Rev. Tiffany McDonald

faith+lead

The faith + leader at Luther Seminary published an article I wrote about my cancer journey. Click on the link above to read it.

We keep hearing that we are in unprecedented times. Our lives have totally changed in the last few months. We have watched horrific murders and arson, and we have also seen our communities join together in love and care. We have seen people who refuse to wear masks, and also the way so many ofContinue reading “Rest for the Weary: A sermon”

Iona Worship

The words of the liturgy and music speak to my heart. I long to return to Iona. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000kfwv

Peonies

My paternal grandparents’ farm has one long driveway that is a semicircle. The main driveway was gravel, but there was another part of the driveway, dirt, that went behind the house back to the highway. Along that dirt driveway, my grandpa planted peonies. Every spring when they bloomed was exciting. When Marty and I wereContinue reading “Peonies”

Hefted

Before we left for our Celtic pilgrimage, Rev. Mike Miller warned us that we might feel “hefted” to Iona. Hefting is a common practice among shepherds, where sheep are allowed to graze without fences. The ewes teach their lambs where to graze, and therefore feel a sense of belonging to a certain area. As predicted,Continue reading “Hefted”

Friends

We need each other. If this pandemic has taught us anything, it is how much human connection really matters. I have always had wonderful friends. In every stage of life, women (and men, but this post is for the women) from all ages have surrounded me with love. During this pandemic, I have been ableContinue reading “Friends”

Grief

Grief is something we are all experiencing right now, to different degrees. Some are grieving seeing friends or family, cancelled trips, cancelled wedding plans, concerts, plays, and other events. Some are grieving the loss of a loved one, complicated by the fact that they cannot gather with family. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross identified five stages of grief: Continue reading “Grief”

May 5

Cancer – 1. a malignant tumor of potentially unlimited growth that expands locally by invasion and systemically by metastasis 2. an abnormal bodily state marked by such tumors I woke up on May 5, 2004 with a deep sense of dread. Though I knew something was wrong, I had no idea what it really was. IContinue reading “May 5”

Looking back

This is from my CaringBridge from September 18, 2016. I had completed chemo, surgery, and radiation and was in heart failure when I wrote this. I am still healing. The nagging questions Cancer – a disease in which abnormal cells divide uncontrollably and destroy body tissueCancer Recurrence – the same cancer coming back after aContinue reading “Looking back”

The Next Right Thing.

The movie “Frozen” was a hit at our house. I loved that it centered on sister love rather than romantic love. “Frozen 2” was also a hit. I commend to you the song “The Next Right Thing” that Anna sings about her sister Elsa. I keep thinking of the lyrics these last few weeks: JustContinue reading “The Next Right Thing.”