Finding Joy on the Journey in Faith, Family, and all Things in Between.
I knew upon starting my Purpose Project, I wouldn't have discretionary funds to spend on a whole new wardrobe. I knew when I got dressed, I wore the same things. Most of us do. We have outfits we feel confident and comfortable in and we tend to choose them on repeat. That becomes a problem when the clothes you constantly wear are yoga pants and oversized t-shirts. So here's some of … [Read more...]
So I wrote the post. The hard one. The one that had sat in my soul for years but never put into words. But this was my chance. Somehow it felt easier to post it on a friend's blog. God and suffering. She had asked me to contribute a post. She loved the way I wrote about the pain and the beauty. I said yes. I would be honored. And then I thought of the suffering in my life. I paused over … [Read more...]
We would've never dreamed of pushing food to the other side of our plate in protest or allowing the petulant sulk of childhood tastes take precedence over being a good guest. After all, I was born with the trifecta of gracious eating. Asian ancestry, missionary childhood, and community living. As an Asian, food is about community and respect and eating together serves a purpose much greater … [Read more...]
Today, I've am amazing honored to guest post at two beautiful blogs. My friend, Tanya is a beautiful soul whose constant journey to find the glory in the midst of suffering and to see God's hand in it all blesses me. I knew that this particular piece of writing would be safe with her. It is part of my story and it may seem silly but I needed to write it almost as much as I need a bit of … [Read more...]
In honor of Alia's Dress for Change Project, I went to the salon on Friday and got the cut and color you voted on. I went a tad shorter because my ends were so frizzle fried. When she cut off the end of my ponytail and held it up, it looked strikingly similar to roadkill. Glad that's not on my head anymore. She filled my head with enough foil to pick up a few satellite channels and I … [Read more...]
If most of us are ashamed of shabby clothes and shoddy furniture, let us be more ashamed of shabby ideas and shoddy philosophies.... It would be a sad situation if the wrapper were better than the meat wrapped inside it. ~Albert Einstein When you consider girls selling their bodies each night for a chance to survive, each encounter robbing her a bit more of dignity, worth, and hope, getting … [Read more...]
Today I am blessed to host Emily Wierenga's beautiful writing. I connected with Emily when I started reading her blog and learned of her upcoming book, Chasing Silhouettes: How to help a loved one battling an eating disorder. She is an impassioned voice in the midst of so much confusion about eating disorders and body image. I relate to her words not as someone who battled anorexia but as … [Read more...]
This weeks word: Quiet I stand quiet and still as the nurse pushes the small silver scale along looking for a balance that I have never found. She jots down the number on my chart. Asks me my height, fixes the cuff on my arm and I feel the constriction. The pressure pushing in on me. I hate doctors appointments. Partly because the role of patient is one I've had far too many times in my … [Read more...]
I was always in the top of my class. Overachieving and competitive to a fault, although mostly with myself. I knew everything there was to know about Krebs cycles, and could diagram where each Nitrogen atom went when proteins digested, how many kcals in each gram of nutrient and what all of the Vitamin deficiencies cause. I studied diseases and their nutritional applications and … [Read more...]
It's that time of the week again, when we let our words fly and take shape for the fun of it. 1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking 2. Link back to The Gypsy Mama and invite others to join in. 3. Please visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. OK, are you ready? Give me your best five minutes … [Read more...]
I have a desire to be healed. To be made whole in the areas where I am not. To have the scars fade to pale flesh like stretch marks that snake across my soul and call to remembrance the growing pains and tearing of flesh that couldn't quite keep up. The scars that only time fades but the joy of new life makes insignificant. God has called me to new life I want to be healthy. Not a … [Read more...]
I can hear the soft rustle of her feet as she pads sleepily down the hall. I see tiny hands with chipped pink polish, lifting the blankets edge and then the softest wisp of a breathe on the side of my cheek as she nestles into the curve of my arm and settles where my heart beats. She is so beautiful to me. Her soft hair flowing over the pillow. He pulls up on the bed, grasping with tiny … [Read more...]
He tells me I'm beautiful. Whispers it to me as we snuggle on the couch, smooths back my hair. I look down. Fourteen years and I still doubt these words. Maybe doubt them more now than ever. I don't see it. What he says he still sees. What he pleads with me to understand and accept. There is a comfort now. An intimacy born out of long years filled with sorrows etched deep, joy brimming, and oh, … [Read more...]
Besides the inordinate amount of recipes for things involving Nutella, stuff to Mod Podge , print, or sew together, pictures that are supposed to be humorous because a child or animal is using expletives, and fantasy wedding, house, and party decorations, there are also a great many thinspiration pins on Pinterest. I've got nothing against Pinterest. I pin away with the best of them. If you … [Read more...]
"Mom, am I fat?" Her little face looks up at me, tears welling at the corners of her eyes. My heart shatters. "No, you are perfect!, " I scream inside. Perfect. My baby girl, only four. Still with baby cheeks and a squishy belly. We walk toward the car. She is carrying her ballet bag, her sheer tutu skirt blows around her as we go out the doors and I want to pull her close. Cover her, … [Read more...]
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