By Jelise Ballon Come Back to Church
Come back to church. I feel your hurt—I've been hurt by church people, too. I understand your aversion to legalism—I've…
Continue Reading
Our Keepsake Journal is Here! 🎉
Posts By
Jelise Ballon
‘Thunder Force’ Might Not Win Any Oscars, But its Plus-Size Superhero Stars Won My Heart
I scrolled through Netflix with only a modicum of hope that I might find something the whole family would like…
Continue Reading
You Love Your Kids As Hard As You Can, But Some Days You Won’t Like Each Other
So here's the thing . . . You can love your kids with your whole heart and sometimes they will…
Continue Reading
Growing Up in the ’80s Taught Me All I Need To Know About Friendship
I first met Mary the summer before 6th grade at Camp Caroline Furnace. She was tall, thin, and blonde. I…
Continue Reading
Father and Daughter Duo Dress Up to Bring Smiles to Neighbors in Quarantine
One father and his teenage daughter are bringing smiles and laughter to their Roanoke, Virginia neighborhood by dressing up in…
Continue Reading
7 Tips From a Survivor For Talking With Your Kids About Sexual Abuse
“How do I talk to my kids about sexual abuse?” my friend asked. It isn’t the first time a friend…
Continue Reading
Parenting Teens is a Test of My Faith
Parenting teens is hard. But not really in the ways they tell you. The hard stuff isn't the eye-rolling, back-talk,…
Continue Reading
Don’t Be Fooled by My Photos: Our Family isn’t Perfect
Before all the photos of my family vacation pop up in your newsfeed, there's something you should know. You're going…
Continue Reading
Why Ellen’s Story of Childhood Sexual Abuse is a Wake Up Call For All Parents
It’s all over the news: Ellen DeGeneres has broken the silence about her childhood sexual abuse at the hands of…
Continue Reading
Dear Daughter, The Truth is Not Everyone is Going to Like You (and That’s OK)
"I don't think she likes me," my daughter stated matter-of-factly. It was the third time that week she'd made…
Continue Reading
Raising a Teenage Girl Is a Thing of Beauty
She leaned over and in a low voice asked, “So, what’s it really like? Raising teenagers?” Our daughters were only…
Continue Reading
Dear Daughter, Modesty is About Strength, Not Shame
I’m the mom of two girls, one in middle school and one in high school. Sadly, we’ve been having the…
Continue Reading