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In a world of polarizing opposites and unrealistic expectations, I choose to live
ON THE SIDE OF GRACE. Join me by following along on this blog about peacemaking and self-grace. I'm so glad you're here!

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I Stand with DREAMers

Vanessa Stricker

Nov 13, 2019
6 min

I Stand with DREAMers

This post was originally published on March 5, 2018 but has been updated to reflect the current state of DACA. Featured image designed by Hannah Hollander of Give Ten Co. 800,000 DREAMers are holding their breaths, awaiting a decision from the Supreme Court. Yesterday, November 12th, the court held a hearing to determine whether President Trump’s decision to end DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) was based on legally sound reasons. For these 800,000 immigrants who

Seeking Shelter

Vanessa Stricker

Dec 20, 2018
6 min

Seeking Shelter

This past Saturday, I spent the day in Tijuana with Global Immersion. We were there to learn from and show solidarity with both the migrants who are awaiting their turn to apply for asylum in the US and the locals in Tijuana who are responding to the needs of the migrants. It was overwhelming, heartbreaking, and inspiring all at the same time. I want to share a couple of the stories I heard and what I experienced on that day. Ingrid is from Honduras. She is the single mother

If It’s Not Acceptable for My Children…

Vanessa Stricker

Jun 22, 2018
4 min

If It’s Not Acceptable for My Children…

A couple nights ago, my son started to cry as he was lying in bed because someone was setting off fireworks outside and he was scared. I went into his room and lay with him in his bed. I held him and comforted him and stayed with him until he fell asleep. It made me sad and frustrated that my son felt scared in his own bed and that I couldn’t predict or control when another loud pop would cause him to tremble. As I lay there, I couldn’t help but think about the children who h

I Desire Mercy

Vanessa Stricker

May 16, 2018
8 min

I Desire Mercy

I desire mercy, not sacrifice. Jesus quotes this verse from Hosea 6:6 two times in the Gospel of Matthew (9:13, 12:7). In both instances, he is responding to the Pharisees as they try to question and challenge him. The Pharisees, who adhere to a strict obedience of the Law, have turned their religious tradition into a system that protects the power and privilege of the religious elite while keeping others down. When they challenge Jesus (and eventually plot his murder), they

Recommendations: Books & Podcasts

Vanessa Stricker

Apr 11, 2018
3 min

Recommendations: Books & Podcasts

This week, I wanted to share a few books and podcasts that have been inspiring and challenging me. For the past year and a half, I have felt a strong call to be a peacemaker, and I’m learning what that looks like. Therefore, much of what I spend my free time reading and listening to these days has to do with peacemaking in some form. What I’m Reading… I’ve been reading Mending the Divides as part of a book club, and I pretty much want to underline the whole book. This book

I Stand with DREAMers

Vanessa Stricker

Mar 5, 2018
6 min

I Stand with DREAMers

Image above designed by Hannah Hollander of Give Ten Co. March 5th is a day that has been haunting DREAMers for the past 6 months. For about 800,000 of these immigrants who arrived in the United States as children, they have had the opportunity over the past 5 years to work legally, obtain driver’s licenses, and live without fear of deportation under a program called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). But on September 5, 2017, the current administration announced

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in her column, IN ALL THINGS LOVE

CONTACT

Vanessa Stricker

Orange County, CA