The Risk of Going Solo
Have you ever stopped to evaluate the risk we as foreign women take when we navigate public transportation alone? Maybe you haven’t because ignorance is bliss. Initially, the adventure and excitement of exploring the city with only a few Chinese phrases and a bus pass at my disposal outweighed even the thought of danger. However, […]
The Courage to Show Up
I went to the bank to wire the next three months of rent to my landlord, as I had done successfully several times before. When I was finished, I sent a text to let him know to look for it in his account. Unlike the other times, he couldn’t see it immediately. He then told […]
Sleep in Peace
Worry, stress, struggles, pressures, sickness, fatigue, and the weight of overseas life affect us all in so many ways. Loss of sleep is possibly at the top of the list of affected things. When I am worried, I can’t sleep. When I have fears, I can’t sleep. When I feel overwhelmed, I can’t sleep. When […]
Insomnia: Mostly I’m Not Afraid to Go to Bed
Mostly, I am not afraid of going to bed anymore. But there are nights, after a cup of chamomile tea, some yoga, and a bit of journaling, when I think, “Maybe tonight I won’t be able to sleep,” even though the Sand Man is laying it on thick and it’s so quiet I hear the […]
When the Connections Appear to Dim
“Your father has Alzheimers” – that was the diagnosis given to us several years ago. The weight of that statement struck our hearts with dread and a heaviness of grief as we processed that this man we loved would lose his connection with us and with the world around him. As we left that appointment, […]
A Very Present Help
There were back streets in Phnom Penh, Cambodia that I usually avoided. The streets were confusing, narrow, and filled with people. These were the first roads to flood during any kind of rain, making them even less desirable. An uneasiness of spirit always came over me in this part of town. After one party, though, […]
Preparation in the Waiting
I came back to my Nebraska, USA home from my Asia home for a few months of rest and refreshment this fall, depleted both physically and emotionally. I’m not even sure how to describe this last year, but I know I’m preaching to the choir when I tell you that there have been those days […]
This is My Story: Recovering from the Dark Places
I’d prefer not to tell you my whole story. Just the good parts – you know, the parts we write about to our family and friends back home. The parts that will make you like me or admire me, and prove I’m on the road to glory. But THIS is the story He’s led me […]
When Going to the Copy Store Becomes Your Arch Nemesis
I lived in dread of making copies. My first year in China I didn’t have a printer, so nearly every day I headed to a small copy shop to print lesson plans and copy handouts. It was very simple, even with my extremely limited Chinese. I could just say the number of copies I wanted […]
When Jesus Invites You to the Beach
Come. Come to the beach. Let’s talk. I’ve got a warm fire going for you and breakfast started for you…I know it’s been a long night. I have words for you. I have more for you. You are not done. No, definitely not yet. You may feel like it is all over because you are […]
Can We Just Pray, Please?
I tried. I really tried. I had high aspirations to write you something of a she-version of William Wallaces’ Braveheart speech, something to inspire us kingdom lady warriors into fearlessness. But can I chuck that plan? Because it’s just not going to happen. This post goes live in six hours. I’m feeling quite the opposite […]
All the Scary Things
“If you’re traveling in the region, you should exercise extreme caution.” Travel advice for the area I live in, from www.gov.uk A quick glance registered a group of around 100 or so people carrying spears and bows and arrows. It’s a parade, I thought. But something nagged me to take another look. No, those aren’t […]