Stepping Into the Unknown

As I prepare to leave Maggie’s Place after eight weeks, I have an abundance of thoughts running through my mind. Most of them consist of reminding myself not to cry, because I know the moms will make fun of me if I do, but I’m actually alright with that – I’m used to their teasing…

A Home Knit Together by Love

“Home is where the heart is.” As cliché as this saying has become in our society, its meaning is beyond measure. It means that home is not bound by walls or defined by familial ties. Home is not a stagnant place where you simply eat, sleep and breathe. Rather, home is wherever you love and…

The Seven Wonders of My World

“See the world” has always been my answer to the age old question, “What is your deepest desire?” When I was little it was my automated response to adults who were interested in what I wanted to do when I grew up. When I learned of bucket lists, after watching the heartfelt movie The Bucket…

Driven by Love

Moving from rural northern New York to my new suburban surroundings in Arizona took me a couple of months to get acclimated to the many changes I encountered, some of which I hadn’t fully anticipated. Slowly, I conquered one small hurdle after another – I got used to being three hours behind my family and…

The Core of a Crafter

To the outside world, I look completely normal, mentally stable and healthy. But inside there is a gnawing desire; it eats at me day and night, controlling my every thought. It’s a monster that takes control more often than not. I wake up at the kitchen table, paper strewn everywhere, dull scissors next to my…

A Mother’s Infinite Love

It has been nearly two years since I came to Maggie’s Place to serve as a MissionCorps, and during this time not a single day (or night) has gone by that I haven’t been struck by a mother’s love. It seems to me an almost supernatural ability the mothers have to sacrifice, love and put…

Suffering with Jesus

Life at Maggie’s Place is hard—plain and simple. It’s not hard because of the moms’ backgrounds or their current situations that are lined with a million different frustrating scenarios. It’s not hard because of the struggles of community life; like when it’s your turn to clean the kitchen and there is a sink full of…

Let Love In

Many people expect to come and visit Maggie’s Place in order to serve our moms and babies. Those that serve want to give them love and support—which is good, but is it really the whole picture of what goes on at Maggie’s Place? After living here for a few months, I have learned the beauty…

Joke’s on You!

This blog post was originally going to be about how the little, everyday moments are what make life at Maggie’s Place wonderful. Nice, simple and a glimpse into daily life—done. However, while working on my post, it was getting late so I decided to head to bed before putting the finishing touches on it. I…