Author Archives: Steph E

Making and Making-do

Growing up, we didn’t have much pocket money, and so most of our birthday and Christmas presents were made by hand. Being a lover of presents, I would begin with this “making” in October, hoarding things I made in an old hat-box under my bed that (I think) was discovered at a retiring missionary garageContinue reading “Making and Making-do”

Spiritual formation in the most unequal society in the world.

“Do not be conformed any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind in Christ Jesus…” (Rom 12:1)  The past July, the protest and looting in South Africa left many of us in the church bewildered, angry, terrified, or even burnt-out. Church leaders and members were calledContinue reading “Spiritual formation in the most unequal society in the world.”

On being all there

I can smell the woodpile outside our house burning. The accumulation of dried brush, old leaves, and a tree felled a few months ago. The bonfire crackles in the smoky, damp evening, and suddenly, my stomach lurches, and I’m flung back across the ocean, across time, to Indiana cornfields. To pumpkins and to leaves soContinue reading “On being all there”

Eastertide: The way is made by walking

It was on Maundy Thursday that my husband and I began our pilgrimage in the south of France. Our walk on El Camino –the way. It was night, we were in an old stone church, hearing the readings about the children of Israel walking out of Egypt, and slavery, and starting their long walk toContinue reading “Eastertide: The way is made by walking”

Tackling a vortex of despair: my 3 step decluttering recipe (in a tiny house with kids!)

First, some things I believe: Everything in your home is speaking to you. It’s telling you “take care of me!” or “tidy me!’ or “put me away!” So when you have less stuff, you have more mental calm. (Minimalist Mom on youtube has a *great* video on this topic). AND YET even though we liveContinue reading “Tackling a vortex of despair: my 3 step decluttering recipe (in a tiny house with kids!)”

A Psalm of Petition (a poem)

What I’m asking, the thing I seek, Is that you’d pitch a tent in my wilderness, please. Not the solid, brooding stone of Elijah’s cave. Not the haunting bird calls and thundering waterfalls Of David’s wild places. A space, a pause, Just a tent. And not the wilderness of solitude and temptation, But the oneContinue reading “A Psalm of Petition (a poem)”

Juneteenth & Youth Day

It’s been a strange few weeks, and there are many better equipped people to be talking about this! If you don’t have much time or mental space, just stop reading this and go become a Patreon member at First Name Basis or follow Equal Justice Initiative and read their stuff! But writing has always beenContinue reading “Juneteenth & Youth Day”