My Wandering Pen. Blog Thoughts.
"Not all those who wander are lost."– J.R.R. Tolkein
The Sign of the Cross
I was sitting in the second tier of seats, several rows back, near an EXIT door in a smallish auditorium room. It was the last day of Calvin’s Festival of Faith and Writing held at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Myself and two writing friends were attending...
The Holy Ground I found in NYC
Two weekends ago, Superman and I flew to New York City. We left late Friday evening, took in two Broadway musicals—Les Miserables and Fiddler on the Roof—ate up as much of the Big Apple as time would allow, then flew home on Monday. We spent most of our Saturday...
The Weight of Snow
Snow is falling outside my window. Again. This is our second big snow this winter. Since moving to Roanoke, we have had at least one big snow a year. This year it appears we are having two. I like snow to a degree. It blankets the dead naked landscape with its...
On definitions and The Word
I am re-reading A.W. Tozer’s, The Pursuit of God, during my morning quiet. It is a beautiful thing, reading a book more than once. It is something I rarely do, but am reminded--once again--the richness gained by meditating over a set of ideas multiple times. And so,...
When You Go to Alaska
A three hour car ride, four airplanes of varying sizes, hours of layovers—to include an overnight in the airport, and a 30 minute skiff ride. That is what it takes to get to Alaska. At least, that is what it took for me to get to Alaska. That is where I spent last...
On Fog, Monticello, & the Four Quartets
The past several mornings there has been a thick fog blanketing the valley. Monday morning from my back deck, I could see down my hill, and the mountains across the way, but in the expanse between us lie a fog so thick and flat it teased me with trying to walk across...
In the Aftermath of May
In May we bought a house. After years of building my dream home in my mind—with every move and every home that “isn’t how I would have…”—I am preparing to move into a home that isn’t how I would have…and make it my own. At the end of April, after yet another setback...
On Adoption Grief and Mourning
Last night I finished reading Joan Didion’s The Year of Magical Thinking. It took me only a few evenings to read it and at one point early in the book I recognized some of its lines. I had read these lines already. Really, what I remembered was a similar image, if you...
I am now the mother
Yesterday morning I realized why I am grateful to be back in the ‘old-fashioned’ way of church. I was one of two parents responsible for overseeing our teenage sons as they prepared sausage biscuits in the church kitchen for a youth group fundraiser. We had to be at...
An Interview and a Blessing
Something happened to me yesterday afternoon. It was so small, and my re-telling will amount to nothing as far as writing goes. My children have been home all week due to bad weather so please forgive me. All the creative in my brain is being used to keep me on the...
Valentines Day and Sharing my new Blogging Gig
Today I’m blogging over at Blue Ridge Pain Management–encouraging those with chronic pain with 14 ways to rejuvenate this Valentines Day weekend.
On Waiting…
Have you ever seen that show on HGTV with the two brothers? They help clients purchase fixer-uppers then go to work…well, fixing them up. I think it’s called Property Brothers. Whatever it’s called, it had me in near tears at the dentist’s office yesterday—sitting in...
The Beautiful Wastefulness of God's Love
My goodness the birds go through their feeder seed quick these days! This winter is the first that I have kept my bird feeders full—or at least made an effort. I call them my birds, but I know I possess those birds about as much as I own the sun. Still, as long as...
Leo Tolstoy, New Year Hiking, and Happy Families
I never understood what Tolstoy meant in his classic opening line to Anna Karenina. But after considering our own family’s recent hike, I think–maybe–I have an idea…
When looking back is required for moving forward
I don’t know about you, but I’m not really good at reflection. I tend to my keep my life, not to mention the lives of everyone else I’m in charge of, moving with forward momentum. I could be the poster child for that passage in Luke about putting one’s hand to the...
In which I take a cue from Mary
She was not troubled by the sudden appearance of the angel Gabriel, rather she was troubled by his greeting: “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” --Luke 1:28 (NIV) Luke writes that Mary was greatly troubled at the words and wondered what kind...
Advent Week 2–Preparations, Peace, and Letting go of Traditions
Last weekend my family and I should have driven up the mountain to choose and cut down our Christmas tree. We have cut down a Christmas tree every year since 1997. No matter where we’ve lived—even in the ugly Christmas tree climates, namely Texas and North Carolina...
Upon Entering another Advent Season
Hope. Promise. Ahh…I love these words! Though during this time of year they often fall victim to the word-refuse of over use, yet true under-expression. Hope and Promise are pregnant with expectation and goodness. Like my sister ready to deliver her second baby in a...
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