Thursday, November 24, 2016
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
Sunday, November 20, 2016
Grace vs Mercy
Grace is a gift, giving us what we don't deserve,
Mercy is NOT giving us what we do deserve.
Fostering Experience
After 6 months of starting the licensing process, David and I were finally licensed to adopt on 4/20/16. Our caseworker sent many emails on individual cases and either they weren't a good match (i.e. The child couldn't be with younger children or animals, had a Hx of aggression, etc.) or when we did say "yes" someone else was chosen. Sept 12th we got the phone call for an emergency placement of a baby boy. They needed an answer within a 1/2 HR.
We had this little buddy for 9 1/2 wks. We were warned ahead of time that he may be with us for weeks, months, or even years. Our caseworker had kids placed in homes for 4 years and going. This is what I prepared my heart for in regards to our little buddy. His mom went to court and while we don't know the outcome, she was given visitation and he was moved to a foster home closer to mom.
Baby went from having injuries to being healed. Eating 10 bottles/day (an extra 300 calories/day for him) to incorporating solids 4x/day and the right amounts of formula. He would wake every 3 hours at night and cat-napping all day to taking 2 naps/day and sleeping 11 hrs @ night. We taught him to crawl, pull himself up, feed self fingerfoods, play patty cake & peek-a-boo. I wish I could have seen his family when they saw him again and how much he changed, including getting his first 2 teeth.
We got into this process to adopt, not foster. I don't think we'll foster again for a while because it was so hard on the girls to say goodbye. I had a hard time too, but I know we were there for him for a season. Many times you just don't know how long a season will last. Maybe it's a good thing he won't remember us. One less person's feelings hurt.
People gave us such nice compliments, but they gave us too much credit. "Good for you!" But I see it like this: what if a mom threw her baby out of a burning building to you to save him. Would you catch him and care for him if he had no one else? Absolutely.
This little fella will always have someone praying for him. I hope the best for him. He touched a lot of lives in a short amount of time.
We had this little buddy for 9 1/2 wks. We were warned ahead of time that he may be with us for weeks, months, or even years. Our caseworker had kids placed in homes for 4 years and going. This is what I prepared my heart for in regards to our little buddy. His mom went to court and while we don't know the outcome, she was given visitation and he was moved to a foster home closer to mom.
Baby went from having injuries to being healed. Eating 10 bottles/day (an extra 300 calories/day for him) to incorporating solids 4x/day and the right amounts of formula. He would wake every 3 hours at night and cat-napping all day to taking 2 naps/day and sleeping 11 hrs @ night. We taught him to crawl, pull himself up, feed self fingerfoods, play patty cake & peek-a-boo. I wish I could have seen his family when they saw him again and how much he changed, including getting his first 2 teeth.
We got into this process to adopt, not foster. I don't think we'll foster again for a while because it was so hard on the girls to say goodbye. I had a hard time too, but I know we were there for him for a season. Many times you just don't know how long a season will last. Maybe it's a good thing he won't remember us. One less person's feelings hurt.
People gave us such nice compliments, but they gave us too much credit. "Good for you!" But I see it like this: what if a mom threw her baby out of a burning building to you to save him. Would you catch him and care for him if he had no one else? Absolutely.
This little fella will always have someone praying for him. I hope the best for him. He touched a lot of lives in a short amount of time.
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
2016 Election
I'll be honest, I voted for Evan McMullin. I wish it would have been Hillary vs Ted Cruz. BUT -- that didn't stop David and I from rooting for Trump last night when watching the polls. I don't know what we will get with Trump, but I do know what we would get with Hillary...4 more years of what Obama did to this poor country, and worse.
I pray for our country. I pray for our president. Republicans took the presidency, the house, & the senate. As much as people believe that Obama did "such great things for our nation", I beg to ask the question -- then why did the country vote this way and BEG for change???
I believe Trump is deep down still democrat, but I also believe he likes to be popular and well liked. He does not want to fail. Obama has divided this country horribly. In Glen Beck's words, Trump has his work cut out for him...about as much as Lincoln had to unify this nation. Obama & Clinton are of the "us and them" mentality. She made this clear when she called Trump supporters "deplorables". I pray Trump reaches across the aisle and fixes what is terribly, terribly wrong.
Trump got Florida, Michigan, & Wisconsin -- what does that tell you? Hope and change went the wrong way, but I digress.
God bless America.
228
Hillary Clinton
279
Donald J. Trump
59,649,606 votes (47.7%)
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
Make Me a Servant, Humble & Meek. Lord Let Me Lift up Those Who Are Weak...
The following reflection is courtesy of Don Schwager (c) 2016, whose website is located at DailyScripture.net
Are you ready to give the Lord your best, regardless of what it might cost you? Perhaps we are like the laborer in Jesus' parable who expected special favor and reward for going the extra mile? How unfair for the master to compel his servant to give more than what was expected! Don't we love to assert our rights: "I will give only what is required and no more!" But who can satisfy the claims of love?
We are called to serve God and neighbor selflessly and generously
Jesus used this parable of the dutiful servant to explain that we can never put God in our debt or make the claim that God owes us something. We must regard ourselves as God's servants, just as Jesus came "not to be served, but to serve"(Matthew 20:28). Service of God and of neighbor is both a voluntary or free act and a sacred duty. One can volunteer for service or be compelled to do service for one's country or one's family when special needs arise. Likewise, God expects us to give him the worship and praise which is his due. And he gladly accepts the free-will offering of our lives to him and to his service. What makes our offering pleasing to God is the love we express in the act of self-giving. True love is sacrificial, generous, and selfless.
Jesus used this parable of the dutiful servant to explain that we can never put God in our debt or make the claim that God owes us something. We must regard ourselves as God's servants, just as Jesus came "not to be served, but to serve"(Matthew 20:28). Service of God and of neighbor is both a voluntary or free act and a sacred duty. One can volunteer for service or be compelled to do service for one's country or one's family when special needs arise. Likewise, God expects us to give him the worship and praise which is his due. And he gladly accepts the free-will offering of our lives to him and to his service. What makes our offering pleasing to God is the love we express in the act of self-giving. True love is sacrificial, generous, and selfless.
The love of God compels us to give our best
How can we love others selflessly and unconditionally? Scripture tells us that God himself is love (1 John 4:16) - he is the author of life and the source of all true relationships of love and friendship. He created us in love for love, and he fills our hearts with the boundless love that gives whatever is good for the sake of another (Romans 5:5). If we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us (1 John 4:12).
How can we love others selflessly and unconditionally? Scripture tells us that God himself is love (1 John 4:16) - he is the author of life and the source of all true relationships of love and friendship. He created us in love for love, and he fills our hearts with the boundless love that gives whatever is good for the sake of another (Romans 5:5). If we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us (1 John 4:12).
God honors the faithful servant who loves and serves others generously. He is ever ready to work in and through us for his glory. We must remember, however, that God can never be indebted to us. We have no claim on him. His love compels us to give him our best! And when we have done our best, we have simply done our duty. We can never outmatch God in doing good and showing love. God loves us without measure. Does the love of God compel you to give your best?
"Lord Jesus, fill my heart with love, gratitude and generosity. Make me a faithful and zealous servant for you. May I generously pour out my life in loving service for you and for others, just as you have so generously poured yourself out in love for me."
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
Sometimes...I Wonder
[to God]
Tevye: I know, I know. We are Your chosen people. But, once in a while, can't You choose someone else?
[to God]
Tevye: Sometimes I think, when it gets too quiet up there, You say to Yourself, "What kind of mischief can I play on My friend Tevye?"
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Elizabeth Turns 6
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| The girl who made me "mom". |
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| 6 YO Birthday girl in front of her "Robot Minon" treats for school. |
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