In Others’ Words: Love is …

Beth VogtFaith, In Others' Words, Life 16 Comments

I’ve come across many a “Love is …” attempt to define an emotion that is, in essence, undefinable. Even the “Love is patient, love is kind … ” distillation so often read during wedding ceremonies, often stumps me before I get very far into the verses in 1 Corinthians 13. Love is patient … kind … it does not envy …

In Others’ Words: Live Well

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, Life 16 Comments

It’s been a week. A good week … but one of those fasten-your-seat-belts kind of weeks. And I don’t know about you, but it’s Friday and I’m feeling all “Whew!” and “Whoa!” and “When can I have a nap?” And then it came time to write this post. And I’m thinking: Which quote do I pick? How do I want …

In Others’ Words: Thoughts

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, Life 22 Comments

I went to college as a special education major. I’d always had an interest in sign language and braille. And after visiting Gallaudet University, a college for the deaf and hard of hearing in Washington, DC, while writing a high school report, I selected special education as my college major. That lasted all of one semester. Why? Because I asked …

In Others’ Words: Smallest

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, Life, Uncategorized 40 Comments

I am still trying to find the words to describe the birth of my granddaughter, Alison Elizabeth, on Wednesday, July 24. I’ll let you know when I find them. All of my emotions seem to find their expression in tears … and silence whenever I hold this miracle in my arms. I’ll be spending Friday welcoming her home … and …

In Others’ Words: The Power of Truth

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, Quotes 16 Comments

This quote gives me hope. There are times in my life when lies prevailed — when I even willingly embraced lies, believing them to be true. But what I’ve learned is that ultimately, a lie must bend to Truth. Even more, Truth will break a lie until it is nothing more than crumbled dust that you can hold in your …

In Others’ Words: Waste Not, Want Not

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, Life 26 Comments

It all comes down to response, doesn’t it? I can’t always control what happens in my life — the joys or the sorrows. Even when I make a decision that I’ve determined is right and best, that doesn’t mean I control other people’s responses. What I see as leading to healing and wholeness, someone else may interpret as wrong. And …

In Others’ Words: Grasp (Guest Post by writer Pepper Basham)

Beth VogtFaith, In Others' Words, Life 18 Comments

  Just the Way You Are, my work-in-progress (WIP), is the story of a single mom whose ex-husband not only left her for a younger model, but also left her with a wealth of insecurities. Throughout the story, she’s constantly struggling with being good enough to be loved, and certain she’s one breath away from failure. So she’s in a …

In Others’ Word: Bold (Guest post with Reba J. Hoffman)

Beth VogtFaith, In Others' Words, Life 11 Comments

 Meet my friend, Reba — truly one of the most unique individuals I’ve ever met! She embraces the challenge to “live life out loud.” We met at the inaugural My Book Therapy Storycrafters Retreat in 2009. Last Saturday, Reba embarked on an amazing cross-country journey. I’m so excited for you to hear why she made this bold choice.   There …

In Others’ Words: Education

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, Life 29 Comments

Not all of my friendships have lasted. That’s not surprising, I know. It’s rare for a friendship to span elementary school through high school on into college and everything beyond: a career, a marriage (or not), kiddos (or not) life choices that draw us further apart than a geographical move ever could. But there are times when I have closed …