Category Archives: Devotional Essays

“To Remember” – Memorial Day

Posted on May 24, 2012 by texpatfaith

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

Posted on April 28, 2012 by texpatfaith

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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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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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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