Last night I was cleaning up dishes from my daughter's birthday party. She turned 1 and had a big party with her cousins, aunts and uncles, nana and papa. My father in law is a pastor, so we had a time where he shared a few Bible verses and prayed a prayer of dedication and blessing over her with all her family present. Then we ate dinner, played, sang, opened presents.... Liliana had so much fun!
Cleaning up these dishes were the best dishes of my life! If someone would have told me last year at this time that I would be throwing a party for my baby girl I would have smiled politely, but been rolling my eyes in my head. Yet, God completely took me off guard and surprised me with this gift.
These past 6 months of my life have been so amazing. I wrote in my journal the other day that Liliana is "God's joy incarnate in my life." She makes me laugh and smile and gives me joy everyday. I think having to wait so long to be a mom has made me want to soak up every moment with her.
I can't wait to do birthday dishes next year and all the ones to follow. Those are the best kind of dishes ever!
Monday, December 29, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
ABC's
Yesterday Chris had the idea that he wanted to get his mom a mystery book for Christmas. All of our shopping has been done for awhile b/c I am not into fighting big crowds at the store right before the holidays. But he wanted to do this for his mom, so we decided to swing by Borders, at the mall, on the way home.
Ok, seriously I have never seen such craziness in a parking lot. Cars were lined up at each of the exits getting to the main roads, almost grid lock in nature. We managed to get into the parking lot just as some guy was leaving and we parked. Chris ran in to get the book and I waited in the car with Liliana who was sound asleep. After about a half hour passed by I called him to see what was up. He was in line. I was hungry and when I get hungry I get super cranky. I started in... "Why did you have to wait til now to think of getting your mom a book, blah blah.. " After we hung up I called about a minute later to say sorry.
Finally Chris gets back to the car. I know it is going to take us at least 15 minutes or more to get out of the parking lot b/c I have been watching cars inch along. I am so hungry. Did I mention I had to pee really badly too? I also had this feeling of closterphobia- we were in this parking lot and there is no way to get out to the main roads. Some punk teenage kid would not let us merge to his lane, so Chris ends up blocking the incoming traffic. Liliana is up at this point. I am sure she is soaking wet, but she is thankfully just playing in the back seat with her teddy bear.
I am in this moment where I think, I have had such a fun day and I do not want to let this crowded parking lot ruin it. So I said. " Okay Chris, how can we make the most of this?"
He suggested putting on some Christmas tunes. I turned the station and it was some annoying re-mix of a Christmas song and it was not cutting it.
-This isn't working.
- Okay, let's go through the alphabet and think of songs that start with that letter.
So he belts out some "A" song.
Next came "B" and I started singing "Beat It" by Michael Jackson. At that point the mood changed entirely. We both started laughing and on went the game. Liliana loves music, so she would grunt in the back seat when it was a particularly fun song. It took 15 + minutes to get out of the parking lot, but it went by so fast. By the time we hit the ramp for the highway Chris was humming Zooropa by U2. We had such a fun time and it was the perfect ending to our day out .
Ok, seriously I have never seen such craziness in a parking lot. Cars were lined up at each of the exits getting to the main roads, almost grid lock in nature. We managed to get into the parking lot just as some guy was leaving and we parked. Chris ran in to get the book and I waited in the car with Liliana who was sound asleep. After about a half hour passed by I called him to see what was up. He was in line. I was hungry and when I get hungry I get super cranky. I started in... "Why did you have to wait til now to think of getting your mom a book, blah blah.. " After we hung up I called about a minute later to say sorry.
Finally Chris gets back to the car. I know it is going to take us at least 15 minutes or more to get out of the parking lot b/c I have been watching cars inch along. I am so hungry. Did I mention I had to pee really badly too? I also had this feeling of closterphobia- we were in this parking lot and there is no way to get out to the main roads. Some punk teenage kid would not let us merge to his lane, so Chris ends up blocking the incoming traffic. Liliana is up at this point. I am sure she is soaking wet, but she is thankfully just playing in the back seat with her teddy bear.
I am in this moment where I think, I have had such a fun day and I do not want to let this crowded parking lot ruin it. So I said. " Okay Chris, how can we make the most of this?"
He suggested putting on some Christmas tunes. I turned the station and it was some annoying re-mix of a Christmas song and it was not cutting it.
-This isn't working.
- Okay, let's go through the alphabet and think of songs that start with that letter.
So he belts out some "A" song.
Next came "B" and I started singing "Beat It" by Michael Jackson. At that point the mood changed entirely. We both started laughing and on went the game. Liliana loves music, so she would grunt in the back seat when it was a particularly fun song. It took 15 + minutes to get out of the parking lot, but it went by so fast. By the time we hit the ramp for the highway Chris was humming Zooropa by U2. We had such a fun time and it was the perfect ending to our day out .
Thursday, December 18, 2008
$
My first year of marriage Chris and I were in YWAM, which meant we had very little income. On one hand, I remember each month having to pray for what we needed and at times it was quite stressful. Yet on the other hand, that first year of marriage, we traveled to New Zealand for a 2.5 week honeymoon, to Austria (which was a childhood dream for Chris), Germany, France, Guatemala, Mexico and all over the USA. Each trip came from unsolicited, totally random people wanting to get us to these places. I remember on one of our plane rides thinking- this is what rich people do and look at us! We felt rich in experiences, adventure, travel and FAITH.
So fast forward to year 8 of marriage. We are in this weird transitional spot of church planting in Madison, yet still being in St. Louis due to some legal issues with our adoption. Chris got a job at St. Louis Bread Co. and I am watching kids part time until we move. We are back in this financial season of having to count each dollar and trust God in ways we haven't had to do in years. I haven't exactly been thrilled with having such a high accountability level with our finances, yet God is meeting us and I know He is in it. I remember after I left YWAM I wanted to always know that God was my source and that I need to depend on Him, but I did NOT want to go back to those intense times of dependency. And yet, I don't know why. In those intense times of dependency, God shows up.
I have been starting to write down our provision story for this year and it's so encouraging. We both got to travel to Rwanda this past spring, which was Chris' first time in Africa and a desire of his for years. We had several financial gifts for our adoption, both small & large, that covered all our expenses. I remember opening a card from a new lady at church and I didn't even know her name. In it was $10 and I was so touched. She had no idea what that $10 was going to do when added with the other gifts. Another day I went to the mail box and there was a check for $1000 from a couple I had never even met before! We received an ABUNDANCE for Liliana in gifts. We also have received some generous and very random donations towards our church planting efforts. On and on the list goes. It has been a year of intense dependency in many ways, but to that same measure God has shown up.
So, it makes me think..maybe this season isn't so bad after all. It's been a great reminder for me that God truly is my source and when it comes down to it I don't think I would want it any other way. Year 1 of marriage was an incredible faith building time and year 8 is as well. These faith walks are scary at times, but so worth it!
So fast forward to year 8 of marriage. We are in this weird transitional spot of church planting in Madison, yet still being in St. Louis due to some legal issues with our adoption. Chris got a job at St. Louis Bread Co. and I am watching kids part time until we move. We are back in this financial season of having to count each dollar and trust God in ways we haven't had to do in years. I haven't exactly been thrilled with having such a high accountability level with our finances, yet God is meeting us and I know He is in it. I remember after I left YWAM I wanted to always know that God was my source and that I need to depend on Him, but I did NOT want to go back to those intense times of dependency. And yet, I don't know why. In those intense times of dependency, God shows up.
I have been starting to write down our provision story for this year and it's so encouraging. We both got to travel to Rwanda this past spring, which was Chris' first time in Africa and a desire of his for years. We had several financial gifts for our adoption, both small & large, that covered all our expenses. I remember opening a card from a new lady at church and I didn't even know her name. In it was $10 and I was so touched. She had no idea what that $10 was going to do when added with the other gifts. Another day I went to the mail box and there was a check for $1000 from a couple I had never even met before! We received an ABUNDANCE for Liliana in gifts. We also have received some generous and very random donations towards our church planting efforts. On and on the list goes. It has been a year of intense dependency in many ways, but to that same measure God has shown up.
So, it makes me think..maybe this season isn't so bad after all. It's been a great reminder for me that God truly is my source and when it comes down to it I don't think I would want it any other way. Year 1 of marriage was an incredible faith building time and year 8 is as well. These faith walks are scary at times, but so worth it!
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Pj's and Purple Robe Day
Yesterday was a great day. I stayed in my pj's and fuzzy purple robe the entire day and just spent time connecting with Jesus. No housework, errands, cooking- just down time & playing with Liliana, which is FUN. Chris brought home sandwiches and treats for a late lunch/early dinner and we ended the day watching Prince Caspian.
When I was in high school one of my older sisters challenged me to take seriously the thought of having a "sabbath" each week- a day off where I don't do anything but just rest and connect with God in a deeper way. I took her up on the challenge and set aside a day where I didn't do any homework, even if I had a test the next day, and made sure I was not scheduled at work. It became a habit that stuck with me into my adult years and it is one of my life lines. I'm actually kind of a sabbath nazi and will do whatever I can to guard this time. I know that it refreshes me and makes me able to give to others during the week; it is what keeps me from burning out.
I feel like this mini transformation takes place on that day. I can have a FULL week and by the end feel ready to just collapse. But I know my sabbath is there to meet me and after that day is over, I can take on the world again. It's one of those cool things God designed when He created us and I am so thankful for it.
When I was in high school one of my older sisters challenged me to take seriously the thought of having a "sabbath" each week- a day off where I don't do anything but just rest and connect with God in a deeper way. I took her up on the challenge and set aside a day where I didn't do any homework, even if I had a test the next day, and made sure I was not scheduled at work. It became a habit that stuck with me into my adult years and it is one of my life lines. I'm actually kind of a sabbath nazi and will do whatever I can to guard this time. I know that it refreshes me and makes me able to give to others during the week; it is what keeps me from burning out.
I feel like this mini transformation takes place on that day. I can have a FULL week and by the end feel ready to just collapse. But I know my sabbath is there to meet me and after that day is over, I can take on the world again. It's one of those cool things God designed when He created us and I am so thankful for it.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Biological Connections
Today I sat down to write a letter and send some pictures to Liliana's "biological connections". This might seem weird to some people, but Chris and I want to honor her biological roots as much as we can. We know that while we are totally excited to see her take her first steps and hear her say "dada" and "mama" to us, there are 2 other people who aren't able to experience this. So, as much as we can, we try to send photos or videos just to reaffirm that they indeed did make a loving choice for this little girl.
So, today's letter was to Daniel, who is actually in prison. A few months ago he wrote a letter to Liliana. He told her that he knows he has made bad choices in his life, but the one good choice he made was to give her a home and a family that he couldn't give her himself. He did NOT want her to grow up like he did and he knew he couldn't offer her what she needed from behind bars. He wanted her to know that he did this out of love for her and that he will always love her.
Now I have to admit, if I met this guy on the street somewhere, I would probably be scared, checking my purse every 5 seconds, walking briskly, and praying in tongues under my breath. But instead, through Liliana, I can have compassion, pray for him and write encouraging letters.
A few weeks before we found out about Liliana, I was stuck on this one verse in the Bible from the book of Matthew. It says,
"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me....whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."
These verses kept replaying over and over in my mind and I wanted to see how I could apply them in my life. I believe that there's an aspect of Jesus in each category and so I didn't want to miss a chance to experience Him in new ways. I could connect with each category, except the prisoner one. I don't really know people in prison and frankly this was the category with the most judgments and misconceptions. So, lo and behold comes Liliana and she happens to be connected biologically to someone in this category.
I can say that I am seeing a side of Jesus through Daniel that I hadn't seen before our paths crossed. I am seeing that under his tough gang exterior is a tender hearted guy created in the image of God. He goes by his gang name, not Daniel, but every letter I write is intentionally addressed "Daniel". Daniel was a man of God who stood up against what everyone else was doing because of his devotion to God. I just hope one day that this Daniel can do the same. But for now, I just hope he likes the cute pictures he'll be getting in the mail. :-)
So, today's letter was to Daniel, who is actually in prison. A few months ago he wrote a letter to Liliana. He told her that he knows he has made bad choices in his life, but the one good choice he made was to give her a home and a family that he couldn't give her himself. He did NOT want her to grow up like he did and he knew he couldn't offer her what she needed from behind bars. He wanted her to know that he did this out of love for her and that he will always love her.
Now I have to admit, if I met this guy on the street somewhere, I would probably be scared, checking my purse every 5 seconds, walking briskly, and praying in tongues under my breath. But instead, through Liliana, I can have compassion, pray for him and write encouraging letters.
A few weeks before we found out about Liliana, I was stuck on this one verse in the Bible from the book of Matthew. It says,
"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me....whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."
These verses kept replaying over and over in my mind and I wanted to see how I could apply them in my life. I believe that there's an aspect of Jesus in each category and so I didn't want to miss a chance to experience Him in new ways. I could connect with each category, except the prisoner one. I don't really know people in prison and frankly this was the category with the most judgments and misconceptions. So, lo and behold comes Liliana and she happens to be connected biologically to someone in this category.
I can say that I am seeing a side of Jesus through Daniel that I hadn't seen before our paths crossed. I am seeing that under his tough gang exterior is a tender hearted guy created in the image of God. He goes by his gang name, not Daniel, but every letter I write is intentionally addressed "Daniel". Daniel was a man of God who stood up against what everyone else was doing because of his devotion to God. I just hope one day that this Daniel can do the same. But for now, I just hope he likes the cute pictures he'll be getting in the mail. :-)
Monday, December 8, 2008
2 Greeks & J
One of my cousins, Bessy, is a Greek, hip version of Martha Stewart. She loves to cook, entertain and make things look so special. She used to own a little tea room where I worked on Saturdays with another girl, Julie. Julie grew up in a small town, her family ate 100% organic foods, and she just has a fun and simple approach to life.
Well, now the 3 of us are moms, so we decided to get together twice a month to hang out, cook our favorite recipes and let the kids play. Bessy makes a yummy Greek soup or entree for us to share at lunch and each time Julie and I rotate preparing some sort of healthy dessert or snack that we can take home to our husbands.
I love it! Our 5 kids (all within the age range of 6 months- 2.5 years old) have a blast playing at Bessy's. She has every toy known to man and it brings her such joy to share her goods with the little ones. Julie is teaching me so much about organic cooking and totally broadening my horizons. I used to go to Whole Foods and walk in the bulk bin aisle seeing items like spelt flour, but never being bold enough to get some and try a new recipe. That has changed. I have been experimenting like crazy, buying things I never have before and having so much fun trying new dishes.
Most of all, it's fun hanging out and just sharing about life.
I am so thankful to be in a "mom" season of life now and just want to soak up all I can.
Well, now the 3 of us are moms, so we decided to get together twice a month to hang out, cook our favorite recipes and let the kids play. Bessy makes a yummy Greek soup or entree for us to share at lunch and each time Julie and I rotate preparing some sort of healthy dessert or snack that we can take home to our husbands.
I love it! Our 5 kids (all within the age range of 6 months- 2.5 years old) have a blast playing at Bessy's. She has every toy known to man and it brings her such joy to share her goods with the little ones. Julie is teaching me so much about organic cooking and totally broadening my horizons. I used to go to Whole Foods and walk in the bulk bin aisle seeing items like spelt flour, but never being bold enough to get some and try a new recipe. That has changed. I have been experimenting like crazy, buying things I never have before and having so much fun trying new dishes.
Most of all, it's fun hanging out and just sharing about life.
I am so thankful to be in a "mom" season of life now and just want to soak up all I can.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
