This little boy ... ... is stepping into manhood. Several weeks ago, he turned 18. We gathered family and friends around. One by one, they spoke words of courage and blessing into his life. A beautiful May evening with the smell of fresh-cut grass in the air, this night was so much like the night Josiah was born. He shouldered his way into the world just 45 minutes after we arrived at the hospital. So handsome, so sweet. At night, I'd go into his room and just watch him and pray … [Read more...] about Our World Needs Watchmen
Family
May Happened
When May comes around we are limping toward the finish line. The binders are battered. The pencils are barely even nubs. The lunches are whatever we can scrape together. And we love Jen Hatmaker for saying it out loud. We were awesome back in October, right? May happened. If May wasn't enough all by itself, now there's this. When did this become a thing? So ... I googled, "When did kindergarten graduation become a thing?" And it looks like sometime in the early 90's was when it … [Read more...] about May Happened
And It Started with a Caboose Talk
This one stepped into our life in the fall of 2011. His entrance has become a thing of legend in our family. He called my husband, Bill, and asked if they could meet. He wanted to talk to him about dating our daughter, Sara Maria. In true Finley fashion, we decided it wouldn't be enough for David to simply meet Bill. He needed to meet the whole family. Since David and Sara Maria were in school about 3 hours away, I found a spot I thought would be absolutely perfect halfway between. … [Read more...] about And It Started with a Caboose Talk
This One is Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
Created by a loving Father who sings "Princess" over her heart. Shaped and formed, a jar of clay, to shine redemption into the world. Although she took her first breath an ocean away, we've known her for nearly half her life now. Through a long, hard labor ... she became a sister and a daughter. This becoming a daughter is never easy. Not for you, or for me. It's messy ... And fun ... Just a bit crazy. And so very, very beautiful. Today we celebrate Katya's 14th birthday. This daughter … [Read more...] about This One is Fearfully and Wonderfully Made