Run The Race

I'll be honest, it is so nice to have good news to share with people.  Seems like the last couple of years have been a series of sob stories.  Every time I share one of our difficulties with someone, I hope that the joy and peace we have in the midst of that crisis also shines through - but, nonetheless, most of my stories probably leave people feeling a little glum. Sharing our story of adoption brightens people's days.  Who wouldn't agree that we should care for our orphans?  We are so glad to be on this journey and to share this news with others! When someone passes away or when a woman becomes pregnant, some people stumble around the right words to say - they feel like they need to say more than "I'm so sorry" or "Congratulations!"  I'm no different - I stumble around such things all the time.  I have found that while sharing the news of our son and the time frame in which we must wait to get him into our home (possibly a year or more), t...

I have mentioned in some previous posts that we have been pursuing adoption.  On April 15th, we received a very exciting phone call - the agency had an adoption referral for us!  They sent us all the information on the child, and after a few questions back and forth, review of all the information - just last week we humbly accepted the privilege to be this child's family. So, today, we would like to pass on some of our joy by introducing our (drum roll please) .............. BOY!!!! For his privacy, we agreed not to post his name or pics on-line.  But I will share some news about him... we'll call him HC.  HC is 9 months old, and is sooo cute.  He has crazy hair that sticks straight into the air.  His cheeks are so chubby; they just scream "please smooch me!".  HC was placed with a loving foster family at 5 months old and is still with them today (praise God for this family!). Reese is super excited to be getting another brother.   ...

For those of you who don't know - Mother's Day is this Sunday. Last years Mother's Day was difficult but peaceful for me.  It was a day that I had anticipated having 2 little boys in my house, yet it was filled only with the laughter and joy of 1 sweet little boy.  That thought makes our home seem too quiet.  I looked back through my journal to last year's Mother's Day, and I found anguish over the loss of Elliot, a longing for my daughter Livvy, and I found deep appreciation for Reese and for my relationship with my own Mother. This year, on Mother's Day, I face yet another first (I'm really sick of these types of firsts) - this will be my first Mother's Day without my Mom.  It hit me hard yesterday.  I will never  hear her voice talking to me again.  My Dad has not recorded over my Mom's voice on their voicemail recording; sometimes I call when I think my Dad won't be home just so I can hear her - probably seems crazy, but it is refreshing ...

Welcome back superheroes with super armor! Maybe you don't feel like a superhero just yet.  Maybe your thinking to yourself, "I am way too beat up to fight this battle - much less have any victory."  I have to challenge that thinking - I know what you are made of.  You are made from the hands of the Creator of the Universe.  He has clothed you with His armor.  He has plans of good for you as you humble yourself before Him. Check out this clip  from the movie "Cars" where 3 cars are in a tie-breaking race for the "Piston Cup" . Who won the race? Was it the green car (Chick Hicks) because he crossed the finished line first?  Sure.  He won the empty cup. Was it the red car (Lightening McQueen) because he gave up something of seeming value for the good of someone else?  Sure.  Nobody can walk away from that and gain nothing. Was it the blue car (the King)?  The King walked away with bumps and bruises.  This was his last...