Today we celebrate 24 years of marriage. We met at 17, started dating at 20, got engaged at 22, and married at 23. We have now been married more than half our lives. In that time, we have lived in seven homes in three counties in one state. We have worked at nine jobs, including … Continue reading 24 Years and Counting
Tag: joy
re:create recess
In 2015 I decided to adopt a word (actually, a phrase) that significantly affected my decision-making: put yourself in the way of beauty. Unlike any resolution or goal setting before it, that phrase began a work in my being--mind, heart, body, soul--that continues to this day. Create was my 2016 theme, and it picked up … Continue reading re:create recess
Thankful Thursday – My Awesome Doghouse
No matter what you do, how hard you work, how much you invest, how great your love or commitment, you will disappoint people. The junior high and high school popular kids. Certain teachers or college professors. Friends and neighbors. Bosses and authority figures of all stripes and spots. Family members, community members, and church members. … Continue reading Thankful Thursday – My Awesome Doghouse
Advent Week 1 -The Promise of Joy
No matter how far in advance I begin preparing for Advent--and as church Communication Director, that can be much farther in advance than you'd think--the first Sunday of Advent always strikes me as a bit of a surprise. End-August through end-November are my professional busy season, reflecting on the past year as I compile the annual report and … Continue reading Advent Week 1 -The Promise of Joy
Thankful Thursday – Middle School Music
When my kids were in elementary school, I’m not sure I could have predicted how much I would enjoy middle school band concerts. Teen skipped school music altogether, but Tween got bit by the band bug, particularly the trumpet. He loves it, he seems to have aptitude for it, and he’s got two pretty incredible … Continue reading Thankful Thursday – Middle School Music
Love as Creative Energy
I don't dance well but, when the music and mood strike, watch out! And I have danced with today's guest post author; together, we have joyfully boogied at a friend's wedding celebration and at concerts in the park. She danced with my kiddo first, though...she was one of his fabulous PreK teachers and, though I … Continue reading Love as Creative Energy
Pride & Joy
Parents often speak of their children as their Pride and Joy. My mom has often said that she can’t be proud of her children. Not that she doesn’t have reason to feel pride, but that she won’t take credit for our accomplishments. I hope it's not disrespectful, on Mother's Day of all days, to say: … Continue reading Pride & Joy
Express
I've been reading Liz Gilbert's Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear. I like it. Just over half-way through, I find it inspirational, insightful, and encouraging. She writes in short anecdotes that make you want to keep reading, except that at the end of each one I feel the need to put the book down and … Continue reading Express
How Do We Pray?
As we walked the trail, my friends talked about dealing with stress: exercise, meditation, therapy, hypnosis… I said, “Or you could pray.” They expected that from me, but I didn’t expect their response: “Well, you know how to do that. We don’t know how to pray. Maybe you need to pray for us every morning.” … Continue reading How Do We Pray?
Running in the Rain
You don’t have to know me well to know I’m not a runner. My inner critic says, You might know at first glance, but I tell that voice to hush up now. For various reasons, I haven’t run since a college-required fitness class, mostly because it felt torturous, no fun at all. Walking, hiking, YES, … Continue reading Running in the Rain