Jesus was a teacher and storyteller. The book of Matthew records numerous stories. While speaking to a crowd he told the parable of the sower who encountered different types of soil. (Matthew 13) Speaking to his disciples he told the story of the lost sheep (Matthew 18). There are many more parables throughout the gospels.… Continue reading The Importance of Story
Category: Writing
Christmas Community
Each day I look forward to the mail. It is a blessing and joy to receive Christmas cards and letters. Sometimes it is a photo card and I marvel how the children in the family have grown. Other times it is a pretty card with a letter. The cards and letters signify relationships and community.… Continue reading Christmas Community
A Research Trail: Finding the Finnish Midwife
The trip to Finland in 2017 had several purposes. We were meeting some relatives for the first time at a family reunion in northern Finland. After the reunion my husband I traveled south by train. When we arrived in Vaasa (western coast of Finland) we rented a car. The midwife that I had been researching… Continue reading A Research Trail: Finding the Finnish Midwife
Enneagram: Understanding Others
All around us there are designs and patterns that are pleasing to look at. I enjoy the vast array of flowers that bloom indoors and outdoors. Lately I have been reading about a different kind of design/pattern. In the book, The Road Back to You, Ian Morgan Cron describes the enneagram as a map of the… Continue reading Enneagram: Understanding Others
My Experience with Self Publishing
Fifteen years ago I began writing a novel with the intention to honor the immigrant women that came to Upper Michigan during the copper mining boom. My grandmother was one of those women. As I wrote I was also comparing childbirth experiences in the early 1900s with modern birth experiences. In 2009 I signed a… Continue reading My Experience with Self Publishing
The Value of a Critique
It is so nice to receive compliments and to have the good opinion of others. It is something that I desire. But what about criticism? Recently I participated in leadership training. A coach critiqued the discussion that I led. For ten minutes I listened to the coach list things I could have approached differently or… Continue reading The Value of a Critique
Book Review: Caring for Words
Over the years I have been introduced to many good books at the Calvin Festival of Faith and Writing. At the 2012 Festival I listened to Marilyn McEntyre speak and then picked up a copy of her book. I am republishing a book review that I wrote. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,… Continue reading Book Review: Caring for Words
The Scent of Water: Book Review
Perhaps there is a right time to read a book. I started The Scent of Water by Elizabeth Goudge some years ago, but I didn’t finish it. This time as I read the book I was thoroughly enjoying the writing. I lingered over the descriptions of setting, and the interesting choice of words, the unique… Continue reading The Scent of Water: Book Review
Write for 28 Days: I am accepting the challenge
Anita Ojeda is sponsoring a #Write28Days challenge for bloggers. For each day in February (except Sundays) I plan to write a post for my blog, focusing on women and families. Women face many challenges, have many different roles. In this series I will look at family issues. This will include experiences that I have had… Continue reading Write for 28 Days: I am accepting the challenge
Good Writers are Readers
Good writers are readers. In order to become a better writer, I read extensively. I read fiction and nonfiction books. I read nursing and midwifery journals. I read the Bible. Last fall I thought that I should read a major newspaper to keep up with the events of the day. If I was going to… Continue reading Good Writers are Readers