In the season of Ordinary Time, there is something so fulfilling about finding joy in the simplicity of everyday moments. And what better way to savor the sweetness of this season than by celebrating with fresh fruit? I've already shared some recipes on figs and now I'm adding peaches to the list. As peaches come into season, I thought making a real, honest-to-goodness homemade peach pie would be fun. I even made a lattice top which I never do! My daughter and I were watching "Zoe Bakes" on the Magnolia Channel the other day. Does anyone else have the Magnolia Channel? We absolutely love it! There's something about it that is so calming and peaceful. We especially love Zoe Francois' baking show. She is the master of baking and the homemade peach pie she made looked incredible. She demonstrated a technique called fraisage where you create thin sheets of butter throughout the crust. As the crust is cooking, the thin sheets of butter steam which causes the dough to puff and get very flaky. Her crust was the most incredible crust I had ever seen! You could see the layers and it looked so good! I decided to go all in and make Zoe Francois' Perfect Peach Pie . There's a certain magic in the art of creating a homemade peach pie and this recipe was no different. From the crust to the filling, to the lattice top, this pie was a labor of love. There are a few more steps than an ordinary peach pie but, trust me, it's worth every extra step! I have never had a peach pie or a pie crust this good before! I hope you'll set aside some time and give it a try! As we continue to move through the season of Ordinary Time, let's celebrate the beauty of everyday moments and the abundance of nature's gifts. This homemade peach pie is a wonderful expression of gratitude for the simplicity and sweetness of our life in Christ. So, roll up your sleeves, make this Perfect Peach Pie, and enjoy the flavors of Ordinary Time. Perfect Peach Pie Ingredients: All-Butter Pie Dough 4 1/2 cups (563 grams) all-purpose flour 2 1/4 cups (495 grams) cold unsalted butter, cut into tablespoon-sized pieces 6 tablespoons (75 grams) granulated sugar 2 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt 1 1/2 tablespoons vodka (or white vinegar) 3/4 cup ice water Pie Filling 8 ripe peaches 1/2 cup (100 grams) raw sugar 1/4 cup whiskey, bourbon, or rum, or 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice Pinch kosher salt 1/4 cup cornstarch Egg wash (1 egg mixed with 1 tablespoon water) Sugar for sprinkling Directions: To make the all-butter pie dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour and cold butter pieces and use a pastry cutter to blend the butter into the flour. Continue to do so until some of the butter is coating the flour, with large pieces of butter still intact. Once combined, add the sugar and salt, and use your fingers to work it into the flour and butter. Add the vodka to the ice water, then drizzle over the dough 3 tablespoons at a time, tossing with your hands until it just comes together in a shaggy dough. Turn your dough out onto the counter (or onto a chilled marble or tile slab if you have one). Pile the dough into a long rectangle and use the heel of your hand to smear the dough away from you to create long “sheets” of butter. This technique is called fraisage. Using a bench scraper, fold the dough on top of itself and continue pressing until the dough comes together into a log, folding a few more times. Do not overwork the dough. The goal is to make long, thin sheets of butter throughout the dough. Once formed into a log, cut into 2 pieces and form each into a disk. Wrap each in plastic and chill for at least 1 hour. To make the pie filling: Peel the peaches by cutting a cross on the base of each peach. Bring a pot of water to a boil and gently lower the peaches into it. Flip after a few seconds. After they boil for a minute or two, remove the peaches and submerge them in ice water. Now the skin will slip right off. Cut the peaches in half, remove the pit, and cut the peaches into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Combine the peaches, raw sugar, whiskey, and salt in a large bowl and let them sit for at least 30 minutes. This releases the juices from the peaches. Strain the peaches over a bowl and mix the juices with the cornstarch. In a saucepan, cook the cornstarch and peach juice mixture, whisking constantly, until it is thick and translucent. Add the thickened juices back to the peaches in the large bowl and toss. Refrigerate the peaches while you roll out your pie dough. Make the pie: On a floured surface, roll out one disk of the pie dough to fit the diameter of the pie dish (the dough should be about 1/8-inch thick). Fold it into quarters so you can more easily pick it up and unfold it over a 9-inch pie dish. Ease it into the bottom and up the sides of the dish. Now you can fill it with your peaches. Create the lattice top with the second disk of dough by rolling it out to a 1/8-inch-thick disk and use a fluted pastry wheel to cut it into 2-inch-wide lattice strips. Layer the strips to create the lattice. Trim off the excess dough, then roll and crimp the edges. Place the pie in the freezer until completely chilled, at least 20 minutes. (You can also wrap it well in plastic and return it to the freezer until you're ready to bake.) Preheat the oven to 425°F. Brush the top of the pie with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar. Place on a baking sheet (in case the juices bubble over). If the pie was frozen, it goes into the oven frozen (don’t defrost it) and will just take much longer to bake, and you will probably need to tent the crust with foil. Bake the pie for 25 minutes, then lower the temperature to 375°F and continue baking until the filling is bubbling and clear. This can take anywhere from 45 additional minutes to 1 1/2 hours (if it was frozen). Tent the edges of the pie with aluminum foil if they start to brown before the middle is done. Cool the pie completely. Serve with ice cream and candied bacon if desired.

One of the most significant habits we formed as a family was morning prayer. Note: It doesn't have to be morning prayer if that does not work for your family. It can be at lunch, after dinner, or before bed. Whatever works best for your family. When I was a young homeschooling mom, I was trying to find a way to lead my kids in prayer in the morning. My husband, the good Anglican priest that he is, suggested doing morning prayer and I was like, “Uhhhh, no”. Morning prayer? Why on earth would I do morning prayer with kids? What could possibly be more boring? How could the Holy Spirit be involved in something like morning prayer? (Did I say all of this to my husband? Why, yes, yes, I did.) My husband is a very gentle and patient man. He listened to my protestations and assured me that he heard me. But then, as he was walking out of the room he dropped this bomb, “I grew up in a school where we did morning prayer every day. Do you know what it is like for a little boy’s heart to hear and to recite these words every day, 'the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting and his faithfulness endures from age to age' or 'for he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand.'" I started morning prayer with the kids the next day. Starting the day off with morning prayer (or ending it with evening prayer), set our hearts and minds on God's goodness and faithfulness. There is something so powerful that happens when we set a rhythm of daily prayer and we pray the same thing together. It reminds us of who we are in God, it renews us and it unifies us, as a family, in our love and service to God. And if you are worried about the origins of morning prayer , know that it is biblical! You can read my whole post on the biblical origins of daily prayer here but the basis for it is found in Deuteronomy 6 when Moses gives the Israelites instructions to guide them and keep them as they entered the promised land - 4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” At the end of this passage, the Israelites were told to teach their children diligently morning, noon, and night. With these words, the Jewish practice of praying morning, noon, and night was instituted. And when the early church started, this practice continued and they prayed in the same way as well. This ancient Christian practice of praying morning, noon, and night is known as the “daily office”. The name comes from the Latin officium divinum , which means “divine duty.” It begins with a psalm of praise that the family says together, a reading from scripture, singing a song of worship, personal prayers, and the Lord’s Prayer and concludes with a collect (a composed prayer). If you would like to incorporate this beautiful habit into your family’s life, I created simplified forms for a family to use based on the experience of our family over the years. Choose a time that works best for your family; there are forms for prayer in the morning, at Noonday, early evening (right before or after dinner), and at the close of the day (right before bed), prepare your family for this new thing that you will be doing and begin! I hope that these family prayer forms will be a blessing to you and your family!

One of the most significant habits that we formed as a family was to do morning prayer. When I was a young homeschooling mom, I was trying to find a way to lead my kids in prayer in the morning. My husband was like, “What about morning prayer?” and I was like, “Uhhhh, no”. Morning prayer? Why on earth would I do morning prayer with kids? What could possibly be more boring? How could the Holy Spirit be involved in something like morning prayer? (Did I say all of this to my husband? Why, yes, yes, I did.) My husband is a very gentle and patient man. He listened to my protestations and told me that he heard me and then, as he was walking out of the room he dropped this bomb, “But think about this, I grew up in a school where we did morning prayer every day. Do you know what it is like for a little boy’s heart to hear and to recite these words every day, “the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting and his faithfulness endures from age to age” or “for he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand.” I started morning prayer with the kids the next day. And if you are worried about the origins of morning prayer , know that it is biblical! You can read my whole post on the biblical origins of daily prayer here but the basis for it is found in Deuteronomy 6 when Moses gives the Israelites instructions to guide them and keep them as they entered the promised land - 4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” At the end of this passage, the Israelites were told to teach their children diligently morning, noon and night. With these words, the Jewish practice of praying morning, noon and night was instituted. And when the early church started, this practice continued and they prayed in the same way as well. This ancient Christian practice of praying morning, noon and night is known as the “daily office”. It begins with a psalm of praise that the family says together, a reading from scripture, singing a song of worship, personal prayers, the Lord’s Prayer and concludes with a collect (a composed prayer). If you would like to incorporate this beautiful habit into your family’s life, I created simplified forms for a family to use based on the experience of our family over the years. Choose a time that works best for your family; there are forms for prayer in the morning, at noonday, early evening (right before or after dinner) and at the close of the day (right before bed), prepare your family for this new thing that you will be doing and begin! I hope that these family prayer forms will be a blessing to you and your family!

Happy first day of July! This is such an exciting month in the Liturgical Year as we continue along in the season of Ordinary Time (which is anything but "ordinary"). During July, we really get to slow down and develop deep habits of rest and growing in the Lord. I can’t wait to celebrate it with you! Here’s an overview with helpful links: June 22nd - The Feast of St. Mary Magdalene June 25th - The Feast of St. James, the Apostle Current Season: Ordinary Time During the month of July, we continue our journey through the season of Ordinary Time. Here is a helpful article overviewing the season: The Season of Ordinary Time And check out my latest guidebook, The Liturgical Home: Ordinary Time . It gives you everything you need to know to celebrate the season of Ordinary Time in your home. July 22nd - The Feast of St. Mary Magdalene Mary Magdalene, the “apostle to the apostles,” holds a unique and honored place in the life of the Church. Once healed and restored by Christ, she became a devoted disciple, remaining with Him through His Passion and being the first to witness His Resurrection. Her story is one of transformation, love, and unwavering faithfulness. On this feast, we’re invited to remember that no past defines us more than God’s mercy, and that we, too, are called to proclaim the joy of the Risen Lord with boldness and love. How to Celebrate the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene Celebrate the Feast of Mary Magdalene with Spice Cupcakes Celebrate the Feast of Mary Magdalene with Chai Tea Celebrate the Feast of Mary Magdalene with Books Since Mary Magdalene brought spices to the tomb, make these amazing Spice Cupcakes! July 25th - The Feast of St. James, the Apostle St. James, often called “James the Greater,” was among the first disciples called by Jesus and one of the three apostles present at key moments like the Transfiguration and the Agony in the Garden. Known for his bold spirit and zealous heart, James was the first of the apostles to suffer martyrdom for the faith. On this feast, we’re reminded that following Christ may require courage and sacrifice, but also that Christ draws near to strengthen those He calls. St. James invites us to live our discipleship with conviction and hope, trusting that the journey, though costly, leads to glory. How to Celebrate the Feast of St. James the Elder Make the traditional Spanish cake for the day - the Tarta de Santiago. Follow along as I share everything you’ll need to celebrate every special day this month, including the history, recipes, and traditions!

Welcome back, friends! Summer is here! No more school and no more routines which sounds like a good thing! But without a normal routine, we can start to feel disconnected, drifting through our days without truly connecting to our faith or each other. To help, I introduced a new series, Establishing New Rhythms in Summer: Embracing Ordinary Time . Over the next week, we’ll be exploring how we can embrace these new laidback rhythms of summer while also establishing easy rhythms that draw us closer to God and strengthen our connections with each other. Today I wanted to focus on the rhythm of Celebrating the Liturgical Year . Embracing the rhythms of the liturgical year can feel intimidating, especially if you're just starting out. However, summer, with its slower pace, is a perfect time to ease into these sacred celebrations. Remember, you don't have to do everything at once. Start with what feels manageable and build from there. The goal is to bring the beauty and rhythm of the liturgical year into your home in ways that enrich your faith journey without overwhelming you. To help you and your family establish a new rhythm of celebrating the liturgical year in the midst of summer, here are some easy ideas: Print This Liturgical Calendar I've created a Liturgical Calendar for you beginning with where we are now and running for a year. Print out the calendar, add the dates to your own family calendar, and hang it in a prominent place in your home. That way everyone will know what’s coming up and you can be prepared when it does. Start Small One of the most approachable ways to integrate the liturgical year into your summer is by starting small with feast days or saints’ days. Choose a few that resonate with you or your family and create simple traditions around these celebrations. For instance, on the Feast of St. James (July 25), you might prepare a special meal inspired by the cuisine of Spain, as St. James is the patron saint of that country. On the Feast of the Transfiguration (August 6), consider a family hike to a scenic overlook, reflecting on the mountaintop experience of Christ's transfiguration. These traditions don't need to be elaborate. Simple activities like special prayers, meals, or crafts can make these days meaningful. For example, on St. Mary Magdalene ’s feast day (July 22), you might gather wildflowers and arrange them in a vase, honoring her role in announcing the Resurrection and symbolizing new life. Incorporate Liturgical Colors Another way to bring the liturgical year into your home is by incorporating liturgical colors into your decor. Ordinary Time, marked by the color green, signifies growth and new life in the Church. Add green elements to your dining table, prayer space, or home altar. Green tablecloths, candles, or even a simple bowl of fresh green apples can serve as visual reminders of the ongoing spiritual growth we experience in Ordinary Time. Threshold Green Floral Table Runner 14" x 72" $16.00 Threshold Green Floral Table Runner 20" x 90" $18.00 Ombre Green Candles 10 inch, 4 pack $9.99 White Serving Bowl $10.99 Family Liturgical Projects Engaging in family projects related to the liturgical year can make these sacred rhythms tangible, especially for children. Crafting symbols that reflect the season or saint you're celebrating can be a fun and educational way to deepen your family's faith. Consider creating a family prayer space with items that reflect the current liturgical time. This could include a cross, icons, candles, and seasonal decorations. For a project, you might craft a wreath with green foliage to symbolize Ordinary Time or make a banner depicting a saint whose feast day you’re celebrating. Another idea is to make a liturgical calendar together. Use this as a visual tool to track the Church’s seasons and important feast days. Decorating the calendar with drawings, stickers, or other art supplies can help everyone, especially children, understand and anticipate the liturgical year. Embrace the Season Remember, you don't have to do everything at once. Start with what feels manageable and build from there. The goal is to bring the beauty and rhythm of the liturgical year into your home in ways that enrich your faith journey without overwhelming you. Summer, with its more relaxed pace, offers the perfect backdrop to begin this integration. Here’s to a summer filled with faith, family, and the joyous rhythms of the liturgical year!

Happy second day of July! This is an exciting month in the Liturgical Year as we continue along in the season of Ordinary Time (which is anything but "ordinary"!). June 22nd - The Feast of St. Mary Magdalene The first feast of the month is the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene, a faithful follower of Jesus and the Apostle to the Apostles. June 25th - The Feast of St. James, the Elder On this day we celebrate James, the son of Zebedee and brother of John, a fisherman who was one of the first disciples chosen and who later became an Apostle ! Follow along as I share everything you’ll need to celebrate every special day this month, including the history, recipes, and traditions! Helpful Links: Current Season: Ordinary Time Flourishing With the Holy Spirit: Embracing the Season of Ordinary Time   The Season of Ordinary Time   The Feast of St. Mary Magdalene How to Celebrate the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene Celebrate the Feast of Mary Magdalene with Spice Cupcakes Celebrate the Feast of Mary Magdalene with Chai Tea Celebrate the Feast of Mary Magdalene with Books The Feast of St. James, the Elder How to Celebrate the Feast of St. James the Elder

The Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul is a momentous occasion in the liturgical calendar, honoring two significant figures in Christian history. These apostles played pivotal roles in spreading the Gospel and shaping the early Church. We celebrate both men on the same day since they were martyred around the same time in 67 AD. St. Peter holds a significant place in the history of Christianity as one of the foremost apostles and a central figure in the early Church. Initially, he was a fisherman and one of the first followers of Jesus. He was bold but also impulsive. He was the first to recognize Jesus as the Messiah and walk on water but also denied Jesus three times. After his baptism in the Holy Spirit, Peter became one of the main leaders in the early church. He was chosen to be an Apostle and spent his last years in Rome where he led the Church through persecution. He was martyred and crucified upside-down at his request because he said he was not worthy to die as his Lord did. He was buried on what is now known as Vatican Hill and St. Peter's Basilica was built over his tomb. St. Peter's pivotal role in spreading the Gospel and his unwavering faith, even in the face of persecution, continue to inspire Christians around the world. His example reminds us of the power of God's Holy Spirit to transform ordinary individuals into courageous witnesses of the faith. St. Paul, formerly known as Saul of Tarsus, played a crucial role in the spread of Christianity and the development of Christian theology. He was initially a zealous persecutor of Christians but underwent a profound conversion experience on the road to Damascus, where he encountered the risen Christ. From that moment, his life was completely transformed, and he became one of the most influential figures in the early Christian Church. St. Paul's extensive missionary journeys, recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, took him throughout the Roman Empire, where he boldly preached the Gospel and established numerous Christian communities. His letters, known as the Pauline Epistles, form a significant portion of the New Testament and provide deep theological insights into the nature of salvation, grace, and the role of faith in Christ. St. Paul's teachings continue to shape Christian theology and guide believers in their understanding of the faith. His unwavering commitment to spreading the Gospel, enduring hardships, and establishing vibrant Christian communities makes him an important figure in Christian history. Ways to Celebrate : Read Luke 22:54-62 and Acts 4:8-13 . Discuss the difference in Peter. What happened to him that transformed him? Read Acts 9:1-19 . Discuss the difference in Saul. What happened to him that transformed him? Since St. Peter was a fisherman, do something with fish: eat fish, go fishing, have a snack of goldfish crackers, or play a “Go Fish” game! Since St. Paul was a tentmaker, do something with tents: have your kids make a tent using sheets and blankets, set up a tent in your yard, or make these cute "tents" made with graham crackers and chocolate (see recipe below). Graham Cracker and Chocolate Tents 3 Tablespoons semi-sweet chocolate chips 2 Tablespoons water 2 packages of graham crackers Place the chocolate chips and water in a microwaveable bowl. Microwave for 1 minute, stir and then continue microwaving in 30-second increments, stirring until smooth. Break graham cracker sheets in half. Cover a square with melted chocolate and set it down. Place two other squares on top of the square covered in chocolate and let them come together to form a teepee. Hold the teepee together and spread melted chocolate where they join together. Set aside and allow the chocolate to harden. Serve on a plate with goldfish crackers and enjoy the Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul!

The Feast of the Nativity of John, the Baptist is coming up! Since John the Baptist is known to eat locusts and wild honey, celebrate this special day by making this delicious Honey Cake. Honey Cake 1/2 cup butter, softened 1 cup honey 2 large eggs, room temperature 1/2 cup plain yogurt 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt Preheat the oven to 350°. Grease a 9-inch cast-iron skillet or cake pan. In a large bowl, beat butter and honey until blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in yogurt and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt; add to the butter mixture. Transfer batter to prepared skillet. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 30-35 minutes. Cool completely in a pan on a wire rack. Serve with fruit, and additional honey if desired.

The Nativity of John the Baptist is on June 24th so mark your calendars and get ready to celebrate! Also known as the Summer Christmas, Nativity of the Forerunner, or Johnmas (I love that one!), the Nativity of John the Baptist is the special day that we celebrate the birth of John the Baptist. There is only one account of John the Baptist’s birth and that is found in the Gospel of Luke. John’s parents, Zechariah, a Jewish priest, and Elizabeth are old and without children. While Zechariah is in the temple offering incense, the Angel Gabriel appears to him and tells him that he and Elizabeth are to have a son and that they are to name him “John.” Zechariah, initially filled with disbelief, is struck mute until the day of John's birth. Meanwhile, his wife Elizabeth, previously barren, conceives and rejoices in God's favor. The focus then shifts to Mary, the mother of Jesus, as Gabriel appears to her with the news of her miraculous conception. Upon learning that her relative Elizabeth is also expecting, Mary visits her. In an awe-inspiring moment, the unborn John leaps in Elizabeth's womb, filled with the Holy Spirit, acknowledging the presence of the unborn Savior within Mary. Later, Elizabeth gives birth to a son. When it was time to name the child, Elizabeth said that his name was John. The neighbors and relatives move to name him after Zechariah, but Zechariah is given a tablet to write upon and agrees with Elizabeth that his name is to be John. At that moment, Zechariah’s speech is restored and he begins to praise God and prophesy his son's significant role in preparing the way for the Messiah. This powerful account showcases God's intricate plan unfolding, intertwining the lives of John the Baptist and Jesus, as they play integral parts in the redemption of humanity. The Nativity of John the Baptist used to be a huge feast day but is not celebrated much anymore which is such a shame. Jesus himself says in Matthew 11 that, “among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist." He is the greatest of the prophets for he was chosen to prepare the way for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The birth of John the Baptist was considered to be so important that the gospel author, Luke, wove his birth story with the birth story of Jesus. Here are some cool things about the Nativity of John the Baptist: There are only three times that the Church celebrates a person’s birthday: Jesus, Mary, and John the Baptist. When Mary asked the angel Gabriel how it was possible that she would bear God’s son, Gabriel answered that the Holy Spirit would overshadow her and that her cousin Elizabeth was already six months pregnant with John. This is why the Church celebrates the birth of John the Baptist six months before we celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day. The Nativity of John the Baptist takes place immediately after the summer solstice, marking the pinnacle of the year with the longest day. As the solstice passes, the days gradually shorten, emphasizing the profound words of John the Baptist himself: "He must increase, but I must decrease." Ways to Celebrate : Read the story of John the Baptist in Luke 1:5-25, 39-45, 57-80. Light a bonfire. Tradition has it that Elizabeth lit a bonfire to announce the birth of her son. All over the world, Christians light "St. John's Fires" on mountains, hilltops, beaches, and backyards on the eve of his feast. In Ireland, the blessed ashes from the St. John’s Fires are sprinkled over the fields to ensure a good harvest. Eat something made with honey. Since John the Baptist is known to have eaten locusts and wild honey, make something with honey or locusts or both! We choose honey! See the recipe for an easy-to-make and delicious Honey Cake. Make things easy by celebrating with fire and s'mores using honey graham crackers. Have a water fight. Since John the Baptist is known for baptizing those who repented, include water in your celebrations. In Mexico and the American Southwest, it’s traditional for Christians to attend morning church and then dip fully clothed in the nearest body of water. They would also playfully throw buckets of water at each other. Throw water balloons or have a water war with your kids.

Today I found myself completely distracted by my little robot vacuum. (We call him "Eufy.") While I should have been helping the kids with their homeschooling, I found myself increasingly frustrated by his sense of aimlessness.  All I wanted was for Eufy to clean the kitchen. With four teenagers in the house all day, that room gets messy fast.  However, I watched, in annoyance, as he meandered through the kitchen. He passed chip pieces and cake crumbs. He avoided every corner and would stop just when I thought that he was actually going to pick something up. He turned in circles, he pivoted, he weaved. He focused most of his effort on a small hall leading away from the kitchen. It seemed as if he vacuumed everything but the areas that I needed him to vacuum! Eufy's path made absolutely no sense and in the end, he returned himself to his base pronouncing a job well done with his little beep.  As I watched that robot vacuum slowly and aimlessly circle the kitchen, missing every crumb and piece of trash, I realized that I feel just like that little Eufy robot vacuum right now. I have simple tasks that I can’t get done. I spin around in circles with no discernible pattern. I am not accomplishing much and have no desire to do so. At the end of the day, I return to my base exhausted, depleted, and not having done very many of my tasks. Honestly, I wonder if we are all like that robot vacuum right now. We are almost eleven months into this year and our lives are anything but ordinary. We have known people who have died or who have lost a loved one. We know people who have lost their jobs or homes. Our kids are in online school, or we are homeschooling for the first time ever. Even if our children are at their school, they complain that it feels weird and sad. Our churches are online or outside and if they are inside, we have to socially distance from those around us and we certainly can’t shake hands or hug. We are tired, so very tired. So, what can we do? How can we reach beyond the stress and the chaos, the anger, and the despair? How can we establish something “other” in our lives, something higher, something holy? How can we find meaning even in the chaos of these days? For me, the season of Advent, with its celebrations and traditions, offers the perfect way to reorient our lives around the thing of God.  Advent captures the cry of our hearts, now more than ever, during this crazy and disorienting year. Advent is all about waiting and longing for God to come among us to redeem us and to set the world right again. Advent is a time of preparation, waiting, and longing for the fulfillment of God’s purposes.  We need to be able to reorient ourselves. We need to remind ourselves every day, individually and as a family of who God is and how He feels about us. To remember that He will never leave us nor forsake us, that He has defeated death and conquered hell, and that one day, He will wipe every tear from our eye. Advent is the perfect time to start. With the celebration and traditions of Advent, we can create a sacred space in our home. We can light candles, bake, collect alms for the needy, listen to sacred songs, and more importantly we can set aside time to read God’s Word and to pray. If you’re feeling as disoriented by this year as I am, I invite you to join me and my family as we walk through my book, A Thrill of Hope: Celebrating Advent in the Home (Revised and Expanded for 2020) . It contains recipes, traditional celebrations, family devotions, and many other special ways to make the season of Advent a holy time for you and your family!

So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life - your sleeping, eating, going-to-work life - and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Romans 12:1 As we walk through the season of Ordinary Time, I'm trying to recognize the profound beauty and sacredness found in the ordinary moments of my life. I'm reading A Theology of the Ordinary right now and the opening scripture from the book is this verse I shared from Romans. It really had a huge impact on me! I'm always thinking that I need to do something momentous, something incredible for God; and that the everyday is somehow not important. But Paul says that could not be further from the truth! Paul instructs us to embrace our ordinary lives and to offer them up to the Lord. Paul says that that is actually the BEST thing that I can do. How amazing to think about! That when I am loading the dishwasher, buying groceries, or paying bills, I am to offer it all up to the Lord. What if these ordinary moments in my life hold the potential for deep encounters with God? What if embracing these ordinary moments can lead to the discovery of His presence in the everyday? How wonderful would that be? Today, I wanted to share some of my favorite books that invite us to embrace the ordinary and celebrate the holiness of everyday life. A Theology of the Ordinary by Julie Canlis. Julie Canlis offers a fresh perspective on the ordinary, illuminating how our everyday experiences can shape our understanding of God and His work in the world, ultimately leading us to a deeper theological appreciation of the ordinary. Liturgy of the Ordinary by Tish Harrison Warren. This book is so good! It takes you on a journey through the ordinary moments of our day, uncovering the sacred rituals and practices hidden within the mundane and inviting us to encounter God's presence in unexpected places. Every Moment Holy by Douglas McKelvey: This unique collection of liturgies offers prayers and blessings for everyday activities, reminding us to infuse our ordinary tasks with sacred intention and find glimpses of God's grace throughout our day. Good Enough by Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie. I really like this devotional. It is a compassionate and thought-provoking guide that encourages us to let go of the pressure to be perfect and instead discover the joy and freedom that comes from embracing our authentic selves. A Long Obedience in the Same Direction by Eugene Peterson. One of those books that I go back to time and time again! Our society is still obsessed with quick fixes but Peterson's time-tested prescription for discipleship remains the same―a long obedience in the same direction. The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence. I'm sure you've heard of this book. It features the timeless wisdom of Brother Lawrence as he teaches us to cultivate a constant awareness of God's presence in the midst of our daily routines and ordinary tasks. This Day: Collected and New Sabbath Poems by Wendell Berry. Really any book or poem by Wendell Berry will do! He is such an insightful voice who eloquently captures the beauty of nature, community, and the simple rhythms of rural life, reminding us of the sacredness and interconnectedness of all things. And of course I have to share my latest guidebook The Liturgical Home: Ordinary Time ! Ordinary Time is the longest season of the Church year, yet it is often overlooked as simply “regular” time between major celebrations. In reality, Ordinary Time spans nearly half the liturgical year! This beautiful season is known as a time of growth and spiritual renewal, marked by Christians worldwide as a season filled with discipleship and faithful living. From the Day of Pentecost to the First Sunday of Advent, we will learn, grow, and flourish in the power of the Holy Spirit! This year, embrace the holy within the ordinary, with Ashley Wallace as your guide. This Ordinary Time edition of The Liturgical Home includes: An Introduction to the Season Ways to Celebrate Ordinary Time in Your Home The Meaning Behind our Ordinary Time Traditions Ordinary Time Devotions for Your Family Traditional Recipes from Around the World Your family will be blessed as these holy traditions help you grow in your love for Christ for years to come! These books have served as treasured companions on my journey to embrace the extraordinary in the ordinary. Through these beautiful books, we are invited to slow down, open our hearts, and discover the profound beauty, joy, and spiritual depth that awaits us when we fully embrace the holiness of everyday life. May these books inspire and guide us as we seek to live fully and faithfully, finding God's presence in the ordinary moments that shape our lives!

As we find ourselves in the season of Ordinary Time, I've been reflecting on how we can nurture our children's spiritual growth. Like the seeds we plant in our gardens, our children's faith needs to be tended, watered, and given plenty of sunshine to flourish. And one of the best ways to do this is through Christian children's books. These books, filled with stories of God's love, plant the seeds of faith in their hearts. They help our children understand the teachings of the Lord in a language they can understand and are also like the gentle rain that nourishes the seeds. Children's Bibles play a pivotal role in nurturing a child's faith journey. They serve as a foundational tool, introducing children to the teachings of the Bible in a language that is accessible and engaging for them. These Bibles often use simplified language, vibrant illustrations, and relatable stories that bring the Word of God to life for young minds. As children grow and their understanding deepens, these early interactions with the Bible can serve as a spiritual compass, guiding them in their faith. One of my absolute favorites is The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones. We read this to our children over and over again and I still use it to this day in Children's Church. I love the illustrations for this book as well as the theme that every story in the Bible whispers Jesus' name. It's a wonderful way to introduce our little ones to the love of God and the beauty of His word. Another wonderful Children's Bible is The Biggest Story Bible Storybook by Kevin DeYoung. This beautifully illustrated book is for elementary and middle school aged children and weaves the narrative of the Bible into an engaging, easy-to-understand story. It takes children on a journey from the Garden of Eden to Christ's resurrection, highlighting God's incredible plan of salvation. What makes this storybook Bible so impactful is its ability to present the overarching story of the Bible, showing children how each story is part of a larger, grand narrative. Your Brave Song by Ann Voskamp is such a beautiful and inspiring children's book that encourages young readers to discover their unique voice and courage. It's such a sweet reminder that every child has a brave song inside them, waiting to be sung. Happy: Psalm 92 by Sally Lloyd Jones is the sweetest book that brings the joyful message of Psalm 92 to life. This book invites young readers to explore the themes of gratitude, joy, and the beauty of God's creation. It encourages children to find happiness in everyday blessings and to express their gratitude to God. Breathe: A Child's Guide to Ascension, Pentecost, and the Growing Time by Laura Alary. A beautiful book that walks you through the season of Ordinary Time and invites children to wonder about and watch for the presence and work of the Spirit in practices of prayer and mindfulness. As we read these books with our children, we're not just sharing stories, we're nurturing the seeds of faith in their hearts. Let's make the most of this Ordinary Time, reading, sharing, and growing together in the Lord!