Category: Travel

  • 3rd day of the hike 

    3rd day of the hike 

    We knew it was going to be cold, but not that cold. It snowed the whole day. The world is sizzling hot around the globe and we have snow in July in the Alps. When we packed, it was hard to imagine that we would need such warm clothing. Today we put on all the…

  • Hiking hut to hut

    Hiking hut to hut

    After sleeping at the base of the mountain,  a bit anxious about the adventure we were about to undertake, wondering about what  will be hard, painful, beautiful, what will push us to our limits, wondering if we packed everything we will need… In the morning we walked down the road to the bus stop that was going…

  • How are you doing?

    How are you doing?

    A question that most often doesn’t receive a good enough answer. We are too comfortable to get vulnerable. It’s a lot of work. It can be embarrassing. But then again, that is the point.  We are all carrying different weights. We are all hurt. We have different but very personal longings. Rest. True rest. Community.…

  • A week of service

    A week of service

    “I appreciate everything you do for me. I know sometimes it doesn’t seem so, because I am a kid, but know that I see how much you do for us.” Said Jackie at dinner time. We woke up early, I did at least. Jackie slept in and it was good for her. I made some…

  • Preparation in just the right amount

    Preparation in just the right amount

    In 6th grade I over-prepared for my biology lesson. We had to memorize all the terms by heart. I still remember all the bone names, or what the cells are made of, or the plants, or the digestive system, hearing, brain everything. It was fascinating. I never considered being a doctor but I loved learning…

  • Leadership and parenting

    Leadership and parenting

    Leaders are people who have influence. Whatever your personality type you probably have More influence than you think.  In order to grow purposefully, it is best to be aware of the influence you DO have. Accept it. Embrace it.  But before you ever lead anyone, you need to follow someone, and that first someone is…

  • Calculated risk 

    Calculated risk 

    We’ve accepted the possibility of judgement and turned up eyebrows in exchange for a bit of extra freedom at the conference. Not irresponsible though. We know our kids. And we’ve poured everything we have in them, purposefully and rationally. We built resilience and mutual trust. And as they grow we grow, and we take risks,…

  • Three women in their thirties discussing burnout 

    Three women in their thirties discussing burnout 

    It is not an exhaustive presentation. We all shared from what we learned as we traveled through the valley of burnout, camping there for a while, reaching the valley from different directions. Some having started the climb up a while ago. Awareness of where we are is a great starting point. And you don’t have…

  • Integrity in the story of Joseph

    Integrity in the story of Joseph

    At ROM, Marko Stupar shared about Integrity in the context of the story of Joseph. He posed a few questions that we had to sit with. Two are still stuck in my mind. Who are you when nobody is looking? Who are you when you have power? Indeed, the question of integrity applies to all…

  • Social context matters 

    Social context matters 

    When I traveled to California with “work and travel” the first summer, my friends there tried their best to help me. My host drove me to apply for jobs. Another friends put a good word with some of his old employers. None of them pan out. I remember now how overwhelmed and frozen I felt.…

  • A moment of desperation

    A moment of desperation

    I’m going to be irreverent when it comes to family life. I’m going to compare it to a day job. As we jumped into parenting when our kids were age 3, and took on big responsibilities and learned as we went along, the rewards were great but the mental load was also great. The longest…

  • Don’t quit. Just take a break

    Don’t quit. Just take a break

    Marriage is not martyrdom Parenting is not martyrdom Life for Christ is But it is also meant to be lived with gusto  Balance  Wisdom Boundaries  Tasting and savoring the sweetness of life Laying it down at the foot of the cross. It’s not a paradox  It is wholehearted living. Taking time to rest. To be…