Hope and Humor for Women in Cross Cultural Ministry
John was eager to participate in the great commission by going. I went to his commissioning service. As I sat with the congregation, memories flooded my soul. I remembered the sorting and packing. I felt again that anticipation laced with a touch of fear. I recalled heart-wrenching goodbyes, yet the thrill about what was next.... Continue Reading →
I became a grandma almost 18 years ago. I still remember the sense of awe that my kids were now having kids! How could time fly by so quickly? I delight in each of my twelve grandkids and am thrilled with the opportunity to invest in their lives. Part of me knows what grandmas do... Continue Reading →
Isn’t it easy to feel rushed in the Christmas season? Cards to send, gifts to buy and wrap. We bake cookies and decorate our homes. My nine-year-old granddaughter, Lizzy, drew a Christmas picture for a family book. Under the picture she wrote “presence over presents.” How wonderful to be reminded of why we celebrate Christmas!... Continue Reading →
The meal started out with a few loaves of bread and a couple of fish. The disciples were full after a miraculous meal that fed thousands. They left by boat and had one loaf of bread with them. Jesus tells them, “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.” (Mark 8:15) The disciples... Continue Reading →
I am remembering Don's birthday 34 years ago! It is an old story, often told, but a good reminder of God's faithfulness in the midst of challenges. After Don finished carrying and moving our 14 trunks about 15 times, we finally arrived at our destination! It was 115 degrees that day in the Middle East... Continue Reading →
It takes time to adjust. Don’t rush the process. The first term is where we focus on learning. Be ready to make mistakes. Embrace them. It’s one way we learn. When you take that first language test and you miss every single question, don’t panic. Be prepared to study more and plan more visits—as much... Continue Reading →
One of my goals this year is to become a better listener. I wrote "listen" on a piece of paper and put it in my wallet as a reminder. Listening better may be a challenge for me. As I’ve gotten older my ears don’t work as well as they used to! There has been some... Continue Reading →
Parenting is a privilege and delight. It can also be challenging. Parenting in a different culture adds to that. There have been many moments in life where I have felt helpless, especially as a mom. Two stand out in my mind. One of my most frantic moments happened when our kids were little. We were... Continue Reading →
I am known for having a terrible sense of direction. I used to try and hide it, but it really is impossible to hide when you must always ask which way to turn. It can be embarrassing. Google maps has helped quite a bit, but sometimes it can’t help me. We were visiting family. Their... Continue Reading →
When I was in sixth grade I was walking to school on the last day before our winter break. There was a slight coating of ice and snow all around me. Munching on my log pretzel as I walked, I was thinking about Peggy Fleming, a famous figure skater. I had just watched her skating... Continue Reading →
Screams In The Desert 