• Life Lessons

    The Day I left Home to Come Home

    “Sit back, relax and enjoy your flight,” the captain announced. My husband and I held hands and said a quiet prayer.  Tears flowing down our faces spoke what our mouths couldn’t express. I closed my eyes and tried to obey the captain. The plane took off, leaving behind not only our country, but a piece of my heart as well. It seemed like yesterday when my husband surprised me with the news: “Honey, I just got an offer to work in the United States. It’s a private practice in a college town near Atlanta.” “What?” I cried “But we don’t know anyone there, and our whole family’s here!” “But think…

  • Life Lessons

    Trust

    “Dad wants you to take this.” I handed my son a pill along with a glass of water. He stretched out his hand to grab the medicine without taking his eyes off of the TV, swallowed it and gave me  the empty glass. “Incredible!” I said to my husband. “His 9-year-old mind doesn’t even question what we’re giving him.” “Yes,” he responded. “He trusts us enough to place his whole life in our hands, knowing without a doubt that we’ll never do anything to hurt him.” Without realizing it, my boy’s thoughtless response reminded me of a truth that the Lord emphasizes throughout the Bible. “Trust in the Lord with…

  • Life Lessons

    My Unforgettable Trip

    “Let’s go mom, everybody’s waiting in the car!” My daughter tugged on my shorts and pointed to the garage as I checked the white straw bag. “I’m coming honey! I don’t want to forget anything. I just have to check the doors and windows to make sure they’re locked.” I squeezed on to the passenger seat and searched for a place to fit my cargo. Toys, towels, sunscreen lotion and goggles fought for a place in the bag, imitating the children in the back seat. “Relax, honey, you’re too stressed” my husband smiled and stroked the back of my head. “We’re not moving there. You don’t have to pack the…

  • Messages from Heaven

    The Day My Run Took An Unexpected Turn

    “Remember to stay inside the neighborhood,” my husband warned me. “That main road is too isolated.” “But it’s my long run training day,” I responded. “The lady next door told me that if I take a right that road takes me into the neighborhood next to this one. It’s a loop that ends up right back here.” “We’re vacationing in the country, remember? What if you run into a wild animal, or a wild person out there?” he insisted. “Ok, ok,” I said. “Don’t worry!” I grabbed my phone and ran out the door before he could say anything else. The sunny skies and summer breeze welcomed me with a…

  • Motherhood

    Letting Go

    I parked in my usual spot in the parking lot a little earlier than usual. The final bell of the year rang, followed by a wave of kaki and blue uniforms sprinting through the front door. I spotted her in the middle of her group of friends, her brunette hair separating her from her blonde peers. My mind raced to the day she was born, so tiny and fragile, but with lungs so loud they could wake up the whole neighborhood.  Flashes of sleep deprived nights and diaper changes invaded my mind. In my young mom immaturity, I longed to see the light at the end of the dark tunnel…