1. A Few Minutes with Jesus Each Morning is a Life Changer (Duh!) Deep down I have always known this. But motherhood is chaotic and quiet moments with Jesus are hard to come by. Jeannie Cunnion in her book Parenting the Wholehearted Child, says we get so wrapped up in the daily obligations of parenthood that we forego our own intimate encounters with God and neglect our own parch souls in the process. As the holidays came to a close, my soul was dry and my attitude was in need of a Continue Reading
What Ethiopia Did…
Sometimes we can be walking along the road we're certain God called us down, when He suddenly takes us on a detour that doesn't make any sense. That's how I felt three years ago when He clearly asked us to leave the Ethiopia program. He told us to close our file after we'd been on the wait list for 10 months. I had spent many nights lying in bed dreaming of what it would be like to get on a plane, fly across the ocean, and become a Forever Family. I even dreamt one night of a little Continue Reading
Three Years Ago…
December 9th came and went, and we still didn’t have a baby. An induction was scheduled for December 14, but A would check into the hospital the night before. “When do you want us to come?” I asked. “When I check in,” she said. I called my mom to let her know the plan. A few weeks prior, she and my dad had insisted on being at the hospital. Because of the unique circumstances, John and I hadn’t asked our parents to come to the hospital, but I was relieved my parents would be there. “We Continue Reading
A Simple Last Minute Gift {Cookies in a Jar}
I've debated whether or not to share my secret. I just might have the tastiest and easiest gift idea you'll ever find. Take a few ingredients, a jar, and some ribbon and you've got yourself a pretty fantastic Christmas gift. These cookie jars have been my go-to for years. They are perfect for teachers, neighbors, and friends. They also happen to make a really successful adoption fundraiser. We raised more than $1,000 selling these cookie jars during our adoption process. I always Continue Reading
Can You Help? {Funding Forever Families}
This month, in honor of National Adoption Awareness Month, I've introduced you to several families who are in the process of adding to their family through adoption. I've asked you to consider helping these families bear the financial burden of adoption. James 1:27 says, Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. Maybe God hasn't specifically called you to Continue Reading