Each Wednesday (or thereabouts) I’ve been recording a Curiosity Journal to recap the previous week using these tag words: reading, playing, learning, reacting and writing.:::ReadingAfter lunch on Sunday, I said I was sleepy."Lie in the hammock, Mom," the kids said. "It's Mother's Day. You should relax." … [Read more...]
Departure
My friend L.L. Barkat has announced that she is leaving her position as Managing Editor at The High Calling. She's got some great new ventures she's developing, so I'm happy for her decision and the wonderful things to come. And we inhabit more or less the same virtual space, so we'll still interact.It's just that I'll miss working with her, building something together, … [Read more...]
Could Be
Twenty years ago, my husband and I were on a team of people serving behind-the-scenes at a Willow Creek-style start-up church. We'd been to Willow for a conference and came back inspired to do more with lighting; we wanted some par cans on the floor of the stage pointing up, providing a splash of color against the curtain. Like this.I urged the team to create a new look … [Read more...]
Where I’m From
Where I'm From by Ann Kroeker I am from the persimmon tree, ripe fruit dropping, splitting, squishing soft into the grassy lawn below. I am from sweet-spring lilac and lily-of-the-valley. I am from clover and crown vetch, hollyhocks and honeysuckle, peonies and pansies. I am from soybean and corn fields, hay and straw, and Black Angus cattle grazing in the pond … [Read more...]
Mama! Are You Coming?
Today I published a short piece with TheHighCalling.org, a website that invites conversation about the intersection of work and faith in our everyday lives. Hop over to hear about the day my first published book was delivered to my doorstep.….read it this morning at TheHighCalling.org. … [Read more...]
Enchanté
One of the first things I learned in French was how to introduce and greet people.If I were introduced to an older woman, I could respond with, "Je suis très heureuse de faire votre connaissance" ("I'm very happy to make your acquaintance"). It's quite a mouthful. I memorized and used it once in Belgium when my sister-in-law introduced me to a person about my own age. They … [Read more...]
Scenes from Texas: Part Two
In Part One I posted about San Antonio, the Alamo, and Pee-wee Herman. Today, it's scorpions and hammocks, fusion of horizons and the merger.Scene 4ish: ScorpionsWe arrived late to Laity Lodge.As the rest of us were unpacking and arranging our things, Deidra calls out, "There's a scorpion out here!"I grab my camera and join her at the front door. "There," she points.A … [Read more...]
Echoes
Our echoes roll from soul to souland grow forever and forever~TennysonAfter a week away, I've just returned home, not quite ready to share my personal experiences from Laity Lodge, where I participated in a writing workshop led by Lauren Winner and met up with my High Calling colleagues for the first time in person.Instead, as I take time to process, I'm visiting my … [Read more...]
The High Calling #goodwork in San Antonio
We're on a boat. Eating dinner. Talking about the game we just played that required considerable texting.After we all arrived in Texas, we immediately launched into the game. This photo, taken after the game, is on a river barge set up with tables and chairs. Left to right, there's Ann V., Cheryl, Deidra, Sam, and Dan (standing). And in the background, our tour boat … [Read more...]
