Have you ever been in a situation where someone was relentless in trying to bless you? A month ago I wrote about my husband surprising me on Valentine’s Day with a dress that I had wanted for at least two years. It is an expensive, exquisite, never-in-a-million-years-in-our-budget dress that went drastically on sale online. I… Continue reading Determination
Category: Family
What youth need
I have had a lot of conversations recently with people around issues of ministering to youth and how that can be done most effectively. While in my hospital bed, Doug and I listened to a recording of Chap Clark’s inaugural lecture at Fuller Seminary where he brilliantly assesses the state of youth ministry in the… Continue reading What youth need
The hiddenness of pride
It is a truly humbling thing to be at the center of people’s love and care. There is this total submission that happens where one ceases to claim control and sufficiency, and instead stops to simply receive. It is never something any of us are inclined to do by choice, and I think it has… Continue reading The hiddenness of pride
Good news (or The longest blog post I have ever written)
I had much more romantic notions of how I would share this news here, but I am learning that life is not always about our ideas of romance. Doug and I are expecting our third baby in early October. That is the marvelous news in the midst of all that has been dreadful and challenging… Continue reading Good news (or The longest blog post I have ever written)
They are new every morning
The view from Room #780 It is not difficult for God to send his kindness to us regardless of our surroundings. That kindness has taken many forms in the past few days, from wheelchairs and Demerol (at last!) to the gentle hands of nurses to the spoken, unsolicited prayers of the woman sent to draw… Continue reading They are new every morning
Be my guest
I read something this past week that reminded me of my parents, and of the way our household was a bit odd growing up. This week at his blog, Mark Galli (editor of Christianity Today) reflects on his recent trip to the Middle East and describes an interaction he had on the airplane: “On the… Continue reading Be my guest
Small graces
-our neighbors across the street and friends from down the street who joined us last night for an impromptu In ‘n Out run for “crunchy lunch” (hamburgers and fries) and airplane watching next to LAX -our good friend who babysat for me this morning so Doug and I could go to the dentist without trying… Continue reading Small graces
Considering the scandal
The kids and I are home this morning due to Aaron’s cold. So, instead of worshipping at church we are playing Cinderella Tree and dinosaurs and coloring in Mercy’s activity book. Oh, and Mercy has run probably a hundred laps through the dining and living rooms “losing” one of her shoes each time just like… Continue reading Considering the scandal
Slingshots and liquor stores
Yesterday I had the opportunity to speak at our sister church in Pasadena. It is always wonderful to be with these extraordinary people who have made our mission here a significant part of their own mission as a church. I am always blessed when I have the chance to be with them. I shared with… Continue reading Slingshots and liquor stores
Joseph: the “good” brother
I usually let Mercy pick out which books she would like me to read to her when I tuck her in for her afternoon nap. Today it was the story of Joseph, or “The Egypt Story” as she called it. The book is one of a set we were given that includes the story of… Continue reading Joseph: the “good” brother