Quiet in the Loud (Five Minute Friday)

Quiet Sometimes in a loud, noisy room, my soul is quiet. Resting. Peaceful. Sometimes in a quiet, calm room, my soul is loud. Pacing. Frantic. “In quietness and trust is your strength.” My Father reminds me of this verse. Again and again. It’s not what the world tells me is the source of strength. It’s […]

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My Irish Sweater

“Mel, guess what! My dad is going to Ireland to look into exchange programs for the college. My parents said I could bring a friend- do you want to go?” My heart beat fast at the words of my friend Julie. Friends since we were ten. What 24 year Boston girl wouldn’t want to take […]

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Weekend Reflection- Gladness and Joy

“They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.” Isaiah 35:10 The passage that I turn to when I don’t know where to land. The passage that gives me vision. The passage that gets me so excited with how […]

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Reach- the ebook and a {Giveaway}

“We have three people for a room at Allume and are looking for a 4th” That tweet appeared on my feed. Having just prayed about rooming for the conference, I replied. I had no idea how blessed I would be by these women. At different places and times, they were connected via college ministry. Their […]

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Farm Roots

The bumpy roots. Watch out for them. When we were playing wiffle ball. Or hide and seek. Cars filled the gravel driveway. Traveled down the dusty road. Everyone gathered for Sunday dinner. My grandparents farm. The land. The fields. The white house with green trim. Where they raised 13 children. My mom number 10. The […]

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Goodbye October, Hello November (Day 31)

We made it! I wrote for 31 days. You read for 31 days. We make a good team. Writing the last day post seems the hardest of them all. Wanting to wrap up. Wanting to reflect. Wanting to share what I’ve learned, experienced. When I look back at this past month, I love where this […]

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The Harvest of Allume- Day 30

It was one of the last breakout sessions. Saturday afternoon. She sat down next to me. And after the customary introductions she said words that spoke directly to my soul. “I’ve noticed you this weekend. You have such a gentle and sweet spirit.” God whispering to me through her offering. Did she know that just […]

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It’s Not About the Pumpkin- Day 29

We sat at Caribou Coffee. The one in White Bear Lake. Holding back the frustration of our day not going the way intended. When my dad said: “It’s not about the pumpkin.” I don’t know when the tradition had started. Maybe it was when I was ten. I remember my mom was in the hospital […]

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Sacrament of Letting Go- Day 28

Sacrament of Letting Go By  Macrina Wierderkehr Slowly She celebrated the sacrament of letting go First she surrendered her green Then the orange, yellow, and red Finally she let go of her brown Shedding her last leaf she stood empty and silent, stripped bare. Leaning against the winter sky she began her vigil of trust. […]

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Do Not Grow Weary- Day 27

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9   This Scripture has come to mind. Over and over in recent weeks. There are many times I’ve become weary. Sometimes the weariness has not come from doing good. […]

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Harvest Vision- Day 26

Digging. Planting. Aching bones. Tired hands. In the midst of the toil, my eyes focused on the details. The work. It  can be hard to lift my eyes up. To have vision for the harvest. We work. And work. Laborious efforts.  In our corners of the world. We give our mind. Our body. Our soul. […]

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Harvest- Veggie Pizza- Day 25

This week we’ve been reflecting on the harvest days of Fall. Of gathering all that we have worked for. Waited for. One of the main components of Harvest is reaping and collecting. Enjoying the fruits (or veggies) of our labor. Remembering God’s sustaining sun and rain. Remembering that seeds do grow.   My friend Kristi […]

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