Advent Calendars 2023

Advent Calendars 2023

  Using an Advent calendar is one of my favorite ways to prepare and pray in the days leading up to Christmas. Unlike the store-bought versions, my calendars have no doors, just blank spaces for the days of Advent. Instead of tearing apart a calendar day by day, I...
New School-Year: Anticipation and Anxiety

New School-Year: Anticipation and Anxiety

For kids, the transition from summer vacation to a new school-year can be both a time of excitement and anticipation AND a time of fear and anxiety. Readying kids for school involves practical and physical preparations. Checking out wardrobes, replacing outgrown...
Cold Shower–Hallelujah, Alleluia!

Cold Shower–Hallelujah, Alleluia!

I stepped into our cozy, dorm-room shower this morning anticipating its usual, wonderful solar-hot water. By the time I was head-to-toe wet, it soaked into my brain: “This water is COLD!” Then I started my familiar rant: “Nothing is predictable here....