motivation | encouragement | support
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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
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
I’ve written about several types of contemplative prayer, like breath prayer, lectio divina, imaginative contemplation, visio divina, and welcoming prayer. I’ve also shared about using prayer beads in a contemplative prayer practice. Centering prayer is the one technique I’ve tried but haven’t mentioned (before now). Perhaps that’s because I find it to be a little … Read more
My daughter and aunt have both experimented with various olive oil cakes, so I thought it would be fun to give it a try. A friend’s daughter made us an amazing ricotta cake a while back, so I attempted to combine all these ideas into one cake, and this is the result. This orange ricotta … Read more
There is a rich tapestry of stories of women in the Bible who shaped history, demonstrated faith, and led in ways that continue to inspire us today. These women—Deborah, Esther, Hagar, Hannah, Lydia, Martha, Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of Jesus), Miriam, and Priscilla—are often underrepresented in traditional studies, yet their lives offer profound lessons … Read more
Let’s think about some mindful living strategies that help us be our best selves. I’d like to focus on small, meaningful changes that foster joy and balance. Who is with me? Ten mindful living strategies: 1. Learn new things. This has always been important to me. It was especially important when I was still teaching, … Read more
I first enjoyed tortilla soup at a friend’s house, and it was amazing! (Everything was amazing at her house!) 🙂 She and I both managed to lose the recipe, and I’ve been searching for a good one ever since. What I’m sharing here is a vegetarian version of the soup, but you can easily add … Read more
I am always looking for book recommendations. I enjoy reading, and it’s such a great avenue for learning. My aunt has shared her new book club list with me, and it’s always full of good recommendations. I am happy to pass them on to you! Read on for brief descriptions of each book in my … Read more
In a world that often feels fragmented, collective prayer can bring hope and unity. Praying for your community is an expression of love. It shows a deep commitment to the wellbeing of those around you. Community prayer weaves together the diverse threads of our shared lives into a beautiful picture of connection and care. When … Read more
I love most hot drinks, and it just doesn’t get any cozier than homemade spiced cocoa. I tend to really dig a touch of cinnamon and ginger–they work as well for hot cocoa as they do for chai. (Another favorite!) In a large bowl, stir together: Once everything is well incorporated, divide the mixture between … Read more