The 21st has come and gone and I’m sad to see it go. I type this with a left hand of freshly calloused fingers, with Prosecco gummy bears making their way to my stomach, and with a soul aglow. Last night, I got to spend three and a half hours praying, worshiping and feasting with … Continue reading Single Ladies’ Prayer Night

The way it was supposed to work was I go abroad, discover this exotic legume, and, like any good expat, rave about it to friends and family back home. When it came to red bean, though, I just couldn’t. When I lived in China, I would often buy sweets I believed to be chocolate flavored. … Continue reading Red Bean and Singleness: The un-chocolate imposters

“What if I never get married?” my friend asked through sobs. “What if you never get married?” I pushed a little, treading cautiously, “It’s not incompatible with God’s character and goodness that you could remain single while still desiring marriage for the rest of your life.” Silence. “What do you think the Lord might have … Continue reading Enough is Enough: Grace for an approaching army

My Independent Woman™ ire flared when I learned in Lao language class how to respond to “Are you married?” There were only two answers: yes and not yet. I attempted “no” in conversation, but was always corrected. I wasn’t married. And, I didn’t know if I ever would be. I wanted to be, but I … Continue reading More than Survivors: Living Single

The date was marked in my Google calendar. A friend had sent the invite. I was supposed to get married this weekend. If you’re wondering where your invitation is, well, it’s not happening. In 2008, I moved back to the US from China. My goals were grad school and going back abroad. I had this … Continue reading I Was Supposed to Get Married This Weekend

Lately, my journal has been filled more with admissions that I don't know how to pray than with prayers themselves when it comes to the boy. So, I ask God to teach me. I've been lamenting that here I am, once again, desiring someone who doesn't desire me, feeling overly emotionally invested in something so … Continue reading That Intended Joy: God’s Goodness Wrapped in a Man Who Doesn’t Return My Affection

He arrived two minutes early, blazered and buttoned up, with shoulders, as he put it, as wide as my hips. Finding our table, we exchanged compliments on how improved the date versions of ourselves were over our post-workout versions who had met the Saturday before on the edge of Chinatown. Had I not chosen the … Continue reading Searching for Mr. Sharpie