Winter lifesavers + links

and the link for our paid subscriber Zoom session

A few weeks ago, I started a note on my phone. It was a particularly dreary February day but I had just listened to The Next Right Thing episode in which Emily detailed her “what’s saving my life” list. Winter has been full of good things and I want to pay attention to them.

1. Severance: Justin had been watching this on his own but convinced me to give it a try. It’s not relaxing. It’s not chill. But I am so intrigued.

2. Rose chai: When we first moved to Lynchburg, I bought some rose chai from a local shop. They don’t have it on the shelf anymore but they will mix some up when I call it in. I put a little sugar and a (little more) oat milk in it and it’s delicious. I’ve converted my twelve-year-old into a fan.

3. Face-to-face friendships: I deeply appreciate the ways the internet lets me connect with friends. I am also continually astounded at what being in someone’s physical presence adds to my life.¹

4. Getting extra sleep: Last year in January and February, I still had to do seminary work after putting the boys in bed. I determined that this year I would sleep more in the dark winter. And I have. I have been so tired.

5. Writing for myself: I started doing morning pages last July. The whole three pages only lasted until school started back because writing three pages longhand takes more time than you might think. But most days I do write a full page in a journal. There are benefits from three pages that you don’t get from one, but journaling has been a great practice.

Links

A few of my old posts:
Sex and spiritual formation
Be a truthworthy human
Unsolicited advice

and from the rest of the internet
revisiting the conversation about women in church leadership
paying taxes is pro-life
how to turn anybody into a hand-drawn character
homemade tortillas
make some steak tacos with this marinade
Charaia Rush on Instagram

What’s been saving your life this winter? ²

My study rearrangement is also giving me life. It’s so cozy and glowy.

Our first paid subscriber zoom is this Thursday at noon! We are going to practice two contemplative exercises with Scripture so come ready to take a few deep breaths and spend some time in the Bible. It will be recorded if you cannot attend in person. Use this link to join us!

I used the book that I recommended on Instagram last Friday to prep for our Zoom session.