Posts on A Life Overseas
Blog Posts
On True Love
I used to hate Valentine’s Day as a single. I thought it was ostracizing, isolating, embarrassing, excluding. A holiday about love… that makes you feel like that? No thanks! As a happily married person, I still feel myse...
Read More →It happened today
It happened today. I saw him and took pity. Old and overweight. A dirty T-shirt and cheap Walmart velcro shoes. He carried an old metal folding chair. Shuffling slowly across the street, he opened the door of the Taco Be...
Read More →Lines Between Us
Are we so different? separated and disconnected Could it not happen to me? conveniently vaccinated against suffering Is the line between us so bold and impermeable? oceans meeting, never mixing Are our situations so diff...
Read More →Lament
God, you are Creator of Heaven and Earth. You are the One who has suffered for us. You became man to know and live our suffering as humans. You have defeated death. You have promised to make all things new. So where are ...
Read More →On Coming Home and Leaving Home
Written in the Big City We are not coming home. We are leaving home. We are leaving the only home our kids have known. Yet We are coming back. Coming back to a place our kids barely remember. Coming back with two suitcas...
Read More →On "Hard"
It’s not having 6 kids that’s the most difficult; it’s having 2 babies 13 months apart. Or having one baby as a new mom. Or transitioning to 2 or 3 or 4 or... Having 6 kids is hard. Having 2 kids is hard. Having 1 kid is...
Read More →Lord, Come Quickly
This world is often so scary to us adults. I am amazed by the childlike faith my children have that God wants me to have, too. Today at our Bible story time, we read the story of Jesus’ Ascension where Jesus says he’ll c...
Read More →My Social Media 10 Commandments
Keep posting good, trusted sources of news to Facebook.Keep telling me your opinions using respectful language that invites discussion.Keep promoting and defending your position on controversial issues in good faith and ...
Read More →On Being a Number vs. Called by a Name
Do you know I’m pregnant with “#6?” (Or…Do you know actually this is my 7th pregnancy, and one of my babies already died? Should I bring that up when you say something rude?). Do you know that I am “#6” in my family? Do ...
Read More →While we were yet sinners...
Can I confess? I’m feeling weary today. I’m feeling sad. Sad for the sin of the world and sad for the sin in me. Weary of pain. Weary of lies. Weary of separation and conflict. Weary of death. I’m sad that people reject ...
Read More →10 reasons I can personally be thankful for Coronavirus today... (Admittedly, could be titled "My Covid-19 Soapbox Sermon"...)
Isolation empathy: Most of the time people in America have no idea what it is like to be isolated spending most days only at home while cooking most of the meals and homeschooling, entertaining, trying not to go crazy wi...
Read More →2020 Prayer Guide: April Visa Travel and English Classes
From the beginning of the year, our 2020 Prayer Guide: “April: Visa Travel and English Classes The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now an...
Read More →Generosity
We live among a poor, GENEROUS people A grandma sits on a little wooden step two inches off the dirty market floor, sharing her morning fried rice with the stray cats and dogs. She “sells” bananas, but I put it in quotat...
Read More →Things I can't explain:
I’ve been giving money to a grandma beggar at the market most days for a few weeks. She sits crouched low on the dirty ground, piles of trash nearby. She wipes her tired eyes with a rag, and sometimes she busies herself ...
Read More →Reflecting on Coronavirus Quarantine
Worship Lord’s Supper Every Sunday we take communion at home as a family and miss the fellowship and encouragement of a large group Every day I am at home homeschooling, entertaining, training my 5 kids Every day I go to...
Read More →2020 Prayer Guide: January Planning and Discernment
(Dedicating “our” plans to the Lord’s will and leading) Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. (Proverbs 16:3) God, give wisdom and insight. Open our eyes to the leading of your Spirit as we set...
Read More →Beloved Child of God
In 2020, I’m going to focus on the phrase, “I am a beloved child of God.” This phrase first began to carry a lot of depth and meaning for me at the Women’s Conference I attended in Chiang Mai at the beginning of November...
Read More →Edith's Birth Story
My sweet Edith, we love you and are so thankful you are were chosen to be in our family. You are the center of attention for your older brothers and sisters. They adore you and love to fight over you constantly. Greeting...
Read More →Our Sparkly House
When we first took the bus ride of faith to our city in September 2016, we knew no one. People told us we should stay in the big city and try to reach the M people from there. People told us we weren’t ready. Our languag...
Read More →Lies I've Believed
I’m ignored. I’m forgotten. I’m not worth others’ time, attention, gifts. People can’t be trusted. I can’t be who I am without facing criticism. I’m too much for others. I can’t control my emotions. I feel too much, too ...
Read More →Truth I Will Cling To
I praise you and I trust in you. I will not be afraid. I will guard my mind. I will refuse to believe Satan’s lies and then be discouraged. I will hold to your truth and your promises that give me peace and encouragement...
Read More →Opposites
My pasty white skin and blonde hair stand out wherever I go. People constantly tell me my blue eyes remind them of a cat’s. I have five kids, which is practically unbelievable for a “rich” woman like me. My chosen religi...
Read More →Do the Work; Be Faithful
What has God called you to? What task does he have for you? What service does he want you to give? God is odd. He expects different things from different people in regards to tasks or service. But he expects the exact sa...
Read More →Litany of Humility
Confession: I am a people pleaser. I am highly sensitive to criticism. I want to be everyone’s friend, and I think everyone should want to be my friend (who wouldn’t?). Confession: My love language is “words of affirmati...
Read More →Swallowed Up in Victory
Psalm 116:15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants. I have heard some people really being offended by Psalm 116: 15. After all, how callous can God be to suggest the death of his faithfu...
Read More →Abandoned (Again?)
I got some hard news recently that my mentor and the only native English-speaking Christian woman in our city was suddenly moving back to her home country. In fact, she was already in her home country. And, she left with...
Read More →Pure Joy?
I’ve been dealing with sickness, frustration, and discouragement this last month. I’ve been grouchy and irritable. I’ve complained and whined. I’ve said I couldn’t take one more minute of disappointment. I’ve been the ve...
Read More →Tired
Reflections on Galatians, Ephesians, and Philippians Have you every wanted to quit? Give up? Throw in the towel? Throw up your hands? Walk out the door? Are you tired? Tired of turning the other cheek? Putting others bef...
Read More →On privacy and loving my neighbor
Ya’ll. I’ve talked about privacy before: as in, we have none. And, sometimes it is hard to love my neighbors. Picture this: It’s Sunday morning and we have a standard routine. We’ll host and do Sunday school activities t...
Read More →Pro-All-Life: In Response to West-Ark's "Night to Shine"
I can’t tell you how touching and encouraging “The Night to Shine” that our overseeing church, West-Ark church of Christ, sponsored was to me. What a beautiful way to show love and kindness and affirm the value of life! ...
Read More →Being Known, Being Misunderstood, Longing for Home
O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my...
Read More →Give Your Mite
Widow’s mite: A small contribution from someone who is poor. The Widow’s Offering Luke 21 21 As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2 He also saw a poor widow put in two very sm...
Read More →Your Labor is Not in Vain
Sundays are always hard for me. The wonderful and the terrible seem to crash into each other in violent ways. It’s the best of times and the worst of times. I always have doubts. I don’t often doubt God or His goodness. ...
Read More →The Demon Possessed Man
This week for our Sunday Bible Class, I came to Mark 5, the Demon Possessed Man. I couldn’t find it in any of the 10 or so children’s Bibles that we had. Not exactly material for a preschool class, maybe. But, I still de...
Read More →Dear Abram,
[Reflections after reading Genesis 12] Dear Abram, Let’s talk about this, okay? You don’t have to make any decisions right away. We just want you to consider what you are doing. Are you sure you really want to? Why? Are ...
Read More →Good Deeds, Bad Attitude
Confession: I do a lot of good deeds. It’s true. I hate to brag but, you might know that I live overseas, as in I live out of America, the land of good and plenty. And, obviously, that’s pretty special you know. I can co...
Read More →The Pork Demon
We once had a neighbor who told me she was eager to move. Not because of us, her dear neighbors, though. But because she missed eating pork. Didn’t follow that logic? HUH? Doesn’t make much sense to you, either? Well, be...
Read More →The Brevity of Life
I will exalt you, Lord, for you rescued me. You refused to let my enemies triumph over me. O Lord, my God, I cried to you for help, And you restored my health. You brought me up from the grave, O Lord. You kept me from f...
Read More →Rosemary's Birth Story
First real chance to hold Rosemary. If I look a little yellow in the picture… I was! Rosemary Lucille Tignor Born April 8, 2017 9 lbs 4 oz 9:30 p.m. This, my dear sweet Rosemary Lucille, is the beginning of your life sto...
Read More →Jingle Bells and Job Moments
Mabel’s birthday was a TOUGH day. After having our cat “Christmas Jingle Bells” for about a week, the owners changed their minds and came to our house to take the cat back. This was not a cultural misunderstanding or som...
Read More →Words of Blessing
Recently I wrote Code Words about the words I associate with each of my children and how that helps me pray blessings over them. We used excerpts from that post a few weeks ago, when our church here in Arkansas did a joi...
Read More →Naming the Losses
Let’s just be honest. There are things about Asia I don’t like. And, there are things from America that I really miss when we are in Asia. Even though we are committed to being in Asia, some days are really hard (or some...
Read More →God Heard Our Prayers
My dear sweet peaceful Samuel, this is how you were born: With Mabel coming right before her due date and Theodore 10 days after, I kept telling people you’d probably come early! You had “dropped” by 35 weeks, and from t...
Read More →Code Words
Within the first 8 weeks of being pregnant with Mabel, a word kept appearing in my mind over and over: servant. At first I didn’t think too much about it, but with each repetition I began to attach more meaning to the wo...
Read More →Creating a Bible Reading Plan
Throughout our marriage, Julie and I have often started the year with a plan to read through the Bible. Our routine has been to do our reading at mealtimes — usually with me reading aloud and Julie listening. We’ve done ...
Read More →Theodore's Birth Story
I couldn’t believe that I hadn’t had the baby by the time my due date (Nov. 7) came and went! At 10 days past the due date, I had a regular doctor appointment scheduled. Daniel and I thought the doctor might suggest an i...
Read More →Being rich, being poor
When we chose to live here, we knew we would not have some things we had in America. Things most Americans have. Things most people in America think other people should have. We don’t have some of those things here. So, ...
Read More →Daily Bread--- Back in the land where I know I need Him
I just returned from a visa trip and it seemed like such a nice break. We had hot showers, great food I didn’t have to buy or cook using dishes I didn’t have to wash, air conditioning at night to snuggle under the covers...
Read More →On Being the Weirdo
About six months ago, I saw a white guy rollerblading. Sounds pretty ho-hum until you realize I was in an Asian city where being white isn’t so common, and no one rollerblades. Oh yeah, and the guy just happened to have ...
Read More →You Might Be A Bad Parent If...
Local Advice: You Might Be a Bad Parent If… You take your baby on the bus You take your baby to the market You take your baby anywhere besides the hospital before the baby is 6 mo. old You give your baby a pacifier. Your...
Read More →Mae's Birth Day
I had some contractions all day on Saturday, December 22, but I’ve had days like before when I had contractions and then—no baby. So, I was trying not to get too excited. Around 11:30 p.m. I was Skyping with one of my si...
Read More →Fear. Fear Not.
We are usually prepared for the questions. It’s true. We’ve been to so many different churches in the last year, that usually we know what to expect. Why did you pick Southeast Asia? What’s the food like? Will you have e...
Read More →Baby
Baby, You are dearly loved and a gift from the Creator, who you already know. We can’t wait to raise you, kiss you, love you, and teach you to follow His ways. We know you are a gift from Him, and we will teach you to us...
Read More →Salt and Pepper
Next to our wedding picture on the mantle of our fire place, we keep some very special salt and pepper shakers. What’s so special about these? Well, they represent the over 50 year marriage of my grandparents, Wayne and ...
Read More →Confession
Almighty God, our heavenly Father; We have sinned against you, through our own fault, in thought, and word, and deed, and in what we have left undone. For the sake of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, forgive us all our of...
Read More →Waiting For "Our" Adoption
Daniel and I officially started the adoption process with DHS in Arkansas in January of 2010. Since then, we have filled out a whole lot of paper work, taken classes, submitted innumerable copies of obscure forms, and wa...
Read More →36-35 Rooting for the Underdog
I don’t really like watching basketball. Neither does Daniel. But, Daniel and I went to watch basketball, so we could see some of my students play. And, it was depressing. The visiting team we were playing had their side...
Read More →Saying Goodbye...
No, we haven’t left yet. But, we are saying goodbye. Our goodbyes officially started last May when we did something totally un-American: Daniel resigned from his lucrative job in order to spend all summer studying about ...
Read More →"The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God!"
A few weeks ago, I saw in the paper that a choir from Hendrix College was going to be putting on a Christmas concert in Fort Smith. I really like Christmas music, and so I wanted to go and convinced Daniel to take me. We...
Read More →A Song of Peace
Since we are closer to Canada than usual, the first of July was a celebration here. Why? It’s Canada Day. Someone hung a Canadian flag by our common area. Then, someone replaced that flag with an American flag today in h...
Read More →Ultimate Examples
I wrote this when I was a junior in high school in 2002. Grandpa died November 18, 2003. Grandma died April 5, 2010. They have always been there. Always. My earliest memories are waiting on the cement steps of my kinderg...
Read More →What’s your story?
Last night in the twenty-somethings class at West-Ark, Chris led us in a discussion centered around “Cardboard Testimonies.” Cardboard Testimonies are confessions written on cardboard similar to signs you might see homel...
Read More →My Personalized Great Commission
While in Dallas a few weeks ago, we were each encouraged to study the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20. To make Jesus’ command more real to each of us, we were asked to formulate our own personalized Great Commission...
Read More →