The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”1 Peter 4:7-8 I have felt the need to share my testimony for several weeks now. As the apostle Peter pointed out in… Continue reading Until the Whole World Hears
I meant to take Liam on a walk with me a few days ago, but instead I found myself sweeping up the patio and then picking up twigs in our yard as he played nearby. A windstorm had blown a bunch of tumbleweeds into our neighborhood a few days before Christmas, and although I had… Continue reading Tumbleweeds
It seems that we, as citizens of the United States, decided that a worldwide pandemic was the opportunity we needed to finally make good on our New Year’s resolutions—the ones that we had failed to accomplish all the other years. Perhaps the extra time we perceived we would have upon beginning a quarantine caused us… Continue reading With God, Nothing is Wasted
I put on a cartoon about the first Christmas for my son over a week ago, and I’ve been reflecting on how unexpected the details of Jesus’ birth were ever since. For Mary, the angel Gabriel’s appearance and message to her was a complete surprise. She did not expect to be told that she’d be… Continue reading An Unexpected Christmas
A Hallmark card sent by a friend Oh, star of wonder, star of nightStar with royal beauty brightWestward leading, still proceedingGuide us to thy perfect light-We Three Kings These lyrics have been running through my head as of late, all thanks to a special “star” that I read about in an article recently. The “star”… Continue reading Star of Wonder
Crispy, savory pastry meets seasoned, slightly sweet beef in this dish, with extra bursts of sweetness from the raisins throughout, and a surprise bite of hard-boiled egg and a tangy green olive. Several months after JJ and I got married, we had the opportunity to visit his parents in the hometown where he grew up.… Continue reading Argentina-Style Empanadas
Picture taken by my younger sister My eyes were drawn to a picture hanging above my sister’s head as we video chatted several weeks ago. “Are those teapots?” I asked her as I tried to make out the artwork more clearly. “They’re actually vases,” she responded, placing her phone up to the picture as she… Continue reading Kintsugi 金継ぎ
Well, the cookies that I entered in a Christmas cookie contest back in October didn’t win, and although I am not altogether surprised, I am a bit disappointed. I had grand dreams of becoming the Christmas cookie champion of 2020 (that’s what I would have called myself, at least) and claiming the cash prize. At… Continue reading Almond Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
The quilts and cross-stitch that my mom made for my family and me. She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands."Proverbs 31:13 My mom will be turning seventy in a few days, and I have found myself thinking about her a lot as a result and all that she has accomplished throughout… Continue reading My Mom’s Hands
I have kept a cookie tin on top of my refrigerator for a good chunk of the year. It has come down a number of times throughout these last eight months, but only long enough for me to jot down a note or two to toss into the tin among the growing pile of past… Continue reading The Best of 2020
Colleen James Publishing 