These hot, lazy days of summer make it so easy to just do nothing. It’s like the month of Ramadan for my Muslim friends. You’re not eating, the energy level decreases and sleep comes easy. Sluggish is a good word for this kind of feeling. Being raised by parents who grew up in the days … More Provoked
I know the verse, but obviously I’m not very good at applying it: But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have…* Preparation is important. I know when I’m heading to a board … More Unprepared
I had a friend ask me recently what ministry looks like when you have young children. I think the picture says it all. My sons were six and three when this was taken in Tunisia. Raouf and I weren’t in the picture, because we’re in the house teaching a marriage class to couples, the other parents … More Families Reaching Families
I was going through some old journals a while back and came across a little green notebook that made me smile. It was full of French choruses I’d learned during my years in Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), West Africa. I began flipping through the pages, trying to remember the tunes that went with the words. … More Singing in Tongues
There are so many serendipities to following God. I like that word, because it reminds me of my dad. He was a serendipity-kind-of man; always looking for the blessings that God brings our way. Unlike the idea of “chance” or “luck”, serendipities in faith are like extra toppings to the already wonderful blessing of knowing … More When Writing meets Reality
He was the speaker, I was the writer. The trick was getting his speaking onto paper. This was one of my objectives in my first novels — putting into story what was happening on a daily basis with the man I married. Then our boss brought it to a whole new level. During a conference … More Published: The Writing Journey #2
Ten years ago today we left. Raouf had preceded us on this journey, so I was alone with my two boys and an unruly Egyptian dog. We almost didn’t make it out, but in the end, they let us on the plane, dog and all. We said goodbye to Egypt, but we also said goodbye … More Leaving the field
I know, it sounds like a deep subject or modern-day jargon. Who goes around talking about circumstantial awareness, anyway? Yet, we’re always warning our kids to be aware of what’s going on around them in order to keep them safe from predators, so why can’t we think of it as adults? I ask myself, am … More Circumstantial Awareness
“Where were you last night? Who were you with? What were you doing? Why did you get home so late? Why didn’t you call?” Remember those days? I’ve had my share. My parents had a few rules and one was that, if we were going to be out later than our allotted time, we had … More Interrogation
Most people who knew me well during my years overseas know me for my routines. I cleaned my house the same day every week. I washed clothes on Mondays, towels on Wednesday, sheets on Friday. I woke up every morning and had my quiet time. You could call me a creature of habit. I called … More Daily Rhythms