Being on bed-rest carries significant challenges for me and for my family. Thankfully, we are a part of a community of people who know well how to care for and serve one another. In two days, I can already testify to the willingness of many to make serious sacrifices for our sakes, and as frustrating… Continue reading Spaghetti and tithing
Category: Friends
Holiday
We spent most of yesterday swimming and eating with good friends whose parents graciously included us in their family’s celebration of the Fourth. They live in a gorgeous house with a perfect pool, and let’s just say the Haub children, not to mention their prego mom who has just about had it with the L.A.… Continue reading Holiday
A mother’s cry
We just had a shooting down the street. I was putting the kids down when our apartment was filled with the sound of gunfire. It was so loud and there were so many shots: more than I have ever heard here before. Aaron started to scream from his crib and I raced into his room… Continue reading A mother’s cry
Because Doug is a superior photographer (and considerably taller)…
Here’s the better shot I promised. Little Sammy went from a fuzzy gray clump to this beautiful creature literally in days, and now he is gone. Lately Mercy has been bringing me “eggs” (random toys) to hatch for her. We checked out Horton Hatches the Egg from the library so I am pretty sure that… Continue reading Because Doug is a superior photographer (and considerably taller)…
Vacation with a purpose
Next Sunday, a group of children, youth and adults will come to our neighborhood to live in our homes for the week, paint the home of one of our church members and help prepare our tutoring center for a busy summer of ministry, and lead sports and art camps for children in our community. This… Continue reading Vacation with a purpose
Out on the curb
Saturday afternoon, Aaron took me for a walk around the block and we ended up at our good friends’ house around the corner for a few times down the slide and some fun playing catch with their big pink ball. As we were leaving their house to come back home, a piece of furniture that… Continue reading Out on the curb
Backyards and washing machines
When Doug and I moved here, we brought with us the nice washer and dryer that I had bought during my single in Portland days. Having done the laundromat/quarters-in-the-basement thing for years, I had really come to appreciate having my own laundry facilities. The first year that we lived here, I can remember various people… Continue reading Backyards and washing machines
The spectacle to end all spectacles
I am fairly accustomed to the feeling of being a spectacle here. The white woman pushing her two white babies around in a very large stroller contraption is bound to make some heads turn around here. Yesterday, a good friend and her dog came to visit for the afternoon and we took the kids for… Continue reading The spectacle to end all spectacles
A compliment
Last night a young woman from our church came over to talk and hang out a bit. There were some things in my sermon on Sunday that had connected with her and her experience as a single woman, and it was great to hear her share her perspective on being single in our church. I… Continue reading A compliment
The gospel: “Follow me…”
By late afternoon yesterday, I had heard more police helicopters in one day than I had ever imagined possible. Along with sirens and cruisers racing down our streets, it was enough to unsettle. We spent the early evening over at my sister’s house in her backyard, enjoying dinner (and lots of space for the kids… Continue reading The gospel: “Follow me…”