Category: Spiritual
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It has been a marathon week
A blessed marathon of embracing others, listening, encouraging and getting inspired. We broke bread with strangers who became dear friends. We shared stories and then sat in silence together, to let the truth sink in. Our week of SALT was layered, with local initiatives and visits to new and old friends in other cities who…
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The day I yelled at a stranger
In the parking lot, trying to drop Jackie off for camp, on our way to start our conference serving Ukrainians. It was a hot Sunday, and I was going to give the main talk to an uncertain number of attendees. Needless to say, we were on edge and we didn’t even know it. The drop-off…
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Secondary trauma – SALT reflection
People who have cared for refugees, who serve so selflessly still, even if they take days to refresh and refocus on their own family, they are touched by secondary trauma. We are by nature empathizers. We are motivated by other people’s needs and fueled by an unexplainable love and connection. Since the war began, we…
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În prag de decizii
Am fost conștientă de lupta spirituală ce se dă în toate planurile Domnului pentru noi. În dreptul nostru am ales cu o minte limpede, cerebral, cântărit, și nu mereu mânată de emoții, deși au și ele rostul lor. Sentimentul de neliniște, de ne-împăcare, trebuie confruntat cu fapte, cu liste. Cum ar fi dacă merg mai…
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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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The way we discipline
I have said it before, that my parents didn’t have a defined plan in how to raise us. They were not parenting book based in their approach but they were intuitive, wise, adaptable. They made mistakes and the mistakes were just as valuable as what they did well. My one frustration is that they would…