Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #25: Silent Night, Candlelight

For the last three years, I've intentionally spent time writing and sharing a Haiku-A-Day for the month of December. The first two years I exchanged a daily Haiku privately with willing friends, mostly through text and email. Last year I wrote and shared each Haiku on my blog. Throughout this process, I've discovered that the practice of noticing and reflecting through writing a Haiku grounds me, provides with with a certain kind of peace, assists me with better practicing gratitude, and helps me better navigate this "hurry up" world. This year my goal is the same as last year: to pen and publish a daily Haiku on my blog throughout December. 

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #25: 
Silent Night, Candlelight 

As the daughter of a United Methodist Minister, I don't think that I have ever missed attending a Christmas Eve service. No matter what church I have attended, in United Methodist tradition we end with singing the carol "Silent Night" by candlelight. It is one of my favorite moments of the Christmas season.

Christmas Eve service/

always ends in candlelight./

Silent Night. Holy. 

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #13: Connection Reminder

For the last three years, I've intentionally spent time writing and sharing a Haiku-A-Day for the month of December. The first two years I exchanged a daily Haiku privately with willing friends, mostly through text and email. Last year I wrote and shared each Haiku on my blog. Throughout this process, I've discovered that the practice of noticing and reflecting through writing a Haiku grounds me, provides with with a certain kind of peace, assists me with better practicing gratitude, and helps me better navigate this "hurry up" world. This year my goal is the same as last year: to pen and publish a daily Haiku on my blog throughout December. 

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #13: 
Connection Reminder

One of my former pastors, Pastor Paola Benecchi, delivered many wise sermons when she was our pastor at The Family Church. I always enjoyed listening to her words and often recorded what I wanted to remember. 

As I prepared to move to a different house, I unearthed many treasures, including a collection of saved notes like this one: 

"If we believe our opinions are
more important than making connections,
then we are on the wrong path." 
Pastor Paola Benecchi

Paola said, "If we believe our opinions are more important than making connections, then we are on the wrong path." 

Indeed, Paola.

This is a precious note that I will hold onto. It reminds me that a healthy connection with people is vital; it is so much more important than proving to be right about something or somehow exerting my opinion over another person or group. 

Unfortunately, I am often too eager to just share my thoughts and I forget to listen to others. I only consider myself. This inevitably puts me on the wrong path. I miss out in the process.

Healthy connection,/

Building strength. Setting aside/

stubborn opinions. 

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #7: The Hanging of the Greens

For the last three years, I've intentionally spent time writing and sharing a Haiku-A-Day for the month of December. The first two years I exchanged a daily Haiku privately with willing friends, mostly through text and email. Last year I wrote and shared each Haiku on my blog. Throughout this process, I've discovered that the practice of noticing and reflecting through writing a Haiku grounds me, provides with with a certain kind of peace, assists me with better practicing gratitude, and helps me better navigate this "hurry up" world. This year my goal is the same as last year: to pen and publish a daily Haiku on my blog throughout December. 

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #7: 

The Hanging of the Greens

The Hanging of the Greens is a tradition I look forward to each year at our church. I love how all members of our church are invited to participate, even the smallest children take a part in preparing our church for Advent. 

As in years past, our church hangs up wreaths - symbolic of growth and everlasting life. In addition, we trim our tree, and our whole congregation makes Christmas ornaments. 

This year I especially liked making Christmas Tree ornaments out of buttons and wire:

Hanging of the Greens:/

tree trimming. Preparing for/

the Advent Season. 

Tuesday Slice of Life: Tenzi Time

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Tuesday Slice of Life: Tenzi Time 

Last Sunday we had planned to go snow tubing following our Sunday morning worship service at a local ski hill, a little over an hour's drive by car. Yet, as many events this winter, we cancelled it due to a nasty winter storm.

As it is our annual church youth group snow tubing tradition, a few youth had invited friends to join us. Instead of sending everyone home, one of our co-leaders thought that it would be great to play board games and eat pizza. The weather was crummy, but at least we could still salvage part of the day.

As our frozen pizzas cooked in the oven, I learned how to play the game Tenzi, a new-to-me-game, with some youth. *Jessie, one of our youth, gave quick but thorough instructions for this fast-paced dice game. Soon we played twelve rounds of Tenzi. 

Variations to play Tenzi with

Besides learning a new game, one of my favorite parts of the afternoon was when *Kat, a quiet friend of Jessie's, joined us. Donned in a black hoodie sweatshirt, blue tuft of hair peeking out, Kat had barely muttered a sound. Yet, as we played Tenzi, I saw Kat smile. As we got into the game she started to laugh and then talk, revealing bit about who she was. 

I adore how games can sometimes bring teenagers out of their shell.

Although it was another disappointing cancellation that day, I am grateful we were still able to make our own fun - a surprising kind of joy. Most of all, I was able to make a new, but small connection with Kat. 

*pseudonym 

Tuesday Slice of Life & Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #25 Mash Up: "Silent Night"

Looking to connect with a positive, supportive online community?  Consider sharing a slice of your life with Two Writing Teachers. All writers are welcome! 

I am joining Elisabeth from The Dirigible Plum in writing a Haiku-A-Day during the month of December. 

Tuesday Slice of Life and Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #25: 
"Silent Night"

Since I was a small child, one of my favorite traditions is attending Christmas Eve worship with my family. In my opinion, one of the best parts of Christmas Eve service is when our congregation sings the nineteenth century carol "Silent Night." At our church, each person - regardless of age - participates in lighting a candle (or using a glow stick, as most of the youngest children do) as we sing this two hundred-year-old carol:

Christmas Eve stillness:

"Silent Night" candlelight song.

Hope illuminates.  

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #23: About Mary

I am joining Elisabeth from The Dirigible Plum in writing a Haiku-A-Day during the month of December.

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #23: About Mary

This month our pastor has been leading a worship series about stories behind Christmas carols. Most of the carols we learned about were written in the nineteenth century, but today Reverend Allie spoke about one of my favorite and modern Christmas songs, "Mary Did you Know?". According to the book of Luke 1:39-55, Mary was not at all gentle, silent, and minimized as she is described in many traditional Christmas carols. Instead, she was a fierce, bold prophet - not always properly recognized for her bravery. 

I wrote today's double Haiku following our church service this morning: 

Nineteenth century

carols recount Mary: meek,

mild, docile maiden.

Yet Mary knew the 

prophecy...still kissed little

baby, face of God.  

Haiku-A-Day December #15: What did you see this week...

I am joining Elisabeth from The Dirigible Plum in writing a Haiku-A-Day during the month of December. 

Haiku-A-Day December #15: What did you see this week...

One of my favorite things about weekends is going to church. Our church is a small, close-knit United Methodist church, open to everyone, especially children. It a place that nearly always leaves me feeling full of hope and comfort when I physically leave. 

Our amazing Pastor, Rev. Allie, posted this question on Instagram recently: What did you see this week that reminded you of God? 

In response to her question, I penned this double Haiku:

Moving forward when

difficult tasks emerge...calm

replaces worry. 

Unexpected gifts.

Tender, sincere, hope-filled chats.

Community warmth.