13: Shawn Smucker on Choosing Presence in a Busy Culture - a podcast by Ashley Hales

Sometimes when we’re in the thralls of our normal routines, our roles in our families and in our neighborhoods, it’s hard to stop and pay attention. Shawn Smucker, author, husband, and busy father to 6, talks with us about what it looks like to choose presence from cross-cultural friendships with a refugee and with his own family. 
Here’s a bit more about Shawn: He lives in Lancaster, PA with his wife, Maile, and his 6 children. He’s the author of The Day the Angels Fell, The Edge of Over There, Once We were Strangers, and the forthcoming novel, Light from Distant Stars. Be sure to preorder his latest release before July 16 for a free peek into the life and journal of a novelist. You’ll want to listen in for wisdom about parenting, about how to navigate cross-cultural friendships and be present to your actual neighbors. But you’ll also want to stick around to hear his laundry routine for a family of 8, how his wife Maile and he aren’t just sliding into established roles in their writing and parenting lives together, and how you can take one small step of presence in a culture that idolizes hurry and busyness. 
LINKS:Link to purchase The Day the Angels Fell: https://amzn.to/2X7B2oL
Link to purchase The Edge of Over There: https://amzn.to/2RwDsr3Link to purchase Once We Were Strangers: https://amzn.to/2X2iIgR
Link to pre-order Light from Distant Stars: https://amzn.to/2X6MBwsMore about Shawn, his work, and his writing services: http://shawnsmucker.com
SHARE:Listen to @ShawnSmucker discuss his friendship with a Syrian refugee and what it taught him about a “drop in” friendship in a culture of busyness on the #FindingHolyPodcast with @aahales
Curious about how to navigate a meaningful life in the midst of marriage and family life? You’ll want to listen to @shawnsmucker on the #findingholypodcastListen to how @shawnsmucker and his wife reevaluated roles, made time for the work they love, and still manage to get the laundry done for a family of 8 on The #FindingHolyPodcast
ONE SMALL STEP:Move your communication from social media to one-on-one for a week. Write a note of gratitude. Look your children in the eye. Practice presence in small and unseen ways. We’d even love to get a note here at the podcast (email us at findingholypodcast@gmail.com) and would love for you to stay in the conversation by subscribing. 
Keep the conversation going by purchasing Finding Holy in the Suburbs for a friend and see how your can love your place, your actual neighbors, and those right in front of you. Better yet, buy it from real people (we recommend Hearts&Mind Bookstore, who will send it from real people not a drone!)
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Further episodes of The Cartographers

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Website of Ashley Hales