My Advent journey begins this year by way of a journal. I love and thrive with journals and I’ve decided to journal {paper journal AND here, my online corner) my way through a beloved book, The Pilgrim’s Inn by Elizabeth Goudge, as part of my contemplation and slowing down this season. As a way of intro, let me give you a little background into this favorite Christmastime reread. I’m thrilled to be returning and revisiting well-loved friends in Sally, Hilary, the Eliot children, Jill, and others. It centers around the increasingly frail widowed grandmother matriarch of the Eliot family, Lucilla. Both World Wars have exacted a heavy price on the generations of her family and she is especially concerned for her son, George, and his 5 children. She’s made it her mission to convince her daughter-in-law, the sly, exhausted, beautiful Nadine to move back to the country near her and the family seat, Damerosehay, the faded home that has survived.

Nadine is facing her own demons and an unrequited love affair that almost happened with Lucilla’s grandson while her and her husband were separated, who happens to be Nadine’s great nephew! (I think! It’s been a long time since reading the first book in this trilogy) Lucilla’s grandson, David, is haunted by what he experienced in WWII as a RAF pilot, his father having died in WWI, and now he is now trying to resurrect his London stage acting career. Into these family dynamics, enters a multitude of other characters, especially the wonderful, sweet Sally Adair, with her father, too. We delve deep into the 5 Eliot children’s hearts, especially the oldest, sensitive, beauty seeking Ben. This story displays Goudge’s writing at its best, beautiful and with a sharp-edged mirror inviting the reader to examine their own heart and life. I’m slowly savoring every word and so grateful for the truths straight to my heart.

I plan to share a few quotes and things I’m drawing from this deep, rich well throughout December as an Advent practice.

I’ve created some prompts (listed below) if you want to join in any way in your own journals, blogs, or anywhere. These are fully open to your own special twist or interpretation.

They are words I pulled from my memory of this story and ones tugging at my heart currently.

Journaling is a favorite tactile way to reflect, pray, and process through life. I prefer ink and paper, but slow, quiet online forms of journaling are lovely too, as long as I can balance the scrolling siren call. I’m so grateful for this cozy, lovely way to be creative, record God’s continuous faithfulness, jot down memories , and keep quotes for perusing.

As I write out my thoughts on this book, as well as just general coziness and seasonal delights, I thought I’d bring you along with me to share joy in the mundane.

For some added inspiration, here are a few places to dig into for loveliness. If you enjoy Instagram, I highly recommend perusing CozyKimmi! The blog that I love, currently is Tea & Paper, for lovely poetry.

Here’s the prompts!

Use all of them, some, one, or make your own!

1. Journal
2. Light
3. Pilgrim
4. Herb
5. River
6. Twins
7. Paint
8. Poetry
9. Red
10. Children
11. Tea
12. Secret
13. Chapel
14. Grace
15. Feast
16. Candlelight
17. Green
18. Read
19. Apron
20. Forest
21. Scripture
22. Vows
23. Letter
24. Music

…she suddenly abandoned herself to joy like bird to the wind, leaped from her bed, her tall body in it’s yellow pajamas like a sword of gold in the sun, flashed into the adjoining bathroom, banged the door, stripped, sprang into the bath, turned on the shower, and broke into a loud uproarious song. ♥️

pg. 3, The Pilgrim’s Inn

Come let us anticipate His coming together and offer our creative hearts as worship!

Blessed Advent beginnings, friends. ♥️🎄❄️