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Latest from the Greenhouse
Reflections in the mirror–still learning to love from my Dad
I turned off the car when I saw my Dad sit down on the bench next to his homeless friend. I took it as a sign that we’d be waiting for a while. When I looked at Dad in the mirror I couldn’t help but see myself too. I liked what I saw in him; I didn’t like so much what...
Adoption Awareness and Labor Pains
It's November -- National Adoption Awareness month! This month of awareness reminds me of how unaware I was nearly twenty years ago when we began our adoption journey with the twins. We were hardly aware of any of the issues involved in the process of adoption,...
10 Qualities of missionary women…
Two weeks ago I spent a week in Brazil with 50 missionary women at the Continent Care Connection Conference sponsored by Great Cities Missions. I joined a team who went to encourage the missionaries who gathered from Central and South America. The missionary women...
Do you know the voice of the Good Shepherd? – John 10
I believe that Jesus is the good shepherd. I’m just not so sure that we are very good sheep. It has always been one of my favorite images--Jesus, the good shepherd. He walks through the gate in the cool of the morning and calls our name to gather us to him. He goes...
When your kids take Christianity too seriously–5 tips for parents of kids on a mission
Be careful, or your kids might take your Christianity a little too seriously. We pass down some Christian basics to our kids from the time we can pass them the milk. Tell the truth, God doesn’t like liars. Obey your parents, and it will go well with you. Blessed are...
Why you need to loosen your grip
My grip is strong. Too strong. I hold on tight to what I think I deserve. I grasp at what I’d like to come my way. I cling to my pride, selfish ambitions and resentments. I hold on to a life without suffering. I want to claim my rights and grab God’s blessings. I...
How to identify the liar who speaks without an accent – John 8
What’s your native language? Mine is English. I added Spanish as a second language in the 80’s. I do all right, but I know that I speak it with a Gringa accent. This week we have a friend staying with us from Brazil whose native language is Portuguese. He speaks...
5 transition tips from summertime to school days–for your sanity’s sake
It’s countdown in the GreenHouse until school begins. Two days! Through the years I’ve developed a few strategies for the last stretch. These hints just might help you hold on to the little bit of sanity remaining as you trudge for the finish line. 1. Meet your kids’...
“Yet you refuse to come to me…”
Yesterday I read the words that Jesus spoke to a group of religious people, and I couldn’t help but wonder what he would say to the religious people today--myself included. He told them that in spite of their diligent search of Scriptures, they still missed him. Even...