I’m an Animal Crossing Minimalist… and That’s Okay

Nine years ago, when we got our Wii, my husband and kids tried to get me to play Animal Crossing. I created my character, and then, to my utter horror, I was thrown into a world of debt. I now owed this conniving raccoon a ton of bells."Don't worry, Mom," and when you pay that …

The “All the Orchids” Story

Around Timothy Seminary, there are many orchids.  Many, many orchids. And they are there because of a pastor who wanted just a few orchids -- and the complications of Papua New Guinean culture. Every missionary or expat who lives in a different culture has stories that they are proud of -- where they felt they …

Tortilla de Patatas and Shrimp Ceviche

Got experimental tonight and tried a couple of new recipes. We have a foreign exchange student staying with us from Spain for this month. She's been here for two and a half weeks, and I figured that she probably is missing a few things, so I stumbled upon a recipe for a Spanish tortilla, which …

The Spiritual Care of Pastors’ Wives

I've been at the Pacific Southwest District Convention for the last couple of days as our congregation's lay-delegate. It's been a fascinating experience and surprisingly pleasant. I've enjoyed learning about the activities of our district, connecting with friends and acquaintances (and my in-laws!), and participating in the democratic process of the Synod. One Speech Gave …

I’d Forgotten

I'd actually forgotten how much was on this site -- how many memories.

Lazarus and the Rich Man

The sermon for our midweek service yesterday was about the parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man.  One interesting fact about this is that it is the only parable where Jesus gives a name to a person in the story. After Jesus had stated that it was not possible for a man to serve God …

Going Through the Motions

A common criticism of the liturgy is that it is so easy to brainlessly go through the service without even thinking about what is coming out of one's mouth. To that, I have to say -- Yes.  Absolutely.  I completely agree. And I don't have to go through a tirade to say that it is …

The Purpose of Marriage

In the debates raging about how marriage should be defined, the argument tends to break into two camps -- Procreation vs. Revisionist.  Christians and those arguing for Natural Law often argue that marriage is a legal entity that exists for the procreation and protection of children.  Revisionists put the emphasis on affection, the sexual relationship, …

Third Culture Kids — Why TCKs Often Have Unresolved Grief

"The reality is that with every transition, there is loss even when there is ultimate gain. No matter how much we anticipate the future as good, we almost always leave something of value behind as well. In loss, there is grief. An important thing to remember is that grief during transition is not a negation …

Why I Don’t Iron

For the first time in 18 years, I ironed a shirt for my son, partly to start teaching him how to do it, and mostly because he has a college interview tomorrow. So then, for the first time in eighteen years as well (maybe one or two other times...maybe),  I looked at my husband's shirt that …