Here are the faces of some who have been directly and indirectly impacted by the challenges of navigating our country’s immigration system. These faces are my family; people I cherish. Next week, after a 4+ year wait, our son-in-law heads into Mexico to begin what is hopefully the final leg of his journey towards a…

I’ve been working with home schooled writing students for well over a decade, first in the venue of support/enrichment groups, then in classes held in my living room, and finally via e-mail tutorials. One of my favorite assignments is an essay based on the question: “How would you give away a million dollars?” I have…

I’ve been battling some pretty big depression for the last few weeks. I could give you quite a list of contributing factors (feel free to e-mail me at mishvl@yahoo.com if you’re curious or given to prayer; I’m more than happy to talk about it) – but that is not the point of this post. Sometimes,…

It was something to see 400+ local church leaders, staffers and assorted other gapers (like me) gathered today at the annual Catalyst Forum. The keynote dude, one Bishop Kevin Ulmer, preached some of the wallpaper off of the walls at the Trinity International University chapel. What he had to say was familiar (go and make…

My recent motto: It is possible to do something humiliating EVERY SINGLE DAY So far today, I’ve managed to keep the red blush from crawling up my neck. It’s only 3:17 p.m. The day is young. Yesterday, it only took me an hour to experience the day’s humiliation. The first human being I spoke to…

I’ve known a few people who have enjoyed relatively problem-free lives. By “few” I mean I can count these people on one-and-a-half hands. Max. One woman I used to know who proudly and regularly proclaimed she lived by God’s principles (exegeted by Dr. Dobson in the childrearing department, Elizabeth Elliott in the wifely submission department,…