Author Archives: andreachatelain

I was driving to see my grandma in the hospital, praying for everything and lost in emotion this past January. Somewhere in my prayer I told God to use me. I asked Him what He wanted me to do, thinking it would have something to do with my grandma. But into my heart once againContinue reading “God’s Table as Omaha Gives”

I’ve seen it a few times now. The most recent was while walking my dog early in the morning. A huge ugly hawk floating through the air looking for something to eat. Then out of nowhere, a little bird climbs high. She gets above the menacing hawk, looks down, and dives straight into it– peckingContinue reading “Fighting Fear”

I was sitting on a bench at the park with a mom-friend having my only adult conversation of the day. Our kids were climbing the tornado slide and shooting hoops independently while we sat and took a break from mothering. Another mom sat across the park from us… in the sand, digging, laughing, and playingContinue reading “#allthemoms”

I was listening to a friend talk about her experience with a hoarder recently–helping to clean out a house filled with more than a lifetime of stuff. Everywhere were boxes of worthless junk alongside never worn clothes tags still on. As my friend spoke of trying to clear out the hoarders house, I imagined theContinue reading “A Double Hoarder’s Testimony”

Last year for my birthday I went to Lowes and bought two scrawny pear trees for $20 each. I shoved them like a bad tetris game into the back of my honda odyssey van and headed home hoping my husband would approve. (he wasn’t as excited as he should’ve been ha!) My garden that startedContinue reading “Just a branch”

The night started a little hectic. I had it in my head I was going to this church prayer and information night about a ministry I am interested in, but everything seemed to step in the way. My husband couldn’t watch the kids because he had to work, I had to get a babysitter forContinue reading “The day a church lady turned me down”

People have a lot to say about Easter. So much pain in thinking about the Son of God being tortured on a cross and enduring the wrath of God for our sin. So much relief knowing we are clean and free and have been reconciled through His sacrifice. But as I sat here thinking aboutContinue reading “The Truth about Easter”

“Two more minutes, mom! I play two more minutes a little bit!” Yelled my two year old, Calvin, for the third time at 9:30 at night while still in his diaper and needing to brush his teeth. Standing in the living room, my shoulders felt a little heavier every time he said those words. “TwoContinue reading “Two More Minutes”

It’s Wednesday! To most people it’s just another day, but our kids have come to know Wednesday as PepperJax night. You know. The night when kids eat almost free and can run around crazy in a restaurant because there are a billion other kids there making just as much noise as your own?? It’s amazing.Continue reading “99cents PepperJax Church”

Jesus forgives. Isn’t that what we are taught all our lives? If you have ever taught Sunday school you know when kids shoot their hands up to answer a question, they usually shout one of three things: Jesus!! The cross!! Forgiveness!! So why is it so hard to believe in our adult hearts that JesusContinue reading “The Invitation is Still Good”