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This might look like a slow, dreamy morning at a café. And honestly, the waterfall view doesn’t hurt. But zoom in on that laptop and you’ll see the real story: an inbox full of reports, prayer requests, questions, and people who need a reply. Missionary life is rarely 9 to 5. It’s more like 24/7. Not because anyone is making me work around the clock, but because when you carry a mission this close to your heart, there’s no such thing as clocking out. It comes with me to the d

Almost twenty years into this work, and here's the thing I keep coming back to: you can teach a kid anything… a Bible story, a skill, whatever… but if they still believe they're worthless underneath it all, none of that really sticks. So many of our kids grew up hearing lies. Not just hearing them, but living them through abuse, through neglect, through things that were done to them that made them believe stuff that was never true. Stuff like "I'm not loved." "This is my faul

Today: 8am–5pm of back-to-back meetings… mostly taking notes, supporting, helping wherever needed. An hour in prayer with our Thai staff and missionary team. Missed Justice’s first basketball game (ouch). Now home, eating dinner, and about to spend late night prepping documents for his immigration lawyer… we’re getting closer to his US citizenship this December! And none of this… none of it… happens without the #DODDsquad, our people back in the States who support us so we ca

Well, it’s official… after a year and a half, I just wrapped up teaching trauma-informed care to the parents at ZOE who care for kids rescued from trafficking. Honestly? It was a privilege and an honor. I got to learn alongside these parents, not just teach at them. I heard their stories, heard what they’re walking through day in and day out, and helped them figure out how to actually apply what we were learning to real life, messy, 2am, “what do I do right now” situations. T

One of our kids walked across a stage recently that I wasn't sure she'd ever reach. I'm not going to share details because her story isn't mine to tell. But when she came to ZOE, she had been through things no child should ever have to survive. And she graduated. At Thai school graduations, the underclassmen circle the graduating class and honor them. Watching that happen, watching these kids be celebrated and seen... I could barely hold it together. This is what restoration

People ask me all the time what a normal day looks like for me here in Chiang Mai. Honestly? There is no normal. One morning I am in a small group with kids who are learning to trust again. The next I am sitting in a staff meeting trying to figure out logistics. Some days I feel like a teacher. Some days a counselor. Some days just a friend who shows up. But every single day I wake up knowing exactly why I am here. That clarity is a gift I do not take for granted. Almost 20 y

Her name isn't Ping. But her story is real. She thought she had no other options. So she took a job at a karaoke bar, lied to her mom about where she was going, and ended up trapped in a situation she couldn't get out of on her own. When ZOE's team discovered what was happening, they moved fast. They gathered evidence, worked with authorities, and Ping was rescued along with several other girls. But rescue is just the beginning. When she arrived at ZOE she seemed fine on the

Can I ask you to pray for something specific? We have kids in our program right now who are in the middle of some really hard things. Legal cases. Family situations. Healing that takes longer than any of us want it to. I am not able to share details but I know who you are praying for even if you don't. Would you take 60 seconds today and just pray for the kids at ZOE? That they would feel safe. That they would know they are loved. That God would move in the situations we cann

Something I never get tired of in Thailand is the food. Justice and I found a new spot near our house and I am not sure we will ever leave. Life on the mission field is not always what people picture. Sometimes it is just a mom and her kid eating noodles at a plastic table on the side of the road and feeling like the luckiest people in the world. Grateful for this life. Grateful for my #Doddsquad who makes it possible for us to be here.

Baptisms aren't a rare thing at ZOE. But I never want to get used to this moment. Standing there watching kids who came to ZOE through some of the hardest circumstances imaginable stand up in front of everyone and say out loud that they believe in Jesus... that's something I hope I never stop being moved by. Right now we're actually preparing for another group of kids getting ready for baptism. Our NextGen team has been meeting with them, ministering to them, getting their he

Sometimes I forget to share stories like this. Not because they aren’t important… but because they happen so often here that they can start to feel normal. And I never want to get to a place where I see a miracle and think, “oh, that’s just another day.” So I’m trying to do better this year. I want to slow down and share more of what God is doing, because it’s too powerful to keep to myself. I heard this story recently, and I might not have every detail exactly right, but the

20 years of ministry in Thailand… and an invitation to come see what God has done.

Five girls. Five stories that should have never been written the way they were. Recently, through a rescue operation, five young lives were brought out of exploitation and into safety. While the headlines might call it an “operation,” what it really means is this: five girls now have a chance to breathe, to sleep without fear, to begin again. Rescue is just the beginning. Now comes the slow, sacred work of healing. Trauma-informed care. Safe community. Counseling. Discipleshi

Still processing how incredible this was.

Justice came home with a Father’s Day card from school… only he crossed out “Dad” and wrote “Mom.” I melted. We’re in a strange little season right now… big transitions for the both of us, lots happening behind the scenes, things I can’t quite talk about yet. It would be easy for either of us to get overwhelmed. But God has covered our home with this steady calm, and I’m honestly just grateful. Grateful for Justice. Grateful for grace. Grateful that even on Father’s Day, he f

Proud mom moment! Justice jumped into our neighborhood Turkey Trot 2K race today with zero warning and zero training and still came home with the bronze medal. So proud of this kid! Feeling extra thankful for our amazing neighborhood and community here in Chiang Mai. You guys make days like this so special. Happy Thanksgiving from our little family… we’re loving this beautiful weather and soaking it all in today.

One of the things I love most about living in Chiang Mai is all the amazing opportunities for hands-on learning and cultural experiences. Today, Justice got to visit a real working farm with our friend/his Thai teacher… they planted rice, learned about seeds, slid down a mud hill, fed chickens (and got over his fear of them!), and even spent time with a buffalo. Once a month, his teacher takes him out on these Thai adventures, where he’s fully immersed in the language and cul

Last night, I got to take my amazing team out for our appreciation dinner, and honestly, my heart is so full. This team is so important to the mission, vision, and calling of ZOE. We carry the responsibility of the spiritual health of our children and that’s no small thing. Without God reaching into the hearts of these kids and healing what’s broken, ZOE as a whole wouldn’t be successful. To my incredible team… P’Noy, P’Khim, P’Oh, P’Pink, P’TdiPo, and our intern, Nid… thank

Today we explored how important it is to trust and follow Jesus, because He came to rescue us from sin and bring us back to God. We learned that when we say “yes” to His rescue mission, we’re never lost again. A huge thank-you to Oh, who led today’s session with such passion, creativity, and love! Your efforts made the day unforgettable from the “Lost & Found Search” activity to the object-lesson gear, you helped children experience the rescue mission in a real, hands-on way.

Today’s lesson was all about trusting Jesus in life’s storms… knowing that He’s always with us, even when life feels scary or uncertain. A huge shoutout to Nid, who did an incredible job leading today’s session with so much joy, confidence, and heart! The kids loved every part from the “sink or float” trust test to making their storm jars learning that even when the waves get big, we can keep our eyes on Jesus. I’m so proud of Nid, she brought the story of Peter walking on wa