Life is full of promises–those we have made and those made to us. Considering how often promises influence our lives, it is surprising how little we reflect on them. The liturgical season of Christmas provides rich opportunities to reflect on the promises of God’s love. This book blends seasonal vignettes and Scripture passages to help […]
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My home church, St. John the Evangelist in Jackson, Michigan, is filled with beautiful stained glass windows. I’ve long admired them and the way they tell the story of Jesus through art. And so I’ve decided to share them with you, starting with the ones that depict the five joyful mysteries of the rosary which […]
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I love the Advent season. While society is rushing to Christmas, I savor the sights and sounds of Advent with somber purples and music that speaks of longing and anticipation. I love the Advent readings which speak of hope to a people praying for the long awaited Savior. Yes, I’m not a purist. I do […]
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Now doesn’t that sound more celebratory than a chicken dinner? That’s how we celebrate in my family! Steaks, preferably rare and cooked on a grill. On Wednesday at 5p.m. I entered the winner’s circle, having completed my 50,000 words for the NaNoWriMo challenge. The novel isn’t done yet. I have at least another 5,000 to […]
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This is how I NaNoWriMo. A large latte and an Egg McMuffin and I’m good for a three hour stint of writing at McDonalds. I was able to get my favorite booth, one where I can sit with my back to everyone else in the fast-food chain and look out the window. I can usually […]
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To NaNo, or not to NaNo–that is the question: Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous publishers, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles And put an end to them by not writing. . . ‘Tis a consummation devoutly to be wished. (adapted from Hamlet’s monologue) […]
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First there was Hurricane Harvey, leaving a path of destruction in Texas. Then Hurricane Irma in Florida, followed by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and earthquakes in Mexico. Then while driving the other morning I heard about the massive shootings in Las Vegas. Tears slipped down my cheeks as I drove. Enough already! I had […]
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The Life & Culture section of my local newspaper this past Sunday featured an article about a study that showed that people who paid others to complete household tasks were more satisfied with their life. “Working adults in the United States reported higher life satisfaction if they regularly paid to outsource household tasks, such as […]
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I’ve been asking myself this as I seem stuck on my current project. This was going to be an easy write, just a fun book, nothing serious. I thought it would be equally fun to write, but instead it has taken a more serious turn than I had originally anticipated while dreaming it in my […]
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I’ve heard there are two types of writers: pantsers, those who write by the seat of their pants, and plotters, those who plot everything out in detail. I’m beginning to think there are two other types of writers: those who write faithfully every day, and those who write when the spirit moves them. (Could there […]
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