The Panama sun beats down on the cracked ground, even in the mid-morning. I have never been out of the country in my nineteen years of life, but here I find myself in the suburbs of Panama City, serving with global missionaries and other students from my college.
Read MoreGod is not carrying around a big stick to hit or prod us with, to get us ‘back on track’ so that we can be ‘doing everything right’. He is leading us with gentleness.
Read MoreWhen God always goes the extra mile with his boundless grace and overflowing love for us, shouldn’t we as his children do the same? Ephesians 5:1-2 tells us to “‘Be imitators of God and live a life of love’ for then our lives are a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God”.
Read MoreAs I sit in the hospital cafeteria typing this, amid the hustle and bustle of the lunch crowd, I feel God’s presence. With the rays of sunshine through the window, I feel God’s presence. As I watch my newborn son on the webcam in his NICU room, I feel God’s presence. When I see my husband hold our son, I feel God’s presence.
Read MoreSeminary has stretched me in many ways and urged me to grow in empathy and experience. One class I am taking this semester is Christian History 50 CE - 1500 CE. Stick with me here. My class has learned about ancient theological arguments that have shaped the faith we practice today and divided the then-forming Christian tradition. Our professor arranged a visit to an Eastern Orthodox church to learn about their traditions, which are different than ours in the western church.
Read MoreWere you raised or are you raised by the mother who accommodates for every need? She has sunk her whole identity into being a wife or a mother. Does the thought of losing yourself completely to motherhood scare you? Rachel talks about setting strong boundaries, so your identity remains grounded in Christ and also loving your children fully.
Read MoreAbout 5 years back, when returning to Auckland after a holiday in India, I was told much to my surprise, in Kuala Lumpur that my ticket on the connecting flight had been given away to another passenger and that I had to stay on and board the next flight. The next flight was the following day at 9 pm. I was given a room in the airport hotel and some food vouchers. I called my very distraught and angry family and explained the situation before sitting at one of the airport cafes for a breakfast of pancakes and coffee.
Read MoreAs I read through the book of Genesis, my heart would speed up when I came across a woman’s name. I was inspired by faith’s forefathers, but was eager to hear how women participated in establishing our faith foundation.
Read More“Having children is like a walk in the park. Jurassic Park, to be precise.”
Before I had kids, this was a quote that I laughed at but didn’t really understand. Now, it’s something that I laugh at because it can feel so true. It doesn’t matter how many of your friends or family have kids before you and offer their advice and experiences to assist you on your own journey, there is truly nothing that can prepare you for what lies ahead. Much like the crew that John Hammond assembled in the first of this movie franchise - not a single one of them knew enough about dinosaurs despite all the books they’d read and bones they’d assessed to face them in real-time.
You’ve heard the genesis of the home for teen moms and the story of my mother. However, there’s a whole other chapter to this story. She was born in the Appalachian mountains. Born and raised. Pretty much my favorite person on the planet. Full of southern sass and the kindest heart you’ll ever meet.
Read MoreI don’t even know where to start with this, it’s so easy to become lost in emotions. I wanted to pen this letter to women who were failed by the feminist movement. You who sit with these guarded and secret dreams that you are afraid to share. You who want to be homemakers.
Read MoreSome of my fondest memories from my teenage years were sitting at my grandma’s table after school, having a snack, and chatting with her over a hot cup of tea. Looking back, I so cherish those days that I had with her as, sadly, she passed away not long after I finished high school. She was a woman from another generation and time. She didn’t go to work at a 9-5 job; instead, she stayed at home cooking, cleaning, and caring for her families needs. She handmade her children’s clothes and kept her garden immaculate. She was a homemaker and a dearly devoted one at that, which is something I will always admire about her. She was always my favourite!
Read MoreIt’s not about the time that we used to have pre-child. It’s about the time we have now. Time exists infinitely; therefore, we create the space to allow time into our lives as mothers. We need to stop expecting our time with God to look just like it did before children. How does that time look? Here are five suggestions for you.
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