Author Archives: Ann Kirsten

The summers of my youth were different from those of today.  For one thing, we never, ever took a family vacation.  I never even thought to ask for one.  We didn’t have the money ...

I live in Washington State.  To be more precise, the western side of Washington where the saying goes: “We Don’t Tan, We Rust.” Yes, we are famous for our rain. ...

She was crabby.  Again.  She was always crabby.  My heart sunk in my chest as I ordered my coffee.  She made me feel like I had done something wrong every time I approached her cou...

The news about Josh Duggar was shocking to say the least.  For those of you who haven’t heard, the firstborn son from the popular TV show 19 Kids and Counting was charged with molesting you...

When I received my first Bible as a child, I was told that it was God’s Holy book.  As such, I treated it reverently.  I opened and closed it carefully and always made sure my hands we...

How is it that I always seem to end up with uneaten, overly-ripe bananas?  I’m sure there is a metaphor for life in there somewhere, I’m just not sure what it is.  I know there a...

Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook and blogging sites are full of them; smiling moms in pretty outfits, sitting in lovely homes, cooking healthy recipes and raising wonderful kids.  Some even have a ...

It took 28 years for us to figure out that my son had problems with gluten.  For years, there were signs that he had some kind of allergy, but he (and I) lacked the discipline to put the eliminat...

What is it about springtime that turns us into kids again?  The sun peeks out and the trees begin to blossom and suddenly the urge to run barefoot through the grass becomes too strong to ignore.&...

While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak with him.  Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to s...