tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84224327189548051112024-03-13T12:11:05.499-04:00MercyvilleGod is using much in the way of my mess ups, this crazy world, and every day life to teach me about His sovereignty and great love for me...welcome to Mercyville!Merissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16400347346953960413noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422432718954805111.post-50686406561084392002017-06-21T17:49:00.000-04:002017-06-22T17:08:49.164-04:00Through my blue eyes
Through my blue eyes and fair, white skin my world has been easy, in fact privileged in ways I have been unaware. Don't wrongly assume heartaches haven't come my way or struggles haven’t been real for me - I am acquainted with both. What I am referring to is this culture in which we reside where the shade of our skin makes a difference in how we are treated, shown respect, given opportunities, Merissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16400347346953960413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422432718954805111.post-33560693516425031572016-12-19T11:22:00.000-05:002016-12-19T11:29:15.115-05:00Join me at the table this Christmas
The King has prepared a wedding feast for his son, everything is ready, everyone is invited. There’s plenty of room at this table. He has invited us all, good and bad - from the lowest to the highest officials, from the poorest to those filled with greatest of this world’s riches, the feeble-minded to the most learned of academia - you are invited. Have a seat next to the beggar, the blind, Merissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16400347346953960413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422432718954805111.post-32030664991762645622015-07-15T08:01:00.000-04:002015-07-15T08:11:26.792-04:00Tanu, where hope and joy reside.
Harsh, slurred words thrown his way…a precursor to the drunken rage of beatings that would soon follow. Beatings so severe by the end he would lay unconscious like a rag doll on the ground. When the beatings weren’t enough to satisfy the drunkards anger kerosene was doused and the boy lit on fire. Tanu suffered this at the hands of his father.
I sat next to a boy who has the courage of David, Merissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16400347346953960413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422432718954805111.post-24567601285606540852015-06-06T15:06:00.000-04:002015-07-15T08:06:23.384-04:00Brilliantly Made
Brilliantly Made is a new blog set up this year - written to encourage, equip, and challenge parents and educators alike. I have the privilege of collaborating and working with our Head of School and Admissions Director ( at the school where I teach & coach and my children attend) as a contributing writer.
"Brilliantly Made grew out of a desire to inspire and inform parents about the Merissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16400347346953960413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422432718954805111.post-47709358551235650302014-11-08T17:02:00.002-05:002014-11-08T17:04:29.360-05:00That we will not be forgotten
Strength and resilient faith shown in their deep brown eyes. Some young and some quite aged sat surrounding us as we shared a meal together in Bangalore, India.
Widows.
They shared their stories of being Merissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16400347346953960413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422432718954805111.post-70465729755977631092014-01-29T12:40:00.000-05:002014-01-29T17:34:16.722-05:00The Best of Haute Couture
"Playing dress up begins at age five and never really ends."
One glance at my Pinterest board reveals that I like clothing. I am certainly not the latest fashionista, but style I like - sometimes classic, sometimes bohemian, always neutral colors, casual with bangles and scarves of course! I saw every episode of What Not to Wear at least twice ~ appreciating that they would dress women Merissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16400347346953960413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422432718954805111.post-13245240165900702562013-01-29T21:01:00.001-05:002013-01-29T21:01:47.253-05:00Education Infograph
Christian Education at Oakbrook Preparatory | Infographics
Merissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16400347346953960413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422432718954805111.post-42000284271496079002012-09-22T09:38:00.002-04:002012-09-22T09:48:58.937-04:00A new day dawning...
A new day dawning...
the sun rises and sets each day, evening stars appear, seasons change.
I stand in awe of how God orchestrates this universe, this earth, and the details of my life.
A new season changing...
Autumn brings brilliant colors in leaves, crisp air, bonfires, and the best of hot drinks.
God delights in our enjoying His good gifts - the little things.
So it is for me Merissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16400347346953960413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422432718954805111.post-71351517282375396232012-06-29T21:30:00.006-04:002012-06-30T11:55:50.078-04:00Summer ReadsI love the smell of a book, the breeze off of the ocean, and stepping into someone else's world across the ocean or at a different time in history...My summer reading list includes:
Read aloud to my son The Boy in Striped Pajamas by John Boyne, then we watched the movie. This was certainly a good introduction to a horrific act in history through the eyes of the innocent.My prayer is that my Merissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16400347346953960413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422432718954805111.post-29762651095807147562012-05-28T23:39:00.006-04:002012-05-29T13:41:47.046-04:00first of summer daysThe first of our summer days have my heart bursting with joy...my daughter is with her daddy on another continent loving on children and exploring some of God's incredible creations...My son and I are holding down the fort...building bonfires, serving teachers, winning baseball championships, having time with friends on the lake, playing scrabble, and adding mystery ingredients to our basket for Merissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16400347346953960413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422432718954805111.post-69737600053189582982012-04-21T08:36:00.000-04:002012-04-21T08:59:07.553-04:00Haiti, Heartache, & Hope
Headlines in the news have long faded... Haiti remains a nation lying in ruins.
Time spent in 3rd world countries still did not prepare me for the depth of poverty that blankets this nation. Aid continues, on our flight alone there were 3 teams coming in to spend a week to help - build a home here, put in a water system in there, share the good news of Jesus, provide basic medical care...
Merissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16400347346953960413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422432718954805111.post-32504089813696153712012-03-12T09:12:00.006-04:002012-03-12T09:17:29.076-04:00Pin it and Share it!The best ideas in ministry, parenting, running a household, decorating, or creating are usually borrowed and we make them our own. Using technology to grow my knowledge, my creativity, resources, and ministry - you should too!Check out Pinterest, a social pinboard, where you can pin your interests & share them with others.
My personal favorite boards that I like to add to:
Words Merissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16400347346953960413noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422432718954805111.post-59656949815016553462012-02-07T14:08:00.002-05:002012-02-07T16:41:14.403-05:00FaithfulFaithful. Our God is faithful.
Valleys are deep and sometimes wide, taking us longer to reach the foothill of the mountain than we had imagined or ever thought we could bear. Making our way across the valley there are difficult pools that we must or sometimes choose to wade in – the pool of pain and suffering, the pool of pity, the putrid pool of pride. Yes, some of those pools are a must, Merissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16400347346953960413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422432718954805111.post-47883847285610212852012-01-23T12:04:00.001-05:002012-01-23T12:11:32.315-05:00from a mama's kitchen
Our menu: tamales - lots of them. Our desire: feed the hungry - Jesus says to do so. Our heart: obey His commands.
A quest for the best tamales led us to Digna. She is courageous, a fighter, a mom, and a chef with a sweet spirit; she is a mama in the kitchen trying to make a living by serving up the best! Everyone has a story, here's a little of Digna's...
After becoming very Merissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16400347346953960413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422432718954805111.post-88717467751320722032012-01-17T08:54:00.003-05:002012-01-17T19:22:15.261-05:00into these waters
Following their Savior into these waters. Baptism is a beautiful expression of our faith in a blameless Savior and of our desired obedience to follow Him. Nothing sacred about the water itself: from a swimming pool, barrel of rainwater, a lake, to the Indian Ocean…they have stepped into these waters.From children, teens, dads and moms to elderly… they have stepped into the waters expressing bothMerissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16400347346953960413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422432718954805111.post-60440470095303332702012-01-07T21:11:00.006-05:002012-01-07T21:35:48.277-05:00work hard, play hardOur family of five (with Mariana) piled into our borrowed Honda and headed to Atenas, famous for having one of the best climates in the world!
It was our day with Cherie...she is giving her life to loving children, creating a home for siblings without a home - not just a house, but a home filled with love. Cherie has spent the last months preparing her house for the filling of children. One room Merissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16400347346953960413noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422432718954805111.post-38064352573611945332012-01-02T12:00:00.006-05:002012-01-17T09:06:21.666-05:00steeped in tradition
Traditions run deep in every family, every culture, every nation. It was a pleasant surprise as we rode through the downtown area of San Jose to see Nativity scenes displayed with colored lights flashing Feliz Navidad. Small homes behind their barred gates had their nativity scenes out (some nearly life-size). At the center of the big mall, inside there was Merissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16400347346953960413noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422432718954805111.post-38488583155224017002011-12-18T07:36:00.025-05:002011-12-19T07:10:08.391-05:00Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh, giving gifts with meaning
When our children were still very young, with a desire to keep us focused more on Jesus and less on the consumerism of wants, we began the three gifts...like the wise men brought to Jesus. Each year we retell their meaning and celebrate together God becoming man, taking on flesh as a baby lying in manger who would one day grow to be a man and take on our sins for our salvation!
The 'gold' Merissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16400347346953960413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422432718954805111.post-63734386174300273742011-12-12T08:07:00.003-05:002011-12-12T17:13:29.794-05:00Shepherds on the hillside, family advent devotion
“And all the ends of the earth shall see the Salvation of our God.” Isaiah 52:10
C
an you think of the least favorite chore around your house that no one wants to do? How about the most boring job ever; the dirtiest job? From ancient times to present day(not so much in our western world) one of those jobs was being a Shepherd. Many of those who were shepherds were Merissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16400347346953960413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422432718954805111.post-45949226538431649972011-12-08T09:53:00.003-05:002011-12-08T10:36:35.109-05:00Advent season, preparing the hearts of our childrenChristmas is a beautiful time for Christians.
A celebration of the birth of our Savior!
Advent is the season.Advent means the "arrival."The entire month of December is beautiful in that we celebrate advent ~the long awaited, arrival of a Savior.Our family made a wooden manger to keep central in our Advent season.
There are many ways to make this time special for your family and turn their Merissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16400347346953960413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422432718954805111.post-68017089644776972302011-12-04T16:13:00.007-05:002012-03-28T08:06:50.229-04:00the Light of the world, an advent devotion
Gather your family (or class), a dark room & a candle!
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from old, from ancient times.” Micah 5:2This was written nearly 800 years before the birth of Jesus! God planned for Jesus to be born in this little town of Bethlehem. Merissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16400347346953960413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422432718954805111.post-66810119300776877452011-11-28T07:55:00.006-05:002012-03-28T08:07:25.396-04:00Give me the "easy button"
The "easy" button seems to have taken over our way of doing life in our culture of ease, even in the life of believers.
Let's take the easy road.
If it's hard, don't do it.
If it makes me uncomfortable, I won't.
It's too risky, no thanks.
I may loose friends.
If I admit wrong, others will see my weakness.
I will look the other way, it's easier.
The cost is too much.
The sacrifice is too high, Merissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16400347346953960413noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422432718954805111.post-38802139842421871182011-11-20T15:55:00.002-05:002012-03-28T08:07:57.777-04:00After Sunday morning...
After your time serving on Sunday morning, whether holding babies, building blocks, or teaching Biblical truths...PRAY!I have found that Sunday afternoons were always the best time for me to pray for the children and families that I had just been with. Their needs, sweet faces are still fresh. Be the teacher who prays. You could be the only one who is praying for a particular child.Take a prayerMerissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16400347346953960413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422432718954805111.post-34365108130874351972011-11-18T12:57:00.017-05:002011-12-15T07:50:37.484-05:00Making a list and checking it twice!This Christmas our family will be celebrating the birth of our Savior with our good friend Mariana, in some of the poorest barrios of Costa Rica. We will work alongside Mariana to share the love of Jesus with teen moms and their babies, encourage those that mentor the teens, celebrate Christmas with the boys of Glorious Day Orphanage, and provide a Christmas morning meal while sharing the Merissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16400347346953960413noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422432718954805111.post-36081429911335776412011-11-13T10:04:00.005-05:002011-12-06T12:04:04.846-05:00A Sunday morning thought, singing bad theologyIf you are happy and you know it clap your hands!! And you know I will - nothing wrong with this song. We go for fun, we go for upbeat, we sometimes teach bad theology through the songs we sing.
Yes, even a few of those age old songs we loved to sing as a child... because certainly as Christians we will be inright outright upright downright happy all the time! Really?
For Sunday Merissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16400347346953960413noreply@blogger.com2