A meadow.

/

On the first day of spring, I wanted to share this meadow that's within a short walking distance of our home.  To others it may just be an open field in the middle of a neighborhood, but you have to look more closely.  And then you'll see it's filled with wild grape hyacinth, trees sweeping low to the ground for climbing, big rocks for collecting and jumping, tree stumps made into chairs.  I found out it's owned by a nearby church but open for public use.  We've probably returned 5 times since the initial discovery.  What a treasure.

"The air was sweet with the breath of many apple orchards and the meadows sloped away in the distance to horizon mists of pearl and purple; while the little birds sang as if it were the one day of summer in all the year."
~ Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

I'm gonna find every spot of nature in this big city, yes I am.

I love that my daughter now asks regularly if we can go play "in the meadow."  Why, yes we can.  Happily.

Remembering Pria.

/

"This is my work, my mission."

I'll never forget these words spoken by my dear friend Pria* in India one day, in January 2005.  The words flowed from her mouth boldly yet humbly.  Over the course of 10 days, I watched her go about her home tidying, cooking from scratch for multiple people, mothering two young boys, taking care of her duties as a pastor's wife, hosting a guest from America (me) that spoke a foreign language, and doing it all with joy and a peaceful smile.

Eight years ago this past January, I did one of the scariest and bravest things I've ever done - boarded a plane alone, with a back injury from falling a few days before, and flew 21 hours across the world to Chennai, India.  There, without even a cell phone, I waited to be retrieved by Pria and her husband Pastor Samuel*, both of whom I had only ever seen in photos.  We met and traveled another 5 hours by train to their town, where I stayed for the next 10 days working with the organization Peace Gospel, visiting children in an orphanage, embracing the culture, helping tsunami victims, and making new friends (I wrote about my experience here and here).

When I think about that trip now, I can't believe I did it.  I barely got on the plane.  I remember crying to my then fiancé/now husband the night before on the phone, telling him I was too scared to go.  But the ticket was bought, and I went.  Turns out it was absolutely watershed - a shattering, humbling, encouraging, emotional experience in which I saw for the first time just how much Christ could sustain me, how sinful I was, how much I cling to my luxuries of everyday life, how in the minority I am.  And how far, far-reaching the love of God is, all the way to a concrete single-room church in the tiniest Indian village.

Today is International Women's Day, and as my Instagram feed fills with breathtaking photos of women all over the world, my mind is occupied with memories of Pria, this one woman who changed me forever, whose gentle hands I can almost still feel on my back.

On my last few hours in India, I was tired, homesick, sad to be leaving my new friends but eager to return to my routine and family and friends in Texas.  Pria, Pastor Samuel, and I spent several late night hours in a hotel room watching Indian television and resting before it was time for them to take me to the airport.  I was wearing my sari (which had become familiar garb over the course of the trip), lying face-down on the hotel bed with my head resting sideways on my elbows, drowsily watching TV.  Then, without a word, Pria reached out and touched my dirty, curly, frizzy hair, ran it through her fingers.  She placed her hand on my back and ran it up and down, up and down, gently, sending shivers throughout my body.  She must have done this for a solid hour.  At first it felt strange to be accepting so much physical touch from someone I was supposed to be serving.  But my injured back began to feel like it was healing, and tension and tiredness from this scary, wonderful trip began to leave my body. Her touch was absolutely the touch of Christ to me in that moment, and I felt enveloped in His love, His care.  I didn't want to leave her and my new friends. At the same time I so desperately wanted to return home.  From this point on, a part of my heart would be left among these people in India.  And she would always be my sister.

~ ~ ~

There are many other stunning women I met in a remote Indian village near the coast, where the tsunami had just taken the lives of many of their men who were out fishing for the day.  We delivered food, Bibles, and clothes to the widows.  Their vibrant smiles, the lines on their faces, their colorful garments, their shyness mingled with strength...I couldn't get enough.

~ ~ ~

Today as a mother and a wife, I think of Pria’s words often.  On days (all too often) when I'm anxious and grumbling and overwhelmed by everything that's on my plate, by how many directions I feel pulled, I hear her voice saying, "This is my work, my mission," and I stop in my tracks.  I feel her love and encouragement across the oceans that separate us. If she can do it with joy and a smile, certainly so can I. 

I cannot begin to imagine the daily lives of some of the women I met and these women that Peace Gospel serves today, but I know their smiles and lives have touched me more than they'll ever know.   I'm thankful to be a small part of this tribe of women that traverses the globe and to have held their gazes in my eyes, their hands in mine, even for a short time.

* Names have been changed to protect privacy.

3 simple joys.

/

Here are 3 simple joys I've experienced lately...

Early morning emails from my dear Swiss pen pal, Monica. 

If you haven't heard about her, you should check out this post.  She is a gem!  This morning she sent this that made my day: "The Bailey family has a contagious smile, did you know that? It's one of your gifts to the world!"

~ ~ ~

Walks with my girl and her baby doll, Molly. 

I can't help but smile while looking at this picture.  I love having a girl.

~ ~ ~

Dallas weather in winter, spring, and fall. 

While most people are enjoying their summers outside, we're suffering in the sweltering 107 degrees.  But I have to say, Dallas makes up for it in winter, spring, and fall.  This "winter" we've had so many 60 & 70 degree days - the kind where your hair smells like the outdoors after you come inside for the day.  And your white toes are stained green from walking barefoot in the grass.

 

How to help our children appreciate God's creation.

/

I wanted to share something special with you...I'm honored to be included as one of the guest bloggers on Club JellyTelly - a wonderful website with positive programming for kids.  They have a subscription-based service (kind of like Netflix but only $5/month) for unlimited viewing of all their shows.  My daughter and I especially like the new show "Come On Over" - it reminds me of the ones I loved growing up in the 80s - to me, it's like a cross between Fraggle Rock, Mister Rogers, and one of my alltime favorites - The Magic Garden.  (Oh, the beloved Paula and Carole!)

Anyway, my first post for Club JellyTelly is live - "How To Help Our Children Appreciate God's Creation".  I hope you enjoy it!

"And if God took such care creating the intricacies of a simple pinecone, a flower, a snowflake…how much more does He love and care for us, His very best work?"

{continue reading}

Thirty-five. (30 days of thankfulness - day 22)

/

On Thanksgiving Day, I celebrated thirty-five years on this earth.  How did that happen?  Wasn't I just turning 25, arriving home from dinner with friends in Nashville, and then stunned by a surprise party at our little abode in Hillsboro Village?  Back then, I was about 85 times tanner than I am now, with bushier eyebrows and a lot more makeup.  I guess I had more to prove then.  I certainly haven't "arrived" and keep discovering more about myself that I want to refine and change.  But there is something about the thirties that has helped me settle into more of who I really am.  And it gives me joy to realize that most of the people who were at that party are still close friends.

I love when my birthday falls on Thanksgiving, because I usually keep forgetting it's my birthday.  This introvert is perfectly fine with that; I'd rather be wrapped up in the wonderfulness of the holiday.  This year we got to spend Thanksgiving weekend with our dear friends Paul and Brooke in smalltown Athens, TX, about an hour from Dallas.  Over the course of this weekend, I was reminded again how much my soul craves smallness, how the love of a small town's simplicity and slower pace of life is deep in my bones.

The day was so memorable from beginning to end.  I was with my husband and daughter, my two best gifts.  It was a coolish breezy fall day, causing brilliant red, orange and yellow leaves to shower down on us the entire day.  A gorgeous table with mismatched chairs was set outdoors; about 20 of us held hands and gathered around for a prayer.  These were precious people who made us feel like part of the family. There were wild red wagon rides, moments in the wooden swing, chalk drawings, and some light drizzle to drive us inside to embrace the coziness.  And at the end, a double rainbow arched across the sky, God's little promise to me.

Another year of this perfectly imperfect life, and I couldn't be more thankful.

~ ~ ~

During the month of November, I'm practicing "30 days of thankfulness" - will you join me?  Use your blog, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram to voice your thankfulness for something every day in November.  My hope is that this daily routine will create in me a heart of thankfulness and gratitude, no matter the day or month or situation.

 

Fall is here. (30 days of thankfulness - day 15)

/

So thankful fall has finally, really come to Dallas.  We're soaking it up!

~ ~ ~

During the month of November, I'm practicing "30 days of thankfulness" - will you join me?  Use your blog, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram to voice your thankfulness for something every day in November.  My hope is that this daily routine will create in me a heart of thankfulness and gratitude, no matter the day or month or situation.