Since We’ve Never Been This Way Before
For the past few days, I’ve been thinking about a powerful image in Joshua 3 as a metaphor for how to behave and how to think during the COVID-19 changes to our daily life. Joshua 3 provides an account of the Israelites moving into unknown territory, apparently by way of the Jordan river. Joshua writes […]
Asking Myself: What’s the Most Loving Thing
I recommended the cancelation of a speaking event next week because I couldn’t imagine asking people to gather when COVID-19 remains such a threat. I asked myself, “What’s the most loving thing to do?” It was to cancel. The most loving thing is to keep people safe. Asking myself this question helped with this decision. […]
Preparing for Social Distancing
It’s been chaotic but also so informative as I learn about our community’s measures to avoid the spread of COVID-19. Mostly, I consider social distancing and what it means to connect better virtually. I consider the infinite value of an authentic online written voice. I consider how to teach students to express themselves well in […]
On This Day: Penn State Moves to Online Teaching and Schools Cancel Class for the Next Week to Avoid COVID-19 Outbreak
What a whirlwind of a day! Amid the COVID-19 outbreaks and a rapidly changing situation regarding confirmed cases in the US, Penn State cancels all residential classes and encourages everyone to stay off campus–at least until April. At the same time, I learn that our school district has canceled classes next week. It’s a time […]
A Little Glamorous
Today I’m window shopping in NYC. A girl can dream.
Something New To Learn
I noticed a certain way I’ve grown today. As Penn State prepares for the possibility of moving to online instruction in case of a COVID-19 spread on campus, I, along with so many other teachers across the US, must think in flexible, innovative, and technological ways. Flexible. Innovative. Technological. I notice how I’m not afraid […]
4 Times: Be Strong and Courageous
In Joshua chapter 1, we read the repeated command to be strong and courageous. Each time, we know why the situation required strength and courage: to lead others, to obey carefully, to fight discouragement, and to be sent wherever God directs. I take a moment and ask God to develop more strength and courage in […]
Our Favorite Spring Cake
To celebrate my husband’s birthday, I make his request: The Lemonade Layer Cake. It’s a light, lemony cake. We add in a layer of raspberry filling and decorate it with fresh raspberries. This is a birthday cake, an Easter cake, a Welcome Home cake, and a bon voyage cake. Enjoy!
God Knows What We Don’t Know or See
This morning, my friend reminded me of a disappointing decision I made this past summer. I had been invited to speak to professors in Italy over Spring Break 2020. What a thrilling opportunity! How wonderful! Yet, because of our family situation and various factors, we decided to decline this offer until another year. At the […]
On Prayer
This morning I read something my friend Sandy posted on prayer from Dr. Timothy Warner. He says, “Sometimes we hear people say, ‘I can’t preach, I can’t sing, about all I can do is pray.’ That’s like a solider saying, ‘I don’t have a machine gun or a bazooka or a canon. All I have […]