Dull sublunary lovers' love (Whose soul is sense) cannot admit Absence, because it doth remove Those things which elemented it. But we by a love so much refined, That our selves know not what it is, Inter-assured of the mind, Care less, eyes, lips, and hands to miss. Our two souls therefore, which are one, …
The Beach
This post was written last week with the intention of posting within a few days. Then Russia invaded Ukraine and it just felt wrong to plough ahead like everything was okay. This world is not okay and as the years go by, I find myself more and more disenchanted with this side of eternity. May…
Sorry, I Can’t Sing That One
When you’re missionaries or church planters or whatever you want to call people in that sort of ministry, you sometimes (often….) have some fairly small meetings. It’s your family and a few others and so from a tender age, you instruct your children to make sure they belt out the hymns. Actual singing ability is…
Let’s Have Tea
Maybe you could sit with me here awhile. I'll make you tea in my pretty green pot and set out a tray with chocolates and cookies. There will be a bundle of oleanders and cannas in an old pickle jar, because does anyone actually buy vases any more? I'd like to hold your hand. To…
Hi I’m 30, plus Life Update
My desk is a mess. It's covered in cut out foam letters and stencils and scraps. There's a stack of books and an even huger one behind me. File folders and spreadsheets. Leaning against the wall is a newly framed Rand McNally Map of the World, Classic Edition. I'm wondering how this is all going…
You Asked: Learning to Love What Must be Done
Is it truly possible to love what must be done? We are mere humans, dust with life, filled with failure and sin. Is there anyone we can confidently point to and declare a lover of dutiful tasks? I find it necessary to go beyond people and look to Christ. Did He love what had to…
Rollercoaster
We spent the last several days in Mexico City, seeing a couple specialists who could give us some direction on our baby’s hip dysplasia after being told she’d likely need to be in a cast for three months. I could easily dissect each phrase of that sentence and probably write an entire blog post…
You Asked: Our Identity in Christ
Welcome to a new series here at PA. You Asked will be posted each month and addresses questions or topics you have requested. The first round was sent in through Instagram stories, so make sure we’re friends over there (@penelopra). Otherwise, head to the contact page and email me whenever you’d like! We were enemies.…
We Won’t Remember
If you have followed my blog for any length of time, you’ll have quickly noticed a perhaps unintentional yet recurring theme: hope and joy despite grief and pain. More than once, I have heard believers critical of others for being open about their emotional difficulties, citing supposed bitterness or perhaps lack of spiritual toughness (“you…
Special Prayer Request
It’s a tiny village at the very end of the road. Bordering on the Chumpán River and the southern shore of the Laguna de Términos, Santa Rita is much like any other little place in Campeche. There is one difference though. For 23 years, Ernesto and Delfina have faithfully shared God’s Word despite enormous trials.…
penelope alves 