Tag: joy

Create Beauty

Create Challenge Guest Post #2 - Mandi Diehl 2016 Wednesdays on this blog I will create a platform for friends to share their perspective on and experience of creativity. Today's guest post brought up a visceral memory for me: sneaking into my mom's bathroom, friend in tow, at about age 8. My mom's beauty cabinet beckoned with mystical glowing attraction. … Continue reading Create Beauty

Meatless Monday – Cauliflower Soup

A year ago I wrote this post about lining up my expectations with my Quirky Christmas reality. Always a struggle, during this month between Thanksgiving and Christmas the house has been clean for about three-quarters of one day; the cards still haven't been mailed; worse yet, the packages will cost us a mint to ship … Continue reading Meatless Monday – Cauliflower Soup

Advent 2 – Finding Peace

Ironically, during a week in which I've intentionally focused on expecting peace, I've found distress more often. The same hour I learned about the mass shooting in San Bernardino, I also heard that a neighbor, husband of an acquaintance, was in a suicidal stand-off with police. He alternately pointed a pistol at his temple and his mouth and, after hours of … Continue reading Advent 2 – Finding Peace

“There are such nice people in this world…”

...says Tween, as the lady burying the Target conveyor belt with items notices our simple three items - a pack of lip balm and two shower scrubbies - and invites us to jump ahead of her in line. Of course he's right. There are such nice people in this world. This week we met fantastic doctors … Continue reading “There are such nice people in this world…”

One Year Later

A year ago today, in our last few hours in Costa Rica, I wrote this post: How was your summer? Oh, how to answer that question…? In many ways this summer has been like others: We’ve shopped, cooked, and cleaned We’ve done laundry We’ve paid bills We’ve played with the dog We’ve read, relaxed, and … Continue reading One Year Later

The #Day Challenge

I've picked up an odd habit this year: I have said Yes! to an assortment of (mostly) online challenges, all for a set number of days: The 30 Day Power Purge Soulful Spring Cleaning: A 30-Day Life Reboot Lenten disciplines, an annual 40 day adventure The Body Love Experiment 21 Day Challenge 40 Days of Prayer … Continue reading The #Day Challenge

Sari, Not Sorry

A couple months ago our church had a women's retreat. I'm a little funny about gender exclusive events and wasn't sure I'd go until I opened my mouth to invite others to join me. And then the organizer asked if I would model a sari in the fashion show. Why a fashion show? would be a great … Continue reading Sari, Not Sorry

“Living and Lingering in Love”

My intention in starting this blog was to chronicle the places and times my eyes caught a glimpse of the Divine among the mundane. So where I have seen God this week? In too many ways to count, actually! Last Monday I led a devotional for a church ministry leadership team. We've been reading a … Continue reading “Living and Lingering in Love”

Celebrating God’s Goodness

Jesus Christ is risen. He is risen indeed! Today we celebrate Easter, the resurrection of Jesus Christ which conquered death and gives us new life. Easter lilies. Choral and brass anthems. Dress-up clothes. And yes, Easter baskets, hidden eggs, and even chocolate bunnies. Celebration is important, necessary for a full life, the highs balancing the lows. But … Continue reading Celebrating God’s Goodness

Where do we place our hope?

I had a surprising and completely lovely conversation with Tween after Sunday school this morning. I asked him about the lesson, and he told me the story commonly called The Rich Young Ruler (found in Matthew 19:16-22 and Mark 10:17-27): a man who has kept all the commandments asks Jesus what else he must do, … Continue reading Where do we place our hope?