Marina's Kitchen Table

Life still is super-busy, but so good. I see God at work in me, growing me, and developing gifts for His glory. I'm looking forward to seeing how He brings all these things into fruition; what the outcomes will be in the areas I'm praying, where He will send people and how I might encourage them. This coming month is incredibly busy. I've got a class to take on Missionary Care (and help facilitate), my Song of Solomon study that is finishing up with the women's group at church (love those young ladies!), a Women's Retreat to attend, facilitate a "Bridges" study (building friendships with Muslims), and the (in)RL Conference I'm facilitating. On top of these "special" things, I'm still working PT/Temp with DaySpring (social media) and getting things going with Missionary Care through Global Outfitters! Oh, and did I mention that our son is getting married in June? It's about time for us to get the details going on "our part&quo

It's been a little crazy...with 5 grands and their mom here. I'm SO grateful that Mark's here to see them too (although he's working each day). SO grateful that Melissa's here too (although we are ALL missing her husband). It's a treasure to sit and do life with her each day - with her and these kids. She's amazing - so patient - with each child. It baffles me - she definitely got that from her dad!! :) It's fun to see the house FULL to overflowing - full of laughter, toys, kids, crowded around the table, laundry on the couch...the beds...the floors.... Full too of tears, and tantrums, and snuggles and cooos. I'm trying hard to make memories for these kids - if they are hearing God's voice clearly they will be launching into language school within the year. I'm praying for these kids, and their parents, and anyone that hears their ministry plan. I can be BRAVE today, while they are all napping in their beds, and mom's

Tagging along with Lisa-Jo Baker and her Five Minute Friday gang...we write for 5 minutes flat. No trackbacks. No corrections. No gimmicks. This week's topic is REMEMBER. START It's Easter and I don't see the Easter Lilies around. The small chapel we meet in isn't overcome with the smell (nearly gagging me). We don't meet there at all. There's no plans to get signed up to serve in the HUGE civic auditorium. We don't go to that church now either. We're a days' drive from there actually. But although it's home in so many ways, it's not where i'll be. Actually. I don't know where home is anymore. I remember the faces, kind words, areas of ministry i can help in. I remember the work that needs to be done. Caring for those in prayer here. There. Around the world. My inbox is filled with their newsletters of how God is using them. I'm in awe. I remember the elements. Passed each church a different way, served differently

Boy! Did I mention how busy it's been?? My dd and 5 grandkids (the oldest is 5 1/2, the youngest just 3 months, and no twins!!) have been visiting. It's odd in a sense, as they had lived with us for about 5 months last year, so when they are here it's more like "doing life" and less like "having visitors". I am going to try (hard) to be BRAVE and do something fun with all of them tomorrow. I hope the weather cooperates. My DH is home for the next few weeks - such a nice surprise - and I'm hoping we can catch up on a date night between now and then. We're also praying about what to do over Easter Weekend...still a few weeks away, but I think we need to do something - either here at home, or away...maybe visit my other dd and her family...or??? I'm not sure. Guess I need to check to see if our ds and fiance are planning on coming here. That would be good to know. :) I'm working my part-time/temp job, and loving it! It's easier for

Today I read two phenomenal articles. I had nothing to do with either of them, but feel compelled to pass these two resources on...especially since my brain is semi fried, having my daughter and 5 grandkids arrive today! All 5 kids are 5 and under! :) So, I'll start with the last one first, simply because I have the URL saved right now and I'll have to search for the other one. This one was written for ex-pats...people living in other parts of the world. Her information was lived out first hand, and I think it would be good to print it off and hand out in any training manual for workers going overseas. Anywhere. You can read her blog post here: http://www.djiboutijones.com/2013/02/20-things-expats-need-to-stop-doing/ This second post is a little deeper, but OH SO NECESSARY to have out there circulating. It's an article from Relevant magazine, focusing on 5 simple steps (in theory) to help end human trafficking. I hope you' ll take the time to read it, then do s

"Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?" Romans 2:4 (NLT)  On our most recent trip to FL (our "Middle-Aged Vacation, that I blogged about HERE ) we spent hours wandering the shores of Pensacola Beach, being wind-whipped by the cool winter air and enjoying the off season crowds (clue: there weren't ANY!).  One of the unique things stumbled upon on the sand was a "blue jellyfish" that Mark sighted. Now, both Mark and I have spent a lot of time in the water and upon the beaches of Southern California, and neither of us had EVER seen a "blue jellyfish"! It was crazy!! We poked and prodded it, and noticed a few odd features, including the fact that the top of it wasn't jellyfish like at all...but air filled. We supposed it had something to do with the fact it was out of water, sitting on the beach. We no

A few weeks back, Mark took a week off work, and we took a little vacation - just he and I. We've only done this once before since our kids started college - where we go away for a week, and not see anyone we know - just spend time together. I'm ashamed that we haven't done it more, but I admit, when our kids were little we felt just a little guilty for moving away from family - so we always (yes, ALWAYS) went to see family (and friends) on vacation. We did fun things, but let's just say, it didn't enrich our marriage relationship. Even as grandparents we haven't chosen to spend our time alone, we have made it a priority to see the grands and build relationships with them, which is great, but not usually relaxing, and not usually marriage nurturing....and we want to still be married when our grands get married...so I hope they'll understand (and their parents!!) I get so excited to finally see the water; just 3 bridges and we're there!  Being empt

Earlier I bounced between taking a nap, or taking a bath. My right heel is bothering me, and the thought of just getting it warmer is enticing. If I head to the bath, I can bring a few books along, although I know I'll sleep at some point. Always afraid I'll drop something in the water. I pull the sheets down on the bed, but then turn to the bath. I pull back the brown curtains that hide the garden tub, glorious sunshine streaming in the frosted window, warming the wall. I place my hand in the warm light and feel the water rushing in...a bit cooler I think...and it fills, gushing from the faucet. I mosey around the house and grab my stash of books. A few from the library weigh me down, but it's Ann Voskamp's 1000 Gifts that I'm looking for. Poetic grace at it's finest. I find it in the kitchen, stashed between prayer journals and my own Joy Dare. I head back to the tub, nearly full, and stack the books on the chair on the side. I can barely keep my eyes open