Author Archives: Jill

My life has transitioned significantly. If you are interested in the ramblings of a rural farmer’s wife, check out my new blog: http://fromgermanytominnesota.wordpress.com/

Community and a sense of belonging are basic human needs. As I have been talking with several MKs (both former BFA students and other acquaintances), a recurring theme in transition is both the need for community and the difficulty in … Continue reading →

As Lane and I look ahead to marriage, we are setting ourselves up for a mindset of service. It all starts with our relationship with God, and spills over into our love for each other. Christ must increase, I must … Continue reading →

Advent: Waiting, longing, expecting, preparing, hoping for Christ’s coming. Am I eager for Christ’s return? Yes, mostly. Am I expecting Him to return soon? Not necessarily. If I’m totally honest, I’ll admit that there’s a part of me that really … Continue reading →

MKs, PKs, and home- or private-schooled Christians who grow up in a Christian environment will probably experience a shock when they first move into a more secular environment. For some, this will come in college, even in many Christian colleges. For … Continue reading →

In college, people swap stories as they get to know each other. It can be easy for MKs to belittle the stories of “boring” monocultural Americans. An MK or TCK might scoff at the person who is praising the beauty … Continue reading →

Lately I’ve been reading through the end of Exodus and the beginning of Leviticus. Chapter after chapter, I’m seeing dying cattle, sheep and goats, smelling the stench of blood, fire, meat, and dung, and hearing the awful crack of bones. … Continue reading →

A paradox of the Christian life: In order to have, we must let go. And yet we also must hold fast. Rather than grasping things, creatures, ideas, and idols, we need to hold fast to God, the Creator and sustainer … Continue reading →

As I listened to Gungor’s latest album “I am Mountain,” the theme of grasping kept coming to mind, both grasping in the knowledge sense and grasping with a tight fist. Lyrics to all the songs can be found here. The … Continue reading →

Fall has officially begun. Fall is my favorite season. This time of year normally means it’s time for BFA to start – but not for me any more. The change of season reminds me of the change in my own … Continue reading →