jencoito

Grazing Herd of Kids

“If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, One does not live on bread alone.’” Luke 4:3-4 “Can I have a snack?” “Didn’t you JUST eat?” “I need a different snack, a better snack.” Crackers, cereal, apple slices, yogurts, cheese sticks. They scavenge aroundContinue reading “Grazing Herd of Kids”

More Myself

I have become kid-chaos. Who I am is a person rushing out the door grabbing folders and backpacks, reminding everyone what day it is. I am the one who does laundry at night. I am a chauffeur, a cheerleader, a shoe finder, and a homework deadline drill sergeant. My waking hours are defined by soContinue reading “More Myself”

Making a Church

Feast of St. Lucy, MartyrDecember 13, 2021, Monday of the Third Week of Advent Your ways, O LORD, make known to me; teach me your paths, Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior. – Psalm 25: 4-5 I’m making a Church! Our two-year was putting together a littleContinue reading “Making a Church”

Parched

Friday of the Second Week of Advent. Read more…. “Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life. He is like a tree planted near running water, That yields its fruit in due season, and whose leaves never fade. Whatever he does, prospers.”– Psalm 1:3 Being an urban Southern Californian, I’ve never reallyContinue reading “Parched”

Hurting

Saturday of the First Week of Advent, originally posted on https://www.christusministries.org/advent-blog/saturday-of-the-first-week-of-advent-1 “The Kingdom of heaven is at hand. Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.” – Matthew 10:7-8 “My body hurting.” It has been almost two weeks since our toddlerContinue reading “Hurting”

On Solid Ground

“The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.” – Matthew 7:25 First grade teacher: “What season comes after summer?” My kid: “Fire season!” Observing a lesson on seasons during Zoom school last year, it became very apparentContinue reading “On Solid Ground”

Danger Ahead: Praying For Humility

This article was written as a part of the series “Living As Contemplative Leaders” in Becky Eldredge’s Into the Deep Blog. Let me have too deep a sense of humor ever to be proud. Let me know my absurdity before I act absurdly. Let me realize that when I am humble I am most human,Continue reading “Danger Ahead: Praying For Humility”

Distorted Mirrors

Three kids, a pandemic, and nearing the “late thirties” stage of not-so-young adulthood… Suddenly, shopping is not as fun as it used to be. Fall has brought a few occasions that require me to ditch my uniform of mom jeans and Ann Taylor Loft T-shirts. The most important of these is my sister’s long-delayed weddingContinue reading “Distorted Mirrors”

Searching for Our Umbrella

My Ignatian Moment: Ignatius and the Donkey. This post was written as a part of Becky Eldredge’s series on Ignatian Spirituality. See more at https://beckyeldredge.com/intothedeep/. While the baby and I play in the sand, the older kids ride wave after wave into the shore on their boogie boards. My husband stands guard in the shallowContinue reading “Searching for Our Umbrella”

When the Road Forks: Recalculating Route

This is written as a part of a series for the Ignatian Year on Ignatius’ Cannonball Experience and life transformation. See more at: https://beckyeldredge.com/author/jcoito/ With 650 miles of freeway and 22,000 miles of surface streets, Los Angeles County offers an almost unlimited number of roads to travel. I have been known to miss my exitContinue reading “When the Road Forks: Recalculating Route”