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"Your birthday is exactly one week after Waitangi Day," I told my student during lunch earlier this week. "What's Waitangi Day?" his girlfriend asked. "It's a national holiday in New…

By chance, the reflection I read on contemplative prayer this morning talked about Rembrandt's last painting which is an unfinished work of Simeon in the temple holding baby Jesus. That…

I love watching the wind. You can see the movement of branches in a subtle breeze or trunks bending during strong gales. I love listening to the leaves respond to…

I miss Bryce. This is a post about grief and loss as much as it is a post about joy and celebration, so if you can’t handle that paradox right…

Sometimes a small thing has the potential to change a life - like when a German woman checks to find out if an American girl has somewhere to go for…

I love my name. It comes from a disturbing story in Greek mythology. Well, the full Daphne and Apollo myth is a mess, but Laura, Laurie, Laurel, and Lauren type…

Making friends with librarians is some of the best life advice I can give. The current BFA librarians regularly recommend good books and talk to me about what I'm reading.…

The last major allergic reaction I had was in college when I went to an event for the graduating class of my high school that I was definitely not invited…

One of the highlights of teaching is when I get to learn from my students. I'm so proud of these resilient, curious, thoughtful young people who come through my class.…

I didn't grow up familiar with the liturgical church calendar, but today is the last Sunday of "Ordinary Time." Next Sunday begins Advent, the season of the church calendar when…

In the spirit of transparency, I've considered leaving the teaching profession many times this year. This year is hard. I've read a lot of teacher comments from groups online, and…

I made a cheesecake yesterday. I ate some today. It's delicious. I feel not guilt about this. I really love cheesecake, and this happens to be the same week that…

I'm a big fan of pumpkin soup. Pumpkin in general. But Thursday I went over to have dinner with some friends, and we were able to enjoy some amazing pumpkin…

Slowing down isn't necessarily a step back. I need that reminder today. I haven't walked much for a couple of weeks because I'm keeping an eye on the bottom of…

Once upon a time, I was a cynical jerk face. I'm in progress, but I'm a lot better than a used to be. A lot of my formation into a…

This morning Anne began her message reflecting on how the Gospel passage seemed to have disjointed thoughts of Jesus lined up next to each other but that the actual function…