I think this is a perfect song for 2020.
It's been a hard year - personally and communally - but even in the midst of all the pain and suffering, God is still sovereign, loving, and kind.
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
I'm Having An AMAZING Day!
Today! What an amazing day!
Despite getting to bed after midnight and having a less than restful sleep, I was able to crawl out of bed at 5:30 this morning with a hug from my ever patient husband waiting for me. After finding out that I forget to prep the coffee pot last night, I was able to quickly grind those beans and start the wonderful, magical coffee pot. Whilst the coffee was brewing I had the privilege of making lunch for my three kiddos who go to public school
After all that, I hardly felt worthy to sit down and get to read my Bible AND pray with my hubby before he left for work. Do you believe it?! It wasn't even 6:30 AM and I was already SO blessed.
The morning rushed by as I got to ride along while my permitted-driver child drove herself to work, deftly handling the construction zones on the way! What a privilege to teach yet another child how to drive. Back at home, I was able to hang my laundry for the day out on the line, thanks to the abundant sunshine and warm weather. Just looking at that laundry makes me smile!
Despite a late start, I was able to complete the school with the two at home AND correct their work from yesterday that I hadn't finished. That is a blessing, indeed!
After a very tasty lunch of amazing left-overs, I had time to do a 30 minute work-out where I only collapsed in exhaustion half a dozen times. To top it off, I was able to do the work-out without any modifications, a first since I injured my back a couple weeks ago! YAY for my chiropractor and a God who loves to heal our infirmities - AND my shoulder that's been giving me trouble hardly hurt at all!
There's still more amazingness left in my day, so I need to end here. I have groceries to pick up, children to drive places, dinner to make....
It's going to be an amazing night!
Despite getting to bed after midnight and having a less than restful sleep, I was able to crawl out of bed at 5:30 this morning with a hug from my ever patient husband waiting for me. After finding out that I forget to prep the coffee pot last night, I was able to quickly grind those beans and start the wonderful, magical coffee pot. Whilst the coffee was brewing I had the privilege of making lunch for my three kiddos who go to public school
After all that, I hardly felt worthy to sit down and get to read my Bible AND pray with my hubby before he left for work. Do you believe it?! It wasn't even 6:30 AM and I was already SO blessed.
The morning rushed by as I got to ride along while my permitted-driver child drove herself to work, deftly handling the construction zones on the way! What a privilege to teach yet another child how to drive. Back at home, I was able to hang my laundry for the day out on the line, thanks to the abundant sunshine and warm weather. Just looking at that laundry makes me smile!
Despite a late start, I was able to complete the school with the two at home AND correct their work from yesterday that I hadn't finished. That is a blessing, indeed!
After a very tasty lunch of amazing left-overs, I had time to do a 30 minute work-out where I only collapsed in exhaustion half a dozen times. To top it off, I was able to do the work-out without any modifications, a first since I injured my back a couple weeks ago! YAY for my chiropractor and a God who loves to heal our infirmities - AND my shoulder that's been giving me trouble hardly hurt at all!
There's still more amazingness left in my day, so I need to end here. I have groceries to pick up, children to drive places, dinner to make....
It's going to be an amazing night!
Sappy Mom Post
Maybe it's becoming a grandma, or maybe it's having two daughters graduating in a few months, or maybe it's middle-age hormone adjustments. Maybe it's all three. All I know is that I've been all sentimental lately.
Something about staring at my beautiful little granddaughter, brings me back 21 years to when her daddy was a baby. Her parents love her so much. I remember that feeling as a new mom, discovering how much I could love another human being. Surely, I thought I couldn't love him any more than I did that day he was born. I was wrong. The older my child got, the more I loved him. Then more children came and I loved them so much, as well!
How it works is, you love them more when they are grown up and moving away from you than when they first came to you. So, my kids (if you are reading this), cut your mom some slack if she seems kind of clingy lately. This mom job is tough. You just wait and see!
And as long as I'm on the subject of love and kids and sappiness, I might as well just keep going.
You know how wonderful it is when your little toddler or five year old says they love you? They're so sweet. They believe you are perfect. They think you've hung the stars and the moon and that you can do no wrong. It is a sweet thing to hear, but they love who they think you are, not who you really are.
Do you know what's sweeter? To hear your teenage child say, "I love you, Mom." Because they no longer think you're perfect. They are quite certain of that. They don't even think you're right much of the time. You embarrass them. You correct them. You blog about them. They've seen you get angry. They've seen you fail. They've seen you give up. They've seen you in your leopard print bathrobe. So when they say they love you, they love who you really are, and that is FAR sweeter.
Something about staring at my beautiful little granddaughter, brings me back 21 years to when her daddy was a baby. Her parents love her so much. I remember that feeling as a new mom, discovering how much I could love another human being. Surely, I thought I couldn't love him any more than I did that day he was born. I was wrong. The older my child got, the more I loved him. Then more children came and I loved them so much, as well!
How it works is, you love them more when they are grown up and moving away from you than when they first came to you. So, my kids (if you are reading this), cut your mom some slack if she seems kind of clingy lately. This mom job is tough. You just wait and see!
And as long as I'm on the subject of love and kids and sappiness, I might as well just keep going.
You know how wonderful it is when your little toddler or five year old says they love you? They're so sweet. They believe you are perfect. They think you've hung the stars and the moon and that you can do no wrong. It is a sweet thing to hear, but they love who they think you are, not who you really are.
Do you know what's sweeter? To hear your teenage child say, "I love you, Mom." Because they no longer think you're perfect. They are quite certain of that. They don't even think you're right much of the time. You embarrass them. You correct them. You blog about them. They've seen you get angry. They've seen you fail. They've seen you give up. They've seen you in your leopard print bathrobe. So when they say they love you, they love who you really are, and that is FAR sweeter.
Now I Have Two!
I have two adult children!!! I'm not quite sure how that happened, but it did!
Eighteen years ago today, a teeny, tiny baby was born prematurely. It was Labor Day - how appropriate! We wouldn't know about this baby, all hooked up to wires and tubes in the NICU, for another eleven days. On Sept. 13 I received a phone call from our social worker, "I know you are not done with your homestudy, but...there's been a baby girl born...."
Eighteen years later I can still remember that phone call!
Ten days later, Nina was released from the hospital and came home to be our daughter. From our first contact with the adoption agency until we brought Nina home was six months. That was God! Domestic adoptions rarely occur that quickly.
I can't really put into words how much I love this girl! That's God, too, btw. Those of you that have known us for many years, know that Nina was not one of those "easy to raise" children. I'm not being mean in saying that, just factual. She will readily admit to this now. When she was younger we used to be terrified of her teen years, fearing that she would be in utter rebellion by this time. Truth.
But God - being rich in mercy to her and to us - kept her from making really bad choices, he kept our relationship with her intact through much conflict, and He eventually called her to himself, to become his daughter.
So Nina, on your eighteenth birthday, I want you to know that I love you. I love you, not for what you do or don't do, but for WHO you are. I so enjoy YOU! It is a privilege to be your mom!
Eighteen years ago today, a teeny, tiny baby was born prematurely. It was Labor Day - how appropriate! We wouldn't know about this baby, all hooked up to wires and tubes in the NICU, for another eleven days. On Sept. 13 I received a phone call from our social worker, "I know you are not done with your homestudy, but...there's been a baby girl born...."
Eighteen years later I can still remember that phone call!
Ten days later, Nina was released from the hospital and came home to be our daughter. From our first contact with the adoption agency until we brought Nina home was six months. That was God! Domestic adoptions rarely occur that quickly.
I can't really put into words how much I love this girl! That's God, too, btw. Those of you that have known us for many years, know that Nina was not one of those "easy to raise" children. I'm not being mean in saying that, just factual. She will readily admit to this now. When she was younger we used to be terrified of her teen years, fearing that she would be in utter rebellion by this time. Truth.
But God - being rich in mercy to her and to us - kept her from making really bad choices, he kept our relationship with her intact through much conflict, and He eventually called her to himself, to become his daughter.
So Nina, on your eighteenth birthday, I want you to know that I love you. I love you, not for what you do or don't do, but for WHO you are. I so enjoy YOU! It is a privilege to be your mom!
Big and Little Things
I woke up this morning with a thought; it was as though someone had spoken it in my ear. Since Chris is out of town, I am quite certain that no one said it aloud, but it was there just the same.
That's it. That was the thought put in my head just before I awoke.
This set me on a path of thinking how sometimes I struggle to remember that God is in control of the big things in life: Will my children turn out okay? Who will they marry? What will I be doing in ten years? Things like that.
But sometimes, and probably more often, I struggle with remembering God is in control of the little things in life: Why are we having so many car problems? Where is that library book? What should I do today?
Not sure why the thought came to me this morning. Maybe big, weighty events will occur today. Certainly little, seemingly insignificant things will occur. Either way, I think remembering that God is there and in control will be good for me.
God is the God of the universe.
He is the God of your home.
He is God of the infinite and unknowable.
He is God of the finite and familiar.
That's it. That was the thought put in my head just before I awoke.
This set me on a path of thinking how sometimes I struggle to remember that God is in control of the big things in life: Will my children turn out okay? Who will they marry? What will I be doing in ten years? Things like that.
But sometimes, and probably more often, I struggle with remembering God is in control of the little things in life: Why are we having so many car problems? Where is that library book? What should I do today?
Not sure why the thought came to me this morning. Maybe big, weighty events will occur today. Certainly little, seemingly insignificant things will occur. Either way, I think remembering that God is there and in control will be good for me.
Not All Puppies, Rainbows and Unicorns
Some weeks are harder than others, for sure. This past week has been such around here.
On Thursday, Molly's car pretty much self-destructed. We ended up having to replace both front tie rods, the radiator, the fan and a ball joint thingy (I am so not a car expert, but it all sounded bad!)
On Saturday morning, Chris got a call that his older brother Shannon committed suicide after a lifelong struggle with alcoholism and depression.
On Sunday, our Ridgeline was in an accident.
It was just one thing after another all weekend :(
Yet, through it all, God has shown himself faithful and good! The PT Cruiser imploded at the Mall of America and not on a freeway, so Molly and Nina were both safe and unharmed. Likewise, no one was injured in the accident on Sunday.
Even in Shannon's death, God has shown himself as a comforter. Truthfully, for many years we have been expecting to receive a call that Shannon had died. As sad as it sounds to those outside the situation, we are thankful that he didn't die homeless on the streets, but was living with caring people at the time of his death.
As I read Psalm 94 this morning I was comforted by these words, "When I thought, 'My foot slips,' your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul." -Psalm 94:18,19
So despite the difficulties in which we currently live, we are hopeful and full of peace because God is just as much God in affliction and difficulty as He is when everything is puppies and rainbows.
On Thursday, Molly's car pretty much self-destructed. We ended up having to replace both front tie rods, the radiator, the fan and a ball joint thingy (I am so not a car expert, but it all sounded bad!)
On Saturday morning, Chris got a call that his older brother Shannon committed suicide after a lifelong struggle with alcoholism and depression.
On Sunday, our Ridgeline was in an accident.
It was just one thing after another all weekend :(
Yet, through it all, God has shown himself faithful and good! The PT Cruiser imploded at the Mall of America and not on a freeway, so Molly and Nina were both safe and unharmed. Likewise, no one was injured in the accident on Sunday.
Even in Shannon's death, God has shown himself as a comforter. Truthfully, for many years we have been expecting to receive a call that Shannon had died. As sad as it sounds to those outside the situation, we are thankful that he didn't die homeless on the streets, but was living with caring people at the time of his death.
As I read Psalm 94 this morning I was comforted by these words, "When I thought, 'My foot slips,' your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul." -Psalm 94:18,19
So despite the difficulties in which we currently live, we are hopeful and full of peace because God is just as much God in affliction and difficulty as He is when everything is puppies and rainbows.
I'm Freaking Out
GAHHHHHHHHHHH!
There. Now I feel better....kind of....
This coming week is going to be...intense.
Nina & Molly leave for Northern Ireland on Thursday...for two weeks. It was hard enough last year when Molly left, and now I have to let go of two of my daughters. I'm not sure I'm okay with this. Actually, I AM okay with it, but it will be hard on my mama-heart.
Please pray for them (and me) while they're gone (July 17-31). Btw, for local folks, the Northern Ireland team is being commissioned at the downtown campus tomorrow (7/13) at 9:00 and at the north campus at 11:00, stop by if you are able to.
Then on Friday, we leave for vacation. We'll be camping in the Upper Peninsula. It should be a blast (and it will help time to go by faster while I'm missing my girls), but camping trips require planning and preparation, some things that I am sorely neglecting right now!
To top it off, our Quetico canoe trip will quickly follow the girls return from Ireland. That requires even MORE planning and preparation....HEEEELLLLLPPPP. I think I'm going to have a meltdown!
There. Now I feel better....kind of....
This coming week is going to be...intense.
Nina & Molly leave for Northern Ireland on Thursday...for two weeks. It was hard enough last year when Molly left, and now I have to let go of two of my daughters. I'm not sure I'm okay with this. Actually, I AM okay with it, but it will be hard on my mama-heart.
Then on Friday, we leave for vacation. We'll be camping in the Upper Peninsula. It should be a blast (and it will help time to go by faster while I'm missing my girls), but camping trips require planning and preparation, some things that I am sorely neglecting right now!
To top it off, our Quetico canoe trip will quickly follow the girls return from Ireland. That requires even MORE planning and preparation....HEEEELLLLLPPPP. I think I'm going to have a meltdown!
They're Leaving Soon
Just a little over two weeks from now and Miss Molly and Miss Nina will depart from Minnesota, travel across the broad Atlantic and arrive in Northern Ireland. To say they are excited is a bit of an understatement!
While they are very much looking forward to their trip, they both have concerns and small anxieties over the trip as well. I am sure they would covet your prayers as they make their final preparations for the trip. You can pray for me as well, as I will miss my girls something terrible!
They are also still a little short on their fund-raising, so if you feel so led, you may help support their trip by going here, signing in and choosing mission trip giving. You can then select "S/T No Ireland 7/14" from the drop-down menu and Nina & Molly's names from the "individual" menu.
Thanks so much for support them! It means a lot to me and them!
While they are very much looking forward to their trip, they both have concerns and small anxieties over the trip as well. I am sure they would covet your prayers as they make their final preparations for the trip. You can pray for me as well, as I will miss my girls something terrible!
They are also still a little short on their fund-raising, so if you feel so led, you may help support their trip by going here, signing in and choosing mission trip giving. You can then select "S/T No Ireland 7/14" from the drop-down menu and Nina & Molly's names from the "individual" menu.
Thanks so much for support them! It means a lot to me and them!
I Am Weak
I had one of my children tell me the other day, "You are a weak person, Mom," and she wasn't referring to my physical ability. While her jab stung quite a bit, I could only respond, "Yes, I am."
I've been thinking a lot about her words since that day. I am weak. I feel weak much of the time. When I was younger, I used to feel like I had everything under control. I could handle anything that came my way. I had it all together. The older I've gotten, the more I see that I CAN'T handle everything that comes my way, I don't have nearly as much control as I had thought, and I certainly don't have it all together.
My prideful self doesn't like this feeling of weaknesses. I want to be the one who does it all. The one who doesn't let things bother her. The one who jumps right back up after getting knocked down. Truth be told, I'm not any of those things.
As I grapple with my inabilities, my insecurities and my failures, I keep coming back to this truth though -
HIS grace is sufficient, it's enough for me. I don't need to be strong.
In my weakness, the power of Christ rests upon me!
For the sake of Christ, not for my own sake, I can be content with my weaknesses.
Yes, I am weak........and because of that, not in spite of that, I am strong!
I've been thinking a lot about her words since that day. I am weak. I feel weak much of the time. When I was younger, I used to feel like I had everything under control. I could handle anything that came my way. I had it all together. The older I've gotten, the more I see that I CAN'T handle everything that comes my way, I don't have nearly as much control as I had thought, and I certainly don't have it all together.
My prideful self doesn't like this feeling of weaknesses. I want to be the one who does it all. The one who doesn't let things bother her. The one who jumps right back up after getting knocked down. Truth be told, I'm not any of those things.
As I grapple with my inabilities, my insecurities and my failures, I keep coming back to this truth though -
Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient to you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. - 2 Corinthians 12:8-10
HIS grace is sufficient, it's enough for me. I don't need to be strong.
In my weakness, the power of Christ rests upon me!
For the sake of Christ, not for my own sake, I can be content with my weaknesses.
Yes, I am weak........and because of that, not in spite of that, I am strong!
I Am Blessed
I've been thinking a lot this week about things I can't see.
I sometimes battle with discouragement and find it difficult not to lose hope. Some days (like Monday, for instance), the things that I see (experience) are discouraging, to say the least. I look at life; I look at situations; I look at circumstances, and I lose hope that anything good will come of it all. Then I remember verses like 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
Or 2 Corinthians 5:7, that reminds me that life here and now is "walking by faith, and not by sight."
What I've come to discover is that my sight is much keener than my faith. It's a theme that keeps popping up in my life in the past few months - my faith is not as strong as I need it to be.
Today, though! Today, I feel SO blessed! I had the inestimable privilege of spending two whole hours with my dear friend Sylvia. Sometimes, it is people who are seen that point us to "things unseen." Sylvia is like that. She loves Jesus with her whole heart, and she loves me. I spent two hours at Panera with a dear friend, and I left filled with visions of the eternal! I am so, so blessed! I am even more blessed in that here are several other people in my life that do the same thing. That I should have a husband, children and friends that all point me to Jesus....yikes! I think I might be the richest lady alive!
I hope you all, dear blog buddies and Facebook friends, have people in your life who point you to the eternal things. If you do, I encourage you to cherish them as something of more value than gold, and I encourage you to let them know how much you treasure them!
I sometimes battle with discouragement and find it difficult not to lose hope. Some days (like Monday, for instance), the things that I see (experience) are discouraging, to say the least. I look at life; I look at situations; I look at circumstances, and I lose hope that anything good will come of it all. Then I remember verses like 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
For this light and momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Or 2 Corinthians 5:7, that reminds me that life here and now is "walking by faith, and not by sight."
What I've come to discover is that my sight is much keener than my faith. It's a theme that keeps popping up in my life in the past few months - my faith is not as strong as I need it to be.
Today, though! Today, I feel SO blessed! I had the inestimable privilege of spending two whole hours with my dear friend Sylvia. Sometimes, it is people who are seen that point us to "things unseen." Sylvia is like that. She loves Jesus with her whole heart, and she loves me. I spent two hours at Panera with a dear friend, and I left filled with visions of the eternal! I am so, so blessed! I am even more blessed in that here are several other people in my life that do the same thing. That I should have a husband, children and friends that all point me to Jesus....yikes! I think I might be the richest lady alive!
I hope you all, dear blog buddies and Facebook friends, have people in your life who point you to the eternal things. If you do, I encourage you to cherish them as something of more value than gold, and I encourage you to let them know how much you treasure them!
She's Leaving Again
Once again, Molly will be heading to Northern Ireland this summer on a short-term missions trip, and this time she will be taking Nina with her. Both Nina & Molly got accepted onto the Northern Ireland team. The trip is scheduled for the end of the July. We are so excited to send them on their way!
They will be partnering with a couple churches in N. Ireland and doing community outreach. Bethlehem has been sending short-term teams there for many, many years, and that continuity has touched the hearts of the people they are working with.
They would both covet your prayers for their time there. Not only will this be Nina's first mission trip, it is also her first time leaving the country. She is excited...and a little apprehensive. Molly, on the other hand, is very anxious to go back and continue the work and the relationships she started last year.
If you are so inclined to help them out financially, you can click on this link and give on-line. Otherwise, many of you will be receiving a letter via snail mail, outlining their needs, in the near future. If you have questions about Bethlehem's short-term missions projects, you can find out more about them here.
They will be partnering with a couple churches in N. Ireland and doing community outreach. Bethlehem has been sending short-term teams there for many, many years, and that continuity has touched the hearts of the people they are working with.
They would both covet your prayers for their time there. Not only will this be Nina's first mission trip, it is also her first time leaving the country. She is excited...and a little apprehensive. Molly, on the other hand, is very anxious to go back and continue the work and the relationships she started last year.
If you are so inclined to help them out financially, you can click on this link and give on-line. Otherwise, many of you will be receiving a letter via snail mail, outlining their needs, in the near future. If you have questions about Bethlehem's short-term missions projects, you can find out more about them here.
Happy Easter!
I took my shoes off during church this morning and barely put them back on the rest of the day! We went from having a lovely time worshiping our risen Lord to a fun-filled day with family at my parents' house.
Easter is one of my favorite days out of the year! It is the day that makes all my other days so wonderful. If Jesus hadn't risen from the dead, my life would be quite meaningless. If He hadn't called me to be his own, my life would be in total shambles. I wasn't doing a very good job with running my own life! Today, as I often do, I stand amazed that my God would look at me and call me his beloved child, his chosen child. I am so happy to be his!
And now, for some pictures of the festivities...
Easter is one of my favorite days out of the year! It is the day that makes all my other days so wonderful. If Jesus hadn't risen from the dead, my life would be quite meaningless. If He hadn't called me to be his own, my life would be in total shambles. I wasn't doing a very good job with running my own life! Today, as I often do, I stand amazed that my God would look at me and call me his beloved child, his chosen child. I am so happy to be his!
And now, for some pictures of the festivities...
Spa Night
One of the many advantages to being a mentor to high school girls is that I get to do high school girl stuff....like Spa Night!
Last night we had the girls over to enjoy a night of food, facials, and fun!
These ladies were beautiful before their spa treatment, but their
skin and nails were radiant after being pampered for the evening.
Have I told you already that I love these ladies? Well, I do!
Last night we had the girls over to enjoy a night of food, facials, and fun!
Emily looks great even with white stuff spread all over her face!
They were lining up for their facials.
I've never seen young ladies so happy to put paraffin on their hands!
More fun with paraffin!
Not all cucumbers were for eating apparently.
Did we mention the pedicures? Our foot bath was small, but in demand!
Have I told you already that I love these ladies? Well, I do!
Six Years
Six years ago today, we landed in Minneapolis with Marcus and Zoe, having just taken them from warm and beautiful Ethiopia into the frozen tundra we call home. The 20+ hour flight and the submersion into a completely foreign environment was quite a shock for them both, I am sure. Marcus spoke almost no English. We spoke even less Amharic. We made do, and somehow managed to muddle through those weeks and months that followed.
Time marches on, and now I can look back on six entire years of our journey with Marcus and Zoe. I would be an utter liar if I told you it has all been a bed of roses. I would be just as much a liar if I told you it has been awful. Truthfully, it's been both.
Life is messy.
Life is hard.
Life is glorious and beautiful.
You get it all rolled up in one package.
Anyway, we are so thankful that God brought Marcus and Zoe to our family. They bless us in so many ways, big and little. We are so excited to see how much they've overcome and how much they've grown. We look forward to seeing all that God has for them and for us in the future.
Time marches on, and now I can look back on six entire years of our journey with Marcus and Zoe. I would be an utter liar if I told you it has all been a bed of roses. I would be just as much a liar if I told you it has been awful. Truthfully, it's been both.
Life is messy.
Life is hard.
Life is glorious and beautiful.
You get it all rolled up in one package.
Anyway, we are so thankful that God brought Marcus and Zoe to our family. They bless us in so many ways, big and little. We are so excited to see how much they've overcome and how much they've grown. We look forward to seeing all that God has for them and for us in the future.
The very first picture we ever saw of our future son and daughter
It didn't take Zoe long to adjust :-)
Marcus sporting his new winter clothing. He had probably never worn so many layers in his life!
Cute as can be!
So Worth It
In 2012, we made the decision to undertake a large addition to our house. Not only were there financial decisions to be made, there was the huge inconvenience of living in a home under construction.
It was a looooong three months, that I do not wish to go back to, but we did it with a vision in mind. Not only a vision to have a living room in which our whole family could comfortably sit, but a living room and home in which we could bless people. A place where people could gather and we could show them the love of Christ.
Tonight, we hosted a movie night for our youth group. As I looked around the room I once again remembered why we added on. It was worth every penny and every inconvenience!
I love having my home as a gathering place! I love it!!
Tonight, we hosted a movie night for our youth group. As I looked around the room I once again remembered why we added on. It was worth every penny and every inconvenience!
Out Of Touch
While I am frequently accused of being out-of-touch by my teenage children, this weekend I really am going to be out-of-touch....with civilization (also known as, no internet). I will be spending the weekend at a Jr. & Sr. High Winter Retreat with about 300 young people.
Translation......
I will be getting very little sleep in the next two days.
Pray that I can keep my eyes open, and act the like the adult that I am supposed to be!
Talk to you Monday!
Translation......
I will be getting very little sleep in the next two days.
Pray that I can keep my eyes open, and act the like the adult that I am supposed to be!
Talk to you Monday!
A Story For You To Think About
This is not a political blog. This is not an "issues" blog. This is just MY blog. There is a blog I follow entitled "I Write What I Like." I like that! I write what I like, as well!
Today, I am going to share two true stories. I am not going to tell you what to think about these stories. That's up to you. I just spent an hour trying to teach high school biology students how to think for themselves and not just regurgitate facts. I'm assuming that my blog readers are at least as capable as my high school science students in this matter.
The first story begins a little over eighteen years ago....
I was married and had a two year old son. We wanted to have a second child. I became pregnant in June, 1995 but suffered a miscarriage seven weeks into the pregnancy. Another pregnancy followed that fall, but it quickly ended in miscarriage, as well. We were grief stricken. Would we ever be able to carry another child to term? We just didn't know. The doctors, though compassionate, were unable to give an answer to the "whys" or "what ifs" beyond giving us statistical data.
We started talking about adoption. It had always been our plan to adopt, but we thought we would have our biological kids first and then adopt. Still hoping for a successful pregnancy, we didn't start the adoption process.
In January, 1996, I found myself pregnant yet again. I was scared spitless! I went in to my doctor's appointment at nine weeks gestation and held my breath while they tried to find the baby's heartbeat....there it was! The beating of a little heart. That heartbeat brought my chance of miscarriage down significantly. I was due in September.
Three weeks later, I went in for an ultrasound, which my doctor agreed to do to calm my nerves about the pregnancy. As I lay there on the table, the nurse looked and looked for that heartbeat, but it wasn't there. Sometime between nine weeks and twelve weeks my baby had died. I declined the offer to do a D & C, and opted to let my body take care of "getting rid of the baby" on its own.
This is when I was given a most wonderful gift from my heavenly Father.
About a week or two later, I finally miscarried my baby. Only this wasn't a "normal" miscarriage in one sense. Although the baby had been dead for a time before it came out, the amniotic sac had remained intact. Because of this, my baby had not started to deteriorate, but remained intact as well. My miscarriage began with my "water breaking" and I "delivered" a very teeny, tiny baby. God allowed me to hold my little, itty bitty baby in the palm of my hand and marvel at the little arms and legs. It clearly was a little baby - maybe an inch long.
That's my story.
Unbeknownst to me, another story was happening at the same time as mine. It also involved a pregnancy. A young, single woman found out she was pregnant. She made the brave, gut-wrenching decision to carry her baby to term and place it up for adoption. Her situation was definitely not ideal. Her baby was born seven weeks premature in September of 1996, the same month my baby had been due. She followed through with her adoption plan, and we were blessed with our first daughter.
Today, I am going to share two true stories. I am not going to tell you what to think about these stories. That's up to you. I just spent an hour trying to teach high school biology students how to think for themselves and not just regurgitate facts. I'm assuming that my blog readers are at least as capable as my high school science students in this matter.
The first story begins a little over eighteen years ago....
I was married and had a two year old son. We wanted to have a second child. I became pregnant in June, 1995 but suffered a miscarriage seven weeks into the pregnancy. Another pregnancy followed that fall, but it quickly ended in miscarriage, as well. We were grief stricken. Would we ever be able to carry another child to term? We just didn't know. The doctors, though compassionate, were unable to give an answer to the "whys" or "what ifs" beyond giving us statistical data.
We started talking about adoption. It had always been our plan to adopt, but we thought we would have our biological kids first and then adopt. Still hoping for a successful pregnancy, we didn't start the adoption process.
In January, 1996, I found myself pregnant yet again. I was scared spitless! I went in to my doctor's appointment at nine weeks gestation and held my breath while they tried to find the baby's heartbeat....there it was! The beating of a little heart. That heartbeat brought my chance of miscarriage down significantly. I was due in September.
Three weeks later, I went in for an ultrasound, which my doctor agreed to do to calm my nerves about the pregnancy. As I lay there on the table, the nurse looked and looked for that heartbeat, but it wasn't there. Sometime between nine weeks and twelve weeks my baby had died. I declined the offer to do a D & C, and opted to let my body take care of "getting rid of the baby" on its own.
This is when I was given a most wonderful gift from my heavenly Father.
About a week or two later, I finally miscarried my baby. Only this wasn't a "normal" miscarriage in one sense. Although the baby had been dead for a time before it came out, the amniotic sac had remained intact. Because of this, my baby had not started to deteriorate, but remained intact as well. My miscarriage began with my "water breaking" and I "delivered" a very teeny, tiny baby. God allowed me to hold my little, itty bitty baby in the palm of my hand and marvel at the little arms and legs. It clearly was a little baby - maybe an inch long.
That's my story.
Unbeknownst to me, another story was happening at the same time as mine. It also involved a pregnancy. A young, single woman found out she was pregnant. She made the brave, gut-wrenching decision to carry her baby to term and place it up for adoption. Her situation was definitely not ideal. Her baby was born seven weeks premature in September of 1996, the same month my baby had been due. She followed through with her adoption plan, and we were blessed with our first daughter.
The Benefits of Having Teenagers
I LOVE having teenagers! I really do! They are highly entertaining creatures - fun to talk to, fun to embarrass, they go to concerts with you, they keep you up late at night talking, and let's not forget the drama. Drama is always entertaining....sort of.
They're just generally great to have around most of the time!
In the past two weeks, I have found yet another benefit of having older teenagers. They are old enough and wise enough (sometimes) to reprove me. Yes, I've been called on my lack of faith on two separate occasions in the past two weeks by my two oldest daughters. I sincerely appreciate their correction/exhortation. How easy it is for me to lose faith and lose heart, and how wonderful it is to be gently put back on track...even by your own child.
So today, I am thankful for children who are growing in their relationship with the Lord and who love me enough to correct me when I'm wrong.
They're just generally great to have around most of the time!
In the past two weeks, I have found yet another benefit of having older teenagers. They are old enough and wise enough (sometimes) to reprove me. Yes, I've been called on my lack of faith on two separate occasions in the past two weeks by my two oldest daughters. I sincerely appreciate their correction/exhortation. How easy it is for me to lose faith and lose heart, and how wonderful it is to be gently put back on track...even by your own child.
So today, I am thankful for children who are growing in their relationship with the Lord and who love me enough to correct me when I'm wrong.
We Are Blessed!
Today, Evan "found a good thing" as he made Erin his wife.
It was a joyous celebration of God's goodness in their lives and in our family! We are SO very happy to welcome Erin into our family!
More pictures to come soon!
Come With Me!
How many times have I uttered those words, when I faced some task or another? "Come with me...."
If I have to do something scary or unpleasant, I am always looking for the comfort and support of another person. If there is potential for something to go badly, or for me to be embarrassed, I want the presence of another person! I feel braver with a cohort, less intimidated, stronger...
I am actually quite timid when by myself (stop laughing, it's true!), but if I have just one friend along, watch out! I'll do almost anything! I don't need the whole world to have my back, just one person is enough for me.
I was reading in my Bible today about Joseph, as in the Joseph whose brothers sold him into slavery. The Joseph who was wrongly condemned to prison for over a decade. That Joseph. Many times during that story it says, "The Lord was WITH Joseph." It doesn't just say that the Lord knew about what Joseph was going through, it says that He was WITH Joseph.
Big difference in my mind.
The difference between someone who knows that you have to face a difficult event and gives you guidance and advice, and the one who says "I'll go with you, so you won't be alone!"
Then I got to thinking, "Hey, this wasn't just a God/Joseph thing!"
God told Joshua, "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6) and "It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." (Deuteronomy 31:8)
And then our memory verse for the week...."Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." (Isaiah 43:1-3)
So, it was true for Joseph, it was true for Joshua, it is true for me! God doesn't just know ABOUT the things I'm going through, he is WITH me in it...always. I think I'm going to start calling Him the God Who Is With Me!
If I have to do something scary or unpleasant, I am always looking for the comfort and support of another person. If there is potential for something to go badly, or for me to be embarrassed, I want the presence of another person! I feel braver with a cohort, less intimidated, stronger...
I am actually quite timid when by myself (stop laughing, it's true!), but if I have just one friend along, watch out! I'll do almost anything! I don't need the whole world to have my back, just one person is enough for me.
I was reading in my Bible today about Joseph, as in the Joseph whose brothers sold him into slavery. The Joseph who was wrongly condemned to prison for over a decade. That Joseph. Many times during that story it says, "The Lord was WITH Joseph." It doesn't just say that the Lord knew about what Joseph was going through, it says that He was WITH Joseph.
Big difference in my mind.
The difference between someone who knows that you have to face a difficult event and gives you guidance and advice, and the one who says "I'll go with you, so you won't be alone!"
Then I got to thinking, "Hey, this wasn't just a God/Joseph thing!"
God told Joshua, "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6) and "It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." (Deuteronomy 31:8)
And then our memory verse for the week...."Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." (Isaiah 43:1-3)
So, it was true for Joseph, it was true for Joshua, it is true for me! God doesn't just know ABOUT the things I'm going through, he is WITH me in it...always. I think I'm going to start calling Him the God Who Is With Me!
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