We are leaving the UAE in 3 days. For almost 3 years, this country has been our home. Father brought us here, brought me here, to continue remaking me after Christ. He has used so much – people, conversations, trials, disappointment, joy, temptation, the birth of our son – to reveal my heart, to feedContinue reading “A Journey Back in Song”
Author Archives: merckaylin
What We Gained from Losing a Bike
Today we are starting to sell/get rid of all our things, getting ready for our move next month. So yesterday, we went around the house saying goodbye to the things we love. At first it seemed like a funny thing we were doing. The girls were very amused by the exercise. “Bye, couch…!” Giggles. “Mom,Continue reading “What We Gained from Losing a Bike”
Better Than Dipping My Toes
I have never liked January (if this is your birthday month, sorry!), and I am not sure exactly why. I don’t like January probably in the same way I don’t like Mondays and that I am not a morning person. And probably why I love Thursdays and my favorite time of day is dusk. ToContinue reading “Better Than Dipping My Toes”
Joy-sharing, Vol. 2 – My favorite reads in 2017
Full disclosure: This year was the first in a while that I read so consistently. The first part of the year I was in my first trimester of pregnancy and I felt like I had no capacity to read or process. I watched lots of Hallmark Christmas movies posted on YouTube. But at some point,Continue reading “Joy-sharing, Vol. 2 – My favorite reads in 2017”
Paradox at Christmas
This Christmas, as a global nomad, joy looked like… … being able to decorate the same house for Christmas two years in row (we’ve moved a few times the last two years so this was a sweet gift) …having both sets of grandparents visit us during the holidays …receiving packages from dear friends with pumpkin spiceContinue reading “Paradox at Christmas”
Who Said We Have to Grow Up?
When my husband and I were in university we went to the same church. I would mostly gravitate to ladies older than me. My husband (who was then just a friend) would mostly hang out with their kids. I thought he was too goofy; he thought I was too serious. The truth is, I haveContinue reading “Who Said We Have to Grow Up?”
Joy-sharing: Helpful Resources on Union with Christ (Vol. 1)
Over the past two years I have been reading and learning more about union with Christ. For a recovering perfectionist with strong introspective tendencies, it has been very life-giving to become a serious student of the One who is perfection. Jesus has, by a ridiculous act of grace to a very undeserving sinner, bound HisContinue reading “Joy-sharing: Helpful Resources on Union with Christ (Vol. 1)”
A Fall Poem
I am delighted by how much Maia loves to write. She loves writing stories, letters, lists… and recently she suggested writing a fall poem. It reflects the two realities she knows about life both in the US and here…especially the last two lines. Everyone here knows that the mall is where you go to eatContinue reading “A Fall Poem”
A Truth That Rocks my Nomad Socks Off
It dawned on me this morning that for the past 15 years I have been saying goodbye. I have repeatedly left family, friends, church, country and home. Each time I have left, there has been gain: college education, sweet friends, adventure, a husband, teaching experiences, discipleship opportunities, outreach ministries. But leaving so much also sucks.Continue reading “A Truth That Rocks my Nomad Socks Off”
What I am Learning That Matters to Me in Homemaking
It has taken me years to sharpen my sense of style in homemaking. Moving around has helped me to clarify what things I want and love in a house. It has also helped me to appreciate what God gives, even when it isn’t my first choice. Tonight, as I talked to my husband about a particularContinue reading “What I am Learning That Matters to Me in Homemaking”