Marching into Lent
Road to Hope preorder code right here, right now!
This past month I learned that even just three inches of snow is plenty to play in for an entire afternoon. Seeing my kids’ excitement over the little snow we’ve gotten is a reminder to me that everything is grace.
Now, onto March!
Some updates
The big update was announced last week, namely that The Road to Hope: Responding to the Crisis of Addiction is now available for preorder. Thanks to those who have already ordered through Amazon, Our Sunday Visitor, or wherever else you find it. For those looking to order through OSV, please use code RTH25 for 25% now through April 10. And if you want to get free shipping, too, buy two books, which will put you over the $20 threshold.
Keaton and I are busy scheduling podcasts, lining up interviews, and getting the book into more shops, with the hopes of getting this message into the hands of every person who needs it (we think that’s everyone, but we’re biased). The goal, ultimately, is that those struggling with addiction, or their loved ones, can visit any Catholic parish and find someone to accompany them through spiritual consolation and recovery resources.
If you have any questions about the book or would like to help us promote it, please reply or email me! Thanks to those who have already done so!
What I’m reading
It’s a lot of Chesterton right now. We just finished The Man Who was Thursday (no error on my part; “was” really is lowercase in the title) in my grad class. I’m attempting to write my first paper on this novel, and thus finally finishing Orthodoxy, which–fun fact–was published in the same year as Thursday. The reading is wonderful, but tough to manage in little pockets of time. It’s not the kind of reading I’m used to, thanks to too much time online and probably a little too much time with romcoms, but that’s the challenge, right?
What my kids are reading
My older boys have been through Narnia at least once (the eldest, probably more like three or four times), but my eight-year-old and five-year-old kids were too young to really latch on our first time through as a family. That has changed, and they are both loving The Magician’s Nephew right now. It was a gamble to start with that rather than The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, but I’m so glad I took the risk. The scene in which Narnia is created is just incredible.
We’re reading some from our big collection (which I found used shortly after our oldest was born; makes a great gift!) and listening to other bits in the car via audiobook. When I’m driving solo or just with my littlest guy, I’ve been revisiting the four-part series on The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe on the Abiding Together podcast. The ladies have a powerful discussion of sin, virtue, temptation, light, darkness, and femininity in these episodes. Highly recommend.
Something I love
It’s the month of St. Joseph, so time to take out my St. Joseph medal from Telos Art Shop! Mine is a little different, but this is what Jessica has available right now (affiliate link), and it’s so lovely, as is everything in her shop!
I started listening to the Wonder: The Harmony of Faith and Science series from Word on Fire in the car. So cool. They’re videos, but I hook my phone up to Bluetooth and then put my phone in a cup holder so the screen isn’t in my line of vision. Looking forward to watching them for real with the kids soon.
What I’m creating (knitting, lettering, embroidery, etc.)
I’ve been working on a giant shawl for close to a year. The pattern is “Baubles” by Andrea Mowry. I came to a standstill on the last lace section for a while, got into embroidery, then found my way back to this piece. I finished that lace section yesterday and have just one more section to go until it’s all finished! Here’s hoping this space is populated with a finish photo next month.
Where my work is
Radiant: “How to Give Up Hurrying for Lent”
CatholicMom.com: “This Scene in a New Movie Stuck with Me“
“Daily Gospel Reflection for February 17, 2023”
I was featured at Wellspring Mother Art.
What I’m working on
I have some exciting editing projects, including some great pieces for Verily. If you’re not already subscribed to our email list, please consider it. I’ve long believed Verily is one of the best things on the Internet–some easy, breezy reads; others that make you stop and think. We cover a range of topics relevant to the contemporary woman in particular, and I’d love you to give it a try!
A quote to sit and sip with
“The point of Lent is to practice being like Jesus.”
—Fr. Mike Schmitz
Amen? Amen.