Join Me for a New Advent-ure!
An Announcement!
The subject line may have given you a hint about a new Advent-ure. It's a new venture specifically for Advent! Plus, it's a Christmas gift for all of you!
This project has been in the works for more than a decade. Throughout Advent and the 12 Days of Christmas you can enjoy subscription-only daily readings, curated music, art and resources. This is my complimentary gift to you! Discover God’s plan for the world and for your life through the mystery and wonder of Advent.
I hope you will use this resource to have a more meaningful Advent season, both individually and with your family!
Along with the daily readings, I've created an Advent website with a growing collection of resources, and opportunities for you to share your own favorite Christmas traditions. Visit www.joyofadvent.com to discover more.
Unanticipated Everything.
The past year has been ... unanticipated in every way imaginable. Who would have guessed that 2020 could have 23 months?! So much has happened (I should really write newsletters more often) that I'll have to stick with the highlights.
First, and most exciting. Our youngest, Emeric, has been entirely seizure free and is now off his anti-seizure medication! He's showering us with his joy and delight each and every day, even if his most used phrase is, "Go away." With five older siblings, I guess it makes sense!
Plus, our little flock of eight humans and two cats, went down by one sweet kitty when we said goodbye to our 16-year-old Ragdoll cat. But it has grown to include what we thought were 16 hens. Turns out, two of those "hens" started crowing, and another two were nabbed by something in the woods. We're enjoying nearly a dozen eggs a day and the incessant, comical crowing of a ferocious little bantam rooster (bantams are miniature chickens) named Tucker. The other rooster, much more polite, just crows once in the morning.
Most recently in the unanticipated category: a deer decided to play Crossy-Road as my husband was driving our teens. The deer lost. So did our van!
On the very same day, as I was stirring taco meat on the stove, I heard a loud "Meow!" from the garage. The older teen (in his underwear, because teenager, amiright?) ran outside in search of the cause. We discovered a tiny, frightened gray kitten.
After checking with all the neighbors to be sure she wasn't lost, our home and hearts have expanded to add little Cinder to our family flock.
How has your year blessed or challenged you? I would love to hear!
What am I working on now?
In my last newsletter I announced the sale of the Italian translation of A Year With Mama Earth, and a few weeks ago, the first copies arrived on my doorstep! What a treat!
And despite a decided slowing in book publishing, I have a few manuscripts circulating, and at least one under serious review. I'd appreciate your prayers that the story, a sweet picture book about a vivacious little girl (ok, my daughter Penny! Pictured with Tucker above), would find a publishing home.
Right now I'm feverishly putting finishing touches on the Advent readings: collecting resources, finding the best music, consulting my dear hubby who just so happens to have a PhD in theology (handy, that). And I have another project simmering. We'll see where it goes in the coming year!
I’m not going to say anything about 2022 in relation to 2020 (all 24 months of it!), but in my heart I’m thinking it: good things ahead. For all of us.
