My little Guatemalan bird

*A few weeks ago I was able to meet the little girl I sponsor in Guatemala. For two years I have been sending monthly support, and have been corresponding with this sweet  6-year-old through photos and letters (me) and drawings and cards (her). But never did I expect the level of love I would feel

Wordless Weekends

Ushering in the morning

I know I’ve talked about loving sunrises on here before. And the cruel irony of loving something that happens so early in the morning. But still, they captivate me. When I was in Guatemala a few weeks ago, I crept out of bed at 5 one morning. In the dark, I threw on my jacket

Wordless Weekends

A little cold, a lot of perspective

I came back from Guatemala with a cold. A sore throat, stuffy nose, cough, congestion, headache, slight fever, and a general sense of icky. I met a lady in Guatemala. She had a cold too. Or more likely, an infection. Maybe bronchitis. Maybe worse. I nursed my cold in the comfort of my air conditioned

Not a KitchenAid in Sight

I’m a good baker. A really good baker. Just ask my friends and co-workers. They love me for the cakes, cookies and pies I share with them. I have been told I make pumpkin cream cheese muffins that will change your life. The other day, I was completely out-baked by a group of Guatemalan girls

A Pear and a Prayer

We walked on a muddy path that wound through cornfields. The stalks reached above our heads on either side as the rain continued its lazy sprinkling. There is nothing in the world like visiting a Compassion-assisted child’s home. Absolutely nothing. Nothing can prepare you for the sights, the sounds, the smells. Most of all, nothing

A Basket of Strawberries

She held a basket of strawberries. She would have perched it on her hip, if she’d had hips. But her body was one of a child, maybe seven or eight. Too thin, too narrow. To be honest, she wasn’t the best salesman. Instead of hawking her sweet smelling berries, she stood and watched a group

A time for mourning

Nine months ago, I met Akouvi. When I walked into the hot, dusty church in Togo, my eyes found her. As if they had always been looking for her. She was petite, much smaller than the rest of the children in her group. Her brightly colored dress was too large, and one sleeve constantly slipped

To Whom It May Concern: Travel Edition

Dear Security Line Bandit, Stop. Taking. My. Bins. As soon as I put my coat and shoes back on, put my laptop in my bag and return my liquids to my suitcase, I will hunt you down. Cranky at the X-Ray Machine ———————————— Dear Jerk-Face, Guess what? All of us are on a delayed flight.