Category: Family

A Story Changes Everything

Published March 6, 2023

On a trip with my family to DC, we decided to stop by the National Arboretum to take in the Bonsai exhibition. It was a cloudy, rainy grey day, so I was not inclined to walk outside for long stretches. We had to weave around to figure out where the bonsai were located. Early indications were this was a nice outing, but the displays were few and far between. If you are unfamiliar, bonsai is the…

Turn Toward

Published January 23, 2023

During a recent ICC (www.iccinc.org) retreat, I sat with a group of students considering our internship opportunity. As is my habit, I asked them what some highlights of their day were. One young fellow excitedly replied, “the clapping contest!” I immediately knew what he was referring to. Earlier in the evening, adult leaders enjoyed a special dinner and program in the upstairs alcove of our retreat center. The second floor was open to the dining…

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Advent Wanderings

Published December 5, 2022

Happy Second week of Advent. I recognize the intense pressure of time many of us feel in this season, so I am sharing snippets of the few ideas I am trying to move through slowly. Reading, sitting, watching, waiting, and listening on repeat. You could sit with one of the quotes, images or practices for five minutes. Links are provided below. Take a break, take it in, and breathe out. Praise to the Lord the…

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Meta Maxine

Published October 31, 2022

My mother did not like her name. She went by Maxine, never Meta. I only realized how much she did not like it once I floated the idea of naming one of my children Maxine. My mom told me she’d disown me if I did. She never talked like that, so I took her at her word, which I always did because mom was plainspoken and truly said what she meant. I had my own…

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In Case of Emergency

Published August 1, 2022

I thought I was smart and safety conscious years ago when Gary came home and explained that we should put our numbers in each other’s cell phones as ICE – an acronym for In Case of Emergency. He explained that if I am on the side of the road, unavailable for comment, someone could open my phone, look for my ICE number and know who to call. I am sure we thought this all out…

Frank Features – music

Published June 20, 2022

Originally posted in June 2020 In honor of Father’s Day and my dear Dad, Frank Andrews whose 101st bday is June 30th, I share a series on Frank features. Music Memories My dad believed in and loved the power of music. I remember my dad usually singing to one of his children. I often recall hearing him break out in this silly song together. The ukelele was Dad’s instrument. He would often break out his…

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