Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for Fall. It is my favorite season of the year. I like the cooler days where I can have the windows open and smell the fresh air. I like the days when it is a little too cold to have the windows open and I need to turn on the fireplace and cuddle under a blanket. I like pumpkins and scarecrows and corn stalks and hay bales for decorations. I like going to Friday night football games and connecting with people that I haven't seen for awhile or people that I don't usually connect with on a regular basis. I like watching the Packers play football on Sunday afternoons or evenings or Monday nights. Can you tell I like Fall?



I am also thankful for my niece Natalie who is celebrating her 7th birthday today! She is such a ball of fun! We certainly treasure the times we get to spend with her!



Finally, today I am thankful for my dog Millie who has been our faithful friend for 8-1/2 years. We got her from the Humane Society when she was about 1-1/2 years and in November she will be 10 years old. Somedays she has the energy and spunk she had when we got her and other days she really shows her age. She is such a lover and will cuddle with just about anyone. I just hope that she does well with Levi when we bring him home.

What are you thankful for today?

Super Saturday

Last night I had the privilege of attending the Michael W. Smith and Steven Curtis Chapman concert. It was an amazing concert and an incredible experience! I don't even know where to begin to share. There were five of us who worked the Show Hope table for Shaohannah's Hope. The couple that was volunteering has a little girl that they adopted domestically two years ago. It is an open adoption. I learned a lot about open adoption and I have a completely different view of it then I had prior to last night.

One of the other volunteers lives about 30 minutes from where I grew up. Her and her husband adopted twins (a boy and a girl) 32 years ago. They were 7 years old at the time. How wonderful to have a connection to someone who knows where you grew up. This wonderful woman shared something that will stick with me for a long time. I shared it with my pastor this morning who shared it with the congregation. She said that when she adopted her children, the law was that you couldn't disinherit an adopted child. You can disinherit a biological child. If you think of that from a spiritual standpoint, if you have received Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, you are adopted into God's family, and you can never be disinherited. What a glorious thought!

The other volunteer is not an adoptive parent but someone who went on a mission trip with Shaohannah's Hope. On the backdrop for the display were pictures of children. It was so much fun to watch her face as she looked at the pictures and recalled the names of some of the children she actually saw and worked with while she was on the trip. One of the children had been adopted since she had been there.

The concert started out with both Michael and Steven singing "Blessed Be Your Name" and into "How Great Is Our God". It was a fantastic way to set the tone for the evening. After that, Steven Curtis Chapman sang. He shared from his heart some very personal things that brought tears to your eyes. Two of my favorite things he shared were the story of how the song "Cinderella" came about and how his two youngest daughters came to know Jesus just three months before Maria, the youngest, went home to be with Jesus. One of the truths that he shared that I hope will remain with me is actually something that Martin Luther King, Jr. said that came to him at the time he began touring again after Maria's death. He said that there are only two times that matter - this day and that day - with that day referring to the day when we shall see Jesus face to face. Everything we do in this day can be and should be viewed in light of that day. Because of that day, we can have hope - we can grieve with hope, we can walk through the struggles of this life with hope, we can do life with hope.

Steven Curtis Chapman said that he felt as if Maria's purpose in this life was not fulfilled (in their eyes). I was thinking about that as I was driving home this morning and I thought that God's ultimate purpose for her was fulfilled in that she received Jesus into her heart as her Savior and Lord. I believe that that is what God wants for each and every person who walks upon this earth. He wants us to know Him and love Him and serve Him.

This was a night dedicated to orphans. Michael W. Smith is very involved in Compassion International and Steve Curtis Chapman has Shaohannah's Hope. They talked about how important ministry to orphans is. It is the heart of God. They said that if we have great faith but don't do this, our faith is worthless. James 1:27 says that religion that God our Father considers pure is to take care of widows and orphans in their distress.

Okay, one last thing before I close this long post. Just before intermission, as they were distributing child packets for Compassion International, we all returned to our table to prepare to talk with people and to share information. Steven had shared that his two youngest daughters, Stevey Joy and Shaohannah, were in the audience. Shortly after we got into the lobby, the two girls and Mary Beth, his wife, came through the lobby. They were obviously in a hurry, possibly trying to get out before the crowd came out. But Mary Beth stopped long enough to shake our hands and tell us thank you for volunteering. I was so impressed with that simple gesture. I felt as if I should be thanking her for starting Shaohannah's Hope so that people like me could get financial help to bring home our adopted children.

Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith

Tonight I get to volunteer for Shaohannah's Hope at the Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith concert. I am excited! I tried to do this last year but it didn't work out. Shaohannah's Hoe is an organization that Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife Mary Beth started to help promote adoption in the Christian community. They provide information to those wanting to adopt as well as grants to qualifying families to help with the expenses of adoption. I was able to get a grant from them and so was offered this opportunity. I will also get to spend a little time with my aunt Diane and cousin Julianne and for that I am thankful as well.

On a side note, I am going to be doing a fundraiser in November called "Chili and Pie for Levi". It will be a chili dinner with a silent auction and pie sale. I am looking for donations for the silent auction. If anyone would be willing to donate something for the auction or knows of someone I could contact, please let me know.

Have a great Saturday!!

Trying to be Thankful

Okay, I know that I have been trying to keep Thursday as my thankful day of posting but I am really struggling with it today. I think you all heard my thankful thoughts on Tuesday instead of Thursday this week. After two long nights of negotiations, we have come to very little agreement on a contract and an intent to strike has been filed. They will meet again for negotiations on Monday of next week. The stress level in our school is getting to an alarming rate and I don't know how much more of it I can take. This morning I had one of those "I don't want to get up and go to school" kind of mornings. I have had years like this before but it doesn't usually happen until the second semester. This is way too early to be feeling like this. I am begging all of you reading my blog to pray that this situation can be resolved without a strike. At this point, I don't think it can be resolved without Divine intervention. I won't say much more because it makes me really mad to think about. So I will leave it with this thought: PLEASE PRAY!!!

Lots to be Thankful for

Today we have lots of things to be thankful for. I opened my email this morning to find an update email from Jynger. It said that my I-600 has been filed with the consulate and that I should receive an email within a week acknowledging that it has been filed. Then, I opened my email at school to find that, according to the Board minutes, my adoption leave request has been approved. Can my day get any better than that?

Well, yes it can!! As I stated yesterday, my mom was to have surgery to remove a growth on her finger. When they were giving her antibiotics through IV, she had a violent reaction to the antibiotics and had to be taken to the emergency room at the hospital. Today we found out just how serious things were. The anesthesiologist informed my parents that had he not reacted quickly to give her Benadryl and steroids, she would not have made it. So, today I am also thankful that my mom is still with us and that Levi will get to know his "grandma nuts". That is the name the grandchildren have for my mom. Don't worry!! She is okay with it!! She even put it on her license plate.

By the way, she did not have her surgery. She will have to reschedule for sometime next week, I believe.

Prayer Requests

This morning before I run out the door to school I wanted to stop and ask for prayer for two things. First of all, my mom is having surgery this morning to remove a bump from the top of one of her fingers. Please pray that the doctor has steady hands and is able to get it without any further complications and that my mom will not experience a lot of pain in the recovery time.

Second, please pray that tonight when the school board meets for their monthly meeting that they will grant me the 9 weeks adoption leave I have requested so that we do not have to pursue it legally.

Thank you all for your prayers and God bless!!!

Shopping and Prayer Request

Today after school Rachel and I did a little shopping. It was meant to be just groceries and looking for some shoes and other accessories for Rachel for the wedding of our youth pastor tomorrow. HOwever, the deals at Kohls and Wal-Mart on little boys clothes was too good to pass up, so I picked up some cute little things for Levi. It makes it feel more real, like it is actually going to happen. Some days I wonder if it ever will.

I would like to ask for your prayers tonight. Our staff has been working without a contract since June. There have been countless negotiations that have yielded little positive results. Last night we voted on an intent to strike. It was an almost unanimous vote. I believe that they have not formally filed this Intent with the state but are waiting to see how negotiations go on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. Please pray that the school board will be more willing to work to bring about a comparable and competitive contract for all our staff and that it does not come to a strike. I really can't afford to strike but I also don't think we can settle for what they are offering.

Thankful Thursday

I have to thank Lisa B. for her post today because it helped me to decide what I was most thankful for today. Twenty years ago the Olympics were held in Seoul, Korea. I was a junior in college. During that time, they did a special report on the orphanages in Korea and the overwhelming need for people to adopt these children. They shared that it was not part of the Korean culture to adopt and so if families from other countries did not step up to adopt, these children would live all of their childhood days in an orphanage. Right then and there, after I stopped crying, I knew that international adoption would be a part of how I was going to build my family. Now, as I stand at the precipice of bringing my son home from Vietnam, I am very thankful to God for bringing me down this path. At times it has been more frustrating than I could ever imagine, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. Along the way I have made some incredibly wonderful new "blog" friends that I hope to one day meet in person. And through it, God has "stretched" me in ways that I could not imagine. He has helped me to learn some valuable life lessons about trust and patience and His provision.

What are you thankful for today?

Nine is Fine and Happy 4 Month Birthday Levi

Hoooray! Today we got an update that we are finally off of step 8 and onto step 9. For those of you not familiar with adoptions in Vietnam, what this means is that the agency has forwarded Levi's legal documents (called a dossier) to the local justice department. They will review it or are reviewing it and will send it on to the DIA who will review it and our dossier (that's step 10). After that our I-600 is submitted. It can take up to 60 business days for pre-approval. But then we are almost ready to travel. We also got a travel packet full of all kinds of useful information. Things are starting to get exciting! I guess I better get going on putting together his nursery!!

Happy birthday to my precious Levi! Your sister and I love you very much and can't wait to celebrate your birthday with you!!

7 Random Things About Me

Okay, so my fellow blogger and friend Stephanie has tagged me and challenged me to post seven random things about me. So, here it goes!

1. When I was in grade school and junior high, I was in a marching unit. I did flags, rifles and chimes as well as carrying the banner for our unit.

2. In junior high, I was chosen Miss Loyalty Day queen.

3. I met my husband Brent while living on-campus at Calvin College in Grand Rapids. I knew one of his roommates my sophmore year and then my junior year I lived in an on-campus apartment with 5 roommates directly above his apartment. One of the first nights we were back at school him and two of his roommates climbed up the balcony to meet us and then we all went out to see the fireworks and eat at Yesterdog! Great place to eat! I have since taken my daughter there. I'm not sure she is as impressed as we were!

4. I have a Special Education degree, even though I teach regular elementary school. Someday I would love to teach children with moderate mental retardation. I love working with children with Down's Syndrome.

5. When I was growing up, I wanted 6 children - 3 girls and 3 boys, just like the Brady Bunch.

6. I took piano lessons through 9th grade and can play well enough. I would love to be able to find the time to improve my piano playing and would like to learn how to play guitar as well.

7. I did not become a Christian until I was in junior high. I have my mom to thank for this because she encouraged me to attend Campus Life. It has changed my life. I don't know where I would be or how I would have handled my husband's mental illness and suicide and the struggles of single parenthood if it were not for my relationship with the Lord. He has carried me so many times when I could not carry on on my own. I cannot even imagine my life without Him. I cannot wait to someday kneel at His feet and lay all of my crowns at His feet. My desire is to hear Him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" That is what I strive for! I realize at times I don't strive enough for this but praise God He never stops working on me and He forgives me when I come to Him in true repentance!

So, now I tag Lisa O., Lisa B., Erin, Natasha, Jessica, Michelle, Melanie, and all you others who check my blog on a regular basis. You know who you are!

Friends

This picture was taken yesterday before Rachel, Aubri, and Paige went to Homecoming at Paige's school. She wanted Rachel and Aubri to go along so she arranged dates for them. These three have been friends since grade school. I wish that I had a picture on my computer of them back when they first became such good friends but that was in my "pre-digital camera days". At times in their friendship, they have been closer than at other times, but they have always found their way back to each other. They have supported each other in so many ways over the years, through the ups and the downs that come with growing up. As I began writing this post, the song "Friends" by Michael W. Smith came to mind. The chorus of the song says,

Friends are friends forever,
If the Lord's the lord of all.
And a friend will not say never,
'Cause the welcome will not end.
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends.

My prayer is that no matter how far apart the miles may take them that they will always remain close friends.

Eight is Not So Great!

Okay, I feel like we are never going to get past step 8. We have been on this step for 5 weeks. It seems like forever. I look at the sweet face of my precious little son and I can't wait to hold him. It's enough to drive someone crazy!!!

At least I did get a height and weight update today. My little guy is definitely doing well. He is now at 23.6 inches and 12.5 pounds. His head and chest are both 15.7 inches. He has gained almost 2 pounds since our last height and weight update and grown a little over an inch. I think that is good.

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for my wonderful neighbors/friends Chris and Aimee. They have truly been a blessing to us in ways I cannot begin to count. Just tonight, Chris helped me to pick out and then to put up (he did the putting up and I did the watching for the most part) shelves in the pantry he did for us. I cannot believe the amount of space it has saved in my cupboards. I am feeling so much more organized or will be when I figure out what to put where. He is very creative and handy and often times I feel as though I have received more than I have given to them. It is my prayer that they know how much we truly appreciate them!!

What are you thankful for today?

Cookies

I am sitting here waiting for the 2nd batch of Mexican wedding cookies to come out of the oven. I would really like to be in bed already but with the dough having to be in the refrigerator for 3 hours and other things going on, I wasn't able to start them sooner. So, here I am. Why am I making Mexican wedding cookies? Well, once a month at school the teachers are having a luncheon to beat the brown bag blues. Each luncheon has a theme. The first one, which I missed because I had to be refingerprinted, was an ABC luncheon. This one is a Mexican luncheon. Thus, the Mexican wedding cookies.

Speaking of cookies, yesterday, the crummiest of all days this week, the cookie dough for our cookie dough fundraiser came in. I had to load and unload and sort and deliver in the rain. Thankfully, by the time I got down to really doing the delivering, the rain was just spitting as opposed to the "open up the floodgates of heaven" rain we had been getting for the 2 hours+ prior to that. As I was doing all of this I just kept thinking of my precious son's face and how all of this will be worth it when I get to hold him for the first time. That time cannot come soon enough. I will certainly be glad when all of this cookie dough is either delivered or sold. Yes, I do have some extra cookie dough as I had to order full cases. So, if you would like some cookie dough, just let me know. I kept some myself and plan to use it this weekend for the Harvest Hog Roast at church and for the Music Boosters Bake Sale at the Fall Festival downtown. At least I only have to scoop and bake.

Life Lessons

I have been trying to find time to post since Sunday but have been very busy and not able to get to it. Saturday night I was treated to a rare night out with some good friends who treated me to supper and then games and dessert. It was such a joy to be out on a weekend night and not hanging with teenagers. Not that I don't like hanging with Rachel and her friends but when that seems to be all you do, it sure is nice to have some adult time once in a while. However, because I did do this, it put me behind in other things I had planned to do on Saturday. As a result I was playing catch-up for a couple days.

Now that I have found a short amount of time before scurrying off to bed are a few of the lessons God has been teaching me the past couple of days. I am sure glad He never stops trying to teach me new things. I am glad He never gets so frustrated with me and gives up on me. Being a teacher, I understand how frustrating it can be to work with children who just don't seem to get it, no matter how you present it. I'm sure God must feel like that about me sometimes. But He never gives up!! Amazing!!!

Lesson #1

But seek first His kingdom and His rghteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33

On Friday night I was talking to Natasha, who has become a very special friend that I never would have met if it wasn't for our adoption connection. She is so wise and shared this verse in relation to some things God is showing her. Little did she know that in sharing what God is showing her, He was using her to show me something as well. I realized that I have been so caught up in everything else going on in my life that I have failed to spend quality time with the Lord. God knows the things that I desire and He wants to give me the desires of my heart, but as this verse says, I need to seek Him first and then all these things will be given to me as well. I am not saying that when I seek God all the things I want - especially material things - will be given to me. But the things that God has placed upon my heart and that He has revealed to me, such as the adoption of Levi and finding a mate to spend the rest of my life with, will be added in His perfect timing.

Lesson #2
On Sunday morning we had a guest speaker at our church. He and his wife have a dynamic ministry. You can view it at . Before he began to preach, he allowed his wife to come up and share a little. She had a dynamic word picture she painted of our value in God's eyes. That will stay with me a long time. But the following quote has become the one that I think I am going to post around my house.

10% is what happens to you in life. 90% is how you respond to it.

How true is that? I cannot control what happens to me in life but I can certainly control how I respond to it.

Lesson #3

You've got to come to a place where you stop looking at God as a spare tire that you pull out only for emergencies.

Wow! Does anything more need to be said?!

Thankful Thursday

Too often in our lives we focus on the problems and not the blessings. So, starting today, I want to dedicate time each week to remember the things that I am thankful for. There are several this week. First of all, I am thankful for my aunt Jean. Last week Thursday I received word that she had passed away. Over the years she has endured many different trials, from health related issues to the death of her son at age 20. She endured and persevered through all these trials and always had a smile for me and for my daughter when we would get to visit with her. The latter part of her years were spent far away from where my family lives and so the times that I got to see her were few. However, I have such fond memories of her. I will always remember her ribbon cookies at Christmas and the way she loved on my dog Millie.

Second, I am thankful for the new pictures of Levi that we received this week. He is so absolutely adorable and I cannot wait to hold him in my arms and cuddle and snuggle with him.

Third, I am thankful that it looks really good that everything is going to work out for me to get the full 9 weeks I am requesting as paid time off! God is good!!

Fourth, I am thankful for the beautiful weather for all the Homecoming activities last week and that my daughter actually asked me to be a part of it.

New Picture...

of Levi!!! Hooray!! I am so excited!! He is absolutely adorable!! I cannot believe how much he is growing and changing. He seems to be able to hold his head up very well. It makes me sad that I am missing all of this time. But I know that everything is in God's hands. I just hope that next we will hear that we have finally moved on to step 9.