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 …

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. …