As a teacher, I understand the importance of providing feedback to my students. I know that if I don’t take the time to respond to my students’ mistakes or redirect their thinking to a deeper level, my student’s learning either stagnates or even possibly regresses. I therefore find myself spending hours laboring over papers,…
Several months ago I took a sabbatical from my personal Facebook account and began contemplating deleting the account altogether. Although I would classify myself as someone who uses the social media powerhouse primarily for evangelism purposes, I noticed that the days I actually logged into Facebook left me feeling less than grace-filled. At…
Today, I asked my creative writing class to free write on the question, “Who am I?” Of course, the assignment was more than a simple directive or a time-filling exercise. For me, it is an essential question I have to—no, want to–ask myself to live honestly, to live in truth. So here is my…
Anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE the Honda Odyssey mini van I bought two years ago after having our fourth child. While many parents forced into this almost-public transportation hold their heads in shame, I’ve not only held mine high but have actually basked in pride behind the wheel. Sliding car doors,…
I had an unexpected encounter with a wasp in my shower yesterday morning. The ugly rascal somehow made his way into my loofa, so when I went to use said loofa, I got a painful surprise. Right on my belly. I don’t know if you’ve ever experienced a wasp sting (it was my first),…
“It’s no fun growing old.” I’ve heard that comment a number of times from my parents, friends of parents, and even strangers who are facing their “golden years.” Years ago—when I was younger, more agile, and more invincible—I just accepted the comment with an unemotional but somewhat bewildered look, the same way someone accepts…
“But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.” (2 Cor 3:18) Sanctification is something that has been on my mind lately, probably because I’ve been undergoing it on…
“I did a craft! I did a craft!” Did I just write that out loud? I sure did. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not bragging. I’m not. The fact is I am NOT a natural kind of homemaker who makes my kids’ clothes, cooks organic meals, irons sheets, or even has any sense about…
Today, I’m continuing with Session III of the LawnChair Catechism at Catholicmom.com Here’s the Background Summary: In her extensive research, Sherry Weddell learned that most Catholics consider their relationship with God a forbidden topic – too private to discuss with others. What we don’t hear about, we don’t know is possible: One of our…
Session 2: In her first chapter of Forming Intentional Disciples, Sherry Weddell describes with detailed statistics the crisis of Catholics leaving the Church. She shares the evidence that most departures happen in young adulthood, and that most who leave never come back. She concludes: If this trend does not change, in ten years it…
You might have noticed that I have taken a short sabbatical from my blog postings (four months to be exact). With four kids, work, a changed platform, and other responsibilities (excuses, excuses, I know) something had to take a back seat. Nonetheless, I’m back online and am looking forward to rearing up this summer…
Today I am wearing red. Given that the BCS championship between Notre Dame and the University of Alabama happens tonight, some in my hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, might think I’ve finally come to my senses. They’ve been waiting for it for some …