I’d been eight months in the country. It was my first of many experiences: First time living away from family. First time overseas. First time living on my own. First time in a job where I was responsible for the work being done. First time living with the consequences of my actions when no one … More Lessons Learned
She’d heard the words herself. There was no need to wait to confirm. When an opportunity presented itself, she let it all out. Little did she know she’d only heard part of the story. Though I watch it every year, I still get mad at Emma, the nosy housekeeper in the 1954 movie, White Christmas. She … More What if they hadn’t waited?
The year I graduated from college, I left home to spend two years in the Ivory Coast. Being a French major, I worked in a publication house for French-speaking West Africa. Now, thirty-some years later, I look back at my journals and see how I’ve changed or haven’t changed. I wrote about thinking how hard … More The Outsider
The day before had been rough, and when I came into work the next morning, I was talking with a colleague about how tired I had been. He commiserated with me, saying he’d felt the same and had gone home the night before and debriefed with his wife. That’s when he said it, and I … More Who do you go home to?
I finished my work in the house, so headed out to the shop to see if there was any way I could help my son with what will definitely be the hardest part of letting go of the place that’s been home for the last ten years. He wasn’t cleaning, but working on just one … More Scraps
There are some moments in life you never forget. They become embedded pictures in your mind, even when the details grow fuzzy. My first visit to an African marketplace did it for me. The year was 1986. Only a few months in the capital city of Abidjan, Ivory Coast, a friend took me to the … More First Impressions
Today would have been his 73rd birthday. This day comes now with a bitter-sweetness that is hard to shake, but the Lord has made this one especially sweet, so I want to tell you about it. As pilgrims on this journey, we do not always have the joy of seeing the results of the seed-sowing … More The Best Gift
I can’t decide if I should call this post, “The Maiden Voyage,” or “The Voyage of the Maiden.” Either one works, as I recall my first overseas flight. I was a mere 22-year-old maiden. The year was 1986, long before cell-phones or the internet or even fax machines. The Dark Ages, for most of you … More The Maiden Voyage
Buying a new house is exciting. It’s a huge commitment and is a major event in life. It’s been fun to watch my son and daughter-in-law go through the process, which includes both trepidation and enthusiasm. I was honored to be asked to help in a painting project this past weekend. Thrilled to be asked, … More Making it their own
Do you ever wonder how much more bad news can you bear? I’ve felt that way of late, and recently had a week of just one piece of bad news after the other. None of it directly affected me or my family, but it concerned people in my circle of friends or connections, and it … More Brain Surgery, Heart Attacks and Floods
