The gift of a ‘banana tree’ December 9, 2019By Rita Buettner Filed Under: Advent, Commentary, The Domestic Church During this season of giving, as we thoughtfully select gifts for people we know and love – and maybe even for strangers – how wonderful to consider that a gift may bring joy not just in the moment of opening, but also for years to come.
Advent: Finding purpose in expectant waiting December 7, 2019By Rita Buettner Filed Under: Advent, Blog, Open Window When my husband and I were matched with our son, we thought we might travel to China to adopt him in just a few short months. But it turned out to be a much longer process.As the months dragged on and the wheels of bureaucracy moved slowly on both sides of the world, I grew […]
Celebrating St. Nicholas Day, accepting Advent as it comes, name tags, skating, and more (7 Quick Takes) December 5, 2019By Rita Buettner Filed Under: Advent, Blog, Open Window Happy St. Nicholas Day! Every year we leave our shoes by the door the night before his feast day, and we wake up the next morning to treats in our shoes.
Approach Advent with a sense of wonder November 30, 2019By Rita Buettner Filed Under: Advent, Blog, Open Window It’s almost impossible not to get caught up in the busyness of the season. So, maybe instead of resisting, we should lean into all of it. Maybe we can embrace the fullness of Advent and soak it all in.
Thanksgiving leftovers and highlights, oyster shucking, a ride in a vintage car, and more (7 Quick Takes) November 29, 2019By Rita Buettner Filed Under: Blog, Open Window Thanksgiving is about spending time with people we love, but it’s also about the food. And you can’t have Thanksgiving dinner without pie.
It’s not Thanksgiving dinner without sauerkraut November 24, 2019By Rita Buettner Filed Under: Blog, Open Window Sauerkraut at Thanksgiving adds that extra something you didn’t even know you were missing.
When the Holy Spirit shows up for Sunday School and more (7 Quick Takes) November 22, 2019By Rita Buettner Filed Under: Blog, Open Window, Uncategorized There are Sunday school teachers who prepare days ahead of time. Then you have me, who often spends Sunday morning flipping through the curriculum for the day while feeding people breakfast.
Choosing gratitude even when it’s not easy November 20, 2019By Rita Buettner Filed Under: Blog, Open Window It’s easy to be grateful when the sun is shining and everything is humming along beautifully, but it may be more important to be grateful when we hit a bump in the road.
Field trip fun at the Maryland Historical Society, Grandma’s mashed potatoes, birthday Legos, and a moving art exhibit (7 Quick Takes) November 16, 2019By Rita Buettner Filed Under: Blog, Open Window This week I tagged along on a fourth-grade trip to the Maryland Historical Society.
“Mom, don’t wave at me” November 14, 2019By Rita Buettner Filed Under: Blog, Open Window Weekday mornings are a chaotic whirlwind of packing lunches and serving breakfast and making sure the right child has the right trumpet on the right day.
Seeking joy in the busyness of life November 12, 2019By Rita Buettner Filed Under: Blog, Open Window This fall has been a season of abundance. I have too many things to balance, too many competing priorities, too many problems to solve, and too many reasons not to go to sleep on time.
National Adoption Month, the time change, a trip to First Fruits Farm, and more (7 Quick Takes) November 7, 2019By Rita Buettner Filed Under: Blog, Open Window Even before we were married, John and I had talked about adoption. But talking about adoption is not the same as deciding to adopt. Coming to that decision can be difficult, and I feel so fortunate that John and I came to it together.
