Traveling offers treasures that enrich our lives and stays with us even after the trip is over. I have often said vacations come in three parts: the first third of the fun is the planning, imagining, creating all the arrangements. I love that preparing and dreaming about an upcoming vacation. Afterall I am a planner! The second part is of course, going on the vacation: enjoying the present and discovering surprises and the unexpected. Being in the moment. Savoring the time. But often the best part is the grand finale: the final third: coming home: ahhh, the comfort of home, and then the enjoyment of the memories that no one can take away. That someday you will look back and say I am sure glad we took that trip. No regrets! Where did we go this time and what treasures can I share? Here are a few tidbits: The Trip My hubby and I took quite the adventure this time: a 32-day Viking cruise from LA around Hawaii and French Polynesia and back to LA. Yes 32 days. Yes, lots of … [Read more...]
A Traveler’s Thanks
Gracious Lord,Thank you for the joy of traveling. For the honor of seeing your creation. The joy of being alive in your world. Of experiencing the ocean breezes and the mist on my face. Standing on the deck losing count of all the variation of shades of blues in the waters before us. The loving companionship of my hubby. The deliciousness of the food, both familiar and unfamiliar. Meeting friends from around the world. Breathing in new cultures and learning histories that impact us all. Deepening understanding of varying ways of living. Watching wildlife leap for joy in the air and sea. Waiting for the clouds to pass at night to catch glimpses of the Southern Cross and Orion in your great universe across the heavens. So often, Lord, I felt blessed and thanked you for this time away to see your vast creation. The wonder of your amazing world. And now grateful for returning home and the comfort of routine, family, and beauty even in my … [Read more...]
Adult Friendships
Are you lonely? I have to admit as an adult, sometimes I long for the close friendships I experienced in high school where we giggled through long phone conversations and dreamed of the future. We shared deep discussions and possibilities. We invented ideas of what to wear and how to do our hair. We spent time together. We were real together. There was a closeness that doesn’t exist today in friendships. We do have adult friends now. Some are traveling buddies. Several are “let’s try this new restaurant with” types. In fact, looking at my October calendar I have had several morning coffee dates with good friends to share catch-up-with-each-other-moments and perhaps a few deep meaningful ones too. Yet I find it so difficult making new friends as an adult. Not just because I am lean more towards being an introvert, I think our culture makes it difficult too. I read this article recently: “Is making friends as an adult really hard, or is it just me?” The article shares: “research … [Read more...]
Word of the Year Fun
Sometimes I am just too serious! I decided to play. I love words and words are great toys to play with. So I took my word of the year – WELL – tossed it into the air, let it land, kerplop! right into a big pot of other words. I reached into the mystery stew and grabbed out some new words all containing my word of the year to see what I would discover. Ready to see what I found? Farewell – Not a big surprise here. Of course this is used to express goodbye. May we bid you a fare-well upon your leaving. Welly – now this one is new. Also spelled wellie. Is abbreviated for Wellington boot. But also can be slang for energy, concentration and commitment. Maybe I could use this one with intention with my word of the year. I could give my word, well, some welly, in the last months of the year. Wellspring – The source. Usually the water source of a well and refers to something of an abundant supply. One expression of wellspring I like and will use with my word of the year … [Read more...]
Four Somethings – Autumn Edition
Each season welcomes a time to reflect on what we are learning, becoming, and where God is inviting us into as we are being shaped in this wonderful gift of life. I love pausing occasionally, taking a deep breath, and doing the spiritual practice of remembering, reviewing, and savoring life’s lessons and sacred moments in our lives. I gather these tidbits of wisdom into what I call my Four Somethings: Something Wise Henri Nouwen explains clearly why writing helps me/us express our deepest desire/emotions. This is why I find writing in my journal so helpful. He says it so well: “Writing is a process in which we discover what lives in us. The writing itself reveals to us what is alive in us. The deepest satisfaction of writing is precisely that it opens up new spaces within us of which we were not aware before we started to write. To write is to embark on a journey whose final destination we do not know. Thus, writing requires a real act of trust. We have to say to ourselves: … [Read more...]
Digging My “Well” Deeper
“Well” is my word of the year. I have prayed, journaled, studied, played, and walked with this word for nine months so far in 2024. I have wrestled, laughed, and wrung about every ounce of wisdom from its substance I could squeeze out. I sat here this morning and thought, “I think I am done. My word just doesn’t have enough juice to make it until the end of the year.” Then I laughed, “My well has gone dry.” One of the most valuable and powerful spiritual practices I participate in is seeing a spiritual director. About once a month she and I meet. I share with her what is stirring my soul and she listens deeply – what a gift it is to have someone listen with such love and with the Spirit. Last week I told her about how I wanted to grow more devoted, more in love with the Lord and we talked about this invitation, this desire. (mmm, thinking now perhaps this was a thirst from a dry well?). I asked her what spiritual practice would she recommend I focus on the … [Read more...]
Sacred Spots
Do you have sacred spots in your home? I was thinking about this last week and noticed I have quite a few special cozy places where I like to sit quietly, sometimes alone, sometimes with a friend and just be. A space that becomes sacred, holy, peaceful. A corner to connect – with myself, with another, with God. Deep in my heart I believe God is everywhere but I find it hard to experience the Divine in many places – some spots seem more sacred than others. Do you have those spots in your home? Here are a few of mine. My backyard swing. My backyard is seasonal though I do try to enjoy the outside year-round, I am not a winter person. Sitting on my swing, especially in the cool morning air of the warmer months, with a cup of coffee and my morning devotional starts the day off so wonderful. I sway on the swing with Jesus and we talk and giggle and lift others up. I raise my feet up like a child, close my eyes, and feel the motion back and forth as if Jesus were … [Read more...]
Four Somethings – August
Four Somethings is a regular blog post where I feature four fun bits of wisdom. I love this practice as it collects moments for reflection and growth. These “somethings” become markers in our spiritual journey. With so much pivoting and uncertainty in our lives right now, being grounded in a simple practice like this guides my way. Sometimes simple is best, right? I listened to my heart and to God and narrowed down my four categories and to see what they will teach me this year Something Wise “You look me in the eyes, Father, And give me Your full attention. Teach me how to do the same with You, And to live life more present to my Maker.” Beholding: Deepening Our Experience in God by Strahan Coleman Something Wonderful I attended my annual silent retreat this year at the Lady of the Pines Retreat Center in Fremont Ohio – a wonderful time of renewal and time with God. Walking the labyrinth is always a wonderful practice for me. Listening to what God is … [Read more...]