2011

[bl]O[/bl]n International Women’s Day I think of her. [lightbox href=”http://environmentsofgrace.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Jessica-e1299601417682.jpg”][/lightbox] And her. [lightbox href=”http://environmentsofgrace.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Bonnie-e1299600690370.jpg”][/lightbox] And her. [lightbox href=”http://environmentsofgrace.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Tape-e1299600949479.jpg”][/lightbox] I remember her. [lightbox href=”http://environmentsofgrace.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Harriet-e1299600815988.jpg”][/lightbox] And her. [lightbox href=”http://environmentsofgrace.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Janet-e1299600894935.jpg”][/lightbox] And them. [lightbox href=”http://environmentsofgrace.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/ida-e1299601344339.jpg”][/lightbox] And her. [lightbox href=”http://environmentsofgrace.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Zipporah-e1299601294850.jpg”][/lightbox] And each of them. [lightbox href=”http://environmentsofgrace.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Womens-Conference-e1299601279738.jpg”][/lightbox] These women who serve their husbands. Carry children in their womb, on their back. Dig in their gardens. Cook day after day. They have inspired me. These women who struggle. Get dirty. Don’t complain. Lose children. Get sick. They have encouraged me. These women who are strong. Who rise above. Who keep trying. They have taught me. These women […]

[bl]I[/bl]t’s quiet in my house. So quiet. The children are sleeping, Mark is snowplowing and I am sitting in bed just listening to the silence. It’s almost unsettling. Because rare is the moment I actually hear nothing. I don’t even know what to do! I’m tempted to make a late night snack and relish in the moment of eating something yummy without having to share. I’m tempted to tune out and watch River Cottage, a BBC TV show that Mark and I enjoy together. I’m tempted to pick up a book and get lost in someone else’s story. All options […]

[bl]L[/bl]ydia Jane is 8! We couldn’t have known then everything she would do. She would expand our family, our hearts. We would no longer be the same. She would spend her first year of life in Guatemala, growing and resting in love. She would spend her second year in bows, in America. Her beauty would capture the eyes of strangers, and we would tell them about the One who grafts us into his tree, roots us in his love. The true Father of adoption. Her golden skin would color our world, her golden spirit would brighten our life. She would […]

[bl]T[/bl]he days of Lent are drawing near. Forty days of fasting as we anticipate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. For those of us who didn’t grow up with this Lenten practice, we tend to interpret this time of fasting as simply “giving something up.” We choose something we really like, and do without it for 40 days. And maybe, just maybe we pray a little bit more because our giving up reminds us to. But surely there’s more to it. Surely, we fail to really understand the purpose and significance of this practice and tradition. I do not […]

[bl]I[/bl]t’s easy to be thankful when the sun is out. Our human lips speak circumstantial praise, often concerning things of the flesh, and focused on the provisions of God that appear good. But what about the things that don’t appear good? What about the times that are difficult? Trying? Life taking? How do we say thank you when our children die? Or when love deserts us? Or we lose our job….and house…and savings? What does thankfulness look like when you have to give birth and raise your children without the one on earth who loves you best? When sickness fills […]

[bl]M[/bl]y little Tessa has thrown up over 25 times today (Thursday). She’s the third child to get the stomach virus this week. My welcome home gift. Monday’s post of thankfulness never happened because I was traveling. I need it today. Fast. This sweet girl has gracious received her first stomach sickness. She has laid on the couch, all pale and pitiful. Asking how the other sick ones in the household are doing. Claiming that the vomiting is “hurting her feelings.” And whispering funny little comments like, “This popsicle is good. Seriously, it’s furlicious.” All while throwing up every 30-40 minutes. […]

[bl]I[/bl] got a taste of Africa in America. And it was good! Lydia Jane and I traveled to Tulsa, Oklahoma to visit dear friends that lived near us in Jinja. They arrived to Uganda ten months before we moved away — a parting gift from God. Neighbors, playmates, dinner partners and friends. The Palmers brought companionship to our last months. And though our time together was short, the heart connection was strong. Michelle with her poetic, pensive spirit. Me with my creative energy. We are harmonious together. Our chord is genuine, our melody joyful, our song truthful. She’s my apron […]

50 degrees in mid February? Thank you Jesus! It’s so refreshing to walk outside and breath in warmer air. I know other places are enjoying 60, even 70 degree weather, but we Michiganders will take what we can get. We need this to make it through the rest of winter. [lightbox href=”http://environmentsofgrace.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_0719-e1297976765891.jpg”][/lightbox] I look out the window. The once fluffy white snow melts into the ground and makes a soggy mess. The dog tracks in mud, the kids track in mud. And the picture out my window is bleak. Meltdowns. They are welcomed…but they are never pretty! [lightbox href=”http://environmentsofgrace.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_0728-e1297976966531.jpg”][/lightbox] We […]

[lightbox href href=”http://environmentsofgrace.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_0707-2-e1297869121457.jpg”][lightbox] [bl]A[/bl]nd we continue to love… Every day we love.  Not because we are obligated. Or rewarded. Because we were created by Love and for love. Because the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Because love is the fulfillment of the law. Because the fruit of the Spirit is love. Because perfect love drives out fear. Because love is as strong as death. Because in love a throne will be established. Because love builds up. Because love covers a multitude of sin. We love. Not because we are asked to. Because we are called […]

[bl]O[/bl]n Mondays, I’m going to be joining Ann Voskamp in her commitment to “slow down and taste life, give thanks, and see God.” Ann is the author of One Thousand Gifts and writes everyday at aholyexperience.com.  In her practice of continually giving thanks, she has experienced the presence of God in the every day little and big things of life. And God has multiplied her joy and her experience of this holy life. Ann makes a continual list of the things she is thankful for, and is encouraging others to join her. She is leading people into a life of […]