Castles, Sieges, Propagandas of Fear

The king ran out of his palace, racing through the ancient city. Already his people looked demoralized and afraid. Violent skirmishes and battle losses were everyday news now. All of his kingdom’s cities had been taken except this last city –his city, Jerusalem. The Assyrians had stopped their armies 30 miles away and were employing…

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Jazz, Prayers, and a Translation in Progress

Quiet jazz music flows around me at the kitchen table here tonight. Hot water in my favorite mug warms and relaxes me. Three year old Daniel just downed two yogurts. “I hungry, Mom,” he had declared earlier. I love being a mom: hearing his requests, striving to meet them if they are good for him,…

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Turkey Travelers: Heroes in Disguise

  Snow lines my front steps, nestles into my leaf-strewn grass, and clings icily to the streets, creating new adventures for my novice stick-shift-driving skills. Striding into the grocery store, I hear the metal clanging of the season’s first Salvation Army bell ringers. Minutes later, the pie tins and pecan pie ingredients in my grocery…

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Mornings, Trains, and Crimson Cherry Tea

Toppling brightly-colored blocks, winding wooden train tracks, and engaging in occasional property disputes, my youngest plays happily alongside his older cousins. The next generation of kids are willowy grown up teens, who can drive away for shopping runs, and descend into the basement for music jam sessions. Guitar, piano, voice and violin meld in worship…

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A Gash Transplanted, Beauty Unfurls

“I haven’t seen them bloom yet. I don’t know what color they’ll be,” she said. Fragile velvety African violet plants were balanced in the hands of a fragile, soft-cheeked grandma from my church. “Would you like some?” Yes, please. I was honored to have two of them. After decades in a home that they built,…

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Neighborhood Memo and MOPS Sessions

  I woke up this morning to discover that all neighborhood trees had gotten the same memo. Leaves fell overnight obediently, carpeting the grass in citrus yellow. Last night’s intimate MOPS session had gone wonderfully, and I was eager for this morning’s MOPS session too. What a gracious group of women they have there at…

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