--Written by Gwen Lantz I've been once again struck by the intersection of holiness and everyday life. It seems to me that the world around us is chock-full of this intersection. Recently a beautiful snow coated the Shenandoah Valley. This is a rather ordinary event in everyday life, yet is so full of beauty that … Continue reading Everyday Holiness
New Year, Same Me
After the excesses of the Thanksgiving-to-New-Year's-holiday-season it's easy to think about all the ways in which I want to cut back in the coming year. Definitely less desserts (so I can in turn shed a few extra pounds). I want to purge my closet and make a minimal wardrobe. I should complain at my children … Continue reading New Year, Same Me
Merry Christmas!
Wishing you and your family and friends a merry Christmas! Praying that you find time to be with people you love over these next few days to celebrate the birth of Jesus! Our plans for Christmas eve include listening to lots of music (currently, the good ol' Statler Brothers), doing some baking, sewing baby blankets … Continue reading Merry Christmas!
Christ in Christmas
Since having children, I've definitely thought a lot more about the meaning of holiday celebrations. How do I convey to these sweet little minds the joy of what Easter means? Without so much chocolate perhaps. What lessons are they learning in how we choose to celebrate birthdays, national holidays, and religious occasions? More to the … Continue reading Christ in Christmas
Advent: Half-Lit
A guest post by Gwen Lantz!! Gwen attends Harrisonburg Mennonite Church, and we're so happy she's sharing with us in this way! I recently pulled out and stacked together our rather large pre-lit Christmas tree. It soon became apparent that the down side to a pre-lit tree is when the lights don’t work. I think … Continue reading Advent: Half-Lit
Advent: What are you waiting for?
At our church this advent season we are exploring the theme: What Are You Waiting For? First, we ask this question of God. We pray and it feels like we're coming up against some kind of roadblock. We get tired of waiting for an answer, and it feels as though time has come to a … Continue reading Advent: What are you waiting for?
Cranberry Apple Pie
Have you ever read a recipe review that claimed, "My husband (kids/friends/etc.) used to hate "food X" but now he (they) wants me to make it every night and eats the whole dish every time!" Okay, that's a bit of an exxageration, exageration, exaggeration (apparently vacuum isn't my only spelling nemesis). But seriously, these kinds … Continue reading Cranberry Apple Pie
Advent: The Bleak Mid-Winter
by Sherah-Leigh photo by the author My mother-in-law is dying. In May the doctor confirmed a terminal diagnosis, and while we had hoped for more time, the disease progression seems rapid and unrelenting. This time of year that is already busy and filled with heightened expectations is now freighted in a new way; for we … Continue reading Advent: The Bleak Mid-Winter
Retreat Reflection: Be Fruitful
I'm laughing at myself a little bit with the title of this post. My husband and I joke that however else we've failed, we have at least fulfilled the first command ever given to humans (Genesis 1.28), multiplying ourselves by a factor of two! But that's not the kind of fruitfulness I'm thinking about today. … Continue reading Retreat Reflection: Be Fruitful
Retreat Reflection: Sherah-Leigh
Sherah-Leigh Gerber, a pastor at Harrisonburg Mennonite Church, shares some of her reflections from the recent Mennonite Women of Virginia retreat. Thanks Sherah-Leigh! The turn from fall to winter was obvious as I hurtled up I-81 headed to my first meeting of the day. The grass had browned; the leaves that remained were muted in … Continue reading Retreat Reflection: Sherah-Leigh
Mennonite Women of Virginia 