In our cynical, western, enlightened minds, miracles are generally a thing of the past. Supernatural is almost synonymous with superstitious and indeed, the superstitious are often the ones looking out most keenly for the supernatural. As a realist, the facts are the facts. It is what it is. This is, admittedly, often to my detriment.…
Atasta
When I went to talk to David it was with resignation. It was the acceptance a piece of driftwood feels when half lodged in the sand, each successive wave makes its relentless blow. The fridge was out. Again. For about a year the best it could do was for the freezer to act as a…
Winter Favorites
It’s March and Spring is fast approaching, if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere. Before the southeast of Mexico hits 115 degrees, I’ll quickly share my Winter Favorites list. If you missed my Fall Favorites, you can find them here. The Book World: I made an unwritten goal this year to step out of my comfort…
Happy 8th Glory Day
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, Though I must go, endure not yet A breach, but…
News Updates are Boring
But people, sometimes they're the only way to just get the info out there. So, the second week of February we were in Oaxaca. I wrote about that here. The week or so after we got back, I began having bimonthly get-togethers with the sisters. We meet and eat cake and exchange burdens and ask…
in Him is light
Every year I have this weird block when it comes to my first post. Like maybe I’m supposed to be coming up with some great inspiring saga to set us all aglow with renewed spiritual fervor. But I have no fantastic stories, no slideshow worthy presentation. So maybe it’s better to just give you what…
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…
For the Kids and the Grandpas
There is a gift my children have only half received. I feel in some ways like we've all been gypped, but then, that would be denying God's wisdom. The other half will have to be given them by us, telling the old stories that can't help but embed themselves into their impressionable consciouses. They had…
That Feeling of Smallness
Thursday night I was getting ready for bed when David came in from several visits. “Penelope!!” he whispered lest he rouse little miss G from her light slumber. I heard his excitement but could little guess what the next words would be. “Doña I.... was saved last night during meeting.” “What?!” I replied, incredulous and…
penelope alves 