January 7, 201520 Comments
Pride. One of the ickiest words I know. I hate it. It makes me feel small, and petty, and just…gross. I started thinking about this the other day because I felt myself getting all puffed up about something silly. It’s easy as a (semi) public figure to sometimes allow your ego to get the best of you. Even though I KNOW that nothing I’ve accomplished is because of my own smarts or strength or abilities, … » Read More
December 30, 201419 Comments
I’m such a lover of devotionals. And though I am NOT a lover of early mornings (the struggle is SO real)…there is honestly nothing I love more on this earth than those mornings that I wake up super early and snuggle up in front of my fireplace for my quiet time with a cup of coffee and my trusty stack of devotionals. I say “stack” of devotionals because I’m a bit of a hoarder in … » Read More
December 29, 201429 Comments
As most of you know, 2014 saw the release of my second book, I’ve Never Been to Vegas But My Luggage Has…which is essentially my life story.
As much as I love my first book, The Single Woman, (and I do love that book, with all my heart) #NeverBeenToVegas is and will always be particularly special to me. It is essentially my heart, my LIFE…poured out on pages for the world to see. And I never dreamed … » Read More
December 8, 201486 Comments
I’ve been trying to come up with a fun “single” twist on Advent season for the past week and I haven’t had much luck. The truth is, it can be easy as a single woman to feel a bit alienated from the mainstream Christmas traditions and books and such, as they are mostly family-oriented in nature and often serve to remind us singles that we don’t yet have a family. We shop for Christmas presents … » Read More
November 22, 201439 Comments
I started this blogging challenge over a year ago and I’ve only worked my way up to Day 18…though the timing of writing this particular blog is so perfect, I can’t help but believe that even in our busyness and forgetfulness and procrastination, God’s timetable still manages to have its way with us.
I’ve just finished reading Every Bitter Thing is Sweet by Sara Hagerty, and though she’s married with five kids, I saw so many … » Read More
November 20, 201425 Comments
I am nearing the end of my One Thousand Gifts Devotional by Ann Voskamp. It holds 60 devotionals, and I’ve read through them slowly, savoring each one, because Ann’s writing is like poetry and I never want the book to end. And yet, here we are at the end. I have one more to read tomorrow and then I’m done.
There’s a place in the back of the devotional to list your own gifts. One to … » Read More
November 18, 2014162 Comments
Sometimes my fingers literally start itching as inspiration strikes me, and I have to run and grab up my laptop and start writing immediately…let the words come tumbling out onto the page as fast as I can type before the moment escapes me and the idea gets tossed aside and forgotten.
As I was sitting and reading my daily devotionals this morning (and the number has grown to five. FIVE! Good grief.), I came to a … » Read More
November 1, 201491 Comments
I wrote this over a month ago. It took me this long to feel ready to post it. A month later and my house barely remembers his visit.
I like to believe that in a few more months like this…my life will feel just as wiped clean of his memory.
A week ago he walked into my house and with his words, attempted to tear it all down. Brick by brick, the words flew and the foundation … » Read More
October 9, 201473 Comments
My spiritual beliefs are pretty simple. Jesus is Lord. And it impacts every single thing that I do, big or small…simple or complicated. You know how at the end of The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy turns to the Scarecrow and says: “I think I’ll miss you most of all”? Well, I think my walk with Jesus impacts my love life most of all.
God has saved me from toxic, damaging relationships. He has protected me from … » Read More
October 8, 20142 Comments
If I planted a time capsule right now that represented my life…what would be in it? Hmmm. I think I could probably fill it to the brim with books and call it a day. But that wouldn’t be very diverse, now would it?
There are the obvious things. My two books…words that will hopefully stand the test of time long after I’m gone. Writing is immortality, I suppose. It’s kind of nice knowing that 20 years … » Read More
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Life doesn’t always look the way we want it to look. In Mandy’s upcoming book, Turn Toward the Sun: Releasing What If and Embracing What Is, you’ll find encouragement to live in the moment, sit with your experiences, and trust God with the unknown.
