When you are six years old, winning a prize, any prize, is a big deal. This particular accolade didn’t come for coloring the best turkey at school or for memorizing the most verses at church. Instead, my outfit got first prize at a tacky party. Mother was actually the only one in our family invited to the party. Her Sunday School …
How Can This Be?
As I read the Christmas story afresh this year, two questions reverberate within me. “How shall I know?” and “How can this be?” Zachariah, an elderly priest asked the first (Luke 1:18). Mary, a simple, teenaged girl, the second (Luke 1:34). Obviously Zachariah was a man of prayer for the angel assured him, “Your petition has …
Why I Loved My Mother’s Stories (Part 3)
In case you haven’t checked in to Hungry For More in a while, you may want to catch up with the previous parts of this story before jumping into this one. Here is part one and part two. ————————- Mother’s story picked up where she’d left off, “As the little girl rocked her new baby, she remembered the story of baby …
Why I Loved My Mother’s Stories (Part 2)
(If you missed Part 1 of my mother’s story, start here). —————————— “At first, Mama and Papa didn’t notice her standing there, but something about the wonder on her face caught their eye as the little girl surveyed the room. She wasn’t staring at the decorations because there were none in their plain, country home. There was no wreath on …
Why I Loved My Mother’s Stories (Part 1)
It was the story that brought her to life. My regular Sunday night teacher had the flu and Mother was substitute teaching at our small, rural church. Pansy Baptist Church sat between two cotton fields and always smelled of old hymnals and pot luck dinners. The plywood attendance board testified of ten present that night. I was the only child. …
The Day I Rode with Aunt Lizzy
I was an adult before I realized Aunt Lizzy was actually my great-aunt. I saw her on occasion at funerals, weddings, and random family gatherings that had more fried chicken than reason. Aunt Lizzy looked a lot like my grandmother, who was her sister, but the similarities stopped at appearances. My grandmother was plain and sensible — Lizzy was …
The Essence of Tradition
As I reflect on the past year, I wanted to repost one of my favorites from last Christmas. Maybe it’s one of my favorites because the author is one of my favorites. You guessed it, today’s post is from Hannah Persall Svebakken, our oldest daughter. You’ve read several posts about her, but maybe you missed her own special post that she …
The Preparation of a Holiday Heart
She was coming. Yes, I’d invited her, but I really hoped she’d be unable to come. After all, she intimidated me. Her clothes were better. Her house was bigger. Her lifestyle was best. And yet, it was Christmas. I was supposed to have peace and good will toward all – even her. So, as I had …
“The Least of These”
You have quite a treat as we enter into the Christmas season. Friends from around the world will be giving us a glimpse into spending Christmas overseas. Each have a unique story. Each will touch your heart. Each re-inspires just why you celebrate. Today’s post is by Roby, a friend who spends most of her Christmases in East Asia. …
Christmas in Review
We traveled to Tennessee this year from Christmas to spend time with our oldest daughter, Hannah and her family. Blessings to each of you as you finish out this year. Thanks for joining us at Hungry For More as we seek to live out what we hear the Father …