Adoption

I recently found out about some friends of ours beginning the journey of adoption.  And it's made me think about the subject once again, in all it's sweetness.  Be warned, I'm not well versed in adoption and the common faux pas that people say on the topic.  I'm a little worried about ignorantly saying something stupid.  So if you read on, please read with a measure of grace in your heart for me.

Growing up, we knew a few families that adopted children.  It was always a positive experience as an on-looker, although never easy because child-rearing simply isn't easy.  With one family, I got to meet each little girl the day they came to their new home, watch them become part of their new family and even attend their adoption ceremony at the courthouse with family, friends and workers present.  For those of you who know Paul Boyd, it was special to see him shed tears of joy at the ceremony and then speak often of adoption in gospel meeting.  Those little girls would just beam with joy, tapping their parents and whispering, "I'm adopted!"  It was a good kind of special, with good associations.

We have some dear friends that adopted their first child from Korea.  It was beautiful to watch them all take to each other so naturally and lovingly.  Both sides of the extended families were so eager to welcome the little guy and shower him with "grandparent-ly" enthusiasm and love.

I have some neighbors, with two boys biologically, that are doing "foster-to-adopt" and it's been a difficult road for them.  It's clear to me that they feel guided by a larger Will than their own in the step of adoption.  It's a daily act fraught with pain and heartache because of the uncertainty and children coming and going, but they are so motivated by the needs of children and their desire to share a loving family.  It's inspiring!

I had wished to adopt, but in the early married years, it wasn't a shared dream.  Now that we exceeded our capacity of two children, adopting is something that I have to wrap up and put on the shelf.  But I have little dreams of foster care that I'm saving for future days, if possible!  And someday, maybe I can be a Grandma to children born in the heart, as well as under it.

And now, more dear friends from back in the "single days"  have decided to adopt.  They have two bio daughters who are ready to open their hearts and home to make more family.   I can think of three other families I know who have adopted, one started with adoption, the other finished with adoption and the third only adopted.  I love how each adoption story, each journey is so unique yet motivated by the similar things: the desire to share in a family, and the needs of the children themselves.

Although I realize adoption is not exclusively a spiritual decision, I do enjoy thinking of it in that light.  That God wanted a family, so He adopted us.  That God loves us in our need, and gives us gifts beyond compare.  That He even sees us as worthy of adoption, we who are so much less than He.  Like marriage can be a type of Christ and the church, natural adoption is a type of us being spiritually adopted in the family of God.  I'm thankful God adopted me, and I'm thankful for those who show this great gift to children in this world.

33 1/2 Years

At the end of June, I turned 33 and a half.

I was sitting in a gospel meeting in Bakersfield when I first remember hearing about Jesus living for 33 and a half years on this earth and preaching the gospel himself for 3 and a half years before he was crucified.  And for about four years, the number 33 and a half came up a lot because there were certain things Ralph MacDonald preached about often.  And I always wondered what it would be like to consider Jesus' death and resurrection when I was his age.  But I was only about seven years old when I first thought these things, and I had a really LOOOOOOONG time to wait.  Or so I thought!

So ever since the end of June, I have been thinking about being Jesus' age when he finished his Father's work on this earth.

As a mother of young children, I don't feel like my work is finished here.  I don't feel ready to go home to God.  But it doesn't seem that Jesus felt the same about the work he was doing.

It doesn't seem that Jesus' work on earth tied him here.  He didn't ask for more time to complete it.  But he did take his job seriously and gave it his all.  Everything.  And he said that he had finished the work that God gave him to do.  I want to view my work the same way; love it, do my best at it, give it my all, and yet be ready to leave it, finished, when God says I am finished.  Jesus could have felt that his work was finished when every soul on earth had heard him preach or had been given a chance to know him or other benchmarks like that.  But he didn't do that, either.  And I need to remember the same: just give each day my all until God says I am finished.

I don't know much about these things, but I think maybe Jesus remembered Heaven and being there with God before he came to the earth.  And I can imagine in a weak way, how much he must have missed Heaven, especially trading it for several years on earth.  Probably Jesus missed being so close to his Father even more than Heaven itself.  The fellowship Jesus had with his Father here on earth might have been less close than the fellowship they had together before and after.  Maybe in some ways, God was merciful to Jesus in that Jesus didn't have to stay away from God for an entire lifetime.  I want to have that kind of focus: that I just want to get closer and closer to God.  I want approaching death to be much more joyful than sad when I think about it.

We heard this morning about not worrying about next week, but just worrying about today.  If I could do my best today to do the work God has given me, and give it everything I've got today, then I think that is how to be ready.

Update on "The Crazy"

Thought I'd give the conclusion of the matter at convention!

So we all survived.  We've been home a couple weeks and things are back in the "groove" once again.

I loved Tamara's comment back on Embrace the Crazy...."no tips, but total understanding."  Such a great line and it made me feel better!  Thanks! =)  Tamara has 7 children of her own so far, so if anyone  could "pooh pooh" my little problems, she could.  Instead she dishes out understanding.  Ahhhhh! (filing away for future use)

Lucas slept away from me this year with his Grandpa and a father-son pair of good friends.  He did one trial night, and was hooked!  I found out later about late nights and Angry Birds... but I know those are memories he'll have forever with his Gpa.  ;)

Aidan is getting really good at sleeping in, so most mornings I brought him breakfast.  Julia is the one who pushes all sleep limits and she wiped out big time on Saturday.  Tears, tears, tears.  Everything was impossible, so I made a rule:  If she napped in meeting she could play in between with her friends. She didn't nap, so off we went Saturday afternoon.  She had a nice long nap and was a different person when she woke up.  The great thing was how clearly the sleep had made her feel better.  She noticed it, we talked about it and it helped her understand that her body needs it.  It's not just about Mom having some rule.  Her body tells her "I've had enough!" and she's learning to listen.

I managed alright, myself.  The entire convention was a journey for me, a lot of things to work out and struggle with.  I came away with some worries as well as help.  After the convention, I spent a little time processing, and when Sunday of #2 came around, I was thrilled with all the comfort and confirmation I got in both meetings.  I sometimes try to take on things that aren't MINE.  And I sometimes worry about things that are not in my sphere of control, and I frustrate around about it.  When a person does this, exhaustingly, it can be so wonderful when God reminds us that HE saw it all long before, has a plan, is executing it, sees the big picture and has all the power, period.  It's like realizing that you had your teeth clenched and enjoying how it feels to unclench them, only on a much larger scale. ;)  And in the end, I have A LOT of work to do.  And it's time to get on with it!

Embrace The Crazy

Sometimes, I think Mom's have to learn to embrace the crazy.  At least, I feel like that.  Sometimes the only road to sanity is to relax and decided that life WILL BE CRAZY and that it's okay.

I'm not type A, I'm not a neat freak and I don't plan my days intensely.  But as a Mom who pays the consequences for children getting the wrong foods or lack of sleep, I can be protective of the line between "the schedule" and "the crazy".

The reason for all this crazy talk is that convention looms/glimmers on the horizon and with the excitement comes the dread.  Although life is a tuneful melody compared to the chaotic din of the past, the convention schedule is still tricky.  Bedtime/nighttime is normally 7pm - 7am.  At convention, it's a maximum of 8:30pm to 6:30am.  With the distinct possibility of an even shorter night, as the past has shown.  The temps are HOT.  And so dry that heat stroke can be possible in the shade as you lose water so quickly.  But playtime is so necessary, so that kids will sit/sleep through the meetings.  Both of these things contribute heavily to crabbiness and tears as the days wear on.

The kids love convention, though, they have no thoughts about depriving themselves of all this fun just because they might be grouchy!  I love convention, too.  And that is why after thinking through all the options that I will embrace the crazy.  I know I'll be dealing with tears, so I'll just be calm and provide naps, love and soothing options.  We'll bring gallons of gatorade and play chinese jump rope in the shade.  I think it will pay off for me to prepare myself for the inevitable struggles so that I can better enjoy the spiritual offerings of convention.

Any tips from the veterans?

Convention: an annual, four-day getaway in one location(meals and beds on site) for the purpose of hearing the gospel from many ministers, including from other states and countries. Not so much outreach as it is a boost for the flock.

Playing "Real" Gospel Meeting

Recently, we all had to pile out of the car right after hopping in to go to Gospel Meeting.  Both of our cars were dead or bald.  Boo hoo!

However, I had two brave children pave the way for preaching at our house.  It was a special experience, and one I want to record permanently!

Julia and Lucas set up an interesting microphone (perhaps in honor of workers making do with what they have? or making what they have work?), and Julia decided to be the first worker.

We sang #1 and then #181, both favorites of hers.
Then she started to pray, but got a little upset since she couldn't think about what she should pray.  So I encouraged her to tell God thank-you for something and she did quite well, ending with "...and thanks for all the rest of the stuff."
Then we sang #309, Aidan's choice.
Julia then began to preach the gospel, after clarifying that she was going to pretend to read since she didn't know the right chapter.  She spoke about Joseph and how she appreciated that he was sold into slavery by his brothers in verse one.  And she appreciated that he became in charge of things in Egypt.  And she told how his brothers didn't recognize him, but he recognized them and so he asked how his father was doing.  And she appreciated that.  Then she spoke from Daniel 24, and she said there was a feast in someone's house, she couldn't remember who.  And that Daniel talked to the cook and said that there was some special meat he had saved and it was for Saul.  And she appreciated that, too.

Next, it was time for Lucas to preach.

 He asked for a choice of a hymn, so I chose #390.
And then we sang #403, Lucas's personal fav.
And he began to preach the gospel, but had trouble reading from Genesis about Joseph being in Potipher's house.  After some temptation to give up this calling, he decided to use his new Bible which was easier to read.  (He's not quite comfortable with this new Bible in public yet, because it's not normal meaning a black cover.  Instead, it's got kids in a jeep on the front.) So he read to us about Joseph being responsible and how the Lord was with him and gave him success in everything he did.  And how Potipher could see that, and trusted Joseph with everything in his house and in his field.  And Lucas liked how it said that, and then chose our closing hymn, #100.

After Gospel Meeting was over, we all shook hands and Lucas commented how he could see that it would be hard for Workers to preach the gospel!  Probably a good lesson to learn early; being able to put ourselves in someone else's shoes with empathy.  =)

Meanwhile, Aidan did what he usually does in Gospel Meeting:

None of this was orchestrated by me, so I was impressed that Aidan climbed up onto my lap and stayed there for the duration.  Lucas and Julia both did a good job of listening to each other, and it was very pleasant for me!