Shown Mercy

Several years ago, a few friends and I used the above description amongst ourselves when we were wrestling with various things going on in our lives.  Struggleville was definitely where I was living last week and continue to try to drive out of this week…  Get in my rearview mirror, please! I can only share in generalities, so I hope you will get the big idea.  Here's the nutshell: parenting is hard.  (I know, biggest understatement of the year!)  Parenting children with unknown pasts is challenging.  Parenting is a weighty honor and a role I desire to steward faithfully.  The reality is, I don't have any idea what I'm doing and I cannot do it in my own strength...  Two weeks ago, I spoke at a local church's Mothers of Pre-Schoolers (MOPS) gathering.  Last fall, when I was originally asked to speak I had planned on sharing about "Teaching Justice to Children."  After the new year, I began to feel the Lord leading me to share ...

Earlier this week, I took the time to sit down and read a book I've had in my possession for several months now.  I had had the pleasure of hearing from and meeting the authors during the International Justice Mission 's Advocacy weekend in Washington, D.C. last spring.   I was encouraged following that weekend and then refreshed anew while reading this book that shares their continuing journeys of pressing in and refusing to do nothing after having their hearts shattered by modern-day slavery.  They are fellow abolitionist mamas.  I highly recommend this book to you.  It is filled with the "what, why and how's" of modern-day slavery.  More encouragingly, Shayne Moore and Kimberly McOwen Yim provide abundant resources and practical tools on how to find your power to abolish modern-day slavery... For my North Carolina friends, below are details for a great opportunity for you to receive education and awareness on modern-day slavery in our state…. "R...

Every blog I write these days I want to begin in the same way: It's hard to believe where the time has gone… (which is quite indicative of my blogger sphere absence.) Alas, I begin again.  Time has flown.  It has been a few weeks since I was able to last blog.  This morning I find myself racing the clock before facing the carpool line on this blustery cold morning and two hour school delay.  I hope each of you had a wonderful Christmas holiday and happy new year.  Here are a few images from our time in Virginia with my side of the family:  (For the record, my phone which also serves as my camera, remained mostly in our room during our VA visit.  Anyways, my brother in law, Dave, is pictured above enjoying a morning brew.  Dad is pictured below opening our big gift to my parents: Red Sox corn hole set.  The boards were constructed by my brother in law, Rick.  We look forward to warm weather and lots of rounds of this game!) ...