Seek the Lord for Wisdom
When hearing the news this week of the loss of life in Haiti because of the earthquake, of the terror in Afghanistan, and of more COVID-19 hospitalizations, we can feel scared, numb, and confused about what we can do. I’m in a small town in Pennsylvania, but I look around my large house, and I […]
First Out of Zero
I just completed an online bike ride, and I could hardly believe my eyes. The results came in that I finished first! First place! Me! (I felt that it wasn’t my best ride. Maybe there was a mistake.) Then I saw the number of riders also riding with me. Zero. I was first out of […]
“Hike your own hike.”
Yesterday I read a post by my friend’s son (credit to the adventurous Nolan Wilson) who just completed a solo-cross-country trip. As he’s talking to fellow hikers, he gleans a powerful piece of wisdom to “hike your own hike.” Hike your own hike! The best way to complete a difficult hike in particular is to […]
Let Me Reassure You
When I coach writers formally or talk to anyone trying to start or finish a book project, they inevitably lament all the lost writing time from the summer. They had planned to write! They imagined long summer days of writing, reflection, and oodles of creativity. They thought that surely by August, they’d have finished their […]
You Probably Need Even More
With the weather so very hot here in Pennsylvania, I remember to drink more water. And I remember what the Italian Mama recently told me about hydration. We think we are drinking enough water, but we most likely aren’t. Whatever amount you’re drinking, you probably need even more. When it comes to hydration, you need […]
Simple Gifts
My lavender plant bloomed a year early! Just one purple flower recently emerged, and it smells divine. This wonderful bowl of cherry tomatoes goes in a garden salad tonight with my new favorite salad dressing (find recipe below)–a Balsamic Vinaigrette from this website: https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/best-balsamic-vinaigrette/ Best Balsamic Salad Dressing 2 tablespoons honey 1 tablespoon dijon mustard 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt […]
Back to School
So it begins again! Today I renewed my parking pass to park on Penn State’s campus. That moment always feels like the official beginning. And the routine commences: I publish my course content for students on our Canvas site. I visit my classrooms. I pray blessing over my room and over the seats of each […]
The Comfort of Psalm 112
This morning, I consider the beautiful promises from Psalm 112. In particular, I love how we read “even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous” and how “surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. They will have no fear of bad […]
A Moody Publisher Monday Deal
Years Later, They Remember
Something so sweet happened at the store yesterday. While my oldest daughter and I were shopping for her new apartment in Pittsburgh, we ran into old friends. As I talked to the mother, her daughter smiled and said, “Mrs. Holleman, we were just talking about you. Do you remember your after-school snack platters that you […]