Learning vs. Schooling

It’s that time of year, the time of year when school-aged kids of all ages anticipate the countdown to freedom and echoes of the refrain of that popular childhood song ring out: No more pencils / no more books / no more teachers’ dirty looks / when the teacher rings...

Among Us

Many, many years ago, when I had first graduated from college, I was somewhere in New England spending time with my best friend at the time and we decided to play a round of mini golf. In the moment, it seemed like a lovely way to spend a summer day; in retrospect,...

Power On

As I moved through my day, I was seeking to step back into my daily rhythm and routine, especially after staying up for a good portion of the night before as part of a youth lock-in. I was fortunate enough to get home and drop into bed by 5 a.m., so I got a bit more...

Always Connected

Tonight, I volunteered to help with a lock-in for the youth group at the church where my husband is the traditional music director. As an appointed overnight volunteer, I was the second grown up who agreed to stay up all night to keep an eye on all things youth- and...

Locked In to the New

I recently finished a book by singer-songwriter Andrew Peterson that caused me to laugh out loud when he talked about his experience playing at a youth group lock-in, saying lock-ins essentially are everything that is wrong with the world. Why did this make me laugh?...