A little bit of Christmas
I admit, by the time mid December finished the steamroll that began flattening me in November, I was ready to find a cave and hibernate until Spring. But I didn't. I love traditions and I love all the festivity around Christmas but this year many things were just too...
Watching the Waves
We've had a lot going on lately and my head often feels like it's spinning with the renovations that are on a deadline, homeschooling, animals, yard work and house work. Plus I often like to think that I can do more than I already can't get done so I try to sneak in...
When the night is long…
This morning, I walked through snow up to my knees to gather the greens for Christmas decorating. I could hear the laughs and calls of my three precious girls playing in the snow with their daddy before he left for work. I found a perfect little tree for the girls to...
Peace- Advent 2013
Jesus replied... "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’" John 14:27 & 28 This week, we light...
The Practice of Advent: 5 Ways to Embrace Hopeful Anticipation
Photo Credit: Dan Froese Photography Several years ago as we were beginning our little family, how we would celebrate Christmas was part of many discussions. We wanted to establish traditions that celebrated the coming of the Messiah and the gift of his birth. At the...
31 Days of Nature Walks: Let’s Climb Trees
We were out collecting acorns to make acorn coffee, which is a whole other story, and the girls were running like little squirrels to fill their baskets. Before too long, Aneliese dropped her basket at the base of the oak tree and began scurrying up the branches. ...
“Now, go and tell the others that I’m alive!”
*The sun seemed to be dancing and gleaming and bounding across the sky, racing with her and shining brighter than she could ever remember in the clear, fresh air. And it seemed to her that morning, as she ran, almost as if the whole world had been made anew, almost as...
Seder & Good Friday
We began the days of Easter by sharing in Seder or Passover. We are not Jewish in our faith or practice but we share the same need for the Messiah, the Lamb. This was our first Seder and so there was a great deal of referring to Messianic Seder within a google search...
Nature tells a story…A Guest Post
I've become a monthly contributor for my friend Beth of Red and Honey which I am very excited about. This month, being so close to Easter, I'm sharing a simple but meaningful way that we share the Easter story and the life of Jesus with our girls. I'd love it...
Simple: A Guest Post
Sean is a good friend of ours from college days. We were glad to break bread (well biscuits ) and share a bowl of soup on our veranda with him this past fall. I'm honored to share his words here. "The man of simple intention works in an atmosphere of prayer: that is...
Epiphany 2013
More and more, I find that as we practice the spiritual seasons and events in our lives, I see how my mind and spirit have naturally followed these seasons over the years. Now, our practice has simply given voice to this flow of worship. It's always a bit hard for me...
Merry Christmas!
Our house is decorated for Christmas. Our tree has been hunted, brought home and decorated. The greens have been hung. Baking has been done and shared. There are still presents needing last finishing touches, beds to be made, and a feast to prepared. These next days,...
The Unusual Nativity; A Christmas Memory
I've been trying to write some of my memories down both for myself and for my girls to have one day. I wrote this last year as I prepared for my first Christmas away from my family and I thought that I would share it here. As we were setting up our nativity(s) the...
Peace-remembering the lights and the Light
A couple of years ago, I wrote about why there are no lights on our tree. I’ve been wanting to renege on that commitment this year. I have just had this longing for the warm twinkle of lights on my tree and mantel. I also know that the girls would be so thrilled. I...
2012 Advent Reflection: Hope, “Come, Lord Jesus”
Yesterday was the first day of Advent, the week of hope. I wrote last week about anticipating Christ amidst the chaos and as I began writing this I sat in my living room that looked as if the girls dresser drawers had all of its contents overturned onto the floor. My...