HI! I’M LESLEY!
I live in a little coastal town just a few hours north of Los Angeles. I’m a writer, reader, runner, skier, baker and beach girl. I’ve been married to my best friend for the last 18 years and together we’re raising our three kids who keep us running between flag football games, playdates and PTA meetings. For their privacy, I don’t post family photos much anymore but I hope you’ll trust me— they’re a very cute and sweet bunch.
I started blogging in 2006 while we were living in Sacramento as newlyweds. Although those original posts are long gone, here is where I now (occasionally) share musings about faith, spiritual formation, friendship, motherhood, marriage, politics and cancer. More regularly, I’m writing a newsletter called The Tide Chart on Substack. If you like what you see here, please consider subscribing.
For the last few years our family has hunkered closer to home where I’ve been learning to be satisfied with a simpler, quieter life. As brand new parents, my husband went through treatment for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Several years later, our middle son was diagnosed with bilateral Wilms Tumor (pediatric kidney cancer). I’m so grateful to say that both of my boys are in full remission. Through these suffering experiences I experienced God in new and profound ways, and He led me to seminary. I now hold a Masters degree in Spiritual Formation and Leadership from Friends University. Before that, I co-created and hosted the first two podcast seasons for Coffee + Crumbs and have a handful of motherhood essays published there. You’ll also find my essays and devotionals in The Magic of Motherhood and the NIV Bible for Women. A full list of my published work is here.
For those of you visiting for the first time, thank you! I’m really happy you’re here. It is my deepest hope that you won’t look to me for the answers but know I’m a safe person for your questions. It is the deep and abiding love of God that got me through some of life’s most painful days. That being said, if I can be a listening and loving ear for you in your own suffering or faith journey, please don’t hesitate to reach out.