Author: Violeta
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Learned disability
“Can you help me put my socks on?” Asks my eldest daughter nonchalantly, as we were getting ready to leave. I have made a mistake. But it’s not too late to fix. I have catered to her benign requests, more this last years that in the first years together. I have been told or I…
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First summer vacation day
The kids complain that they are bored. They play outside for a while, drawing on the pavement with chalk. We invite our neighbor’s kid for lunch. He accepts happily; as it’s summer, kids don’t visit each other indoors. So this is cool. They play with Lego, watch a movie, eat lunch together, drink Limonade. Our…
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Unidimensional
Over the last month I have spoken at three different conferences that were televised, and I had a live interview over zoom, with a wonderful conversationalist, the director of a radio station. We’ve had some similar appearances on adoption day, through ARFO or I spoke at their summit or book launches. More people start to…
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teologia adopției
Peste tot in Biblie găsim povești de adopție. Însăși Evanghelia răscumpărării noastre ca si creștinii este o poveste de adopție. Noi îl numim pe Dumnezeu, Tatăl Nostru, si intre noi ne numim frați si surori. Suntem împreuna moștenitorii, înfiați prin credință. Adopția însă nu este doar o metafora. Ca și popor al lui Dumnezeu am…
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Gratitude and a present mind
Wind swept, exhausted and fulfilled, we returned home from a days adventure with adoptive families at a local zoo, up in the woods. It was a long drive as we went to pick up Katja, our new friend, from outside the city in the opposite direction. The effort was totally worth it! The girls made…
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Mops for Ukraine
We all arrive at the same time in the parking lot of this elegant friendly place, cluj business center. We are greeted warmly. It’s already a pleasure to be here. These mops Mother are so timely! Swiss watches with kind smiles. There are many boxes to carry up to the top floor. The elevator is…
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the freedom I know
As we sit around the table, the question of faith comes up again. I love that the topic is up for discussion, and open curiosity is a healthy sign of intelligence, and a desire to learn, to know, to grow. The truth is that we love God. We follow Jesus. And our story is not…
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Descending into the salt mine
I spent the day in a salt mine with 60 Ukrainians, and a friend, colleague and fellow MOPS mom, 120 m deep underground, while above there was thunder, lightning and hail, as recorded by Conrad. It was the day after Easter. A descent into the tomb, breathing salty cool air. While climbing down hundreds of…
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What does it take?
It takes a first step. A step into the light. A step into faith. Breaking bread. Olive oil. Healing through stories. Slowly. Tears streakA slow river in the desert Though it bursts forth Day in and day outIt dissipates Absorbed by the thirsty land of hurt. Bearing witness Is all we can do.Our faith is unusual But nothing else feels as real,Strong and soothing As the unassuming…
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Intuition
I wasn’t vocal about my intuition as a kid, because I didn’t want to be shut down, mocked, dismissed. I guess I kept quiet a lot because I didn’t want people’s input. Though there is something to be said about brainstorming, and exposing our thoughts, bringing them into the light, to challenge them, and objectively…
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Ivy’s comment
Parenting is riddled with doubt, with fear, with mistakes. Seriously. On the other hand, we have seasons of fun, of connection, of growth, hope renewed and perfect peace. And those wonderful seasons are just as real as the other challenging ones. Just like I don’t worry about pride anymore. I used to as a student,…
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Third Stanza – the sidewalk ends
On my Thursday evening zoom with Brian and the world wide remnant, where we make space to hear people’s poems, to hear their hearts beat, to honor vulnerability, to bear witness to each others’ lives, under the umbrela of the Word, studying details of the Old Testament, the art, the poetry, the smallest words that…