Category: Resources (Page 2 of 5)

Soul Food for a Racially Divided World

May 22, 2020 /

Good news has not been 2020’s strong suit. In addition to Covid and job loss, civil wars, and a typhoon in India, we’ve had more racially motivated shootings.

I have heard racism defined as prejudice + misuse of power.

I am a racist. I have exhibited prejudice and have benefitted from the misuse of power in our systems.

I want to listen and learn from my brothers and sisters of other colors. I NEED to repent and join them in lament. Even in writing this I fear I’m going to use the wrong phrase, or further hurt or offend.

There is so much I don’t know. In this post I just want to pass along some resources and ideas that are guiding me, in the hope that some of you, like me, want to get better at loving our brothers and sisters who have a very different story than we do.

Ahmaud Arbery lost his life on February 23 during his run. Most of you are probably aware of the call to go for a run/walk for 2.23 miles in solidarity. I thought this additional suggestion from National Community Church was really helpful:

The run becomes powerful when we make it reflective.

  • Consider how Ahmaud felt on his run? His family afterwards?
  • Consider how communities of color are feeling now?
  • Consider your own feelings. Where can you be vulnerable? Who can you lean into?

I highly recommend this insightful conversation about racial reconciliation with Mike Kelsey on Annie F. Down’s podcast (the meat of it starts at the 20 minute mark)

Some books I’m reading that have been recommended by people of color:

White Awake

An honest look at what it means to be white

Love Anyway

Love Anyway is the story of Jeremy’s incredible journey seeing the worst of war–and an invitation to discover a more beautiful world on the front lines where you live.

God’s Very Good Idea

For kids!

Check it out! 1619 Project

Consider following some accounts on Instagram that may stretch you.

https://www.instagram.com/beabridgebuilder/
https://www.instagram.com/drop_the_stones/
https://www.instagram.com/preemptivelove/

Maybe this song of confession is an appropriate first step.

Frail and broken, blind to what You’ve spoken
This is my confession
I am guilty, complicit in the action
This is my confession

But You’ve accepted me, despite the things I’ve done 
You’ve acknowledged me, as righteous and beloved

My confession, Lord change me
My confession, Lord make me more like You

I am rude and heartless, speaking words that harm love
This is my confession
Proud and selfish, consumed with how I finish
This is my confession

But You’ve accepted me, despite the things I’ve done 
You’ve acknowledged me, as righteous and beloved

My confession, Lord change me
My confession, Lord make me more like You

Grow in me love and peace and a joy that won’t cease
Grow in me faith and kindness and goodness
Grow in me gentle speech, grow in me long-suffering 
And the courage to die to myself
This is my confession

My confession, Lord change me
My confession, Lord make me
My confession, Lord change me
My confession, Lord make me more like You

(c) 2020 NCC Music
– Written by Daesha Cummings, Joel Buckner, Josh Coad, Mark Alan Schoolmeesterss

I hope you’ll join me on this quest for deeper understanding and more authentic love. Feel free to add your own resource suggestions in the comments.

Soul Food When You Hate Waiting

May 2, 2020 /

I read somewhere this week that we’re past the initial phase of this pandemic when adrenaline was giving us energy. Now we’re just weary, realizing we’re going to need to slog along, waiting for a return to “normal” for longer than we hoped.

via GIPHY

One of the things my spiritual director has encouraged me to reflect on is what God accomplished in times of waiting in the Bible.

via GIPHY

For example, when Mary and Martha send for Jesus to come heal Lazarus, it says:

Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, 

john 11:5-6

Later Jesus says to the disciples:

“Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there…

john 11:14-15

Jesus makes some clear statements about why (so that God would be glorified and they would believe), but what else might He have wanted to accomplish by dilly-dallying and allowing Lazarus to die? Why make Mary and Martha wait?

I hate to admit it, but waiting makes me desperate, and passionate and I can interact with Jesus a little like this…

via GIPHY

Maybe that’s another reason why He allows me to be in situations where I have to wait. My relationship with Him is intensified. It’s raw and real, and draws me closer to Him.

If you’ve been through a hard time with someone –

  • waiting to get news with a family member in the E.R.
  • waiting with a friend to talk to police after being the victim of a crime
  • waiting with your family for your unemployment check to come
  • waiting with your spouse to get pregnant
  • waiting with colleagues to find out if the client wants to hire you

– you get to know your companions on a whole different level right?

Vulnerability leads to greater intimacy. And waiting makes us vulnerable.

I’ll be honest. I like greater intimacy with Jesus, but I sure don’t like what it takes to get me there! Anyway…enough serious stuff.

Whether you’re waiting for the pandemic to be over, or waiting for something else, I hope some of these posts from Instagram make you smile. You can find me, or any of these accounts here.

My Therapist Says
Bustle

Another thing I’m trying to do while waiting is find things to celebrate!

Cinco de Mayo is coming up Tuesday and I’m going to try these shrimp tacos from pinchofyum.com that Maggie and Katy have been raving about. They’ve assured me liberal substitutions are permitted!

pinchofyum.com

What’s keeping your spirits up during these days of waiting? What are you learning?

An Abundance of Soul Food for a Time Such as This

April 9, 2020 /

Here in Minnesota our governor has just extended our “lock down” til May (something new), and snow is predicted on Easter (something old).

It’s an understatement to say that this Easter will be different than any we’ve ever known. I was struck by this image from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre which I have visited many times. It marks the site of the crucifixion and tomb of Jesus.

I’m reminded of this verse:

You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out.

MATTHEW 16:18 MSG

Maybe having the trappings we have become accustomed to stripped away will help us to pay attention in a new way to the work of Jesus on the cross and in our lives!

Where will you be attending church online? Share in the comments!

As we carry on and look for the things Jesus wants to form in us during this time, I hope some of the following will make you smile or encourage you.

This warmed my heart.

And this…Instead of Boarding Up, Businesses Are Painting Their Storefronts With Uplifting Messages

I loved these ideas: 57 Things to Do With Friends When Social Distancing Beyond “Catching Up”, but 57 was a little overwhelming, so here are my favorites.

  1. Do a morning WFHOOTD (work from home outfit of the day) photo call-out in your group chat.
  2. Organize a remote game night; this spreadsheet has a bunch of good games for multiple players.
  3. Have a night where everyone utilizes the same ingredient (probably beans) or cooks the same recipe and then shares photos and/or eats together.
  4. Do a book club, or podcast club.
  5. Learn the same TikTok dances and show them to each other.
  6. And this one I’d add – memorize a passage of Scripture together.

You guys know that I love hanging out on Instagram because I try to follow and post images and stories that highlight beauty, goodness, and truth. Most mornings during the pandemic I’ve been posting a two minute devotional thought on my Instagram stories that I pray may encourage you.

Durning this time when we’re homebound (and even when we’re not!) I love to travel vicariously through the following Instagram feeds. I feel like I “live” on a farm in the mountains of Virginia and birth baby lambs with Sweckerfarm, and stroll the English countryside with Suddenjourneys! Both post delightful Instagram stories every day – highly recommend!

I’m awed by the beauty of God’s creation with earthpix and usinterior

Here’s the current stack of books I’m reading
but one of my go-to’s for recommendations is Anne Bogel – check out this post.

If you want an uplifting series that embodies honor, and integrity, I highly recommend The English Game on Netflix! It’s by Julian Fellowes (Downton Abbey) and is about the creation of soccer in England in the late 1800’s and the clash of classes at the time.

I don’t know about you, but these days I’m doing more slow cooker stuff that I can also split and freeze. Tonight I’m trying this from my friend Tonja of Tonja’s Table!

Easter meals are going to be really weird this year, amiright?? Is anyone sharing a meal virtually with family??

This egg bake (sorry I don’t have a picture) is our favorite for holidays. You make it the night before. Although it may sound strange, the two keys to making this great are English Muffin bread (From Great Harvest if you can), and Velveeta cheese (yes, you read that right!)

Cheryl’s Egg Casserole

  • 1/4 cup green onions sliced
  • mushrooms sautéed (if you want)
  • 1 cup ham diced (I just ask them to cut one thick slice of ham in the deli and then I dice it, but you can use bacon if you want)
  • 15 eggs scrambled (yes, cook them)

Make a cheese sauce like this:

  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup (or more) Velveeta cheese added slowly in chunks to melt

Mix everything together and put it in a casserole. Refrigerate overnight.

Melt some butter and toss torn pieces of English Muffin bread with it. Cover the egg casserole with the bread crumbs and bake at 350 til bubbly.

Have a blessed, joyful Easter everyone and remember to share where you’re going to church in the comments!

Soul Food For the New Normal

April 3, 2020 /

As I post this, we are adjusting to the reality that this crisis is going to stretch on much longer that we had thought – feeling more like global extended rehab than a quick trip to the Minute Clinic.

It has the potential to bring out the best in us, but also may reveal some issues in our relationships that we’ve been glossing over. My prayer continues to be that we won’t fill our time with just a different set of numbing distractions, but will come out on the other side of this kinder, humbler, stronger, more self-aware.

So, here are some resources that I pray won’t be distractions, but add value and joy to your physically distanced day!

I always recommend this podcast, but I love, love, loved this episode from the Transforming Center with Ruth Hayley Barton and Steve Wiens, called Listening and Responding to God Amidst the Covid_19 Crisis.

Thanks to my sister-in-law, Susan for passing along this song so appropriate for this season.

I was fascinated by this photo essay called The Great Empty, showing famous places around the world and what they look like during this time of isolation. This emphasizes for me that we are all in this together – it is a global challenge that connects us all.

I love this story about a restaurant in California that is giving people the option of paying for catered meals to be delivered the departments of local hospitals as well as offering regular take out!

Also I’m encouraged by so many creative ways we’re finding to stay connected!

Our friend, Derek posted this, brightening our day.

For our part, we’re decorating and driving in a birthday car parade tomorrow morning. Stay tuned for pictures on Instagram, and daily devotional thoughts on my Stories.

We’re also all retaining our ability to laugh with and at each other!

This season has been a great one to try new recipes since I have a captive guinea pig (John)! The other night I made this – super easy, few ingredients and yummy!

Shrimp Scampi Pasta with Asparagus (VIDEO)

How are you holding up? What’s bringing you joy?

Soul Food for Long Days and Uncertain Times

March 28, 2020 /

The rhythm of our days looks very different in this season.

And yours, if you have littles, will look different than mine, or that of my missionary friends in Jordan, or my single friends in Hong Kong and New Zealand. But this crisis has knit us together across the globe, in ways we couldn’t imagine before.

I have not felt scared, but the other day, after a global prayer call was the first time I felt overwhelmed by the magnitude and implications of this pandemic for those outside my circle.

Then I got this note from our “adopted” son, Michael, who is a brand new doctor in Uganda. He writes, “We have very little to no personal protective equipment (ppe) such as N95 masks, goggles and gowns”, BUT then he goes on:

…some of us were manufactured for times like these. When the world needs us the most, our answer is always going to be “Here I am”

I and 5 other resident doctors have voluntarily been added to the COVID-19 treatment taskforce of the hospital. We have been fully trained on how to respond and remain safe throughout the management of a victim. 

From the view of events, only God can come to our rescue.  But is there a day or Moment when we asked for His kindness and He did not show up? NO!!

So I trust that even this time, the God we pray to and worship everyday will show up for us and save us.

May we be inspired by Michael, who is living out the truth of Romans 8!

…we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:37-39

I wrote on Instagram the other day that I’m convinced it’s not scientists that are going to come up with a vaccine for Covid_19, but desperate moms, stuck at home with their kids who have run out of creative ideas to keep everyone happy and engaged.

A few movies came to mind that might help with that (but are also great for adults)…

Spellbound – a documentary about 8 kids who are compete in the 1999 National Spelling Bee.

Akeelah and the Bee – fiction, about a young girl from south L.A. trying to make it to the National Spelling Bee.

Queen of Katwe – about a young girl from Uganda that discovers she has an amazing talent for chess and how it changes her life.

And if you want a fun comedy, check out The Trouble With Angels – about two students at a convent school who are very creative with their pranks.

And if you haven’t seen A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, now’s the time!

A few posts from Instagram to make you smile…

This has been posted everywhere, but I could watch/listen to it indefinitely. In case you haven’t seen it yet, soak these words in.

I’ve been trying to share a little devotional thought in my Instagram stories each morning, and if you’d like to see past ones, I’m saving them on my story highlights under “Covid_19 Devos”.

What’s keeping you inspired, motivated, and encouraged these days? Share in the comments! (If you’re commenting for the first time, it won’t show up right away, but don’t worry, it will soon!)

Soul Food at a Social Distance

March 21, 2020 /

Are these crazy times, or what? How are you doing figuring out your new normal? Getting creative?

Do you have a bucket list? Been sticking to a schedule? Discovering some good books? I’d love to hear your ideas!

I’ve been posting about 2 minutes of devotional thoughts on my Instagram Stories each morning, and sharing some ideas of what we’re doing on my feed. I’d truly love to hear from you!

Here are a few resources and day-brighteners I’ve come across…

I love it that Hallmark is doing a Christmas movie marathon this weekend and people around the country are putting Christmas lights back out to bring some cheer!

We missed all the movies that came out between November and March so we watched A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood the other night. If you haven’t seen it, it’s just what we need during these anxious times.

If you have kids 4-10 years old, here’s a great resource just made available! All of Phil Vischer’s Veggie Tales and other Bible resources for kids on this website!

Love this song newly released by Elevation!

The verse that I have written in our kitchen is part of Deuteronomy 31:6 The Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave or forsake you.

Press on friends! And share your ideas in the comments please!

Soul Food in a Time of Uncertainty

March 15, 2020 /

We may not have toilet paper, but John has made sure we have what’s really essential!

Everything’s a little “off” right now, right? Flights, schools, worship services…and any semblance of a schedule for my posts apparently!

I usually try to post once on Tuesday and then share some links around a theme on Friday called “Soul Food”, but I thought it might be helpful for me to share four “Don’ts” and two “Do’s” while many of you are at home.

1.Don’t be afraid.

My friend Sue said that Young Life leaders are being encouraged to pray Psalm 91 every day for 91 one days. Great idea, and it reminded me of a good podcast I listened to this week on Psalm 91 called “How Do We Pray in the Midst of Fear?” You might like it too!

Here’s some additional encouragement from Instagram.

Maybe play this in the background while you work in the kitchen, or play it over your kids.

2. Don’t despair if your kids’ school is closed.

How about giving your kids the fun job of coming up with motions for a Scripture verse? Beth Moore simplified 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 to Stay alert! Stand firm! Show courage! Be strong! Do love!

There are some churches with great online resources, both for family worship experiences, Bible activities, and ways to talk to your kids about the pandemic. Here are a few good ones:

National Community Church

Check out Elevation Church‘s Elevation eKidz on Pinterest.

One night when our kids were in grade school, when John got home I led all of us into our Master Bedroom walk-in closet with only a candle. We sat on the floor and talked about places where people can’t worship freely and may not even have Bibles. We tried to remember all the scripture we could from memory and then we prayed for the persecuted church.

Want educational? Take a virtual tour of a famous museum from around the world!

3. Don’t lose perspective.

4. Don’t lose your sense of humor.

Picture from the UK 🙂

5. Do share.

After being away from my kitchen for almost 4 months, I’ve been loving making a bunch of meals to freeze or share with new mamas or those in need. I shared a super easy stew recipe on Instagram this week.

Thriving Home (great for family-friendly freezer meals), and Half-Baked Harvest are other go-to’s for good recipes. Here’s another favorite recipe I‘ve shared before.(I leave out the broth)

Ok, that’s it for now. I’m going to treat myself and go tackle one of the books on my stack! How are you spending your Corona virus days?

P.S. If you want a good thriller, check out What She Knew

Soul Food for Lent

March 7, 2020 /

I’ve never liked Lent.

As a kid, Catholics were the bunch who got to leave school early on Wednesdays to go to “CCD”, and did a criss-cross applesauce motion with their hands when they prayed, and had to eat fish on Fridays. The whys and whereof’s were a total mystery to the rest of us – the uninitiated.

As young adult it seemed like the thing to do to go with the flow so I half-heartedly tried giving up something for lent, choosing something like desserts that would serve me and my waistline as well as Jesus. It was all about trying to be as disciplined as Jesus, appear holy, and lose some weight.

This author said it well:

“Our practice of Lent has been too easily turned into a competition, a scaling of the spiritual ladder, proudly (even if silently) chuckling at those who too easily give up on the gym or the wagon.”

EMMY R. KEGLER

Also, as a 7 on the Enneagram, I have a built in excuse for being bad at “Lenting”. I’m all about joy and run from grief and sacrifice like Wile E. Coyote being chased by Road Runner.

But this is exactly why it’s important for me to pay attention to the experiences, reflection, and practices of Lent.

One way spiritual formation happens is when we pay attention with Jesus, to what makes us uncomfortable, and respond.

I truly believe what’s meaningful for one person in preparing for Easter, may not be fruitful for another. This is why, when I saw Sarah Bessey’s 40 Simple Practices for Lent, I thought, brilliant! But…

Though I love this idea and many of Sarah’s suggestions, not all of them resonate with me, so I took the ones that were meaningful and substituted my own where I wanted.

I have found it really drawing me to Jesus so far, but only as I don’t view it as a checklist, but instead, suggestions for focused reflection.

And you know what?? You could do this too!

I linked to Sarah’s list, and I’ll put mine below (remember, I’m using a bunch of her ideas – noted with *). But you can make your own list too.

Or just choose one or two things from the list! No legalism here. It’s between you and God.

Also, whatever you decide, I’m not going in order, but choosing each day one that feels right.

  1. Subscribe to a Lenten devotional or app (I’m doing the one from NCC )
  2. Choose to fast from speaking negatively about anyone or complaining for the day. Reflect on this fast.
  3. Pray for your enemies or those who have hurt you by name. Bless them as beloved children of God.*
  4. Read a contemporary book on suffering or loss such as A Grace Disguised (memoir), Shades of Light (fiction), or What Grieving People Wish You Knew About What Really Helps (nonfiction)
  5. Choose silence – no phone or internet.*
  6. Donate 40 things to charity.*
  7. Practice Sabbath. Worship. Power off. Do something that brings you joy.
  8. Repent. Read Amos 5*
  9. Look for light and beauty around you today. As you notice it, thank Jesus for the darkness, and ugly brutality He endured for you.
  10. Choose the discipline of secret service today. Bless someone anonymously. Don’t tell anyone.
  11. Write a prayer or blessing for your church staff. Drop it off with treats.
  12. Speak words of forgiveness out loud to yourself for that thing you’ve been holding onto for too long.*
  13. Light a candle and reflect on one word from Scripture for five minutes. Examples: mercy, forgiven, beloved.*
  14. At dinner, pray for persecuted Christians around the world.
  15. Plant a flower bulb. Take it to someone who needs hope in their darkness.
  16. Imagine God looking at you with infinite love, and tenderness, kindness and mercy.*
  17. Write out Matthew 11:28-30 and tape it to your mirror.*
  18. Read Psalm 139 from an unfamiliar translation like The Passion.
  19. Text someone who may feel lonely or unseen a word of encouragement.
  20. Do a biblical word study of “wilderness”
  21. Unfollow or mute 5 social media accounts that make you feel angry, afraid, or envious.*
  22. Give away 40 compliments or words of affirmation to strangers and friends.
  23. Write a thank you note to someone who has sacrificed for you.
  24. Read Ted Loder’s “I Praise You for this Resurrection Madness” from Guerrillas of Grace
  25. Do a prayer walk through your neighborhood.
  26. Listen to “See a Victory”. What does it mean to you personally that the battle belongs to the Lord? How does it impact you that you know the end of the story?
  27. Write a Psalm of Lament for injustice you or people you love have experienced.*
  28. Tip someone 40% ( a sacrifice)
  29. Say the breath prayer “Lord I can’t. You can.” as you picture those you’re praying for.
  30. Read Psalm 51 in 3 different versions.*
  31. Attend a Stations of the Cross service, or do a reflection on them (I’m using Remember Me, by Sharon Garlough Brown, but it is a sequel and won’t be as meaningful if you haven’t read Shades of Light first.)
  32. Repeat the Jesus prayer throughout the day: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God have mercy on me, a sinner.” Consider using “beloved” in place of “sinner”.*
  33. Take dinner to a busy family with little kids. (These moms in particular are in a season of sacrifice for their family)
  34. Listen to Sara Groves’ song “We Wait”. Reflect on what it was like for the women around Jesus to wait through the Sabbath, doing nothing after He was crucified.
  35. Donate 40 canned goods to a food shelf.*
  36. Invite some friends over for dinner. Ask them to share a time when someone sacrificed for them.
  37. Go sit in an empty sanctuary and pray for all that will go on in that space.
  38. Choose a name for Jesus – Lamb of God, Prince of Peace, Bread of Life, Bridegroom… and look up Scripture to help you flesh out your understanding.
  39. Advocate for the oppressed. Check out IJM or World Vision.
  40. Use the practice of Lectio Divina (repeated reflective reading) with this verse: John 16:33.

What are you doing for Lent? Anything? Share what’s meaningful in the comments!

I’m over on Instagram if you want to come hang out! I’ll try to post some pictures of what this has looked like for me with the hashtag #whatlentlookslike.

Soul Food Life Lessons

February 14, 2020 /

As I write this it’s both rainy and sunny over the Reuss river that flows into Lake Lucerne. I keep checking to see if I can spot a rainbow like I did last week.

There are just a couple more weeks before we leave our ministry assignment here in Switzerland. We’re trying to soak up every bit of the experience that we can and reflect on what we’ve been learning.

There are things as silly as “They charge $ for tap water in restaurants so you may as well order wine.”

But we’ve also learned not to make assumptions based on our cultural bias, to question for better understanding, and to not under-estimate the stress on people living as ex-pats.

I’ve been asking this of others too: What are you learning in this season of life?

I re-read this this week and it is sooooo good! Twelve Truths I Learned from Life and Writing by Anne Lamott

I’m listening to this on repeat thanks to my friend Molly. If you’re going through a tough time, this is for you.

Want a good book for this weekend? I recommend this!

The Giver of Stars by Jo Jo Moyes – totally different than her past novels, this is historical fiction about three women in the 1930’s who become know as the Packhorse Librarians of Kentucky – part of a program instituted by Eleanor Roosevelt. It is an inspiring story of strong women who prevail in the face of racism, sexism, hardship, and natural disaster

You know that Instagram is kinda my thing, right? Join me there! This first one was a day-brightener daughter, Maggie sent me. Love it!

Enjoy a little encouragement and inspiration from some of my favorite follows here:

Great insights and encouragement for those experiencing grief, or walking alongside others who are

If we were sitting down to coffee, and I asked you, “What are you learning in this season?” what would you answer? Share in comments and let’s encourage each other.

Soul Food Across Time Zones

January 30, 2020 /

I do NOT want to sound like a whiny baby. I am acutely aware of our tremendous blessings as we continue this adventure of cross-cultural ministry in Switzerland!

But I also need to be honest. It’s hard keeping up with a bunch of different communities and ministry commitments in different countries at the same time. There are a lot of balls in the air right now, and this one – the blog – is one that’s easiest to drop. Sorry I’ve been inconsistent!

I tried to bake for the first time last week and it was a total disaster! There’s no mixer in the kitchen where we’re staying, but there is an immersion blender (go figure). So I tried to use it, and butter and sugar flew everywhere!

Plus they don’t sell vanilla here and I accidentally used baking SODA instead of baking POWDER (darn German language!) #fail.

However, I did try this new SUPER easy recipe for Coconut Braised Chicken with Sweet Potatoes that was a winner, fusing Thai and Indian flavors. (note I’m keeping with the international theme). One note – I used all coconut milk with no broth after reading the comments.

We continue to be stretched and enriched in this season, learning about communication, conflict, unique relational challenges, and theological differences across cultures.

On Monday and Tuesday I had the joy of visiting a friend in the mountains and making a new friend from China. What a tremendous blessing it is to learn from people of other countries and cultures!

Our conversation ranged from the Coronavirus to how to make dumplings to why most Asians don’t like cheese and why they take pictures of pigeons.

We talked about our respective faith traditions, and the Swiss art of paper-cutting, and the three types of Gruyere cheese.

We discussed the differences between those born in China vs. Hong Kong, the danger of lumping all Asians into one group, and the hard dividing line between being a “come here” and a “born here” in Switzerland.

And speaking of the Coronavirus, this post just wrecked me (Please watch the video – click on link).


This world is a brutally hard & beautifully holy place.
View this post on Instagram

Another new thing for me…For the first time ever I’ve learned of the term “Third Culture Kids” and the research that has been done about this group.

My friend, Katie Bachelor, who has raised her kids in Israel, and now Jordan, posted this on Instagram.

Lastly, a few posts from Instagram to lift your spirits or make you smile…

Your turn! What’s going on with you? Talk to me!

If you receive this in an email, just click on the title and then scroll down on the post to leave a comment. If it’s your first time, it will not appear right away, but don’t worry! It will soon!

As always, I’d love to have you join me over on Instagram! It’s my favorite place for small doses of joy and inspiration!

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