Last year I took four weeks of spiritual renewal leave and wanted to focus on cultivation… in relationships, in my spiritual life, and literally, in my back yard. I had far more intentions than time, but I was able to manage to clear out one entire section of the retaining wall (seen behind the…
Life at Home
The Blue Couch #NaBloPoMo
In my sophomore year of college, Brandon asked me to take a road trip with him. We drove to Madison, where his sister was living, to rescue a big blue couch before it went in the dumpster. She called because she thought it was an awesome couch and couldn’t believe her office building was just…
Apps and Folders
How you categorize something matters. It speaks to the importance you place on it and the function it serves. My smart phone has the ability to create folders for my home pages and various apps go in them. I have one for tools (flashlight, calculator, etc.). There is one labeled fun (Netflix, Pandora, and whatever…
Competing Goals
One of my goals for this renewal leave was to cook more meals in the evening for myself and my husband. It is something I love to do, and I use about two more pots or utensils than I need and make a lovely delicious mess every time. But I love to cook. I love…
Manipulate or appreciate?
Henri Nouwen writes: It is impressive to see how prayer opens one’s eyes to nature. Prayer makes men [and women, I’d add] contemplative and attentive. In place of manipulating, he who prays stands receptive before the world. He no longer grabs but caresses, he no longer bites, but kisses, he no longer examines but admires…. Instead of an…
What season do you inhabit?
Today in my organic ministry class, we were invited by Diane Glass to notice what season best describes our hearts, our relationships, our work. It is one thing to notice the physical and environmental season that surrounds you… even on a cool and muggy July day. But I had never considered the seasons as a…
2 days, 3 houses, 7 niblings
This weekend, we made a road trip to spend some time with family. Since we have moved, it has been harder to make a quick trip over to see our parents or siblings and the kids. One of my primary goals during renewal leave was to spend more time with family and to re-establish patterns…
Sabbath
Still and quiet in the cove. Every now and then a sprinkle. Lazy breezes blow by and the birds talk to each other. They catch up as we catch up. Goldfinch and cardinals, sparrows and blue jays. Dancing and playing in the trees. They feast on the gnats until the gnats feast on us. So…