ABOUT

Welcome to my little corner of the interweb!

Here, you will find typos, horribly pixelated photography, poor grammar, and several other things I am slightly embarrassed about.  But, I hope, in all of its imperfection, this page + blog will be a place of authenticity and honesty.  I pray you'll get a little glimpse into a very messy DeYounge life, but end up finding the beauty in it all.

I am a disciple of Jesus, a wife to a hunky college chaplain, a mom of three white-haired littles, a part-time ministry worker, and a part-time stay-at-home mom.  I am a secret writer, a late-night painter, a would-be singer, a lapsed + scared artist...and after my kids are in bed, instead of one more Netflix episode or magazine, I'm choosing to create something - anything.  I am hoping to pick up a needle and thread, and stitch together something particular and honest and beautiful because I need to, and maybe you do too (Shauna Niequist).  

I feel better and more grounded when I write.  Maybe my highly sensitive self just needs to pause sometimes - to take inventory, digest and process such a crazy life.  And, how it all passes so quickly!  I feel like it's important to point to some of the fleeting details of life and say, "Wait here a second.  This tiny thing is beautiful, and it means something.  Pause.  Notice.  Spark joy!"  Or even, "This other thing is hard and confusing, but it helps to say so out loud.  Pause.  Notice.  Lament."  When I document, snap a picture, write a quick list or paragraph, I feel like I am savoring more of what I have been given - both in the good and the bad.  Maybe, overall, it helps me feel more alive.

I share it all with you because I believe I was made to share.  My life is not my own and my story is really just a testimony of the Lord's faithfulness.  I believe the encouragement and comfort and joy I experience, when shared, can produce encouragement, comfort and joy in your own life.  And, I believe the hardships and sufferings I experience, when shared, produce patient endurance and hope in your own sufferings (II Corinthians 1).  

Among other less blog-worthy things, I am passionate about making, playing and celebrating.  My kids and I can almost always be found making something (food, art projects, play dough sculptures and couch cushion forts), playing (encouraging open-ended, creative play is my jam), or celebrating something (seasons, birthdays, great cups of coffee, silly accomplishments, and mundane Mondays).

Anyway, I'm glad you're here.  Come on in, ignore the dirty dishes and mess (we live here, after all), and stay a while.  I hope you enjoy following along.