motivation | encouragement | support
Cultivating connection is the intentional practice of noticing, nurturing, and deepening relationships—with God, with others, and within ourselves. It is accomplished through presence, authenticity, and openness, allowing for mutual growth, shared understanding, and a sense of belonging. True connection fosters empathy, strengthens community, and aligns us with God’s ongoing work in the world. My word … Read more
Authors Jenny Proctor and Emma St. Clair are two of my absolute favorites. I turn to them when I want to read something that’s fun, lighthearted, heartfelt, sassy, and sweet. They never disappoint! They collaborate from time to time, so I thought it would be nice to feature them together. In a nutshell, they write … Read more
A compelling read based on a true story, Cilka’s Journey by Heather Morris is the second book in her acclaimed Tattooist of Auschwitz series. Alternating between her experiences at a Soviet gulag and Auschwitz-Birkenau, the book emphasizes Cilka’s time in Siberia. The hardships Cilka faces are unfathomable, but she demonstrates exceptional strength and resilience through … Read more
Have you heard of imaginative contemplation? Also known as Ignatian contemplation, it’s a contemplative prayer practice where you use your imagination to place yourself in a scene from the Bible and use that as a basis for your prayer time. St. Ignatius developed this practice primarily for gospel passages in an effort to know Jesus … Read more
You’ve identified some new people in your community and invited them over for dinner. The house is presentable, the menu is planned, and now it’s time to figure out what to talk about. Or maybe you’ve been invited to someone’s house and you’d like to be prepared to socialize. If you’re introverted like I am, … Read more
Three Sisters by Heather Morris is beautiful and full of hope. But also harrowing. Really disturbing. It’s based on the true story of three Jewish sisters and their experiences in World War II. A must read. Book summary: Three Slovakian sisters—Livia, Magda, and Cibi—have endured years of imprisonment in Birkenau-Auschwitz, Nazi Germany’s most infamous death … Read more
What comes to mind when you think of motherhood? I think of a sense of nurturing, loving, leading, teaching, and encouraging. My mother is all of those things and more. She always put my brother and me first (still does!). All of us have different experiences with our mothers (or perhaps as mothers), and we … Read more
Visio divina, meaning “divine seeing,” is a spiritual practice that invites us to encounter the sacred through visual imagery. It is related to lectio divina, an ancient approach to scripture that involves slow, intentional reading, meditation, and prayer—allowing certain words or phrases to resonate deeply. In contrast, visio divina also encourages reflection, but on images … Read more
We are surrounded by all sorts of natural beauty in the United States. Our national parks and state parks are a treasure. My husband and I enjoy traveling to these types of destinations to hike and enjoy nature. Let’s take a look at some notable parks in the Midwest, the region where I live. The … Read more
I love themed gifts, and I have some terrific succulent themed gift ideas for you! I’ve shared previously some ideas for blueberry themed gifts, home state themed gifts, and cocoa themed gifts. This post is all about succulent themed gifts. Succulents are adorable, and there are so many fun ways to incorporate them into a … Read more