rita buettner commentary AdventCommentaryThe Domestic Church The gift of a ‘banana tree’ Rita BuettnerDecember 9, 20194 min read 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. AdventBlogOpen Window Advent: Finding purpose in expectant waiting Rita BuettnerDecember 7, 20194 min read 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 […] AdventBlogOpen Window Celebrating St. Nicholas Day, accepting Advent as it comes, name tags, skating, and more (7 Quick Takes) Rita BuettnerDecember 5, 20195 min read 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. AdventBlogOpen Window Approach Advent with a sense of wonder Rita BuettnerNovember 30, 20193 min read 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. BlogOpen Window Thanksgiving leftovers and highlights, oyster shucking, a ride in a vintage car, and more (7 Quick Takes) Rita BuettnerNovember 29, 20194 min read 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. BlogOpen Window It’s not Thanksgiving dinner without sauerkraut Rita BuettnerNovember 24, 20192 min read Sauerkraut at Thanksgiving adds that extra something you didn’t even know you were missing. BlogOpen WindowUncategorized When the Holy Spirit shows up for Sunday School and more (7 Quick Takes) Rita BuettnerNovember 22, 20194 min read 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. BlogOpen Window Choosing gratitude even when it’s not easy Rita BuettnerNovember 20, 20193 min read 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. BlogOpen Window Field trip fun at the Maryland Historical Society, Grandma’s mashed potatoes, birthday Legos, and a moving art exhibit (7 Quick Takes) Rita BuettnerNovember 16, 20194 min read This week I tagged along on a fourth-grade trip to the Maryland Historical Society. BlogOpen Window “Mom, don’t wave at me” Rita BuettnerNovember 14, 20192 min read 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. Previous 1 … 55 56 57 … 94 Next