Why We Write Essays
I love teaching Ander Monson’s “Essay as Hack” essay. He inspires us to continue to write essays for various reasons, but my favorite reason is because the essay represents a “simulated mind.” He explains: Each essay we read is as close as we can get to another mind. It is a simulation of the mind working […]
Set Your Mind Right: Reading 2 Peter 1
Sometimes, I just feel so out of sorts. I forget who I am, what I’m made for, why I’m here, and how I’m supposed to live. This morning, I read Peter’s precious letter written to guide growing Christians. He jumps right in with what I need to know most this morning: “His divine power has […]
Barely Warm Enough to Grill: Saturday Kabobs
Right this very moment, in a huge bowl, I have chunks of fresh pineapple, chicken, red pepper, onion, and mushroom marinating in Italian dressing. Later, we’ll thread beautiful patterns of these items onto our kabob skewers. Once grilled (for about ten minutes), we serve our kabobs over brown rice. It’s our favorite meal on summer […]
A Problem: Waiting for Something to Happen
Today in class, we talk about campaigns for social change. We talk about problems we see around us. For the past few semesters, students report that they have many friends who “sit around, checking Facebook, waiting for a text.” They want to change this. There’s something wrong and so troubling about it. These people don’t […]
Fresh Woodpecker Nest Photo: Welcome Spring!
My friends on the walk to school point out the fresh woodpecker excavations in the pine tree. I research the habitat of the pileated woodpeckers in our region, and the description of the nest fits perfectly. Pileated Woodpecker Nest We’re so excited! We’ll keep our eye on this site and hope to find baby woodpeckers […]
How Not to Want More Money
As I continue to study the strongholds of appearance, affluence, and achievement, I talk to many folks who just want more money. I’ve actually only met a few people in my whole life who’ve said to me, “I have plenty of money.” Most people agonize over money; it’s all they think about. It’s a source […]
On Being Asked to Deliver a Chicken to the School
As we walk to school in the lonely doom and gloom of another cold, dark morning, I snap a photo. The day feels heavy. Then, out of nowhere, someone drives up to me and my friends to ask if we’d help her deliver a live chicken to the front office. The men grab the cage […]
He Will Sustain
Today I remember that God is a Sustainer. It’s a great verb! Sustain means to strengthen, support, encourage, and carry–both mentally and physically. As I search the scriptures for this verb, I learn that the Israelites often referred to God as the one who sustains them. And in the Psalms, I love the way the […]
For the Tired
I’m learning that sleep isn’t the most important thing or the crucial component for peace and happiness. I used to get so mad if I didn’t sleep well. Being tired just ruined me. As I age, great sleep comes and goes with fluctuating hormones. As my children age, I stay up later and wake earlier. […]
The Best Way You Know How
Today I hear a great speaker, Jada Edwards, who reminds the audience that “no one can tell your story better than you.” She encourages us to tell our stories “the best way we know how.” In whatever way, by whatever means, tell it. Don’t worry about sounding smart, getting it right, or being the best. […]