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To Work or Stay Home: The Military Spouse’s Dilemma
When I was fresh out of college with my degree in Criminology, I was ready to take on the world. I was eager to get out into the work world and wrangle in some criminals. Little did I know that marrying a military man would make having a career very challenging. As we moved to…
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My Ten Children I’ve Never Met
Ten miscarriages. Sometimes that number overwhelms me. I have laid awake many a night dreaming of who they would be. I have daydreams about who they would become, what their voices would sound like when they called me, “Mom,” and what special traits they would add to our family. For five years, our family suffered…
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When Hope Wins Out: What I Learned Through My Miscarriages
Things do not always go the way we plan them.  Events happen in our lives that can knock us to the ground so hard it is difficult to rise again.  I’ve been knocked down a few times.  Losing nine children to miscarriage definitely knocked me flat on my face.  During times of immense pain and grief…
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Oh The Places You’ll Go: A Military Spouse’s Perspective On Moving Around
I spent the first 23 years of my life living in the same state. Then I married a military man and my time in the great state of Kansas came to an end. Those first few years in the Air Force were extremely hard on me. I felt like a great oak tree that had…
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Did Gandhi Really Say, "God Has No Religion"?
“Killing kittens is fun.” “Whoa, Amy. Â What the heck? Â What is going on here? Â Oh my gosh, did you hear that Amy Thomas said that killing kittens was fun? Â She is a horrible human being.” “Now, hold on guys. Â Just a minute. Â That is not what I said.” “Oh yes, you did. Â Somebody posted it…
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67 Shades of Love
Romance and love are a beautiful thing, aren’t they?  Here we are, a few days removed from a holiday all about love and romance.  But, how do we know when someone really loves us?  What is true romance?  Is it chocolate, flowers, date nights, and love notes?  Yes, in some ways it can be that.  But,…
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Giving a Voice to the Unborn: My Issue With a Recent Pro-Choice Argument
My husband and I frequently listen to a radio show called “Catholic Answers.” It’s apologetics for the Catholic faith and we find it extremely interesting to hear all the questions and disagreements. Often times, they only allow people who disagree with them to call in. The other day the topic centered around abortion. Only people…
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My Conversion Story: Why I Became Catholic
This blog has been brewing in me for quite some time. The reason it hasn’t been written until now was that I have been afraid: Afraid people wouldn’t read, afraid of reactions, afraid of offending people. But, this is my blog and if I’m unwilling to reveal and share who I really am, then it…
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Jesus Would Not Be a Liberal…Or a Conservative
“Jesus would be a liberal!” “Jesus would definitely be a conservative!” “Jesus would be a card-carrying Democrat!” “Jesus would support the Republican Party!” “Jesus would be an atheist!” (I’ve actually heard this and it makes me wonder if we aren’t on the slippery slope to insanity.) Yes, Christ would deny His existence–makes sense doesn’t it?…
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IN GOD WE TRUST: The Truth About Our Motto on Money
So, I’ve stumbled across another assertion that seems lacking in truth. Â The assertion? That the motto IN GOD WE TRUST did not actually appear on US money until the 1950s. Â In all honesty, I didn’t know if this was true or not, so I decided it was time to do some digging. Â This is an…
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Just a Christian Girl Livin’ in a Material World
Sometimes it’s hard for me to accept my limitations. Â There are certain areas of life where, honestly, I feel stupid. Â I watch my husband sometimes read scientific things with ease and I grow frustrated. Â I grow frustrated because science and math don’t come easy to me, in fact, sometimes they just don’t come at all.…
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Why I Love Being Married
Dustin and I will celebrate our 13th wedding anniversary this coming Monday. Â Each year of our marriage has brought new joys, new challenges, new growth for both of us, and, yes, sometimes sadness. Â Through these years, I have only grown in my wonder for the beautiful sacrament of marriage and I feel blessed to walk…
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Clinging To The Past: My Sentimental Connection To Music
Many times in my life, I’ve been told that I’m an old soul. I like things of yesteryear. I seek out old soda fountains, my favorite movie is black and white, I enjoy going into antique stores, and I never tire of hearing tales of times past. And I love record albums. “Wait a minute, Amy.  You DO…
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Buying My Way Into Heaven
“Christians only do good things in order to buy their way into heaven.” Have you heard this before? Â I have on numerous occasions. Â My initial reaction every time I hear this comment is one of anger. Â How dare they! Â But, I’m learning in my journey through life to take a moment and stop and truly…
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Capturing My Life
I often wonder, “What did we do before all these electronics came into our lives?” Â And then I remind myself, that I did live in the pre-historic time period before the IPad, cellphone, and laptop. Â What did we do? Â Well, we spent a heck of lot more time outside, I do know that. Â I realize…
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Spontaneity: It Does a Soul Good
Spontaneity is NOT my middle name. Â It might be my husband’s, though. Â My husband is very spontaneous and when we were first together, believe it or not, it was a source of contention for us. Â He would spring on me a last minute trip and I would freak. Â What about a plan? Â I didn’t have…
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Getting Back to Simple
The other day I was at the Christian book store looking for a gift.  I walked past the clearance books and I saw one titled, “Hands Free Mama.”  I was drawn to it, so I picked it up, didn’t even read the back, and decided I wanted to read it.  I had an idea of what…
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My Type A Personality Was Killing Me
I’ve decided I’m going to have to scale back my blogs a little, while learning to adjust to having a baby in the house again. Â So, my blogs will be more like journal entries and shorter, until I can find more time to write more elaborate pieces. Â Just writing something down always helps me…
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Steps of Motherhood: How Your Children Help You Climb to Sainthood
“The laborious steps to the Kingdom of Motherhood are not always so beautiful, but today they are for you!” A dear friend of mine sent me these words along with a gorgeous picture on Mother’s Day one year. I’ve pondered upon the words my friend wrote and I realize that her words are full of…
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Saved Through Tough Love
I was a hard-core criminal when I was six-years old. Â Hard to believe, I know, but it’s true. Â I was on my way to a life of thievery. “Oh, come on, Amy. Â What did you steal? Â A lollipop at the grocery store?” No, ladies purses were more my thing. Â Initially, I got caught a couple…
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Dropping the Chains That Bind Us
You know something I like to do frequently? Â I like to think I’m pretty awesome. Â In my defense, I do it mostly subconsciously. Â Okay, maybe not mostly subconsciously. Â Alright, alright, not at all. Â I know full well that I consciously think that I am better than “that person over there.” Â That darn humility train is…
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Am I Getting Old, or Just Becoming a Nerd?
Man, I disliked history when I was young.  Booorrring.  Can I get a big, fat yawn?  Why is history so dull, so lifeless, so sleep-inducing when we are kids?  And why does our repulsion for it switch later in life?  Trust me, I know  there are some people that will never find a way to…
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Is Chastity Too Extreme?
I’ve really struggled with this blog.  Not because I feel wishy-washy about the topic, but because, to me, it’s so important that I’m not sure I can give it due justice.  I’ve recently heard a lot talk regarding this issue and it’s left me…well, disheartened.  Fear crept in over the negative attention I know it will…
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For Father’s Day: Shield of Male Defenders
When I was 16, I worked at a mall. One particular evening, I headed from the entrance of our store to the food court for my dinner break. As I walked out, a middle-aged man approached me. He had been standing off to the side, obviously waiting for me. Closing in on my personal space,…
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My New Career Choice: Lighthouse
So, I know what I wanna be when I grow up. Â I wanna be a lighthouse. Â It’s taken me a long time to come to this conclusion. Â First, I wanted to be a veterinarian, but me and needles don’t really see eye-to-eye. Â Then, I wanted to be an FBI agent, but marrying a military man…
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A Military Spouse’s Introduction to Southern Living
I could never have anticipated the things that I would learn as a military spouse. Nothing can prepare you for all the twists, turns, obstacles, joys, and surprises that the military life supplies. I grew up a Midwestern girl. Born and bred in Kansas, I had never really experienced a whole lot outside of Tornado…
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While You Were Sleeping
I’ve never taken Advent as seriously as I have this year. Â Maybe it’s because I’m weary of the hoopla that the secular world has injected into the season. Â Maybe it’s because this year has been a remarkable and profound spiritual journey for Dustin and me. Â Maybe I’m finally realizing that this is what I need…
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My Hero Watching Heroes
When I was little, I didn’t know my paternal grandfather well. He would always hug and kiss me on the cheek when I would come bounding through his door, but he was quiet and reserved. He never told me much about himself or where life had taken him, but a lack of curiosity has never…
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Why I Get Excited About Guilt
That’s me in the picture to the left. Yep, there I am carrying around my heaping bag of guilt, while crying about about how unworthy I am. (Sigh) The sad, little Christian lugging around bags of guilt and feelings of unworthiness is truly sad. If only we would let go of our belief in unicor…excuse…
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The Broken Baby Birds in our Lives
The first time I met her, I felt like a broken, baby bird had been placed into my lap. Â I had never, ever met another human being so fragile and broken. Â She was broken physically, emotionally, spiritually. Â Kelly (I’ve changed her name) came to my office on a referral from the police department. Â As she…
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The Picture That Broke My Heart
One Christmas, my then brother-in-law (who was a cop) came home after working the night shift and had quite a story to tell my family. He said, “You guys gotta see this.” He then proceeded to pull up online a picture of a girl he had arrested that night. I have never seen a picture…
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Crazy is, as Crazy does.
My kids on occasion tell me that I’m crazy.  They usually tell me this while I’m playing a mean air guitar to some rock song.  I like to do air drums from time-to-time, but I don’t feel I’ve got my moves down as well. When I go to add a cymball crash it just messes…
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When Faced with Tragedy, How Will You Respond?
Who in this life has been dealt a perfect hand? Â Not many I would guess are going to raise their hands to this question. Â But is being dealt the perfect hand the goal for life? Â I don’t think it should be. Â I realize that sounds cold and callous, because shouldn’t I want everyone to lead…
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9/11 We Will Never Forget
In 2005, I stood at Ground Zero. There I was, just staring into a gigantic hole of rubble. It didn’t seem real. I looked up at the steel beam cross positioned in the middle of the destruction and I was brought to tears. People had jumped to their death where I was standing. People had made frantic…
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Silly Christian, Science Isn’t For You
You might say, “Don’t do it, Amy. Don’t go there.” I know, it’s gonna be shocking, but, yes, I am going to use the words science and religion in the same blog and not to contradict each other.WAIT! Don’t leave yet! I promise this will be good. I know what your thinking. “Seriously, Amy, why? …
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12 Years of Marriage: Our Love Story
Here in a couple of days, my Dustin and I will celebrate our 12th wedding anniversary. Â I thought it would be a great time to share our love story–how we came to be. Â It’s a pretty cool story even if I do say so myself. Â But to tell it, I have to take you back…
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A Daughter’s First Date Should Be Her Daddy
I remember it like it was yesterday. Â I had my hand on the doorknob to my front door, my boyfriend was honking for me in the driveway, and my mom was trying to teach me a valuable lesson. “Amy, do not go out there if he honks. Â He needs to come to the door and…
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Figure Something Out
I used to work for The Salvation Army Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Program. Â What I learned in my time there is invaluable. Â But, working for a non-profit organization, while rewarding, can have it’s definite moments of frustration. Â Little money to work with coupled with high demand for service can lead to periods of time…
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Touch of the Holy Spirit
I’m the oldest of three kids. I’m a stereotypical oldest sibling–protective, lecturer, Mother Hen, organized, and a fixer. These traits can be a good thing, but then at times, they can be a burden on myself and others. I’m sure my siblings can attest to that. As kids, oldest children feel compelled to be the…