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Devotional Memoir

A parent’s cry

“Children are a blessing from the Lord.” 

Truly. Absolutely. Our lives are enriched beyond measure by our three. 

But there were days, of course. In the early years of parenting. When those blessings were standing on my last nerve. 

These three. We love them so! (photo: Jonas Photo, Bandung, 2007)
Categories
Crossing Cultures Making Disciples Memoir

“Let the little children…”

During those first years in Karachi, I struggled to find a place of morning quiet. With the Lord. 

We were navigating the muddle of culture shock and power breakdowns. Learning a language with completely new sounds and an unfamiliar alphabet. 

Trying to establish a rhythm for preparing clean water to drink. For getting food on the table. Daily.

And figuring out how to parent our children. I gave birth to our first child at the age of 33. And soon experienced what I now refer to as “mother shock.”  

Murree, Pakistan. 1993.
Categories
Crossing Cultures Making Disciples Memoir

Parenting in the spiritual battle

The journals come in all sizes. Most have survived extremes. Dust and drought. Mold and humidity. It shows. 

They hold my life records. The common, daily occurrences of a cross-cultural life. The ongoing spiritual battle. 

And the struggles of our children in the midst of it all.

Constant illnesses. Anxieties. Hurt. Fears.

In dust and drought. Mold and humidity.

A few journals from the collection.