only happens over time. I'm thrilled to introduce you to my friend Jessie Taillon to share a bit of everyday truth about what she's learned from trees about what we can do through life's storms.