Hospital rooms are drab. I understand that their rightful commitment to cleanliness and efficiency doesn’t allow much room for comfort, and I know hospitals are not meant to be spaces for creative inspiration. But sitting in a white-walled room with cold white lights gets old rather quickly. I don’t need to back it up with the research, I’m sure you’d agree: the vibe of a room can greatly affect the moods of those who share its space. Given that there’s very little I can do f

I love adventure, but I hate going in blind. So much so that before any trip, I will get on Google Earth and look at where I’m staying and what’s around it. Before a long drive, I will map out where I’m headed and what’s on the way. I love the ability to partially envision what’s next and where we’ll be. We’re not able to do that right now. Nicole’s last round of chemo starts next week. We don’t know what’s next. To be candid, there’s some fear that comes with that. When Nico

I’ve preached that title—using pain as a passport to influence places you’d never voluntarily go to. To be fair I’m sure I heard it elsewhere, fit something I was working on so I used it. Though I knew what it meant—watching it firsthand it is altogether different. Nicole was admitted Tuesday for round 5 of chemo. When she arrived to her room a nurse said to her, “Apparently you’re a celebrity up here because all the nurses want you.” Knowing Nicole, I’m sure she dismissed it

Years ago, my dad pointed out that I’m still trying to emulate my favorite musician from childhood. While I’m not musically talented, like this artist I drive a Jeep, grew my hair out, have an affinity for white t-shirts, and enjoy walking barefoot. Touché, dad. Rich Mullins’ music has resurfaced in my Jeep lately, like a soundtrack to the journey we’re on. One song that some claim is “raw,” as if it’s somehow edgy, is “Hard To Get.” Mullins writes about his frustrations of f

This blew my mind. For the last year, I’ve been reading through a book called Morning & Evening by Charles H. Spurgeon — a daily devotional over a century old. Admittedly, I’ve missed days here and there, especially the day I took Nicole into the ER for emergency surgery—the same day we found out about her cancer. So I went back to April 29 to read Spurgeon’s devo for that day of disaster. I missed what I needed that day, and I'm thankful I went back now. Maybe it’ll encourag