Run The Race

I am often times the "idea" person - the big dreamer.  I try not to overwhelm people with all the "fireworks" of ideas that go off in my brain - using discernment of who I share them with and when.  Discernment and accountability is a necessity in determining if the idea is mine alone or if it has been planted there by the Holy Spirit. In 2010, I went through a season in which I wanted all my big dreaming to go away.  It's a lot of responsibility to cast the vision and to follow through on it.  People think I'm crazy (I am :).  God was aware of my insecurity, and gave me something to nudge my heart forward.  In Luke 10:23-24, Jesus said to His disciples, "Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see, for I say to you, that many prophets and kings wished to see the things which  you see, and did not see them, and to hear the things which you hear, and did not hear them." When my ideas are from God, He turns the outcome of that dream into s...

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...

Most days I still recognize that we've experienced a lot of loss over the last year, but the grief is rarely overwhelming.  A sense of relief comes over me as I think that maybe we are moving out of our season of loss and grief. Over the last few weeks, though, a few things have happened that remind me of my vulnerability and the need to stay at the feet of my Heavenly Father.  My Dad was taken to the hospital by ambulance along with a string of serious health concerns, Reese has had the flu and pneumonia for 4 days, and the adoption laws changed significantly in the country in which we intend to adopt which gave me reason to believe that our adoption plans may change. What I am experiencing with these events isn't true loss but the anticipation of it.  I have cried out to God, "Please no!  No more loss.  I can't handle it." But with those words I wonder if I am being un-trusting in my Lord.  I want to be "willing" and "vulnerable", but I...