Posts
Called to Alaska: Ministering in the Hard Places
As the Executive Director of the Alaska Baptist Convention, my husband receives scores of inquiries about being a pastor in Alaska. The lure of ministering in the Last Frontier excites the heart of many a pastor, especially if he happens to enjoy hunting, fishing, and a wilderness adventure. Long-time Alaskans have seen many pastors come and…
A Taste of Home
When I moved overseas as a cross-cultural worker, I discovered I suddenly craved the strangest foods from America. Things I usually wouldn’t think twice about back home, I suddenly dreamed about in Russia. I hungered for a taste of home. In America, we rarely went to McDonald’s. I always preferred a bacon cheeseburger from Sonic…
Try a Little Kindness
During the last 25 years of my life, I feel like I lived 20 of those years on an airplane. Long haul flights or short hops, it doesn’t matter. Airline travel is stressful, and nowhere is that more apparent than at the ticket counter. It’s a place where trying a little kindness could improve everyone’s…
It’s a Dog’s Life: A Grueling Lesson
Gruel (noun): a thin liquid food of oatmeal or other meal boiled in milk or water. I first learned of gruel when I read Oliver Twist. I remember feeling sorry for Oliver and the other orphans as they ate gruel three times a day. Yuck! Little did I know, one day I would be the…
Grieving From Afar
“For I will turn their mourning into joy and will comfort them and give them joy for their sorrow.” Jeremiah 31:13b (NASB) In my wildest dreams, I never imagined living in so many exotic places. I’ve lived in Alaska, Russia, Kamchatka, Greece, and Macedonia. Following God’s call on my life led to many amazing adventures. This…
Language Learning: A Study in Humiliation
If you want a lesson in humility, move to another country where you don’t speak the language. During my many years of living overseas, one of the hardest and most humbling experiences was learning a new language. I moved overseas, believing myself to be a well-educated and competent woman. Suddenly, I felt like a helpless…
Hospitality: Entertainment or Sharing Life
Hospitality: the friendly reception and treatment of guests or strangers. (Dictionary.com) When I moved to Russia, I realized that I didn’t have the gift of hospitality. This fact became abundantly clear the night of the big flood. Several Russian students had come to our apartment to watch a wedding video of a Russian friend who…
Xtratuf Boots aka The Alaskan Sneaker
For Christmas, my husband surprised me with a pair of Alaskan sneakers, aka, Xtratuf boots. It’s not often my husband surprises me, but he accomplished it this Christmas. Now, I look and feel like a true Alaskan. If you are looking for fashion, Alaska is not the place you find it. Alaskans dress for the…
My Unusual Obsession
Today I had the opportunity to tour two different historic homes in Charleston, SC. I’ve never visited Charleston, and have loved what I’ve seen and tasted! Great food! One of my favorite parts of the tour was this lovely chair. It is hiding a secret under those cushions. It’s a necessary chair. The rich person’s…
It’s a Dog’s Life: You Get What You Pay For
I’m amazed by what people will do for their pets. And pay for a veterinarian. Now, I loved my little Shiba Inu, Katya, but I’d have to think twice before spending thousands of dollars for chemotherapy, or any other expensive treatment. I thought healthcare for humans was expensive, but the price of veterinarian services in…
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