On summer evenings, we love to have friends over for dinner in the backyard. While the kids roast marshmallows and play basketball, we linger under the string lights at the outdoor table long after the meal is over. It’s actually as idyllic as it sounds, at least until someone gets stabbed with a marshmallow stick….
A few nights ago, I watched on our video camera as my husband got our one-year-old daughter to sleep. She was resisting—probably overtired—and I happened to witness a moment between them: my husband put his hand gently on her cheek to soothe her, and she clung to him even as her eyes grew heavy. My…
I’m not typically a woman of great faith. Great plans? Yes. I love nicely outlined goals within my control. But risk-taking, unpredictable leaps of faith? Not so much. Then, a few weeks ago, all the challenges and hurdles of living on the other side of the ocean from my family and waiting on an adoption…
We’re moving. Or, at least, we’re attempting to. So far we’ve made it a half mile down the road to my folks’ place. But at least it’s a step in the eastward direction we’re heading. We sold our home in November, packed nearly every earthly possession into storage, and squashed into my parents’ place. Moving…
“Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.” (Matt. 8:25 NIV) When I was a little girl, about second grade or so, I really wanted glasses. I thought they were cool. My mom wore glasses, so I wanted to…
The past year has been quite a struggle in many ways, and I’d like to say I’ve learned a lot in the process. Truthfully, it’s probably too soon to tell. Between working from home full-time, dealing with the stress of the pandemic, processing my anxiety and past trauma in therapy, and ensuring the stock of…