LA SIERRA BLOG

Blogging Through the Seasons

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Day 4 – I Will Celebrate

Advent 2024

Day 4 – I Will Celebrate

Lord Jesus, At this time of year, we head into a season of celebrations. The whole world seems to be wrapped up in the so-called “Christmas season.” Now, let’s be honest, or “get real,” as some might say. It is pretty clear that there were no shepherds...
Day 3 – Feathers

Advent 2024

Day 3 – Feathers

Dear Jesus, This is the first time I have ever written You a letter. I want You to know that for most of my life, my prayers have been about telling You what I think I need. I remember, at six years old, asking for a bride doll; that was the most essential thing in my...
Day 2 – Questions

Advent 2024

Day 2 – Questions

“Dear Jesus.” This is maybe the first full phrase I learned to speak in my household. Like learning to walk, say my alphabet, or count to ten, folding my hands and closing my eyes was central to my upbringing. So why is something so basic such a source of insecurity?...
Day 1 – Nervous and Hopeful

Advent 2024

Day 1 – Nervous and Hopeful

Dear Jesus, I’m a bit nervous about this Advent blog. I’m wishing we chose something more fun and lighter, like having church members share their favorite Christmas recipe and why it’s special to them. Maybe we can do that next year. Why am I nervous? Well, what we...
Day 40 – Be Good

40 Days 2024

Day 40 – Be Good

As early as I can remember, my father’s words to “be good and do good in whatever you choose to do” resonated with me. The word “pono,” at the surface, means “good.” Yet, because of the contextual function of the Hawaiian language, one word can mean...
Day 39 – When Death Passed Over

40 Days 2024

Day 39 – When Death Passed Over

We had spent the weekend in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and planned to fly over to the city of Mayaguez. Our good friend, Dr Ivan Angel, was on a medical assignment there and had invited us to spend a week with them. Then I would go over to Haiti in a private plane with...