It was hard to watch the aftermath of the Brussels bombings on the news, but I couldn’t turn away. The places are too familiar, and I have friends and loved ones living in Brussels. I posted an early news report on Facebook and received more reports from friends. I posted a prayer of support and […]

When people use absolutes in a statement, they are usually wrong. When my wife begins a sentence by saying “You always” or “You never”, she is most likely overstating the facts. I wouldn’t consider myself unreliable or inconsistent, but I couldn’t “always” or “never” do anything even if I tried! I’m just too flawed. That’s

It’s Valentine’s Day in China, at least for the Americans living here. Frantic searches are underway by those who waited too long to buy gifts or completely forgot. It is an opportunity to express our love to those we hold most dear or to wish we had if we disappointed them. This is not the

It is wintertime in Beijing, so it’s not surprising that it has been cold. It isn’t a nice, refreshing feeling, but when the wind blows it is a bitter, bone-chilling cold. I feel bad for the people that have to work outside in this misery, but I have a choice to find shelter in a

     I have worked overseas for the past 14 years and lived in six different countries. Dealt with six different languages and adapted to the local way of life in each place.  Everything from driving and shopping, to eating out and staying out of trouble were new experiences in each place.  The State Department is