Once in a while, there’s a song that just stirs our hearts. Sometimes it’s for love, God, or just simply living life. Here’s a song that we’re hoping helps you hear our heart for our families. We hope you enjoy! Leave a comment about how much you want God to lead you in your family and life.
This morning, I received an email early about a work issue. As most of you know, I’m currently not serving as a pastor, but am working in the computer industry. Sadly, the email sent me into a mental tailspin – I couldn’t shake the email.
Why? Well, it was partly because of the content. A problem had arisen at work, and everyone thought I was dealing with it when I was actually not even aware of it. But also partly because I worry too much about what other people think of me, so it bothered me that this reflected badly on me.
The mental tailspin, however, is really a different issue. » Read more: Overwhelmed?
OK well first of all for my family who knows I am directionally challenged the title is for you! This past month I have come to the realization that I am a wife and mother of two beautiful girls… alright you say, I thought that was a given. It SHOULD have been but apparently I was slow to pick up on the fact that there are things that EMILY is having to put on hold for a while as I focus on the ministry of FAMILY. Not suggesting we are going to become hermits and drop off the face of the earth but I am constantly asking the question, “is this best for my marriage and family?” This is where I am at. I cannot build my home business right now, I cannot train for a 1/2 marathon as I was hoping, but what I can do is draw closer to my Lord, serve my children and husband, and Love on those God brings across my path.
Here is my encouragement for anyone who is reading this, ask yourself, “Where am I?” What season has God brought to you in your life right now, and RELISH in it, some may be easier or harder to relish in but seek HIM where you are and drink up every moment of where you are even if it’s between a rock and a hard place! I’m not saying you will go around with a goofy grin on your face if you have faced job loss, a difficult health diagnosis or the passing of a loved one but soak up Christ in the midst of it.
Now I am preaching this to myself, just so you know. Staying home with a 2 children under the age of 3 is sometimes like herding cats (just tried to take a “stroll” with them around our neighborhood – yeah that was fun!). So I often find myself forgetting to BREATHE and adjust to focus and remember where I am. I am in the middle of God’s plan for my life! Wherever you are search for Christ and cling to Him!
OK. So I apologize for the lack of a “real” post; my eldest daughter decided I did not need more than 3-4 hours sleep last night. But, I came across this at my favorite place of encouragement aside from God’s word (http://lysaterkeurst.com). Lysa Terkeurst is co-founder of Proverbs 31 Ministries (www.proverbs31.org) - an amazing organization, and I highly encourage you to support them any way you can. You can purchase some incredible materials/books through their website, and it all goes to support the ministry. Check out the links, say a little prayer for my sanity today, and if you are in the Raleigh area and notice a shortage of coffee, it’s because I’m drinking it all! LOL!
Adoption always raises questions in people’s minds. Sometimes it’s curiosity about how the process works. Sometimes it’s about the relationship between biological and non-biological parenthood. For the rest of the summer, I’m going to spend time answering some of these questions. Some are personal, so, we’ll do our best to present the answers in ways that help others understand that everyone should consider adoption.
This week’s question is a big one – “Why did we adopt?” Whenever an adoptive parent hears this question, there’s two ways to answer – the idealogical answer or the practical answer.
» Read more: Why Did We Adopt?
Author of Adopted for Life (highly recommend) Dr. Moore shares his story of adopting from overseas and how it is so much bigger than the adoptive parents and the child. Adoption draws us closer to God, reveals His nature and deepens our walk with Him. Enjoy this thought-provoking article.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2010/july/10.18.html
So, over the last years as we’ve built our family through adoption, we’ve noticed several of our friends have decided to do the same thing. Whether it’s us inspiring each other, or just the fact that we love to hang out with other adoptive families, there’s definitely a fellowship that develops among adoptive families. We get to share not only parenting stories, but the real life stories of what it means on a daily basis to be adoptive families (and for some of us, multiracial families).
One friend posted this fun list on her facebook page that I think is great for adoptive families to read. It’s just one of the reminders of how similar our stories are – whether we adopt from other countries like Russia and Ethiopia, or here in the U.S.
» Read more: The Fellowship of Adoption
I found a really neat article posted online by a catholic blogger about reasons to consider adoption. She listed forty, but for simplicity sake, I’ve reduced it to the ones I found most interesting or fun.
REASONS TO CONSIDER ADOPTION:
Kids are natural virtue builders. They are the perfect antidote to self-absorption and an inordinate sense of self, and bring out (sometimes by force) untapped stores of patience and gentleness. Not to mention humility.
They add laughter and affection. Whether it’s the sight of Sarah clad in glittering loungewear and sunglasses, or feeling one of them snuggle close at Mass, children are natural day-brighteners.
» Read more: Guest Views: Reasons to Consider Adoption
Hebrews 2:13 “And again, ‘I will put my trust in him.’ And again, ‘Behold, I and the children God has given me.’”
Putting our trust in God is not just a one time thing or even a daily act, true trust is put into constant practice, chosen several times a day, hour or depending on the day maybe every minute. I find it fascinating that the writer of Hebrews mentions ‘I and the children God has given me’. As a mom of two darling daughters, I can honestly say before God brought them into our family there wasn’t as much at stake when we stepped out on faith.
» Read more: Learning to Trust Again, and Again, and Again!
Technology can be a distraction, a waste of time and mindless, OR it can hold unexpected blessings from God. OK… you say, ‘What do you mean?’. I am a HUGE fan of Proverbs 31 Ministries. They are holding a “She Conference”, and I entered to win a scholarship to attend at no cost. Participants entered through posting a comment on the blogs of all the P31 ladies (staff/speakers).
I unassumingly sat down at my computer, went to the first blog, and what happened next was a little surreal. As I started typing why I wanted to go and what I felt God laying on my heart to speak about some day, my heart started to race (in a good way, not the “call 911″ kind of way), and it was as if my fingers could not type fast enough. What was God doing? To me it was a small confirmation that God has placed on my heart the desire to speak to women, sharing His word and encouraging to many about how adoption is TRULY a blessing.
