can you love God without loving your neighbor?

Maybe you haven’t stepped into a church in weeks, months, years. Maybe you go every Sunday but aren’t quite sure why it’s worth the routine. Maybe you’re a person of faith. Maybe you aren’t. But for whatever reason (perhaps being that you accidentally clicked this link), you’re here. Can I just say hi and I […]

prosperity candle set giveaway

Prosperity Candle is a growing company that aims to make our world a little brighter through community, compassion, and creativity. (Remember how I recently introduced you to one of my favorite companies? If not, go here now!) Each fair-trade candle is handmade by a woman earning a living wage, empowering families to flourish. Prosperity Candle is very […]

pink crayons and reconciliation

A pink crayon in hand, I concentrated on turning the frown into a smile. I methodically changed the tiny “No Coloreds Allowed” sign into “Coloreds Allowed.” A first grader with thick, colicky bangs and light pink jelly sandals, my mind and my heart couldn’t compute the coloring page in front of me. We were finishing up a unit […]

prosperity candle: light a candle, change the world

“A prosperous life is full of light, beauty, and purpose. A home filled with objects of beauty, reflecting your tastes and values. A world aglow with gratitude, connection, and community.” I have to tell you, I’m smitten with Prosperity Candle. I’ve been lighting our home with these lovely candles in pretty much every spot in our house […]

pursued: the anderson family

You know how you have friends, and then you have your people? Let me introduce you to the Andersons. They are our people. Like, really. They are. I wish we lived closer, because we’d probably get into a lot of trouble together and it would be awesome. I want you to watch their story in […]

don't stress the mess

It’s back-to-school time, and Joseph was thrilled to start back up with preschool. (I, however, am choking back tears.) Summer vacation may be over, but I’m so thankful for all the happy memories we made. Joseph has a blast in the kitchen, but mama confession time: Sometimes I don’t let him bake with me because of the inevitable mess. […]

pastors' wives confessions

Can I share something with you? Of course I can, and I will, because hi, I’m Kayla and I tend to over-share. And this is my little corner of the great big Interwebs and you’re here, so let’s just be honest and real with each other for a minute, shall we? Ministry is not easy. Neither […]

jen hatmaker's "Interrupted" book review and giveaway

Unless you’re living under a rock (or you’re one of those troll/rock people in Frozen), you’re probably aware that our world is kind of a hot mess. From the shooting in Ferguson and persecuted families in Iraq, from Ebola outbreaks and fighting in Gaza, I can’t seem to read a newspaper or flip open my laptop or turn on a […]

a letter to my son on his fourth birthday

Joseph, I can hardly believe that you’re four! I know you won’t read this letter for a while, and when you do, you’ll probably be much taller than me and I’m not going to lie, I might make you give me piggy back rides. Because even when you’re older and bigger, I’ll still be your mom, […]

how to live radiantly + embrace the camera

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Arm & Hammer Truly Radiant. All opinions are 100% mine. What makes you feel beautiful? I mean really, honestly, truly radiant? For me, it’s not when I’m trading flip flops for high heels and ponytails for perfect curls. I feel the most beautiful when […]