Notes on Beginning and Beginning Again the past few months

Welcome, Autumn!

BOOK GIVEAWAY

I’m so glad to announce the three winners of a what-I’ve-been-reading-lately book giveaway for paid subscribers! I picked three of the books I read this past summer(ish) and then, using a random number generator, picked three names from my paid subscriber list, and now I’m so excited to pass along these great reads to three wonderful people!

1. How How Do You Live? by Genzaburo Yoshino is going to my beloved cousin, Robin Ball!

2. Sandwich by Catherine Newman is going to the beautiful Jennifer Pappenhagen!

3. It's Not What You Think: An American Woman in Saudi Arabia

   Sabeeha Rehman is going to the delightfully inquisitive Dawn Wulff

SUMMER PRAYER OF EXAMEN

Here we are, late September, windows open, sweaters at the ready, Vs of geese practicing their southern flights. One of my favorite weeks of the year is this liminal space between the waning summer and the full-on fall. It’s the perfect time to pause for reflection on what has been, give thanks, celebrate gifts and lament losses, and name needs for the coming season.

Gather your calendar, journal, and pen for our Prayer of Summer Examen. Maybe, like me, you want to set a timer and flip through the records you kept from the past few months—-the photos, scraps of memorabilia, scratched-out summer bucket lists, and any other ephemeral reminders of late June, July, August, and early September.

Then, silence for a few minutes, a few deep breaths, and begin this Summer Examen with me.

You can see my end-of-Spring Examen here.

Five movements of the Prayer of Examen for Summer 2024

1. Begin with noticing God’s presence in what has been

2. Give thanks

3. Notice rest

4. Notice unrest

5. Begin again by seeking God’s loving presence for what will be

Paid subscribers and Sustaining Members can click the video at the top of this letter for a guided reflection.¹

Before you read my responses, I’d love to hear what you’re noticing as you pause and prayerfully reflect on how God was with you this summer!

p.s. Read to the end of the letter to get the link for my new Restful Autumn playlist!

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13 Reflections from my Summer Examen

I give thanks

1. FOR SUMMER FOOD MEMORIES & HAPPY TASTE BUDS

Something happened to my taste buds this summer. I don’t know how or why, but the food tasted better. I think it might have something to do with watching my