March 27, 2008
Yesterday
fling the windows wide - fresh air breezing through house
soak the sun into pale skin - picnic on deck
scrub and wipe and mop - warm-ish air lifting hair off neck
girly laughter filters through screens - happy, musky, sweaty heads
starting seeds this weekend - to plant for next month's showers
can't wait for warmth to stay.
March 21, 2008
Karma
A couple weeks ago, I was talking on the phone with my brother and heard the sinus junk in his voice - for the third time this winter. I commented that we'd been rather blessed this season with the non-occurrence of illness in our home - then I chuckled and said I hoped I hadn't just slapped fate in the face. bah! Prophetic words, them. The very next night, Bookworm awoke with the need to empty the contents of her stomach. Poor thing suffered greatly for about 24 hours and really didn't eat for about two and a half days.
A week after that, I awoke ten or seventy times throughout the night, unable to get comfortable or fall back to sleep. Apparently, I was also saying some crazy things, keeping my husband awake as well. Perhaps he should think twice before scheduling a meeting with 30 people from church in our house at 3 am next time. (what could have possibly been going through my mind? did I really think there were forty people downstairs at that time?) I managed to do absolutely nothing other than lay in bed or on a couch for two entire days, so burning with fever was I. It was great! Next time, I ought to just keep my darn mouth shut when I notice my brother and his family have picked up germs multiple times in the season. I probably deserved being knocked on my butt for feeling so smug.
God Bless you.
March 12, 2008
New Space
I'll be posting about my faith and heart at a new space. I will continue to (sporadically) post about my personal life here..Check it out if you're interested.
March 07, 2008
Perspective
Well, the urgent prayer request no longer involves us. But, please continue to pray for those involved.
.
I'd like to tell you what happened. I was talking on the phone to my mother yesterday and she mentioned a situation of a girl of 20 years pregnant with her fourth child (3 different fathers, current husband in prison - so #3 and #4 are sired by a boyfriend). Messy situation, particularly since her husband is about to get out of prison. They don't have the means to support a fourth baby, so they were looking to place it for adoption.
.
I immediately knew that our family is open to accepting more children any way that God has in mind. I made some phone calls and inquired through my mom's friend about the girl and the situation.
.
Last night, through prayer, we really felt that God is calling us to be open to adoption and, dare I say, move forward with accepting a baby this way. My thoughts first thing this morning were of having a baby soon and how excited I will be to have some sleepless nights and a small warm body cozied up to me. I have to admit, I was feeling pretty hopeful and optimistic. I called again, hoping I could reach the birth mother directly - I know she'd feel confident her baby was being welcomed into a great family if she got to know us a bit.
.
And when I got in touch with my mom's friend (who made contact last night with the birth mother), I was told that the girl wants money. This closes the door for us. We are not interested in getting involved with a baby seller. It is illegal to buy or sell children in this country and well, even if we had the financial ability to buy a baby, we just can't see doing such a thing.
.
So, I ask you to pray for this young woman. Obviously, her situation is desparate. I pray for her children and especially for the one in her womb, which is now for sale to the highest bidder. I pray for emotional healing for the mother, for a peace that surpasses understanding, that she would make a good and healthy decision for her baby and for herself.
.
I also ask for your prayers for us. We would love nothing more than to add to our family. And after our prayers last night, our eyes were opened - God wants us to pursue this, even if this particular baby is not the right one for us.
.
I have a peace knowing that God will work great wonders with our "Yes!" and we are confident that our desires for a larger family will be fulfilled - in His perfect time. I think this may be the first time I've felt that peace in many years, so I rejoice on this Friday of Lent. That I have an answer, even in this non-answer I received this morning. That the desires of my heart will be fulfilled, if only I submit myself to His perfect will. So, here I am, Lord, send me!
March 06, 2008
Urgent Prayer Request
Something came to my attention today and I am seeking urgent prayers for everyone involved. I can't share details yet (hopefully there will be details to share very soon), but I'd like some prayers on our behalf for discernment and guidance.
I can't help but trust that God will take care of all the details (or provide avenues for those details to be handled smoothly). But, please pray! Also, please pray for the others involved to have peace and guidance as well.
Sorry for the cryptic request, but I hope to be able to tell you very soon.
March 04, 2008
Middle Name Meme
.
M - Mary, she is my role model. I wish I could more graciously say yes when the Lord wants something from me. Also, wishing I would be more gentle, like she surely was when Jesus was a boy.
A - Aunt! I'm still so excited to be getting another niece or nephew this year. I wish my sister (in-law) and her husband lived closer.
R - Read. I love to read and would like some suggestions on good books you've read lately that have touched you in a special way. I'm tired of grabbing whatever's on the shelf by the door of the library, just because it is convenient when I've got the girls with me. I want to read something with more substance - something that might challenge me to grow as a person. Please offer suggestions!
I - Insecure. I am, really. I try to overcome this, but a lifelong battle with low self-esteem has been a really hard habit to break. A nun told me last week that she thinks it takes a very special kind of mom to say yes to homeschooling and I completely blew off her compliment. Later, I wondered why she'd say such a thing - then it occured to me that she said it because it is true. I believe it of others, but not of myself. Lord, please help me change my attitude toward myself.
E - Eager to serve. I love to make people feel welcome. I like to do small special things for others, especially guests in my home. If you come to visit, I promise to do small nice things to make you feel warm and fuzzy.
.
I will tag anyone who wants to do this. Let me know so I can read your answers!