Gifts

My younger sister Becca got married last weekend, and my even younger sister Sarah is getting married in 3 months, and my brother Jeremy has been married for 12 years, and I am single. Yes, this has led to some emotional moments for me, and yes, I sometimes wonder if I’m at all “marriage material.”…

I find it harder and harder to believe in magic these days. Life isn’t easy, you know.  It can be full of tough things.  We learn to suck it up, because no one is going to come along and fix it for us.  Right?  We’ve waited and waited, but with no imminent rescue, we eventually…

My sister Becca is a great gift-giver.  She puts a lot of time and thought and effort into the things that she gives people – and this past Christmas was no exception. In addition to our “real” presents, she made everyone in our family an awesome dog portrait.  Weird?  NOT IF YOU’RE A PARSONS. Becca…

Squinty, smiley Mike came through Denver last night, and he gave me a t-shirt with his face on it. This is so perfect.

Micah: Auntie Oonis, I know that you want to get married and have kids someday. Annie: Who told you that? Micah: Grandma. Annie: Oh.  Well, she’s right. Micah: Why aren’t you married yet? [Because God is just busy building some lucky man’s character, bank account, and biceps.] Annie: I don’t know, buddy. Micah: Well, if…

I don’t always believe that Jesus loves me – even though the bible tells me so. Oh, I know that Jesus loves me – in a “whole world in his hands” kind of way.  But do I believe that he loves ME?  That he sees ME?  That seems impossible. It’s this thorn in my side,…

Christmas is closing in all around me, like an army of ants on a stale, crusty French fry. I am the French fry. I have barely done any Christmas shopping, and with my big move happening in 3 days, I’m not sure when I’ll have the chance to get some ho-ho-ho-ing done. (I don’t think…

When I graduated from college, I had a party. I didn’t really expect it, but people brought me presents. Let this be a lesson to all of you slackers out there: don’t quit, because in the end, YOU TOO could be the recipient of a ceramic candle holder in the shape of a flip-flop. Actually,…

Dear Grant (“the man that I live with”), You have stored up major treasures in heaven. We did not know each other – you were the friend-of-a-friend – and yet you graciously opened your doors to me. You helped me carry my huge purple suitcases, and big boxes of dishes and books, and all of…

Yesterday morning, I got a phone call from a girl saying that she worked down the street at Bongo Java. “We have a surprise here waiting for you – come in anytime this morning and it will be waiting for you.” A SURPRISE?? I never get surprises! I walked down to the coffee shop, and…