Habakkuk 1:1-3
How long, Lord, must I call for help,
but you do not listen?
Or cry out to you, “Violence!”
but you do not save?
Why do you make me look at injustice?
Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?
Destruction and violence are before me;
there is strife, and conflict abounds.
Therefore the law is paralyzed,
and justice never prevails.
Today, some of my waiting is over! Praise God I am new! I have a relationship with the Lord and He is doing wonderful things in my life! I haven't written for a while, but I had a chance to share a message from my favorite passage this past weekend at a youth event in Weeping Water. As the hymn goes this is my story, this is my song!
Psalm 40:1-3
I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
and put their trust in him.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Starting Over - My journey into foster care
I just realized how long it has been since we talked, sorry about that, we have been busy in my house.
I am not even sure where I am desiring to go with this post...should this be a call to action for others, am I trying to get you all involved in something larger than us, do I want you all just to hear my heart and what has been going on in our lives, or do I just need to vent. This post may turn into several as I begin writing and see what words are hitting the "paper".
Let's start at the beginning We have become involved in the foster care process. Over the course of the past 3 months we have had 5 different boys in our home ranging in age from hours old to three years. Most of those boys were only with us for short periods of time, however, currently we have a boy that has been with us from birth and will be with us for the foreseeable future. This has been a huge adjustment me for me...my youngest turned 14 in February and to start over with a baby has been fun, challenging, joyful, and heart wrenching all at the same time. It is not an easy walk, but I am fully convinced that this is what James was talking about - when he said to "be doers" of the Word and that religion that takes care of orphans and widows is what the Lord desires. This becomes tangible in very real ways...changing diapers, or getting spit-up on (which by the way this little guy really likes to do to me when I get home from work). You forget how helpless and dependent one so small is after 14 years. It has been a very fulfilling experience.
But it is hard to guard our hearts...if that is possible at all? We would desire to provide this little guy with a loving permanent home. He is bonded to us, if I call home to talk with Renee and she puts the phone by the baby, he hears my voice and starts to coo back at me. We love him as if he were ours because he is... and yet he is not. We are in this odd state of limbo. We know what we desire, we think that would be the best option for this boy. We think most people who would here the details of how he came to be with us would agree...however; add laws, DHHS, visitations, lawyers, bio-parents, and all of the other circumstances into the mix and everything becomes cloudy.
We know God knows the outcome, we know that He is in control, and He can over rule all of those other things that muddy up the water. It is just this process is so taxing. There are visits and a constant parade of people in and out of our home; trying to keep up with the home and extra emotional baggage from the situation is completely draining and taking care of a baby on top of all that too... Like the parents of any other newborn, we just want to adjust and settle into a good family routine; however, our routine is dictated by all of the outside factors.
This could just all be amplified right now, louder than usual and harder to deal with, as the baby had visits over the weekend to make up for lost time due to weather conditions...meaning the the rhythm we have been establish on the weekends when we don't have to worry about visits, workers, etc... was taken away this past weekend.
Please be praying for us!
I am not even sure where I am desiring to go with this post...should this be a call to action for others, am I trying to get you all involved in something larger than us, do I want you all just to hear my heart and what has been going on in our lives, or do I just need to vent. This post may turn into several as I begin writing and see what words are hitting the "paper".
Let's start at the beginning We have become involved in the foster care process. Over the course of the past 3 months we have had 5 different boys in our home ranging in age from hours old to three years. Most of those boys were only with us for short periods of time, however, currently we have a boy that has been with us from birth and will be with us for the foreseeable future. This has been a huge adjustment me for me...my youngest turned 14 in February and to start over with a baby has been fun, challenging, joyful, and heart wrenching all at the same time. It is not an easy walk, but I am fully convinced that this is what James was talking about - when he said to "be doers" of the Word and that religion that takes care of orphans and widows is what the Lord desires. This becomes tangible in very real ways...changing diapers, or getting spit-up on (which by the way this little guy really likes to do to me when I get home from work). You forget how helpless and dependent one so small is after 14 years. It has been a very fulfilling experience.
But it is hard to guard our hearts...if that is possible at all? We would desire to provide this little guy with a loving permanent home. He is bonded to us, if I call home to talk with Renee and she puts the phone by the baby, he hears my voice and starts to coo back at me. We love him as if he were ours because he is... and yet he is not. We are in this odd state of limbo. We know what we desire, we think that would be the best option for this boy. We think most people who would here the details of how he came to be with us would agree...however; add laws, DHHS, visitations, lawyers, bio-parents, and all of the other circumstances into the mix and everything becomes cloudy.
We know God knows the outcome, we know that He is in control, and He can over rule all of those other things that muddy up the water. It is just this process is so taxing. There are visits and a constant parade of people in and out of our home; trying to keep up with the home and extra emotional baggage from the situation is completely draining and taking care of a baby on top of all that too... Like the parents of any other newborn, we just want to adjust and settle into a good family routine; however, our routine is dictated by all of the outside factors.
This could just all be amplified right now, louder than usual and harder to deal with, as the baby had visits over the weekend to make up for lost time due to weather conditions...meaning the the rhythm we have been establish on the weekends when we don't have to worry about visits, workers, etc... was taken away this past weekend.
Please be praying for us!
Monday, January 28, 2013
Cubs/Music Monday
As a child of the 80's, and the (then) new cable TV (prior to ESPN being a really big deal) I grew up in the summers watching WGN from Chicago and the Cubs baseball games. I can still remember listening to Harry Carry and the 7th inning stretch.... What does any of this have to do with music?
WELL - Pearl Jam - One of my favorite bands - announced last week that it will be playing Wrigley Field in Chicago this summer, July 19th to be exact. So in honor of the Cubs and PJ, it would make me Smile to go to this show!
WELL - Pearl Jam - One of my favorite bands - announced last week that it will be playing Wrigley Field in Chicago this summer, July 19th to be exact. So in honor of the Cubs and PJ, it would make me Smile to go to this show!
Monday, December 10, 2012
Christmas Music Monday!
Last night some of the Jr. High girls were having a blast singing "The 12 Days of Christmas" ... oh the joys of Christmas tunes....
But I tend to be a little more indie/emo than the traditional songs...here is one band's take one this traditional classic...Taking Back Sunday's version of "12 Day of Christmas" enjoy, and Merry Christmas!
But I tend to be a little more indie/emo than the traditional songs...here is one band's take one this traditional classic...Taking Back Sunday's version of "12 Day of Christmas" enjoy, and Merry Christmas!
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Why today?
I need help, prayer actually! I hate this situation...I can't see which way to go and how to make this work! Why today, what should I do now? How will this affect those around me? This decision will stink no matter which way it ends up going!
This breaks my heart!
I know this is very vague and I apolgize...but others are involved...just pray!
This breaks my heart!
I know this is very vague and I apolgize...but others are involved...just pray!
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
It should be thanksgiving!
What a week....sorry we haven't talked much, but I have been pretty busy! I do want to share some of the awesome things that have been going down this past week-two weeks.
* At ILA - we have had record crowds the past two weeks in a row! I am so amazed at our students and thier desire to know about God. The joy they have shown since we have started back up is awesome...I am so please I get to hang with them on Sunday nights!
* LCS Drama- the students I work with have so much to be proud of. They presented a difficult topic, the Holocaust with integrity, passion, and a level of excellence. I am so proud that I get to serve at LCS in this capacity and am truly blessed by what the students have accomplished Most importantly they performed for "An audience of ONE" and gave thanks to Him for the talents He has given.
* Hopes and Dreams - I am amazed by this night. We had a record number of people come to hear the story of City Impact...a number of them have decided to partner alongside of us. The ILA students were out using their God-given strengths; speaking team members were greeting all of the guests while philanthropy team students were auctioning off cookies for the next projects. My friends, Alonzo and Tonya did a great job of communicating City Impact's ministry and the affects on their family to all who were there. Just a great night, and God' has provided so much blessing from the night....we are getting ever closer to groundbreaking, keep an eye on CI's website for updates on pledges and cash donations.
* Our friend and missionary Nicole came to Hopes and Dreams, she told us about how awesome Gad has been...and she is ready to go to the field. Language school in France in January and then on to Africa. Our family will miss her but we are excited to see her go, and to see what God will accomplish through her and her fellow co-laborers!
*Pumpkins - We had a chance to carve pumpkins as a family and with Ethan our exchange student, I am sure Renee will be posting pics soon on Facebook.
* At ILA - we have had record crowds the past two weeks in a row! I am so amazed at our students and thier desire to know about God. The joy they have shown since we have started back up is awesome...I am so please I get to hang with them on Sunday nights!
* LCS Drama- the students I work with have so much to be proud of. They presented a difficult topic, the Holocaust with integrity, passion, and a level of excellence. I am so proud that I get to serve at LCS in this capacity and am truly blessed by what the students have accomplished Most importantly they performed for "An audience of ONE" and gave thanks to Him for the talents He has given.
* Hopes and Dreams - I am amazed by this night. We had a record number of people come to hear the story of City Impact...a number of them have decided to partner alongside of us. The ILA students were out using their God-given strengths; speaking team members were greeting all of the guests while philanthropy team students were auctioning off cookies for the next projects. My friends, Alonzo and Tonya did a great job of communicating City Impact's ministry and the affects on their family to all who were there. Just a great night, and God' has provided so much blessing from the night....we are getting ever closer to groundbreaking, keep an eye on CI's website for updates on pledges and cash donations.
* Our friend and missionary Nicole came to Hopes and Dreams, she told us about how awesome Gad has been...and she is ready to go to the field. Language school in France in January and then on to Africa. Our family will miss her but we are excited to see her go, and to see what God will accomplish through her and her fellow co-laborers!
*Pumpkins - We had a chance to carve pumpkins as a family and with Ethan our exchange student, I am sure Renee will be posting pics soon on Facebook.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Music Monday - Theme Song
As production week is upon us, and Hope and Dreams is right around the corner from that...I feel really busy and stressed! So my theme song for the week is my Music Monday selection!
"Where is my Mind" by The Pixies
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