Maybe you’ve wanted to be a missionary since a real, live one spoke to your first-grade class. Maybe it’s been on your heart for a few years; you’re just waiting for the right moment (ideally indicated in flashing neon). Maybe you’d never considered the possibility of living more than ten minutes from a Walmart until you recently had the chance to sing from a kuna hymnal or hear the crispy crackle of a celebratory Luzon lechon. 

There’s a lot of talk by social media influencers about dealing with emotions—for both adults and kids. There is a plethora of children’s books about dealing with big feelings (several of which I own and read when we’re having a bad day). You can sign up for all kinds of different online programs or classes on helping kids deal with anger, sadness, or fear, as well as helping parents stay calm and patient. And some of this can be very helpful.

The Food Bank Arch^® Book Program from Concordia Gospel Outreach (CGO) continues to create opportunities for churches to share God’s Word with families in their communities. While each participating location has its own story, a recent conversation with Rev. Dr. Stephen Krenz of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Columbia, Illinois, offered a meaningful glimpse into how these books are making an impact.

From Texas to Wisconsin to California, I’ve gotten calls from churches and other ministries looking for answers about governance. That’s just this week, and it’s only Wednesday. Maybe it’s because I’m a Governance Systems Professional or maybe it’s because of my book, Principles for Good Order, but the voices of those looking for a better model of governance for their church council or camp board or district board are becoming louder and more numerous.

“Is this a real story or a pretend one?”

It’s a question I have to ask after my four-year-old tells me that her sister hit her and then sang “Let It Go.” Oftentimes, I’m in the same room as them and know the answer to the question. Being truthful has been a struggle for our smart girl. While we know it’s actually a developmental milestone for toddlers to understand that they can verbally construct what they wish were true, lying is a sin forbidden in the Eighth Commandment.

This summer my wife and I took our children on a trip to California. The low humidity and beautiful scenery were wonderful. The gas prices were not!

We ended our trip in San Francisco. What a marvelous city! It’s also one of the most expensive cities in the United States. One report says the average rent is $3,800, the highest in the nation.

From our hotel, I went for an early morning run along the bay. On my run, I approached an unexpected object right next to the running path—a tent. Outside the tent was a pair of men’s sandals. Obviously a man was sleeping inside. 

My college roommate decided she could be more productive if she slept every other night. That’s an extra eight hours every other day to get things done, right? Sounds great in theory. But as you might expect, it didn’t take long before she realized she needed a lot more rest than that.

When Christ the King Lutheran Church and School in Southgate, Michigan, began sharing Arch^® Books at their food pantry, they weren’t sure what to expect. What they’ve seen since has been nothing short of a blessing.

In August 2018, I moved abroad for my dream job as an international missionary. When asked how long I’d be there, I’d reply that I’d stay until I retired or God called me elsewhere. Eight years later, God did call me elsewhere: St. Louis, where my future husband would begin his final year of seminary studies. 

Talking with children about death is never easy. As parents and caregivers, we may feel unsure of what to say or how much to share—especially when our own hearts are heavy. Yet as Christians, we do not face these conversations without hope: In Jesus, we can speak truthfully about death while pointing our children to the promise of life everlasting.