Come sit with me. I am grieving.

Come sit with me. I am grieving.  There has been so much hurt and loss over the past months, weeks, days, hours. And I am still wearing black.  I need to remind myself that I am still hurt. Still tender from all that was witnessed. I still need to weep and lament.  I need to …

Time: waiting and responding to one another.

Time is an interesting thing.  I have been on leave from my call for the past five months.  I had to step away from the harm and trauma of the church and its leaders in order to process what God is calling me to. I made the choice to take this time intentionally. I talked …

The Gift of the Magi: A New Route

El Día de los Reyes Magos, is the Latinx celebration of Epiphany. Remembering when the magical kings, Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthasar, traveled by night, following the star, all the way from afar to bring gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to Jesus, whom they recognized as the Son of God. It is a day of …

Posada: Un Viaje De Angustia A Través Del Racismo Sistémico

Mi trayectoria como ministro en la iglesia luterana comenzó con Las Posadas. En ese momento, yo vivía en Alaska y no había mucha gente latinx en mi ciudad. Quería que mis hijos tuvieran una comunidad que fuera capaz de entender su cultura y sus tradiciones. Pedí a una iglesia local que me permitiera organizar un …

Posada: A Journey of Heartbreak Through Systemic Racism

My journey as a minister in the Lutheran church began with Las Posadas. At the time, I was living in Alaska and there were not many Latinx people in my town. I wanted my children to have a community that would be able to understand their culture and traditions. I asked a local church if …

A hawks visit.

I painted hawks today. “Hawks represent determination, focus, leadership, clarity, future planning, intuitive decision making, and protection. They often show up when you are called to complete a goal or mission and need strength and encouragement to keep moving forward. Hawks are believed to be messengers from the spirit realm.” Two weeks ago, I submitted …

Who’s Going to Change the Diaper?: A Reflection on Racism

When my second daughter, Ava, was born, I already had Lucía. My late husband had just started a new job and wasn't around as much for the second child.  Justin was actually a very supportive and loving husband and father. He would help a lot with the feedings, diaper changes, and cleaning that is required …

Metamorphosis

This brief reflection was shared at the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Milwaukee, WI, at a banquet honoring the 50th anniversary of the ordination of women. I had been ordained for 9 months. I recently moved to Southern California after living in Alaska for the last 10 years. In August 2018, I was called in …

Nooks & Crannies: A Reflection on Systemic Racism While Cleaning Out the Toy Bin

It is the first week of summer, my kids are done with school and I cannot have them spending their entire summer in front of their screens while I'm at work. They have done that all spring, and I won't let it happen this summer.  So this Monday morning, I gave my youngest child a …

Jesus Loves Siestas

Jesus loves siestas.  I love a good siesta. I find that during this pandemic season they are more than necessary. Although, I have also found that I have filled my schedule with so much work lately that I barely get any time to relish in a good siesta moment.  So it got me thinking….  Why …