Category: Spiritual
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Casa Elim
We picked J. up from school and hit the road to Braşov on the highway, cruising in delightful silence taking in the gorgeous January blue & funky sky. We spent the weekend in the mountains with new friends from all over the country and the world. We so needed a change of pace & to get…
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Scrambling up – in my dream
I’m near the top of the mountain. It’s rocky. The type of rocks I love, warm grey, with greenery in its crevasses. Jackie is ahead of me. I sustain her weight at times, pushing her up with my head. Conrad is nearby too. I hear his muffled encouragement. The wind is howling. We’re near the…
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At war with sin
My mom had a clear understanding of sin as I was growing up. I talk about her boundaries and intuitive parenting skills, but they all boil down to her ability to distinguish sin. In her own life first and foremost. Her ability to live by grace and in consequence extend it to us. But I…
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About hope, shame and love
When I’m excited I overshare.When my husband is excited, he makes stupid jokes. Last night we got to pray for the courage to speak boldly the things that need to be said, and for wisdom to know when to keep silent, and do that the rest of the time. We got so wrapped up in…
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Acknowledge, Align and Assure
A decade ago I was hired by Apple and I went to a week of training as part of my onboarding process. Everything I learned there was common sense, but in this particular professional context, it had application and structure. We did role-play, we practiced how to give and receive Feedback, and I learned about…
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Drawn or drifting away
As I get older I realize cynicism is more prevalent. Be that as it may, it’s been ingrained in me to speak with honesty and always assume positive intent. This alone has spared me a ton of grief. I had nothing to lose by taking initiative in kindness even when occasionally it was returned with…
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Christmas came and went
I’ve been sick. My mind has been hazy. And in such a context, I have a hard time trusting my words. They can go either way: crisp insights or messy emotional ramble. Before Christmas Eve I reached out to the jurist, to thank him for his lifeline of availability and generosity in communicating with us,…
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Like the watchmen before dawn
It’s cold. We are exhausted. But I am filled with renewed hope. The icy waves crush into the shore. We squint to see a sign of light into the sea of darkness. The wind is howling. It’s deafening and mesmerizing all at once. I love a howling wind in a winter night. How long till…
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Two years
Two years since we started exploring adoption again Preparing Jackie, Observing her disposition and openness. Again, Conrad was ready first. Decisive. I stood my ground in prayer: To keep my mind and heart open To be patient and strong To walk the bureaucratic steps To put my trust in God And to adapt to the…
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Doi ani
Doi ani de cand am tatonat iar terenul adopției Pregătind-o pe Jackie, Cercetându-i dispoziția și deschiderea. Dar hotărârea a rămas a noastră. Din nou Conrad a fost gata întâi. Hotărât. Eu am rămas cu ruga: Să-mi țin mintea și inima deschisă Să am răbdare și putere Să parcurg pașii birocratici, Să-mi pun încredrea în Dumnezeu…
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Retrospective – half a decade
5 years ago exactly, we took a leap of faith and we moved to Romania. A few suitcases full of our earthly belongings, but a heart full of courage and a mind full of dreams. I had to go away first, across the ocean, far from my comfort zone and familiar culture. To intertwine our lives…
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A way through the wilderness
Two months ago I went to a meeting with a large number of families “in-waiting”. Single people and couples certified to adopt, waiting to be matched with an adoptable child. At the time, there were no kids in process of becoming adoptable. The week before I had caused some waves, documented on this blog, as…