Leviticus 26:6 “I will give you peace in the land, and you will be able to sleep with no cause for fear. I will rid the land of wild animals and keep your enemies out of your land"
Friday, April 1, 2011
Photo Challenge Day 4
A photo of your night... this one was hard. Josh is on 3rds right now so I try hard not to concentrate on my nights. If I didn't despise music that played when you opened a blog page I might have downloaded some snoring music for you but my companion at night is the sound of Pavlov snoring right on the other side of the door. I know he's there for me if I should need him during the night and the sound reminds me of Josh snoring beside me. I've said before that to some people the sound of happiness is the sound of their children playing but I don't have that yet. The sound of my happiness is Josh and Pavlov snoring in unison as I wake up in the morning. Hopefully sometime soon Josh will be back in my nights but until then I'll make do with Pavlov.
Leviticus 26:6 “I will give you peace in the land, and you will be able to sleep with no cause for fear. I will rid the land of wild animals and keep your enemies out of your land"
Leviticus 26:6 “I will give you peace in the land, and you will be able to sleep with no cause for fear. I will rid the land of wild animals and keep your enemies out of your land"
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Photo Challenge Day 3
Day 03 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show
Well I thought I would tell you about a couple, first up favorite tv show from when I was a teenager:
I loved Dawson's Creek. I was never a Dawson girl though. I loved Pacey so I adored how the show ended! I remember watching it on a tv with a dial (it was really old, I'm not that old!) in my bedroom (with the door open of course!) with Josh. His ability to watch such a girly show just proves his love for me, lol.
And then:
This will always be one of my favorites. I loved how Lorelei and Rory were best friends. Although my mom is a lot more mature than Lorelei, I cherish having that kind of say anything relationship with my own mom. I always watched with my sisters and it was awesome.
I'm trying to cut back on my tv viewing and upgrade the quality of shows I'm watching (get rid of those that glorify those sins that Jesus died for) so I'll give you 2 more that I will continue to watch because I'm dorky and love them:
Like I said, I'm a dork. I love Jeopardy. I love being right and answering questions. I love learning new things on the categories that I'm not so good in. If I were ever a contestant I hope I would do as well as I do in my living room. I watched this show every night as a child with my parents (and still do when I'm there at 7:30) and DVR it so when there is nothing on tv I have something good to watch.
Finally, I am not really into "Reality TV" and people putting down others for their 15 minutes of fame but I do love:
I love the Biggest Loser! It is awesome to see people overcome their foibles and change their lives for the better. Some seasons the people are more into game play and I don't like it. We had a guy from our area on a couple of seasons ago and my sisters were lucky enough to meet him and I feel encouraged each time I watch it. As I said I'm trying to cut out the negative tv from my life but this show gets to stay because it encourages me to be a better me!
God Bless You!
Romans 1:12 When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.
Well I thought I would tell you about a couple, first up favorite tv show from when I was a teenager:
I loved Dawson's Creek. I was never a Dawson girl though. I loved Pacey so I adored how the show ended! I remember watching it on a tv with a dial (it was really old, I'm not that old!) in my bedroom (with the door open of course!) with Josh. His ability to watch such a girly show just proves his love for me, lol.
And then:
This will always be one of my favorites. I loved how Lorelei and Rory were best friends. Although my mom is a lot more mature than Lorelei, I cherish having that kind of say anything relationship with my own mom. I always watched with my sisters and it was awesome.
I'm trying to cut back on my tv viewing and upgrade the quality of shows I'm watching (get rid of those that glorify those sins that Jesus died for) so I'll give you 2 more that I will continue to watch because I'm dorky and love them:
Like I said, I'm a dork. I love Jeopardy. I love being right and answering questions. I love learning new things on the categories that I'm not so good in. If I were ever a contestant I hope I would do as well as I do in my living room. I watched this show every night as a child with my parents (and still do when I'm there at 7:30) and DVR it so when there is nothing on tv I have something good to watch.
Finally, I am not really into "Reality TV" and people putting down others for their 15 minutes of fame but I do love:
I love the Biggest Loser! It is awesome to see people overcome their foibles and change their lives for the better. Some seasons the people are more into game play and I don't like it. We had a guy from our area on a couple of seasons ago and my sisters were lucky enough to meet him and I feel encouraged each time I watch it. As I said I'm trying to cut out the negative tv from my life but this show gets to stay because it encourages me to be a better me!
God Bless You!
Romans 1:12 When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Photo Challenge Day 2
Day 02 - A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest
This is me and my older sister Betsy. As young children we were antagonists but then when her partner in crime left when I was 11 we grew really close. She and I make a great team, we balance each other out and challenge each other to think about things differently. I am so glad that my best friend is also one of my sisters, I have 3 great sisters and 3 great sils. This picture is from my wedding day because apparently I don't take too many photos of anything.... maybe this challenge will encourage me to pick up my camera a little more often.
Proverbs 7:4 Love wisdom like a sister;make insight a beloved member of your family
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
30 day photo challenge
Ok, this is something posted over on Facebook, a 30 day photo challenge but since I'm so early in this adoption process I think I will use it to help you get to know me and what makes me me. I have posted the whole list here so that I can reference it.
So here's today:
Day 01 - A picture of yourself with ten facts
1. This picture is not really that flattering but it shows me at my best. Serving God in Costa Rica and connecting with children in order to teach them. I truly believe this is my life's calling.
2. I prayed to God that I would never have to date, it seemed too painful. God answered my prayer when Josh asked me to prom my junior year of high school. We went as friends and became a couple the next week. I thank God everyday for such a wonderful man in my life.
3. I am my parents' 4th child out of 7. I love that I am part of such a large family. It brings me great support each day.
4. I am a licensed K-6 teacher with an ESL endorsement. I went back for this certification after earning my Bachelor's from Hanover College in English and Spanish.
5. I have traveled to Spain and Italy twice, to Costa Rica, to Germany, and had my passport stamped in Belgium. I have also been to Canada and Mexico as well as 45 states.
6. I love to read books. I read kids books, adult books, fiction books, nonfiction books, signs, anything! Learning is super important to me!
7. I finally accomplished my goal of reading through the Bible in a year in 2010. I am about a 3rd of the way to doing it again!
8. When I was a child we always had animals but they belonged outside. When we got married we got an English Mastiff, Pavlov, and then a few years later we got Krashen, a cute mutt. They belong inside but ONLY in public areas never in private rooms like the bedrooms!
9. Josh and I discussed adoption before we ever got married. God planted that seed in my heart a long time ago.
10. I didn't know anything about Ethiopia before I started researching it as a possibility for adoption. I am impressed with the connections to Biblical Israel and to Christianity. I am moved by the need of the people in Ethiopia. I am delighted to see the light in the eyes of the beautiful children there. I am humbled to think that God's will is that I will always be connected with Ethiopia.
So that's it for tonight, I hope you enjoyed learning an extra little bit about me.
As an extra my favorite Bible verse: Philippians 3:14 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
See you tomorrow!
Day 02 - A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest
Day 03 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show
Day 04 - A picture of your night
Day 05 - A picture of your favorite memory
Day 06 - A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day
Day 07 - A picture of your most treasured item
Day 08 - A picture that makes you laugh
Day 09 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most
Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the most ****** up things with
Day 11 - A picture of something you hate
Day 12 - A picture of something you love
Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist
Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without
Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die
Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you
Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently
Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity
Day 19 - A picture and a letter
Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel
Day 21 - A picture of something you wish you could forget
Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at
Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book
Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change
Day 25 - A picture of your day
Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you
Day 27 - A picture of yourself and a family member
Day 28 - A picture of something you're afraid of
Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile
Day 30 - A picture of someone you miss
Day 31 - A picture of yourself
So here's today:
Day 01 - A picture of yourself with ten facts
1. This picture is not really that flattering but it shows me at my best. Serving God in Costa Rica and connecting with children in order to teach them. I truly believe this is my life's calling.
2. I prayed to God that I would never have to date, it seemed too painful. God answered my prayer when Josh asked me to prom my junior year of high school. We went as friends and became a couple the next week. I thank God everyday for such a wonderful man in my life.
3. I am my parents' 4th child out of 7. I love that I am part of such a large family. It brings me great support each day.
4. I am a licensed K-6 teacher with an ESL endorsement. I went back for this certification after earning my Bachelor's from Hanover College in English and Spanish.
5. I have traveled to Spain and Italy twice, to Costa Rica, to Germany, and had my passport stamped in Belgium. I have also been to Canada and Mexico as well as 45 states.
6. I love to read books. I read kids books, adult books, fiction books, nonfiction books, signs, anything! Learning is super important to me!
7. I finally accomplished my goal of reading through the Bible in a year in 2010. I am about a 3rd of the way to doing it again!
8. When I was a child we always had animals but they belonged outside. When we got married we got an English Mastiff, Pavlov, and then a few years later we got Krashen, a cute mutt. They belong inside but ONLY in public areas never in private rooms like the bedrooms!
9. Josh and I discussed adoption before we ever got married. God planted that seed in my heart a long time ago.
10. I didn't know anything about Ethiopia before I started researching it as a possibility for adoption. I am impressed with the connections to Biblical Israel and to Christianity. I am moved by the need of the people in Ethiopia. I am delighted to see the light in the eyes of the beautiful children there. I am humbled to think that God's will is that I will always be connected with Ethiopia.
So that's it for tonight, I hope you enjoyed learning an extra little bit about me.
As an extra my favorite Bible verse: Philippians 3:14 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
See you tomorrow!
Day 02 - A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest
Day 03 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show
Day 04 - A picture of your night
Day 05 - A picture of your favorite memory
Day 06 - A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day
Day 07 - A picture of your most treasured item
Day 08 - A picture that makes you laugh
Day 09 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most
Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the most ****** up things with
Day 11 - A picture of something you hate
Day 12 - A picture of something you love
Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist
Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without
Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die
Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you
Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently
Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity
Day 19 - A picture and a letter
Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel
Day 21 - A picture of something you wish you could forget
Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at
Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book
Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change
Day 25 - A picture of your day
Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you
Day 27 - A picture of yourself and a family member
Day 28 - A picture of something you're afraid of
Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile
Day 30 - A picture of someone you miss
Day 31 - A picture of yourself
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Spring Break
I have been so blessed this week to get to spend a lot of time with Josh. With him working 3rd shift, time together is a gift. I am very thankful to God that Josh is able to work right now, I think the off-shift provides him more opportunities for overtime which is helping my adoption fund but I am definitely hoping that when the kids get here he is able to work first shift. I was able to take a break from working, volunteering, etc this week and just relax and enjoy life. I also got to celebrate my birthday which is slightly bittersweet. I am not one who dreads getting older, it's just a little weird to think about the fact that at my age my mom had 4 kids (I'm actually half her age this year) and even though I've always envisioned my life full of kids I don't have any yet. I'm trying not to freak about the slowdown in ET. CHI has been great at being reassuring and letting us know that they are still having progress so I'm going to "Be still and know that I(God) am(is) God(God)" Psalm 46:10. Next week I go back to work etc, I do ask for prayers about job searching and God's place for me. Thanks for reading. I was looking back through our wedding ceremony today (I told you I was feeling great spending time with Josh) and this scripture we had read during the ceremony is just on my heart tonight so I'll leave you with it:
1 John 4:7-12: Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Help Ethiopia Today!
I am totally ripping this blog post off of someone else but it's 10:23, I still have 1 more workday til Spring Break and I sat in the cold for 2 hours trying to get my car to work today only to just leave it there and borrow someone else's. I promise some more insightful stuff next week but today I am only asking for HELP!!! Ethiopia has cut the number of adoptions they are allowing each day by 90% and there is more concern over further cuts. As I posted earlier there are so many orphans in Ethiopia waiting for their forever families and you can do something to help that without even going over there and bringing some home. Just go sign this petition to the government agency in Ethiopia asking for them to rethink this huge reduction and do what is best for the children. Here's the info on how you can help:
Hi my sweet bloggy friends!!! We are once again asking for your help in spreading the word about the situation in Ethiopia! Please consider signing this petition(it only takes one minute), then pass it on to all your friends:)! You DO NOT have to be adopting from Ethiopia in order to sign this! As adoptive parents, I hope we will stand together for the children, no matter where we are adopting from!
Thanks! Here's the link to the petition: http://www.gopetition.com/petition/43714.html
Five Things You Can do to Help!
1) Sign the petition to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Meles Zenawi – and pass it on!
2) Have you adopted from Ethiopia? Please send us up to 3 photos and 50 words or less with what you would like the Ministry to know about your child – we’ll compile the information and send a book to the Ministry of Woman’s, Children’s and Youth Affairs. Send your photos and stories by Sunday, March 12, 2011 to be included. Please note that sending photos and stories gives Joint Council unrestricted right to use the information you provide. UPDATE: we’ve received so many emails in support that our email server has crashed! We’ve set up an alternative email account – please start emailing your photos/stories to emergency4ethiopia@gmail.com. Thanks for your amazing support!
3) Share…Please send this Call to Action to family members, other adoptive parents, and everyone you know! Post, forward and share your adoption stories via Facebook, Twitter, and blogs. Make sure you include us in your posts so we can all hear your stories! Here’s links to our pages: Facebook, Twitter and our blog.
4) Stay informed: Get up-to-date information regarding the situation in Ethiopia by signing up to receive information from us: click here to do so, make sure you choose “country and issues specific information” and “Ethiopia.” And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and our blog!
5) Help ensure our advocacy can continue: Joint Council is a non-profit and receives no government funding. Please join us in ensuring more children live in safe, permanent and loving families. Donate today!
Hi my sweet bloggy friends!!! We are once again asking for your help in spreading the word about the situation in Ethiopia! Please consider signing this petition(it only takes one minute), then pass it on to all your friends:)! You DO NOT have to be adopting from Ethiopia in order to sign this! As adoptive parents, I hope we will stand together for the children, no matter where we are adopting from!
Thanks! Here's the link to the petition: http://www.gopetition.com/petition/43714.html
Five Things You Can do to Help!
1) Sign the petition to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Meles Zenawi – and pass it on!
2) Have you adopted from Ethiopia? Please send us up to 3 photos and 50 words or less with what you would like the Ministry to know about your child – we’ll compile the information and send a book to the Ministry of Woman’s, Children’s and Youth Affairs. Send your photos and stories by Sunday, March 12, 2011 to be included. Please note that sending photos and stories gives Joint Council unrestricted right to use the information you provide. UPDATE: we’ve received so many emails in support that our email server has crashed! We’ve set up an alternative email account – please start emailing your photos/stories to emergency4ethiopia@gmail.com. Thanks for your amazing support!
3) Share…Please send this Call to Action to family members, other adoptive parents, and everyone you know! Post, forward and share your adoption stories via Facebook, Twitter, and blogs. Make sure you include us in your posts so we can all hear your stories! Here’s links to our pages: Facebook, Twitter and our blog.
4) Stay informed: Get up-to-date information regarding the situation in Ethiopia by signing up to receive information from us: click here to do so, make sure you choose “country and issues specific information” and “Ethiopia.” And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and our blog!
5) Help ensure our advocacy can continue: Joint Council is a non-profit and receives no government funding. Please join us in ensuring more children live in safe, permanent and loving families. Donate today!
Monday, March 7, 2011
Contest on another adoption blog
So I am entering a contest on another site in order to:
To kick off our new blog, we’re giving away a FREE BOOK to help you navigate the difficult aspects of adoption!
You can read more about the book on www.difficultadoption.com
including reviews and an excerpt chapter.
including reviews and an excerpt chapter.
If you're interested visit the blog at http://difficultadoption.wordpress.com/
I need to update but hopefully I can do that later tonight.
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