Last summer, I had had 4 glorious days to be at a cabin right on the lake.  This was going to be my writing retreat, full of creativity and fruitfulness, productivity and results! (Hmm, sounds restful, doesn’t it??). I was hoping for one of those times where I had extended time with the Lord and rest in the mornings complimented by fruitful afternoons writing and being inspired by my surroundings.  Instead, I had written nothing, well until the last day, just a few hours before leaving. This was my reflection that I look back on as a reminder of how weariness can affect us:

I am so weary…but why?  I’ve had 2 months off from events - no performing, gigging, speaking, preparing.  Yes, I’ve helped my husband walk through total hip replacement surgery which has required me to be available 24-7 for a couple weeks, but he is doing pretty well now, well enough that I was able to go on retreat for a few days.  I do watch over my...

Some years ago, our family moved home from Budapest, Hungary after nearly 10 years overseas as missionaries.  Budapest was more than a mission field to us, it was home. It was where our children were born and where deep friendships were forged.  It was where our passion for the hurting was shaped, especially since my own healing journey started there. It broke our hearts to leave, and upon settling in the NW we realized that we were now foreigners in a land we used to call home.  They call it reverse culture shock - where you don’t recognize what used to feel familiar. In fact, many things had changed. Most friendships had moved on, technology was light years ahead of us and, well, we were the odd ducks.

Hungarians spoke their mind.  There was an honesty and a depth to our relationships.   Here, if we spoke our minds and shared our needs we were labeled HNI ( high need individuals) or even worse, EGR (extra grace required!!).  We needed a home, a...