Author Archives: texpatfaith

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About texpatfaith

I'm a returned Christian expat living in Texas after several years residing in the Middle East and the South Pacific. I have the great privilege of writing about my experiences through the eyes of my faith, and to know and love my brothers and sisters serving in Christ's name all over the world. I have a special heart for the missionary community whom I now serve through the Missionary Care Team at my church. I am a writer, researcher, teacher, and archaeology enthusiast who also loves peering into the heavens any chance I get - but most importantly I am a wife, mother and grandmother who loves the Lord. "The fact that I am a woman does not make me a different kind of Christian, but the fact that I am a Christian makes me a different kind of woman." Elisabeth Elliott Shirley Ralston (MA Christian Education, Dallas Theological Seminary)

God or Self – Where is Your Focus?

I know that many of you have been traveling this summer. You may have just arrived back in the UAE or perhaps you are still in a state of flux somewhere in the world. That is the nature of the … Continue reading

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Finishing Well

My first bible teacher had a saying that profoundly impacted me in the early years of my Christian life.  “Beware of calling on an emergency room God”, she would say.  She explained the meaning behind her axiom: “We call on … Continue reading

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A Very Human Hero

If you pay any attention to the movie scene, you know that a new rendition of Spiderman was released this summer. By my count that’s four Hollywood movies and a Broadway musical based on the Marvel comic book series created … Continue reading

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We All Need a Battle Partner – Judges 4-5

When I was a young Christian woman, I hardly went a day without listening to Elisabeth Elliot’s godly advice on her Gateway to Joy radio ministry. She’s just one of those people who exudes confidence and wise counsel at every … Continue reading

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The Struggle to Find Strength in Weakness

When I was in college I was a huge fan of author Robert Ludlum and his iconic character Jason Bourne. When Matt Damon assumed that role in the wildly successful Bourne trilogy movies several years ago, he brought to life … Continue reading

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The Struggle with Expectations

This past weekend, the eyes of the world were on the All England Club in London. The Wimbledon tennis finals were especially popular in Dubai. The reason? The large contingent of expatriates from the United Kingdom combined with the opportunity … Continue reading

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The Struggle for Faithfulness

The expatriate population is full of truly remarkable people. I’m often amazed and encouraged by the stories of faith that I hear. There is one particular group that seems to bear the challenges of expat living with extra resiliency. I’m … Continue reading

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Lake Memories on Father’s Day

My flight from Dubai left me jet lagged but my weariness didn’t dampen my excitement. I was back in Virginia, this time for an extended summer stay. As Jeff and I negotiated the narrow curves on route 626, the familiar … Continue reading

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“To Remember” – Memorial Day

There is a place so beautiful, so serene it is hard to imagine the violence and bloodshed responsible for its creation. Though located on the Normandy coast of France, it is officially American soil and filled with American soldiers. This … Continue reading

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Aging Rockers and My Rock of Ages

Do you ever have moments that crystalize the passage of time? Moments that catch you off guard, surprising you with intense emotion as you look back down the road of your life? Happening at the oddest times and in the … Continue reading

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