Tag Archives: Growing

The Futility of Busyness {and the richness of waiting}

a reflection of three years living and loving overseas When I close my eyes and {try to} imagine Christ, for some reason I never picture Him up and running around, busy. I picture a peaceful calm. Yet at the same time I know He is constantly at work among us, through us, in us. WhenContinue reading “The Futility of Busyness {and the richness of waiting}”

Dear Ashley From Two Years Ago…

Dear Ashley From Two Years Ago, Hey, it’s me. (Or you, rather.) It is two years today that you have been here in Brazil (a year and a half in the Jungle) and I wanted to let you know a few things about this journey you are about to embark on. Go ahead and sitContinue reading “Dear Ashley From Two Years Ago…”

We Are Those People

It\’s 5:30am on Christmas Eve and I\’m wide awake. Not because of the excitement of Christmas less than 24 hours away, but because of a quirky little girl who refuses to fall back asleep unless I\’m actively bouncing her rocking chair with my foot. In fact, if it weren\’t for the calendar telling me today\’sContinue reading “We Are Those People”

When Dreams Become Realities

I don\’t know how many times it happens in a lifetime, or even if it happens more than once or even once at all for everyone. But, in the midst of the change and tears and fears and doubts and anger and stubbornness and discontentment and the hard over the last almost three months here, somethingContinue reading “When Dreams Become Realities”

Alone in the City: Day Six

\”I just feel like I don\’t have any control at all!\” I said it with anger, through tears while Richard listened patiently. Then he calmly said the words that were oh so true, but not what I wanted to hear: \”Maybe that\’s the point.\” \”Of course that\’s the point, but I don\’t want that. I wantContinue reading “Alone in the City: Day Six”

Alone in the City: Day Three

God is beautiful everywhere. This simple yet profound thought came to my mind tonight as I looked up at the halfway moon in the cloudless sky, driving back from the most beautiful beach Brazil has to offer. And I felt very, very small. But it wasn’t a condescending kind of small, like I was uselessContinue reading “Alone in the City: Day Three”

Alone in the City: Day Two

\”If you aren\’t content with me here, what makes you think you will be content with me somewhere else?\” I\’ve heard the Spirit speak that to my soul too many times before. Discontent. Always look back, looking forward, wanting more, never appreciating the moment.  \”But godliness with contentment is a great gain.\” (1 Timothy 6.6HCSB)Continue reading “Alone in the City: Day Two”

Alone in the City: Day One

Richard and Elliott are in the States for the next nine days. The past two months of our lives have been an emotional roller coaster as we adapt to city life here in Recife, Brazil, waiting for the birth of our baby girl before we head back to the Jungle. I am on a spiritualContinue reading “Alone in the City: Day One”