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Occasional thoughts on faith and every day life in Michigan and overseas
Ruth's Reflections


Where Are You From? Where Are You Local?
There’s a question I’ve come to dread in my life: “Where are you from?” I’ve been asked this question many times by many people, in...
ruthlemmen
Jul 16, 2020
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Let Love Clasp Grief
“Let Love clasp Grief lest both be drown’d” –“In Memoriam A.H.H.” stanza 1, Lord Alfred Tennyson Love clasping grief as I said goodbye to...
ruthlemmen
Jun 6, 2020
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A Christmas Dream
I woke up early on Christmas morning. It wasn’t because I was excited to open gifts or see my family. I woke up early out of an intense...
ruthlemmen
Dec 25, 2018
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Death of a Dream
The day I enjoyed the tulips, I also saw something that made my heart heavy: a “marriage market.” I’d heard of this phenomenon in China,...
ruthlemmen
May 4, 2018
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The End of Lent
After six weeks, Lent came to an end yesterday. It was a long and hard season for me. I started out in the U.S., waiting for visa...
ruthlemmen
Apr 2, 2018
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Every Lament Is a Love-Song
“Every lament is a love-song.” –Nick Wolterstorff, Lament for a Son, pg. 6 I’ve been crying a lot in the last few days. Its a little...
ruthlemmen
Jun 15, 2016
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Sunday Prayer: Grief Is A Strong Word
I was talking to a friend and apologized for the grief that my decision to go overseas is causing everyone. She said, “grief is a strong...
ruthlemmen
Sep 14, 2014
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Go-With-God
Goodbye. It has such finality. There’s so much longing and sadness. And yet, it is inevitable. We all say goodbye to people and places...
ruthlemmen
Aug 7, 2014
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