The Gypsy Mama — Snapshots of life lived between countries, callings, and kids.

Christmas Eve

December 24, 2011

Into the dark.
Into the night.
Into the ache and pain and wave after wave of labor.
Into the dirt between handfuls of straw clutched in desperate fists.
Into the bite of teeth clenched down and muscles baring down and midwives singing down the fear, the fever in her eyes, the first time for her and us and creation.
Into [...]

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Your house is only as big as your hospitality

December 19, 2011

I am a reluctant renter.
Have been for years.
Our house is small, it has faux bricks that constantly fall off the kitchen walls and carpets that, well, let’s just say we have three kids under the age of six and leave the rest up to your imagination.
For years my small house has stunted my hospitality.
Maybe [...]

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Five Minute Friday: Connected

December 16, 2011

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
~John 1:1-5, 14.

Words matter to me because they are the tools that God first used.
He spoke and worlds, waters, deserts, jacaranda trees, figs, watermelons, kangaroos, meerkats, and turtles came into being.
God spoke and painted the sky. God spoke and mapped the milky way. God spoke and [...]

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And then I woke up from the dream of having it all

December 14, 2011

A few weeks ago I sat in a circle of amazing women – college juniors and seniors – and tried to answer some of their big questions. Their hard nitty gritty questions. They asked about marriage and balance and how not to lose one’s self.
We sat in the student lounge where my husband teaches and [...]

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The Best 5 Minutes You’ll Spend On The Internet Today: The (in)RL Trailer!

December 13, 2011

Why do I go on an on about community and how much it means to me?
Whether it’s over diapers or screaming kids or the frustration of parenthood.
Whether it’s over finding myself in the lost corridors of motherhood or connecting with you about how we work hard at liking our kids and not just loving them.
Because [...]

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When God moves into the neighborhood

December 12, 2011

It hasn’t snowed here yet. It’s been unseasonably warm. When Zoe and I walk to pick Jackson up from Kindergarten the sun warms us in ways unexpected for December. I’ve been able to say more yes to the playground than no.

But the radio sings of winter. It plays song after song of worship that sounds [...]

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Five Minute Friday: Color

December 9, 2011

It’s Friday.
Let’s do it. Let’s just write without worrying if it’s just right or not.
For only five short, bold, beautiful minutes. Won’t you join me?
1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Most importantly: leave a comment for the person [...]

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Four helpful social media laws: 2. It’s about Conversation not Pitch, Nagging or Complaining

December 6, 2011

In October I spoke at the Relevant Conference on a panel about social media. I have this awesome gig as the social media manager for DaySpring and community manager for their website, (in)courage. I love my job and I think about social media like, a lot. This week I’ll be sharing 4 posts with some [...]

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