Former Hollywood sitcom writer and funny girl Andrea R. Frazer thought she had it all: a hunky husband, two gorgeous kids, a house in the 'burbs . . . but when her son was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome, a disorder that causes uncontrollable tics and twitches, her fantasy life imploded. Terrified, she feared he would bark, scream and curse in circle time. Turns out the only person who barked, screamed and cursed was Andrea, as she went head-to-head with this confusing condition. From diet to meds, shrinks to therapists, Frazer has written a no-holds-barred mom-moir about the realities of raising a kid on the spectrum. It isn't always pretty, but it's real, and if you're as scared as she was, clarity can look pretty darn gorgeous. Written with humor, transparency and most importantly, hope, it's Andrea's desire that this book will hold the hand of every special needs parent. "May it whisper in your ear, 'You did not cause this condition. Stop blaming yourself. You are not alone.' And while you're at it, eat a taco. Life is better with a little food. (Trust me on this one.)" ~ Andrea

The beloved author of A Wrinkle in Time takes an introspective look at her life and muses on creativity in this memoir, the first of her Crosswicks Journals. Every so often I need OUT. . . . My special place is a small brook in a green glade, a circle of quiet from which there is no visible sign of human beings. . . . I sit there, dangling my legs and looking through the foliage at the sky reflected in the water, and things slowly come back into perspective. Set against the lush backdrop of Crosswicks, her family’s farmhouse in rural Connecticut, this deeply personal memoir details Madeleine L’Engle’s journey to find balance between her career as a Newbery Medal–winning author and her responsibilities as a wife, mother, teacher, and Christian. As she considers the roles that creativity, family, citizenship, and faith play in her life, L’Engle reveals the complexities behind the author whose works—honored with the National Book Award, the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award, and countless other prizes—have long been cherished by children and adults alike. Written in simple, profound, and often humorous prose, A Circle of Quiet is an insightful woman’s elegant search for the meaning and purpose of her life. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Madeleine L’Engle including rare images from the author’s estate.

5th Place Winner of the 2020 Writer's Digest Poetry Contest and a Semi-finalist in the 2020 National Poetry Society of Virginia Poetry Contest The title Searching for Nova Albion comes from a pilgrimage Pamela Cranston, an Episcopal priest, once made to Drake's Beach near Point Reyes, California. There, in 1579, Sir Francis Drake landed the first English ship in North America, which he called Nova Albion (New Britain). The title poem is a protest against abuses of the environment and of power, wherever and whenever they happen. Inspired by the works of George Herbert, Gerard Manley Hopkins, R. S. Thomas, David Scott, and Rowan Williams, the author aspires to follow in their footsteps as a fellow poet-priest. Searching for Nova Albion displays a distinctive kind of spiritual sensibility found both within twentieth century English classical music and the Northern California landscape. These poems display a love for the roots and beauty of the English language, as well as an appreciation for the mystical, but also keep a critical eye to question, laugh with, or doubt Christian tradition. Common themes that arise are unexpected encounters with nature and the numinous; questions about life, death, and eternity; writing and finding one's voice; dealing with loss and defeat; and the recompense of joy.

Classic study explores the Eleusinian mysteries of ancient Greece; Asiatic cults of Cybele, the Magna Mater, and Attis; Dionysian groups; Orphics; Egyptian devotees of Isis and Osiris; Mithraism; and others.

When you go abroad to serve, you're thinking about the language, the losses, and the excitement. When you return home you're thinking about your friends and family, the losses, and the relief. Most aren't thinking about the process of transition-and yet if you do, it can make the difference between a smooth entry and re-entry, or a decidedly bumpy landing. Veteran of serving abroad Amy Young is the perfect companion to guide you through the much-neglected process of transitions. Practical in nature, Looming Transitions places a strong emphasis on Keeping your soul fertile as you stay grounded in Christ Looking for the lighter moments Learning about yourself Helping others Making lists Leaning into grief as you prepare for your transition"