A bit of comic relief
15 Dec 2008 7 Comments
in adoption, christianity, encouragement, faith, family, friends, funny stuff, Just thinking, Kids, Life, motherhood
This blog has been a bit serious lately and I am not a very serious person. So I decided to lighten things up just a bit. Below is an old post I am bring back to life because 1. there is no time to write a new post and 2. lots of us are dealing with big things and I want you to find joy in the fact that at least these things have not happened to you.
You know….I think something is wrong with me. I can teach my children how to read, add, subtract and write but I can not think clearly. And when I do think clearly, my actions want to keep me humble and I go and fall or break something. Here are a few examples.
About a year ago an environmentalist lady came to my door in hopes of getting me to donate a few dimes toward lobbying against mines at the bottom of Mount St. Helens. She did a fabulous job of explaining how bad this would be for the environment and how it would contaminate the water. She continued to convey how this would be really bad for the hikers, dogs and those who ride horses along the trails. I was growing more and more tense (no, not because this took 10 mins and my children were painting themselves and the bathroom mirror with toothpaste) but because I was truly concerned and horrified this was something our government would sanction. So I desperately said to the lady,”Doesn’t the UN have laws against this? I don’t know why you would be so concerned about contaminated water when people will be losing arms and legs and horses will be exploding!!!” She looked at me. Her face was blank. She then said with pressed lips, “Mines….like for minerals. Not LAND MINES!!” She quickly walked off my porch. I stood pondering my misunderstanding.
Another example is the time I walked into Safeway to grab a loaf of bread and I thought someone had snuck up behind me. I screamed and fell backwards onto the floor only to realize that I had walked and gotten tangled in a bunch of balloons. It took two people and an army knife to free me.
And then there is the time I hit the fire alarm in a hotel thinking it was the button to start the bubbles in the hot tub.
Perhaps, the worst was meeting my in-laws. The first time I met them was one Thanksgiving. We lived in Colorado Springs and there had been enough snow to delay their flight home. So I volunteered to take Jan (my mother-in-law) and Becky (Trev’s aunt) and Jory (Trev’s middle Brother) to the Broadmoor. This hotel is a 5 star resort. It is nestled in the foothills of the Rocky mountains and is absolutely gorgeous! The day after Thanksgiving they had an ice sculpture exhibit surrounding the pond behind the resort. We went and were getting to know each other. It was akward. We came to a life size sculpture of Santa and 8 life size reindeer. It was magnificent. So knowing that Jan loved to take pictures, I suggested that Jory and I climb up in the sleigh for a picture. We climbed up and all seemed to be fine until I grabbed the velvet rope connected to all the reindeer. As soon as I did this 8 life size reindeer came crashing to the ground. It sounded like a chandelier had fallen!! In a panic we all started to run toward the hotel…”Into the gift shop!” yells Jan. “Oh sure! No one will think to look there!” I said sarcastically. The four of us ran and hid in a corner with a grand piano in front of it. All laughing and out of breath, Jan looks at me and says, “Well, you’ve got no where to go but up!!” Thus began a wonderful relationship!
This is not a complete list by any means. So today when you are down and distressed..remember no matter what happens, you can take comfort in and celebrate knowing …..YOU AREN”T ME!! If you have any moments like the above…I would love to hear them. More laughter is always needed.
From the horses mouth..
13 Dec 2008 10 Comments
in adoption, christianity, encouragement, family, friends, Jesus, Just thinking, Kids, Life, motherhood
Well, it seems that my recent post will continue to a serve as a reminder to me. We got more news and you can read it for yourselves here. We are encouraged that the country has not CLOSED..but honestly, I am struggling in my faith. I am struggling to understand how this is good for us or Micah. I sympathize with the disciples when they said, “Lord, help my unbelief.”
Trevis continues to be just amazing and unwavering in his love and gentleness towards me. He is not used to having a teary wife. Of course, he is totally used to me being overly dramatic and sassy -but not teary. However, we both have a peace that passes all understanding. We still have joy and are able to see the blessings that we have. The children pray for Micah every chance they get and I pray that God will use this time to grow their faith as well.
All of that to say..keep praying for us.
What Adoption is teaching me…(part 1)
24 Sep 2008 5 Comments
in adoption, christianity, encouragement, faith, family, friends, Jesus, Just thinking, Life, motherhood
Well I learned today that we will still have to wait a few months before Micah can be approved by the MOE
Really, I knew this all along…but I was hoping. I am still hoping. It is hard now that there is a picture of this sweet boy…the thought of him just waiting and waiting for a Mommy and Daddy is nothing short of heart breaking. But I do know that God is with him-this is a great comfort. I pray with my whole heart that that Micah will identify with David when he wrote.”For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mothers womb. I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in secret, intraciately woven in the depths of the earth. You saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, EVERY ONE OF THEM, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. How precious are your thoughts, O GOD!” Ps. 139 13-17
In some ways, I glad for this sad time. I am learning that none of my children are really mine. I am learning that just because I have 3 of my children to hold…does not mean that I sustain their life. Micah needs a mommy….but more importantly….I need to realize that what my children need is Christ. I need to teach them His comfort, I need to teach them His peace, His ways, His promises…because one day… hopefully far from now, I will no longer be here. Even now I fail them, as will their spouses and friends in the future.
Oh sure, I need to kiss hurt knees and give hugs 1000 times a day but…I need to take it to the next level. They should have a clear understanding that my comfort, my love is just a taste of the love and comfort of One who is greater. As I write I am convicted that I am not doing this. What a shame that I have wasted precious moments on myself and not pointed them to the one who suffered and died for them. The one who could not be kept in a grave…because He can overcome ANYTHING! This is comfort…powerful comfort.
Oh, Lord let me not settle for simple motherhood.
Egypt, adoption and my facebook disaster (**updated)
22 Aug 2008 1 Comment
in adoption, family, friends, Kids, Life, motherhood, Uncategorized
We leave in 6 days for Egypt. I am busy trying to find appropriate clothing and a descent pair of sun glasses. Thankfully, the clothes are easily found but the sunglasses….now that is another story. You really do have to have some one you trust help you with that. Anyway, most of you know why we are going on this trip. We are excited about what God may be calling us to and we are anxious to meet others who may be led to join our team, as well.
We heard from our case worker this week. The courts are now open in Kyrg. and the families that are with CWA and are waiting to travel are being written approvals to come pick up their children. Also, we are REALLY close to getting a referral-yipeeeee!! Our dossier was released on Thursday and headed for Kryg. so we are set for court -when we accept the referral.
Also, many of you may have received an invite to be friends on my Facebook page. I need to say that yesterday I got a facebook account and yesterday…I cancelled it. Trevis has one, if you care to connect with us but….it was to overwhelming for me. I had like 30 emails in an hour and I just couldn’t do it.
**So I changed my mind AGAIN about facebook and decided it a worthy venture. So if you were invited as a friend…I’ll see you there!!
Ok-that is all for now. I probably will not post again until we return. Please pray for:
Our health
That we would have clarity as to what/where God s leading us
That we do not get a referral while we are Egypt. (This could be very complicated)
That I can trust the Lord to keep my children safe while I am gone.
love to all
House Mix-new to blog roll…
17 Jul 2008 Leave a Comment
in adoption, christianity, encouragement, faith, family, friends, Jesus, Kids, Life, motherhood, Uncategorized
Most of you have already heard about the death of Maria Chapman, the 5 year old daughter of Stephen Curtis Chapman. This man, his music and his family, though we have never met, have had a massive impact in our lives and millions around the world. In fact, it was at his concert that Trevis came to realize that adoption was indeed a calling for our family.
So when I found House Mix (see blog roll) I became addicted. It is written by Jim Houser, the guy who is in charge of the day to day management of SCC. I found this blog a month or so ago when I was looking for more info on the Chapman family to get some info on how they are doing. I should tell you that this blog is not like others. Sure, it gives pictures and updates, and seems to not be terribly different from most blogs. BUT~this blog follows the trust and faith in Christ of a family that is grieving, hurting and adjusting to a “new normal”.
I am writing to introduce this to you because it is in the daily stuff, the ordinary stuff that the Chapman’s are clinging to Christ for as they strive to survive and function. I have been challenged and changed by this blog. I have wept and prayed harder for the Chapman family. I have asked myself, “Should the Lord take one of my children, could I walk as they do?” and “Do I know my Jesus like they know him?”
House Mix is a raw, insightful and humble look into the struggles and strengths of the Chapman’s and those supporting and encouraging them. Check it out~ be encouraged~be changed!
Hooray for the Dossier!!
26 Jun 2008 8 Comments
in adoption, christianity, encouragement, faith, family, friends, Jesus, Kids, Life, motherhood, Uncategorized
Words can not describe my complete joy. Ava and I went up to Olympia today and got all the docs authenticated while Claire and Jorden were in VBS and Trev was at work. (Thanks Margie for letting C & J stay at your house to play with their best buddies 
)
Then we came home to our trusty Kinkos, made a ton of copies
and we FedEx’ed them to our agency!!
Seriously I am singing! This FedEx guy knows us by name. We’ve been in there a ton of times over the last 6 months making copies and sending stuff off. I was super glad he was the one in today.
FOR MY FRIENDS:
Most of you know that this has been stressful for me and very difficult to gather. When someone is as non-detailed oriented as me, it is virtually impossible. Months ago, I sat looking at all the lists and details and cried. I remember praying, “God you have given us this desire. You have provided the money. But you have not made me smart enough to do this.” I sat down with my husband (and hero) and he helped me with a blueprint and a timeline and then we prayed for God to give me the grace to put this dossier together. Well today is a great day! I feel relieved! I feel overwhelmed that this desire of my heart is now coming into a reality. But mostly, I feel thankful and humbled that God equipped me to do this. It is only because of Him (in SOOO many ways) that this is possible!
To God be the Glory!!!
Joy and Grief
23 May 2008 1 Comment
in adoption, christianity, encouragement, faith, family, Jesus, Just thinking, Kids, Life, motherhood
Yesterday was such a day of mixed emotions. Trevis and I accomplished an absolutely HUGE part of the adoption by receiving our completed home study and getting it into the UCIS office. To make it even better we were already fingerprinted and I felt like we had climbed 2 of the 3 mountains of adoption prep. All we have left (the last mountain) is get our documents authenticated, which I will do immediately upon our return from Louisiana. Please pray that the embassy will soon began accepting dossiers.
Having said that, we woke up to learn of the tragic news of Stephen Curtis Chapman’s 5 year old daughters death. I cried. To add to the grief-she was accidentally killed by her teenage brother who was simply backing out of the drive way. Though we have never met this family we feel that they are a significant part of our adoption story. In fact, it was his testimony at a concert, Christmas 2006, that was a changing factor in my husbands heart toward adoption. I can not imagine the emotional state of this family. But I know they know The One who will minister peace and comfort to them.
We then heard from other dear friends who live in another country about their 8 year son who is really struggling as he is immersed in a language and culture he does not know. Last night, I sat stunned as I read a detailed account of his struggle. I still am unable to really process and think through what they must be dealing with.
It is hard to imagine that we can love so deeply those we do not know or live near. My only comfort is that I serve, worship and trust in a God whose son was killed and His son endured great suffering. He hears the prayer of all the families praying for the Chapman’s and our dear friends.
Swimming our cares away
13 May 2008 1 Comment
in adoption, christianity, encouragement, family, friends, Just thinking, Kids, Life, motherhood, travel
In the mist of all the adoption drama, my husband planned a super fun family vacation to The Great Wolf Lodge. Aside from just the complete joy of spending time with my in-laws this place was fabulous!! There was a cabin in our room and the kiddos literally cried with delight! The pools were awesome. And much to Trev’s surprise, I actually went down the Howling Tornado more than once and so did Claire!! It was the perfect get-a-way to relax us. Though pictures will not do the place justice, below is just a peak at our adventure!!
Thank you, Trevis, for taking such good care of me…and the kids!!
The Good Wait
06 May 2008 Leave a Comment
in adoption, christianity, encouragement, faith, family, friends, Just thinking, Kids, Life, motherhood, Uncategorized
I spoke with our agency last week and learned that our case manager has a meeting in DC on the 11th of May. Hopefully, we will know something on the 12th. My dossier is complete except for our home study, which is on hold until we decide what country we are going with. SO let us hope that by the 12th there are some answers…I would really LOVE to have the country chosen, the docs. authenticated and on their way to agency before I leave for Louisiana on May 26th. This would be a miracle!!
We are also mulling around some new ideas…like adopting a bit older. At first we were thinking that we should adopt a baby like 5/6 mos old. But now I am prone to thinking that between 14 mos to 2 years old might be a better fit. So I believe that God is opening and shaping our hearts during this time. I can not tell you the comfort I have in having my hope in Christ and trusting that He is not only keeping us in His hands but our son, as well.
In the meantime God is doing many things to remind me that He is in control and blessing me beyond what I deserve. We found out last week that our Basque student Ani is coming back for the month of July! I seriously read her emailed and screamed with delight!!! We had planned not to have a new student because we will be busy getting the house ready for a baby. But Ani is already family and we can not wait to have her back. Also, our family is gearing up for a great fun week at Great Wolf Lodge with Trev’s family and my cousin Richard (aka Uncle Rico). They have been counting down the days and there is just one more to go. We will miss Amy and Dev and the kids a ton 
. I promise to have lots of fun pictures to share. All of this makes the wait a bit easier.
Anyway, that is all I have for now. I am grateful that God has given us another day of life and that we are able to see Him working and blessing us even as we wait for answers.
Keep the Son in your eyes…..
19 Apr 2008 2 Comments
in adoption, christianity, encouragement, faith, family, friends, home schooling, Jesus, Kids, Life, motherhood
My husband is out of town with Jorden, my girls are asleep, my mom ( who is staying with us because she had back surgery) is sleeping and it is 8:30 on a Friday night. I could do laundry but…why fold when you can blog, right?! Lately, lots of things are going on at the same time. Some days it feels that if another decision is put before me I will be crushed. We are considering 2 different countries/cultures to move to, trying to adopt and trying to figure out Trev’s school and work schedule.. just to name a few things. So I have been thinking…about how simple and hard it is to keep my eyes focused on Christ. Hebrews 12:2 is my life verse “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him, endured the cross, scorning it’s shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” It became my life verse a few years ago. I was washing Claire’s hair. She was crying because the water and shampoo kept getting in her eyes. She was about 4 and it was one of those nights when I was extremely tired. Being completely impatient with her I snapped, “If you would just look up~all of this water and shampoo would just roll off of you. It is when you look down ~that is when all this stuff gets in your way. Please just obey!” My friends, it was like the sky opened! It felt like God pushed His thumb on my head and said to me,”Yeah…I have been telling you this for years…all your stress and worries are ruining your vision because you are not looking at me! Please just look up and obey!” I remember this night because what started as a simple act of washing my daughters hair became a life changing moment. I began to cry and could barely finish bathing her. I thought of how merciful it was of God to ask something so simple of me. Just obey~just look up~just keep my eyes on Him! And yet that seemed and still seems so difficult to do. What does it mean for me to FIX my eyes on Christ? Well, first, it means that I need to know why Christ is worthy to behold and worship. (If you do not know that, email me..I have MUCH to say) And then I have to identify what causes me to look away and repent. It means I need to be aware and intentional of my mindset and guarded against my own sinful nature. Lastly it means that I need to look up~not because I want my circumstances to change but because HE IS MY CIRCUMSTANCE. That may sound trite but the reality for those of us who know Jesus is that no matter what our earthly vision tells us…God sees His plan unfolding. Just like the Israelite’s had to look up at the bronze serpent to be healed. (see Exodus) So must we look up. It is an act of trust. It is an act of helplessness and faith combined. It is an act of obedience. Oh, what great mercy….on nights like tonight when my heart is heavy…the mercy of simply looking at Christ is overwhelming, humbling and comforting. It is good dear friends to look at Christ. I encourage you tonight, as I do my children each time they leave me, to “Keep the SON in your eyes and you will always see clearly.”
