by Ashley Larkin | Jul 22, 2016 | Celebration, Community, Faith, Favorite posts, Giving
Several weeks ago, Michael and I plunged two of our daughters into the ice-cold baptismal waters of Clear Creek. Our church family enveloped us that late summer morning, wrapping around the creek’s banks, nodding in agreement as eyes filled with tears and phone...
by Ashley Larkin | May 18, 2014 | Giving, Grace, Gratitude, Mothering
Down the street a chorus of chickens cluck their throaty calls. Next door the rain runs off our neighbor’s gutter from the place where there’s no downspout and splashes into a muddy puddle. Out back the horse chestnut grove looks to have grown...
by Ashley Larkin | Dec 4, 2013 | Community, Giving, Grace, Gratitude, Just Write, Mothering, Open endings, Parenting
I try to imagine her expression as she presses black and red markers to the paper plate. Does a faint smile turn up the corners of her mouth as she writes thanks? Does a worry line run deep between her eyebrows? Is her house filled by the roars of boys or hollers of...
by Ashley Larkin | Dec 2, 2013 | Celebration, Childhood, Family, Giving, Gratitude, Joy, Love, Mothering, Parenting, Perspective
An idea board hangs on the door of the two- and three-year-old class at Lala’s preschool. At the top it reads, “What We Know About Clothes.” One line catches my attention: “Corduroy is kind of like crackers.” So yesterday morning...
by Ashley Larkin | Oct 28, 2013 | 31 Days 2013: Right Here, Community, Faith, Giving, Grace, Gratitude
Only four more posts in this 31 Days of Right Here journey, and I could not have asked for better companions. I am grateful for each of you who’ve stopped by, whether you’ve read often or only once, commented or thought silent thoughts. Regardless, I hope...
by Ashley Larkin | Oct 27, 2013 | 31 Days 2013: Right Here, Community, Faith, Giving, Gratitude
Dear Lord, the Great Healer, I kneel before you, since every perfect gift must come from you. I pray, give skill to my hands, clear vision to my mind, kindness and meekness to my heart. Give me singleness of purpose, strength to lift up a part of the burden of my...