Every small town has them. Everyplace where there are people who go way back. Everyplace where there are insiders and outsiders. Everyplace where old relationships and personal agendas outweigh what is best for everyone else. If you have lived in a small town for very long you have seen these kinds of politics in operation. … Continue reading Small Town Politics
Education
Facing the Unknown
We could have never expected a pandemic to upend our world. It is like something out of a movie plot. As parents, it has caught us all totally off guard, and uncovered some of our deepest fears for the safety of our families. The unknown is at the core of most of our anxiety, whether … Continue reading Facing the Unknown
8 Things to Remember When Teaching Your Children
It is no secret we are living in unprecedented times. That word alone has been overused to the point we are all tired of hearing it. As parents and teachers, we know as well as anyone that education has never been easy, but now educating our children has become a game show experience. Guess the … Continue reading 8 Things to Remember When Teaching Your Children
Mary Frances Early
My Aunt Betty had a best friend named Mary Frances. She was spoken of at every family gathering as if she was sitting in the room. We met many times because often she was at a concert we attended or at Betty’s house when we were there. Betty told us all about Mary Frances, and … Continue reading Mary Frances Early
Freedom
I have a different view of freedom these days. Before, I rarely travelled outside the US, and when I did, it was to tourist destinations. Now, I have been to countries where freedom is spoken, but not lived out. My navy-blue passport allows me access to places where others cannot move about freely. That alone was … Continue reading Freedom
Bearing Fruit
I have been wanting to update you on my most recent trip to Uganda but I hit the ground running when I got home and have just now gotten the time I needed. The conference was focused on literacy again this time. When the ALI (Advancing Leaders International) team went in January, we decided to … Continue reading Bearing Fruit
It’s Cool in the Furnace
When I was arriving at the tiny airport in Arua, the president of Uganda was preparing to leave. Our paths overlapped for a brief moment. To give perspective on the small airport, luggage is transported from the plane a few hundred yards away, to the driveway of the airport in the trunk of a car. … Continue reading It’s Cool in the Furnace
African Ingenuity
I am amazed at African ingenuity. It is never truer than in a refugee camp. Things I throw away at home become useful items here. A Walmart bag is turned into a kite. A water bottle becomes a car, and a soda can a truck. These are only some of the things kids do with … Continue reading African Ingenuity
You Might Live in a Refugee Camp if you…
Have to walk miles to get water for your family’s daily needs. Get food from the UN to feed your family for a month. Live under a tarp while you gather materials to build a home. Wake in the night with nightmares of things you saw on your escape from war. Wonder where members of … Continue reading You Might Live in a Refugee Camp if you…
Are You On Mission?
The man at the desk asked me, “Why are you here? Are you on mission?” “Yes,” I answered, “I am.” He wrote, ‘On Mission’ at the bottom of my Ebola Screening form, and sent me on my way. It is a standard form they fill out at each airport here because there are neighboring countries … Continue reading Are You On Mission?
