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)

Easter in Dubai

Posted on April 9, 2012 by texpatfaith

Today is Easter Sunday in Dubai. This morning the Dubai Ralston’s woke at 4:45am and headed to Kite Beach for our church’s sunrise service. It was beautiful. The pale yellow moon was still up, looking very full and very close. … Continue reading →

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Reflection

Posted on December 31, 2011 by texpatfaith

Recently, I asked my family, “As the door closes on 2011, what are your most prominent reflections on the year?” It’s funny; no mention was made of graduations, travel or jobs (there was a lot of activity surrounding those things … Continue reading →

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Adopted at Birth

Posted on December 20, 2011 by texpatfaith

Brotherly Love Do you have relationships that have stood the test of time? You know the ones I’m talking about. Despite the distance in miles or the time between visits, when you are with that person, it’s like you’ve never … Continue reading →

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On the Road to Bethlehem

Posted on December 14, 2011 by texpatfaith

This week as I read Luke’s account of the birth of Jesus, I was reminded of my first hour in Dubai. It was July of 2010 at Dubai International Airport. I had come to meet my husband so we could … Continue reading →

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Home Away From Home

Posted on December 7, 2011 by texpatfaith

Have you ever been falsely accused? Have you ever felt the accompanying stings of rejection and ridicule? Whatever the circumstance may have been, it was a terrible feeling, wasn’t it? Be it an incidence in traffic, a misunderstanding with our … Continue reading →

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Visit to a Distant Planet

Posted on December 4, 2011 by texpatfaith

Imagine. It is the ultimate expat assignment. The boss asks you to leave your home and move to a distant land with an alien culture. You are given a specific message to communicate and a critical task complete. To do … Continue reading →

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Why We Sacrifice

Posted on November 9, 2011 by texpatfaith

The following essays are dedicated to the men and women who have served and are serving in the United States Armed Forces in honor of Veteran’s Day ~ 11/11/11 It is not the critic who counts, not the man who … Continue reading →

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The Road More Traveled

Posted on October 9, 2011 by texpatfaith

Expat Women: Confessions – 50 Answers to Your Real-Life Questions about Living Abroad Reflections from the Road I have returned to Dubai after a long summer filled with remodeling, traveling, catching up with family and friends, and sending the littlest … Continue reading →

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Leaving and Cleaving – Reflections for Father’s Day

Posted on June 7, 2011 by texpatfaith

Leaving and Cleaving Chains do not hold a marriage together.  It is threads, hundreds of tiny threads which sew people together through the years.  ~Simone Signoret And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he … Continue reading →

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I Stuffed My Pockets Full – Vietnam Recollections on Memorial Day

Posted on May 31, 2011 by texpatfaith

As we remember those who served on this Memorial Day I would like to share with you one very poignant recollection from my brother-in-law William Fields, of  his time in Vietnam. Sometimes, during the fog of war, humanity beckons.                                                No … Continue reading →

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