life beyond the well…

Category Archives: Baby


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Catching Up: Life Changes – He Doesn’t

Slow blinking, because it’s hard to believe that this year I turned 40! I suppose that would mean that I am officially an adult?

A lot has changed with me in the past five years. And a lot is still the same. Ethan is no longer a baby–he started 2nd grade this year, but he’s forever my baby. I finished my dissertation and officially became Dr. Erin Almond. We welcomed a baby boy in December 2021 (who is now about to be TWO years old #timeslowdown). My father passed away unexpectedly in February 2021. My mother-in-law passed away unexpectedly in March 2022. Preacherman and I both have different jobs with the same employers, and we’re still blessed to lead Higher Definition Church (now planted in the Arlington area of Jacksonville). Oh, and there was an entire global pandemic!

And so while a lot has changed, I’ll say this- God is the same. His faithfulness through these last few years has been beyond what I can imagine. There were days that felt really tough, and there were days that were full of joy – and in both, God is/was good.

It can be easy to deposit a, “God is good” when you feel that to be true. Similarly, it can be easy to slide into feelings that allow you to doubt God’s goodness when you feel that you’re going through hell and high water. The truth of the matter is that God is still good, still faithful, and still true to His word regardless of the circumstances happening in us and around us.

Navigating the last few years forced me to lean into the fact that every circumstance in my life is an opportunity to see and experience the goodness of God. It helped me to reframe my perspective and begin to operate more from a place of gratitude.

If you find yourself struggling to “feel” the goodness of God, know that you’re not alone. When life happens (or when life be lifing), it can be hard to feel or see His goodness- and yet it is there. My challenge for you is to try to name your blessings (or as the hymn says, “count your blessings, name them one by one”). And if you can’t name them, just expressing gratitude to God, a simple, “Lord, I thank you” is a good start.

Friends, I’m happy to be back in this space. I’m praying for you; that you know that His goodness and mercy follows you, that His mercies are new every morning, that He is for you, that He is good, and that every bit of your life testify to His goodness.

Until next time- be encouraged! Peace and blessings!


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The Father’s Voice

In my immediate postpartum period, Ethan and I didn’t leave the house much. I was, as most mothers of newborns are, insanely sleep-deprived and just trying to figure out the basics of survival in our new normal.

Preacherman was able to enjoy some time at home with us, but soon he returned to work. He ended up missing just one Sunday from church (the Sunday Ethan was born), and for the other Sundays where Ethan and I were home, we were able to hear the message via Periscope or some other streaming technology.

Though Ethan and I were trying to master our routines, it seemed that without fail on Sunday mornings, something would happen that would have him upset. When I say “upset”, I mean, borderline inconsolable.  I would try everything–singing, rocking, diaper changing, nursing…and while each thing might provide a short moment’s relief, he would eventually be upset again.

Until he heard his father’s voice.

As soon as Ethan heard Preacherman’s voice, starting with the scripture, and going into the message, he would calm down; and eventually go into rest, usually falling asleep in my arms.

I’m a lot like Ethan.

There are things in this life that make me upset- borderline inconsolable, even. Unlike Ethan, I have coping mechanisms that are beyond screaming and crying uncontrollably. But like Ethan, I am immediately soothed to a place of rest and peace when I hear the voice of my heavenly father.

Truthfully, it can be hard at times to hear the father’s voice. The weight of the world can feel so heavy and the sounds of the world can be so loud.  But in those moments, it’s important that we press into His presence through prayer, praise, and worship- that we call out to Him so that we can hear what He has to say to us. No time spent in His presence is wasted and it is in his presence that we can experience the fullness of joy.

I feel challenged to make sure that when things around me seem so loud and overwhelming that I’m being diligent about pursuing God’s presence so that I can hear His voice.  Then I will experience the peace and joy that I’ve been longing for, and can be prepared to face the challenges of life.

Until next time…

Be encouraged! Peace and blessings!