It would never have been in my plans to make an international move pregnant, but that is exactly what I did in the fall of ‘99. When I was thrown into the newness of being a first time mama six months later, I was still wrestling to grasp a language as different from English as possible, learning how to lead …
Doubting in the Darkness
Remember paper maps? Ah, the good old days, when we navigated ourselves from one place to another, like pioneers! I loved paging through the giant U.S. atlas we kept in our living room, imagining myself traveling unknown routes. I remember the first time I had to make use of that atlas on my own. I was living in Mankato, Minnesota …
We Need to Stop Hitting Ourselves
If you have siblings, at some point you played the ‘game’ where you forced a family member to hit themselves with their own hands, while saying, “Why are you hitting yourself? Why are you hitting yourself?” This was really only funny for one of you, am I right? Too often, though, we play this game all by ourselves. We are …
How to Swimsuit Shop without Shame
Last week I took a trip to hell, also known as swimsuit shopping. Not only do you have to see what your half naked body looks like wrapped in variously fitting and often times unflattering spandex, but you get to do it in a room designed by a sadist. Who thought fluorescent lighting in dressing rooms was a good a idea? …
Tell Me the Truth
It’s important to tell ourselves the truth, but sometimes, we need others to do it for us. During this time of sabbatical, I have been reminded how desperately reliant I am on God and His truth, and how challenging it can be for me to invite others to carry me in the journey. Years ago, during a time of burnout, God …
In Case of Emergency, Remember This
It’s good to have an emergency plan. Like if you are afraid you might be chased by gators. This was the thinking my friend Laura and I had while walking the Orlando Wetland Park earlier this spring. Our plan constantly evolved according to available assistance (“Ok, so here we’d climb that shelter.” As though we could seriously climb a shelter) and …
Seeing Further on Issues of Race
So, I’m white. I’m the kind of white where people make jokes about how blinded they are when my skin shows. Hilarious, really. Keep those jokes coming cause they never get old. I grew up in a white, affluent town. I know there was one black kid in my elementary school, maybe more. There were a few Asians – two …
What Parents Really Need to Hear
Erik and I were in a baffling parenting moment recently. We struggle to find activities that all four family members enjoy together. It’s not surprising to us – for the 13 years we lived overseas, we lived in such a tight community with an abundance of like minded people that we were almost never alone as a family. Vacations, meals, you …
The Battle Belongs to Him
We are at war, and I am a lousy general. There are issues in the world worth fighting for. The hearts and minds of our kids. Strong family ties. Justice for the oppressed. Basic human rights. I don’t stop there though – I have all kinds of ambitious ideas, expectations and goals for myself, my family, my world. I approach …
Just Enough Light for the Road I’m On
One of the downsides of living this far south is that the sun doesn’t come up early, and I’m an early morning girl. It puts a damper on any outdoor exercise in the am, mostly because we live in the boondocks where there are no streetlights. People live out here specifically because they want to get away from all that …
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