By Ashley McIlwain I love you. Those are perhaps three of the most powerful words we can ever speak to someone, and they are perhaps three of the most powerful words that can ever be spoken to us. We all long to be loved. We were created to be in relationship and experience the richness
More than ever I am acutely aware of the importance of marriage. Daily I see the impact of failing marriages with my clients. It’s the wife who is struggling with depression and anxiety because she desperately wants to feel loved by her husband. It’s the husband who is battling sexual addiction because he yearns for
By Ashley McIlwain I wish so badly that, when we walk down the aisle as bride and groom, we could see each other for all that we really are. Past the pure white and big smiles. Past the euphoria and excitement. Past the notion of a “perfect day.” Instead, transparent with our brokenness, baggage, issues,
By Ashley McIlwain Life has a way of keeping us on the go. We feverishly check items off of our to do list only to find ourselves adding even more to the end of it. Our calendars are full, our lives chaotic, and our emotional and physical tanks down to fumes. Sadly it’s our marriage
By Ashley McIlwain My sister, her daughter, and husband came to stay with us over Labor Day weekend. Together, we laughed, played, and made memories along the way. It was so much fun being together. One of the best parts though was having my 3 and ½ year old niece there. Seeing the world through
By Ashley McIlwain One of the greatest parts of Christmas is the generosity that seems to so prevalently accompany it. People are more aware of the needs of others, and they are more willing and receptive to meeting those needs. It’s a wonderful part of this time of year, which got me to thinking a
By Darlene Schacht Brown paper covered the tables in place of a fancy tablecloth, while the head of a deer with over-sized antlers hung above our table in place of class. In place of a vase sat a cup of broken crayons, which came in handy when sometime after the drinks were served, I scribbled,
By Steve McIlwain Hubs here. The greatest gift in the history of Christmas flicks … the Red Ryder BB Gun. Other notables include the wienie whistle from The Santa Clause, Turbo Man from Jingle All the Way (Sinbad and Arnold in their prime), and the cat in Christmas Vacation. But the Red Ryder BB Gun
