“Can we pray Shegofa’s prayer, Mommy?” Eden asks. She’s anxious again; her 7-year-old yearnings for a world of peace arise at bedtime. Shegofa comes in to Eden’s room, spreads out a small mat on the floor, and leads Eden in an Arabic prayer. As I listen, the soothing words wash over me. I know that … Continue reading
–by Joanna Harader Scripture: Luke 19:1-10 Memory Verse: Luke 19:10–“The Son of Man came to look for the lost and save them.” Prayer Dear God, Thank you for loving us– whether we are short or tall, old or young, rich or poor. Help us to reach out to other people who need to know that … Continue reading
Last year, I went through the Love & Logic course. For what it’s worth, I think this is the only parenting curriculum out there worth your time. I encourage all parents to at least give it a try. One of the aspects of Love & Logic is called the “Empathetic Response.” It is a trick … Continue reading
As a minister and a mother, I have a relentless, nagging sensation that I should always be doing something else. If I’m folding laundry, should I instead be reading with my son? If I’m answering e-mail, should I be visiting the sick instead? If I’m reading a book about prayer, should I be working on … Continue reading
Halloween is still several days away, but in many homes, the excitement and preparation has been going on for several weeks. In our family, the kids are planning their costumes, imagining ever-more-intricate ones. I love their creativity, and want them to have fun and feel great about their costumes, but some of the logistics of … Continue reading
Are there any embarrassing moments from your past that still plague you? I’m willing to bet that we all have a few. There are a couple of incidents from my past that still have the power to turn my cheeks red–a nickname that didn’t quite mean what I thought it did, that time I brought … Continue reading
I think I am parenting “the mayoar” (spelling used by my first grader). Whenever we find ourselves in public settings, he feels the need to work the room, greet folks, share information and schmooze. Sometimes these tendencies are endearing and “cute”. Other moments, I feel my cheeks turning a strong shade of pink wishing I … Continue reading
Scripture Reading: Psalm 119:97-104 (NRSV) Oh, how I love your law! It is my meditation all day long. Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is always with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your decrees are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, for I keep … Continue reading
Photo by Kelly Buss Wednesdays are pretty much my favorite day of the week. Jack is in school. Amélie is at her one-day-a-week homeschool co-op, and I have a day to myself. I live too far away from the co-op, now, to justify coming home to clean or do laundry, so I stay “in town.” … Continue reading
Craziness or rather chaos seems to be the theme of my family’s life these days. Some days it feels like we are running around with our heads cut off scattered between school, work, homework, afterschool extra-curriculars, night meetings, and birthday parties. While I would like to think that my family’s situation is unique, I am … Continue reading
Practicing Families 