We had a rare free Sunday afternoon and evening this past weekend. Usually, I indulge in a long nap, then stay up too late that night, and start the week out totally wiped out. Brilliant, I know. This weekend, the kids and I enjoyed a long afternoon of cookie-baking. No freak-outs by me. No tears…

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The congregation sang, “You saved me, the sinner; with crimson red you washed me white as snow; how I love you Lord. You loved me, the mocker; with kindness you won my heart forever. How I love you Lord. And as I behold this mercy, I’m undone.” I couldn’t sing. Guilt choked my throat, tightening…

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Some of my college friends are missionaries in Santiago. They woke up at 3am on Sunday to their house pitching and shaking. Praise God, they got out safely with their children and their house itself remained standing. However, this is Day 3 without electricity. Grocery stores are empty. Phones are down. They have asked us…

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When my children ask if they can help me cook, I immediately tense. It’s usually dinner, when I’m running low on energy and on time, when I’m hungry, and when I’m trudging into that final draining push towards bedtime. Usually, I flat-out tell them no. But sometimes guilt corners me into letting them pull up…

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Once we got home from the hospital last week, I noticed just how many tweets/Facebook updates I sent during our short 24 hours there. Hospitals are lonely places these days. They are always lonely, but especially now thanks to the H1N1 virus. Our hospital currently prohibits all visitors. Each patient is allowed to place just…

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This year we adopted a 2nd grade class at the school 2 blocks from our clean bright offices. The school is new and beautiful. It also has a fully-stocked completely-locked library. The kids have never once walked inside because they lack the funds to hire a librarian. Before Christmas, some of our staff threw them…

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