Monthly Archives: February 2012

{Practicing Benedict} How Lent should be observed in the monastery

“There can be no doubt that monastic life should always have a Lenten character about it, but there are not many today who have the strength for that. Therefore we urge that all in the monastery during these holy days … Continue reading

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Hard Thankful

“One act of thanksgiving, when things go wrong with us, is worth a thousand thanks when things are agreeable to our inclinations.” -St. John of Avila (via Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts) My brother Brooks’ lifelong friend died Sunday night. … Continue reading

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Fumbling Toward Alleluia

I slowly eased into liturgy. I was reading Anglicans first before I entered the doors of their churches. Madeline L’Engle so moved me that I couldn’t imagine I wouldn’t love to worship beside her at her Episcopal church in Manhattan. CS … Continue reading

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Poem-a-Day Friday: Thomas Heise

Several years ago, Chris bought me a couple of books of poetry for Christmas. They were both new poets (their first books) and Chris had read an article recommending them. At some point I read Thomas Heise’s book Horror Vacui. … Continue reading

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Guest Post: {Family and the Christian Year} Christine Warner on Lent and brushing teeth to candlelight

I’m so thrilled I have the chance to introduce you to Christine Warner today. She is one of my favorite gems I’ve discovered here in Austin. Her kindness, wisdom, warmth and bright spirit make her one of those people you … Continue reading

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Wednesday: Ashes and Death

I’m reposting what I wrote for Ash Wednesday last year, when I was nine months pregnant with Brooksie. It still says what I want to say.   I love Ash Wednesday because it reminds me that I will die. I … Continue reading

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Fat Tuesday Thankful

Writing posts two nights in a row at 11 pm because I spent the evening with friends. My husband’s heartbreaking skill at searing and roasting a pork chop. Creating a Goo Goo Dolls station on Pandora while our friends were … Continue reading

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Transfiguration and Beauty

Last year, I wrote about picking my son up from the nursery after our church’s Ash Wednesday service. I was ripe with pregnancy. And not in the good way. I was ripe in the “my due date is in two … Continue reading

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Poem-a-Day Friday: Rainer Marie Rilke

(My New Year’s resolution was to read one poem a day. Every Friday, I share one of those poems with you.) This week I read Rainer Marie Rilke with my writer’s group and discussed one of his poems from The … Continue reading

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A little SAHM math equation

You may be shocked to hear this, but sometimes I feel like a loser for being a stay-at-home-mom. (I’m sure you’re not shocked.) Somedays I have greasy hair and wear my pjs until lunch and feel like I’ve got to … Continue reading

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