Writer
At 5:15 a.m. Thursday, June 4, my mom woke me with news: My paternal grandfather, Dr. Henry G. Spenceley, had passed away at the hospital at 4:37 that morning.
His passing, according to my grandmother, who was with him, was peaceful. Painless. It was also unexpected, in a way, since he hadn’t been sick, except for the few days prior. I’ll always cherish the photo above, of the moment Popop and I first met. Continue reading “Sad news.”
In or near Naples, FL? Then I’ll see you tomorrow! I’ll chat about practicing chastity in a culture that calls it crazy at Theology on Tap at St. John the Evangelist. Deets:
Date: June 2, 2015
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Event: Theology on Tap
Sponsor: St. John’s Young Adults
Venue: St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church
Location: 625 111th Ave. N., Naples, FL
[callout]This post includes an excerpt, used with permission, from my friend and fellow author Renee Fisher’s new devotional book, “Faithbook of God.”[/callout]
While I read today’s entry in my friend Renee Fisher’s new devotional book, I thought of readers who’ve emailed me to share struggles in relationships or with single life — people who have felt rejected, dejected, alone.
If you’re among them, I hope this excerpt from Renee’s book brings you hope:
Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering. – Mark 5:34
There was a woman in the Bible who bled for more than thirteen years. She wanted to be set free. Amidst a crowd of people, instead of asking for help, she decided to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment. When Jesus realized that healing power had gone out from him, he immediately asked who had touched him.
I wrote this poem for a friend who needed to feel Jesus’ touch. Read it as if he is speaking directly to you today: Continue reading “Struggling in your relationship or single life? Be set free (and win a book).”
The stack of save-the-dates and wedding invitations that covered a corner of my desk at home has begun to turn into the inevitable: actual weddings. Last night, I watched while a friend of 13 years exchanged vows with the man who became her husband. I walked afterward to the hall where we would celebrate.
But — unlike most of the rest of the guests — I walked alone into the hall. Where couples would dance and dream of or remember their own weddings. Where husbands would return to the buffet for seconds for their wives. And where I, regardless of having no date with whom to enjoy it, would have the best time.
It is natural as a single adult to be bummed about being alone at a wedding (particularly if you’re a single adult who intends someday to get married). But it’s entirely possible to have fun flyin’ solo at a reception. Here are a few ways to do it:
1. Live tweet it.
Like this:
I’ve said hello to at least one stranger and I got deodorant on my clutch, so going dateless to this wedding is going well so far.
— Arleen Spenceley (@ArleenSpenceley) August 31, 2014
Continue reading “How to have fun flyin’ solo at a wedding.”
[callout]This is a guest post written by Wendy van Eyck, who blogs at ilovedevotionals.com.[/callout]
My first kiss happened in the rain.
We were standing in a forest with 100-year old pines spreading a canopy over our heads. Water dripped from the branches onto my pink umbrella as I lent in to taste his lips.
Thirty of our friends and family stood beneath their own umbrellas, unaware that this was our first kiss. The pastor said, “I now pronounce you man and wife.”
At 27, I had waited a long time for that first kiss. I had wondered what it would be like, what it would tell me about the man I had just married.
Over the years I had flipped through magazines and seen articles like “5 things you can learn from a first kiss (and one you can’t)” and “Kissing can tell you if someone is right for you.”
It seemed like so much value was placed on this first locking of lips.
So what did my first kiss tell me?
It told me a lot less then the magazines led me to expect. Continue reading “What a first kiss can tell you.”