Just In Case You Didn’t Get the Memo
I didn’t get the memo. You know, that memo that must’ve communicated, in an easy-to-follow format, just how to raise children—not only in a different culture but also living in the glass house of ministry. The one that must’ve noted how the spin on life would be much different than I could’ve ever envisioned for […]
Are My Feet Still Beautiful?
When I arrived on the field eight years ago, it was the fulfillment of ten years of praying for such an opportunity and dream to be realized. I was full of zeal, excitement and hope to finally be able to share God’s love and His message of good news with people who didn’t know Him. […]
Celebrating the Milestones Alone
Exactly four years ago, I sat down, exhausted yet proud, and wrote this with permission from our eldest. He’s 16 now, running headfirst into his final two years of high school. And this isn’t his story anymore (more accurately, this isn’t his story, yet – again!). No, this year it’s his sister. She’ll be graduating […]
The Importance of Being Father
I love my Dad. He has always been my biggest cheerleader, the one I am able to receive criticism from and the one who can talk me off the ledge when I want to quit and give up on God and faith. He has a way of speaking to me that I can hear, and […]
6 Reminders for Our TCKs
As a mom of three third culture kids, I find myself saying many of the same things over and over. In our home, these conversations are lovingly called “mom talks”. Since our move overseas, we’ve spent time on three continents. My girls have friendships with kids from all over the world. They speak pieces of […]
Standing on the Fence
The past couple of weeks one of the neighbor boys came over to play almost every day. Earlier this afternoon I heard him in the street and thought he was on his way, but he never came. Later, while we were playing outside I looked up and saw my two boys standing on the fence, […]
This Week’s Theme: Parenting
Every phase of life is hard. And every phase is beautiful. We’ve had rich discussions the last two weeks about singleness and marriage. This week, we turn to the topic of parenting. Mommas on the field, this week is for you. The joys and struggles, worries for your kiddos that keep you awake at night. […]
Becoming Aware of God’s Presence through the Practice of Examen
The Prayer of Examen is a practice first developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola. It’s a staple in monastic life, a potential piece of a “Rule of Life” given to communion with God. Contemporary people I admire have a habit of examination – writers like Ed Cyzewski and Micha Boyett. The Prayer of Examen is […]
Questions, Challenges and Blessings
Talking about mothering Third Culture Kids is a bit like talking about the water in a river: it’s always in motion and no two rivers (or even two kids in the same family) are the same. So lets throw some of the variables on the table: where you deliver, where you live, how isolated you […]
I’ll Find My Niche Someday
Young and single. That was my first phase of life overseas. I remember sitting under a thatched roof, looking out over my misty little village in the Andes mountains. I was just a few months into my new life here. I was making friends, but there was this lonely ache in me like I had […]