January 25, 2012: My first husband moves out, beginning the process of getting divorced. January 25, 2017: My second husband and I welcome a baby girl into our blended family. It cannot be a coincidence, these events book-ending the most difficult and life-giving five years of my life. I could not have imagined today from … Continue reading Resisting until Redemption Comes
Surprise Visitors
Christmas Day 2016 I recently filled out the hospital pre-admission form for this baby due one month for today, and was careful to check one particular box. “Do you want to listed on the patient roster?” The form noted that if I wasn’t listed, my religious leader might not be notified I was in … Continue reading Surprise Visitors
Jeremiah: When the word of the Lord is hard to hear
Sermon from Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Mankato, MN November 20, 2016 Two weeks ago, we talked about Isaiah, and I told you that the northern kingdom was being threatened at that time by the Assyrian empire. In 721, the kingdom of Israel fell. Now in Jeremiah’s time, the situation looks even worse for Israel, who has … Continue reading Jeremiah: When the word of the Lord is hard to hear
Labor Pains
Just as I was ready to check out of this day, to not talk about the election at all because I’m feeling so confused and helpless and hopeless, my colleague Regina messaged me. “Today I am simply trying to breathe. Thank you for helping me remember that.” It’s always ironic when your own advice comes … Continue reading Labor Pains
10 Reasons This Pastor Goes to Pride
1. Because there are still protesters showing up to say you can't be LGBT+ and Christian. My presence says the opposite. 2. To learn how to love better, because there is no community that loves more deeply and broadly than the LGBT+ community, including the church. 3. For fashion inspiration: the costumes and shoes are … Continue reading 10 Reasons This Pastor Goes to Pride
The Piece-finder
"Mom, will you come and play Legos with me?" he asks, and within five minutes of assent, the second question inevitably comes. "Can you find me a dark grey 1-dot square?" or some other very tiny, very specific piece essential for his imagined creation. I groan, he laughs, and then I get down to business. … Continue reading The Piece-finder
Super-powered Sniffer
You've seen this meme before, right? Well, it does sometimes feel like a superpower to have a tiny human growing inside of you. Last week, she was the size of a plum, this week a peach. (That's right, folks, I said she!) But you know what my real superpower is these days? Smell. Worst. Superpower. … Continue reading Super-powered Sniffer
