Friday, July 29, 2011

Orphan Sunday 2011


Orphan Sunday planning has begun! Check out their website and find a great way for you, your family, your community or your church to be involved! For sure plan to participate in the Orphan's Table. I truly believe this experience could change individuals, our nations and the world. (More on that in a later post.) For today, get it on your calendar for November 6, 2011 and then browse the website for ideas so you can start planning.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Dear Waiting Parents,

You are in my heart and on my mind today. Maybe it is the events of the week that cause me to think of all the children going to sleep with out their parents to tell them every thing will be all right. Or maybe because we have friends that were in route to their newest daughter and were grounded because of the tsunami. Oh, to be so close to holding her in their arms and then to have to wait some more.

Friends I know what it is like to wait. To wait for a child you have never met, to wait to be chosen by a brave and amazing birth mother, to wait to bring home children you have already held in your arms and kissed but are not allowed to hold in your home... yet. For you who are waiting I want to encourage you. If it seems to much, call your agency and tell them you need a little information that will let you know that someday... . Remember those agency fees? They include encouraging words whenever you need them (but you have to ask). I remember saying to our social worker, "This is so hard. I just want to know if there are any babies being born anywhere in this great state and if any of them are being placed with adoptive families." She just hugged me and told me there were and everything was busy and business as usual for them and they had no idea it was any different for me. She assured me I could call any time because there were always exciting things going on. They do not call us because they do not want us to feel hurt or rejected if there is a baby that is placed with someone else. Rejected? I would be elated! I love to hear a good adoption story. It thrills my heart.
Yesterday I began reading a book that caused me to think again about our times of waiting.
As I read the first chapter of Lazarus Awakening by Joanna Weaver I was once again caught up in the story of the sisters, Mary and Martha. They knew Jesus. He had been to their house for dinner, they were friends. The Bible says that Jesus loved them. When their brother got sick they sent word to Jesus to come quickly. Yes. They were tight with GOD; the one who could say a word and all things would be made well. But Jesus did not come. He loved Lazarus, yet he did not come. He did not take away the sickness. He did not prevent him from dying. Why? If he loved them all wouldn't it be an automatic, a no brainer. Heal the brother, save the sisters from grief and sadness, spare the trouble of the burial and all the details. Why? "For the glory of God." John 11:4 Then we get to the end of the story, instead of healing Lazarus from his sickness, Jesus heals him from death. Stone cold, in the tomb four days, all the way dead; and Jesus calls for him to come. Wow! Out comes Lazarus all wrapped up tight. Everyone was so amazed Jesus had to tell them to unwrap him and let him go. Now that ending is way to amazing to be discounted by those that were there.
I love a happy ending at least as much as every one else, but I'm not big on the drama. I don't like stressful movies (even if I know how they will end). I don't like thrilling roller-coaster rides. I don't even really care for The Three Little Pigs running for their lives over and over again. I like smooth sailing, quick conflict management, and sunny days. I think that is why the emotion of the story gets me. The poor sisters had to go through all of that never knowing there was a HUGE miracle coming their way. They had to really feel the pain and the loss of their brother. They had to make the arrangements and prepare his body for burial. They were even angry with Jesus for not helping them out. Real life, real stuff.
That is when I stopped to think of the times in my life when I have asked God to "heal the sickness" to avoid the pain. To take away the troubles and "make it all better." In my life recently that translated to "speed up the process and bring the kids home fast." As you wait for your own adoptions I know you get it. We had been with our kids. We knew the feel of their skin, the sound of their voices, the smell of their little bodies. Legally, they were already ours. Yet we waited. Waited for paper work, waited for visas, waited for governments. All the while wanting it to go faster. You know, Jesus did it His way, not mine. It did not go faster, I was not spared the wait. But oh, the unmistakable miracle, God's greatness is way to amazing to be discounted by those that were there.
Your story is still unfolding. Wait and see. It might be a best seller. :)
Blessing to you as you wait for your child.

Monday, February 21, 2011

The Entertainment continues



In an attempt to keep the restless natives calm we are amping up the creativity.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Sick Days

"Mommy, my legs hurt. Could you give me some medicine?" That was Monday morning. Now, I am sympathetic and all, but I have heard this story many times because they think medicine is a treat. Beth is just honest. She starts with the real request, "Mommy can we have some candy?" Emery is older and wiser. He knows there is no candy before snack time, ever. On this morning, I rubbed his legs, and his back, kissed his head; no fever. "No medicine, but I would be happy to read you a book." Again before lunch I heard about the sore leg muscles. Hmm. After nap repeat of morning wake up, this time a kiss on the head reviled a fever. By 1:00 a.m. it was 104 and time for medicine and a wet wash cloth. By Tues. evening the little girls and I were also feeling very lousy and Daddy was working. I felt so bad that I began searching for the NyQuil that I knew was around here somewhere. I knew I had not felt this bad in years, but when I found the stash of left over cold medicine and read the stamp: expires on 12/04 I realized it had been quite a very long while. Still, I did not feel I was due, or that it was 'about time'. No, I am sure I could have been very grateful for my health and my healthy kids with out all this. It is now Saturday night. Anna has only been feeling bad for 24 hours and still it is mild compared to the hacking, sneezing kids. Emery is feeling quite a lot better but is still "gross" (can a mom say that about her son that she dearly loves?). I feel as though I will live, but would be fooling my self to say I am well; as much as I would like to be. I can say that I have a whole new appreciation for families that always get the bugs and for families dealing with chronic illness. We have not done any of our normal fun stuff this week. We missed the 62 degree days, the big event at the Library, the zoo, several play dates and even gymnastics and Bible Study. The fun of sleeping bags in the living room is wearing off. The novelty of wearing jammies all day is getting old, our library books do not hold the key to great adventure and worlds of fun. I am reconsidering our family decision to not have TV and movies available to the children. And, most of all, I miss people. But look at these faces. Sometimes they don't even know they are miserable. They still put on their princess dresses and tell each other they are beautiful. (until the medicine wears off, then they cry and argue)