As I stepped into the room where Phyllis Tickle was speaking, our eyes met and, in her words later, "I jumped! Did you see me jump?" She remembered. She remembered the transatlantic flight we shared in 2005, and the descent that led to my child's airsickness. She remembered how my husband and I mopped up vomit as the plane landed. She remembered handing me a paper … [Read more...]
Festival Friends
I rode up with a friend of mine, but she wasn't attending the festival. She's visiting her sister here in Grand Rapids. Another friend of hers was going to be at the festival, but I'd never met the friend of my friend.What I'm trying to say is that I came alone.And a mom of four doesn't go places alone very often.So as I rode the shuttle bus from the hotel to the college … [Read more...]
Live, from Grand Rapids, it's the Festival of Faith and Writing!
Approximately 2,000 writers, readers, editors, publishers, and assorted literary types are converging at Calvin College for the biennial Festival of Faith and Writing.I'm here for the first time ever, to listen and take notes.This event pulls together a wide range of authors--novelists, poets, essayists, memoirists--to present various thoughts on writing and faith. And … [Read more...]
Little School in the Woods
I've been thinking back on our week of camping and how we were immersed in nature 24 hours a day (excepting the two or three evenings we escaped the mosquitos by retreating to the camp's clubhouse, which was outfitted with a pool table, cable TV, two leather recliners, and two public computers where the kids took turns logging onto Webkinz...can it still be considered … [Read more...]
More vacation pictures–and a gross face-in-place
It's a nature bonanza here on the coast of Florida! Last night, we fell asleep to an owl's hooting. As I walked to the bath house this evening at dusk, I heard a mockingbird going nuts, singing a crazy medley of migrating birdsongs one after another fast and furious. This Great Blue Heron hangs around near the fishermen. So regal. He moves with smooth … [Read more...]
Monday FunDay (week 10)–Get Up and Play
Welcome!You've arrived at home base for Monday FunDay, a carnival dedicated to swapping simple, amusing–maybe even silly–everyday ways you enjoy good, clean fun.Monday FunDayTo participate in Monday FunDay, just post a story, idea, or explanation at your blog of how you and/or your family has livened up Mondays (or any day).Then link up via Mr. Linky below (if you don’t … [Read more...]
The Blessing of Boredom
"I'm bored," a child whines. Oh, no! Quick, pull out the paints or Playdough—heaven forbid the child actually sits with nothing to do. In our entertainment-obsessed society, we almost panic at the thought of having nothing to do, at being bored. The world seems to want to fill every spare moment with productivity or fun. But is boredom such a bad thing? Could boredom … [Read more...]
Monday FunDay (week 7)–Tea Party
I'm a little late with my Monday FunDay post. I'm still in the post-retreat Slow Zone (sigh). Please accept my apologies. Welcome to:Monday FunDayWhat? You didn't know about Monday FunDay? Why, it's a carnival dedicated to swapping simple, amusing–maybe even silly–everyday ways you enjoy good, clean fun.Just post a story, idea, or explanation at your blog of how you and/or … [Read more...]
Blogger's Prayer
This weekend I'm off to a women's retreat.In preparation, I've been thinking about this well-known passage from Psalm 19--a prayer, really--and as I've prayed it, I realized how perfect it is for Christians who blog. I offer it to you today, especially for this coming week, Holy Week, but ideally, for every week.For every day.For every moment.For every post....a blogger's … [Read more...]
Virtual Pilot–Can You Land the Plane in the Right European City?
How well do you know your European geography?Let Lufthansa test you with this Virtual Pilot game.Each round is more challenging.First you're given 8 seconds to land the plane in the city cited after a ready-set-go countdown. They provide a map that shows countries outlined and dots representing city locations (but no labels).Next round: 6 seconds, countries only. No … [Read more...]
The Simplicity of Reading
I recently came across a passage in a book called Graceful Simplicity. In a chapter entitled "The Politics of Simplicity," in a section subtitled "Education for Simple Living," the author claimed that "In educating for simple living, three building blocks stand out: fostering a love of books, developing a stronger aesthetic sensibility, and enhancing our … [Read more...]
20 Quiet Time Ideas to Try
Sometimes I'm undisciplined and need more structure; other times, structure starts to feel too much like a to-do list and I've missed the point—that quiet time tools help me connect with the Savior and deepen my relationship with Him. When I become too rigid, I allow for spontaneity and creativity in my moments alone with God. Having a lot of ideas on … [Read more...]
Quiet? Time?
What do you do to enrich your times alone with the Lord?Are they quiet? Do you have enough time? Are you structured? Spontaneous? Do you follow a book that leads you through Bible study with guided questions? Do you meet with someone periodically for accountability?I'm asking because I'm collecting ideas for Quiet Times and Bible study.So far, here are some things I've … [Read more...]
Can Wii Ever Go Back to Pong?
One of my daughters received an invitation to a Wii birthday party. I mentioned it in passing to The Belgian Wonder as we were leaving church."A what party?" he asked."A Wii party," I said, swinging my arm around as if I were holding one of the handsets."Oh! I was thinking the other kind of 'whee,'" he said. "Well, I guess it's the hot new thing, isn't it?""They'll have a … [Read more...]
Pictorial Review of This Year's Birthday
For breakfast, a chocolate croissant. These came from Trader Joe's and had to sit out overnight to proof. They were good. Really good.The baking instructions amused me. It reads, "You will be astounded by how much these grow!" Just to be on the safe side, The Belgian Wonder left a really big space between each croissant, because that warning made it sound like they were … [Read more...]
