Mango Diaries
Live Intentionally. Take Risks. And Let the Adventure Begin.
Life In the Margins
I married a “what if?” man. That means that with each decision we make, or think about, Michael attaches a plethora of “what if” questions. He likes to lay out all the options, and then verbally process through each one. I do not. I’m more of an internal processer and I don’t like to get stuck in scenarios.
Say What You Mean and Do What You Say
Integrity. The world needs more of it. I need more of it. We all need more of it.
Have you ever met someone so solid, dependable, kind, thoughtful, and genuinely encouraging that without even knowing them for more than a few minutes you know; they say what they mean, and will do what they say?
What Steals Your Mundane?
“Can you hurry up time mommy so that it can be Friday?” Phoebe asked during dinner tonight. I had just finished rattling off the plans for the week. Friday is the big day, a school field trip, their end of the year party, and a parade in town that night. We promised them we’d buy the twinkle balloons this time. The excitement is almost too much to bear for a five-year-old.
Raising Kids in the Age of AI: Trusting God with an Uncertain Future
The future feels uncertain — from artificial intelligence to shifting global values — and yet God calls us to trust Him. Here’s how I’m learning to raise my daughters with faith, courage, and joy in a world that’s changing faster than ever.
Unpacking The Journey
The last two months have been what we will call “pivotal” – you know, life changes that can redirect where you’re headed: those moments you’ll look back on as significant.
In July, Michael lost his job after eleven years with World Vision International. He has been our sole “breadwinner” since we moved to Costa Rica in 2022 while I’ve been busy having babies and figuring out this motherhood ordeal.
Joy in The Mystery
When’s the last time you went through your elementary and high school assignments and old journals?
Last night I was so excited when the girls went to bed on time. My immediate goal was to get cozy in my new sweat short outfit, make a cup of decaf coffee, light a candle, make some popcorn, and then sit to write.
That all changed when Michael came into the room with my old notebooks and journals.
Your Main Takeaway
When you write a book – I’ve been told, “Do not leave the reader hanging.” What is their main takeaway? What are they walking away with in the end? I’ve been asked this question in various ways over the last few weeks.
People read that which they can relate to or learn from. This raises the question, why will they even pick up your title? And can you prove that you have any authority to write on THAT topic?
Intentional Risk Taking
My church has a new bold and brazen pastor name Gilbert. Today I had the joy of listening to him define a BIG vision that called us to a life of greater significance and there were two things he said that I LOVE.
1. Exponential faith thinking forces you to your knees in prayer and creates something you can’t take credit for.
2. “The point of life is not to arrive safely at death,” credit to Mark Batterson or Hunter Thompson.
A Writer’s Conference Takeaway
Today marks my final day of TRUE VACATION. Time away to recharge, reflect, and do whatever, whenever, without limitation or schedule. I’ve been in North Carolina for the last ten days while Michael graciously agreed to keep the girls at home in Costa Rica.
I signed up for the Blue Ridge Christian Writer’s Conference a few months ago while solo parenting. Michael was on a ten-day work trip in Thailand, and it had been a hard night with the girls. My writing was at a standstill with little hope for inspiration in the coming weeks. “Well, maybe I should check out a writer’s conference,” I thought. Somewhere between peanut butter sandwiches and snotty noses, I signed up.
Every little thing, will be alright
Two weeks ago I had unexpected time to read and opened my Bible to Ecclesiastes 11.
“Ship your grain across the sea; after many days you may receive a return. Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight; you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.”
Hm, seems pretty relevant with the volatility of stocks these days. Even more, the rapid change in the US government has Michael and I sitting on pins and needles. Many of you know that Michael has been working in humanitarian aid for the last ten years. We met in North Iraq while working with displaced people and continued to work in aid while in Jordan. The recent cuts to international aid trickle down to our family (maybe) – we are promised word of “wise stewardship” end of next month. For now, he still has his job and we continue life in limbo.
