As I wrote yesterday, I’ve been trying to learn a little about the Dominican Republic before leaving… tomorrow. Yikes. In my searching, I stumbled on these Compassion International videos with Shaun Groves. They’re six years old now, but I’m guessing not much has changed–except the children, one child at a time. You don’t have […]
To Know Their Names
I’ve been working out of my quart-size baggie since getting back from Haiti last month so I didn’t have to rethink and repack it. Today I’ll add a little more moisturizer and a little more foundation to the mini travel containers and set out my malaria med to start tomorrow. Friday I’ll say goodbye […]
Motivated by Mad – My One Word
I don’t remember how the Christmas dinner conversation turned to the topic of my housekeeping skills–or lately lack of. My daughter spooned a little more au jus on her prime rib, the first I ever prepared–and it was perfect, by the way. “You know,” she said, “this house used to look amazing, and all […]
Flattened for a Mary Christmas
I wish you a Mary Christmas, stunned by His reflection, flattened at His feet as you wait, and worship, heady with His fragrance. “Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of […]
Without First the Breaking
E’s mother shut her and her sister out of the house because she could no longer care for them. C was reclaimed from a trash heap in the worst part of Port Au Prince. She was about five years old, scarred and burned, abused and cast away. I met her two years ago on […]
In Which Cancer Brings Clarity for David
UPDATE: David Landrith, pastor of Long Hollow Baptist Church, joined Jesus in heaven this morning, November 18, 2014. He now rests in the shadow of the Amighty. Please continue to pray for his family and his church. I’m so sad today, yet grateful for the privilege of having just a small connection with his people, for having […]
Cultivating Good In the Midst of Grief
She was my age, and also a nurse. She helped birth this place–a place where people could live out their last days in unforced rhythms of grace, where grief itself could cultivate good. I’m sure she never dreamed that she would be birthed to a new life from one of its beds. She was admitted the same […]
In the Tiptoe Moments
The angels must have spilled their face powder this morning as white dust covered everything. I really should have gotten presentably dressed in something warmer, but as has been my habit lately, I ran Grace to school in the attire of the moment–silky black pj bottoms with pink and white dots that remind me of […]
Pups, Patches, Aprons, and Grace
It all started with Sir Wesley John. When Rose Dog died, we swore no. more. dogs. But who can say no to a grand girl’s sad face? Only her mother. So the mission to make Grace happy fell to us, and thus began the hunt for a hypoallergenic, nonshedding, cuddle critter. Enter Happy Havanese. […]
Compassion International: The Wait is Over
“My friends have all received their sponsors, so my heart feels sad because I don’t yet have a sponsor of my own.” This video moved me to tears. I hope I’m not totally puddled when I get to share the stories of face-to-face meetings. In January, I’ll pack my camera and my laptop when I […]
