Dear friends,

Merry Christmas! May you know the gift of light and life this day. Love, Mercy, Aaron Emmanuel, Elijah, Douglas and Erika

Nativity

As I sit here gazing out over tree-tops to the giant wave-licked rocks below that are right now bathed in sunlight (we’ve already had rain and hail today–gotta love the NW!), I sense a deep peace spreading over me. Two children are sleeping upstairs (or probably not sleeping, but their Dad is with them so… Continue reading Nativity

Be my guest

We are now past the half-way point of our family leave time, and these weeks away spent with our families have reminded me of the power of hospitality. Embracing our family for days on end and sharing life and space with us is no small thing. Whether it is Aaron’s fascination with buttons (any and… Continue reading Be my guest

Off island

We just got home from an overnight trip up to Orcas Island to see Mercy’s godparents. While the weather around here has been dreadful of late, our two days there were absolutely spectacular. From the moment the ferry boat left Anacortes, the sun broke through the clouds to light up mountain peak and wave. Aaron… Continue reading Off island

Rain

Last year it was a wind storm and massive power outages (not to mention trees falling into neighbor’s houses). This year it is major flooding, and it is affecting many we know and love here in Seattle. I geniunely forget what life with weather can be like.

How things are

A lot of people have been great about checking in with me and asking me: “How are things going?” My answer has often been: “It is what it is.” I won’t glamorize the realities of these past few weeks. Between my recovery and being house-bound for yet another six-week period with two very active toddlers… Continue reading How things are

Rich

Today is one of those days when I marvel at the wealth of our life here in L.A. When I look around and see the diversity of the people in Mercy, Aaron and Elijah’s life; when I see the kind of love and devotion that our church family shows to them daily; when I stop… Continue reading Rich