Deanna
Remember Me?
By Deanna Cook We look forward. We wonder. We dream. We count days with excitement. We don’t know the end of the story. We only know what we can see. And that can be exhilarating or terrifying. I always anticipated that I would be married and have a family. I am content with my life – I have found purpose as a single woman. I have been a mentor to younger single women. I have a job I love, where I get to mother many teenagers. I have more opportunities and flexible income to do things that…
Read MoreBook Review: Miracles and Other Reasonable Things
There are so many of us who claim Sarah Bessey as one of our kindred spirits. Following her Field Notes and other social media posts, you will quickly embrace her as a sister that you didn’t know you needed. Sarah Bessey’s newest book, Miracles and Other Reasonable Things: A Story of Unlearning and Relearning God, chronicles her experiences through a car accident and afterward through her journey of suffering and healing. Coincidentally, it was during this time that she became a balm for many within our circle. When we were dreaming of the future for Sister Triangle, we…
Read MoreQ&A Featuring Deanna Cook
Forward by Victoria Utman Our editorial team wouldn’t be the same without our fantastic Copy Editor. You heard her speak about courage at Sister Triangle Retreat, but we just wanted to give you more! She is an educator with a big heart, a quiet leader in our loud world, and the authority here at Sister Triangle Magazine on all things grammatical. Please put your proverbial hands together for the one-and-only, Deanna Cook! Victoria: This is the most important question, which is why it is first: Coffee or Tea? Tell us why. Deanna: First thing in the morning, I…
Read MoreTiming
By Deanna Cook We all want good things to happen in our lives, but too often we want it now… not later. David was anointed king when he was a teenager and then he had to wait fourteen years. Abraham had to wait 25 years for the birth of his son Isaac. Noah had to wait 120 years from the time God told him to build the ark until the time of the flood actually occurred. They all had to wait on God’s timing and the time prepared them for the next phase in their lives. When God directs our paths, He sometimes leads…
Read MoreThinking of the Week that Just Ended
By Deanna Cook I am blessed. I am blessed to work with teenagers; I sometimes have to tell myself that this is a blessing. My job description has just changed- I am “officially” taking over the career and guidance counselling at my school. I have been unofficially doing a lot of the work, but now I get office hours to do it. I love the opportunity. I get to help my kids plan for their future with working on resumes, scholarships, and post-secondary applications. Looking back on Saturday morning, this last week was a good week. The Tuesday grad meeting…
Read MoreConsistency Is Key
Deanna Cook I skipped going to the gym for two weeks. I kept making excuses: I was too busy, I would go tomorrow, and on and on. And finally, two weeks had passed, while dust starts to collect on my running shoes. When I actually go to the gym, I enjoy it. The more I go, the stronger I become: my flexibility increases, I sleep better, and my eating is better. And when I don’t go, I can feel it in my left shoulder and in my right hip. I’m achier, tighter and, therefore, grouchier. And the first time back,…
Read MoreDo not be afraid
Deanna Cook Fright, horror, panic, trepidation, dread, dismay, distress, aversion, dread, terror, anxiety, fear. Fear is what I felt 15 years ago the night our plane crashed. Fear is caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or is a threat. Sometimes fear is caused by the unknown. Sometimes fear is based on past experiences. We can all think of something that has caused us fear in the past. If being honest, we can think of a fear we have right now. I have a fear: it’s a fear of flying. I don’t sleep…
Read MoreAfter Sabbath
Deanna Cook Sunday evenings is very ritualistic in my life. It is a time of preparation for the next school week: preparing lunches, laying out clothes, and packing back packs. I have found this time essential- a way to frame the next week so it is more peaceful and more prepared. Those Sunday evenings I choose not to partake in the ritual, I end up regretting it as my Monday morning is spent rushing around making decisions, throwing together a bag lunch, and searching for lost keys. As I thought about this topic, I did some research. Did you know…
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