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Archives For November 30, 1999

Family

May 30, 2009 — 6 Comments

famToday, Karen and I finished our pre-adoption training with the agency we are working with.  The only training we have left is our CPR & First Aid (if you saw the re-run of The Office the other night…I won’t pull a Dwight!)

My brain is full after today – a lot to process, consider, and file away for future use…

Two thoughts from the day:

  1. I thank God for my own family.  We were not perfect, but I did live a life that was free from many of the sad things that so many children too often go through.  Most espcecially, I am grateful for my parents.  Just as any kid, there were times that I didn’t feel that way, but man I so appreciate them.
  2. I am excited and anxious about the children that Karen and I will have the opportunity to pour our lives into.  I pray that we are used to heal, reaffirm, encourage, and all the things that are necessary for the children that God blesses us with.

I haven’t written too mugh about our journey, one day I will spend some time doing that and post it.

In Adoption, Family, Kids , ,
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Providence

May 27, 2009 — 1 Comment

So my life is far from hard.  The “trials” I have gone through (I really don’t even feel right calling them that) are not comparable to those that many have had and I humbly praise God for that (if that is even a right thing to do).

I guess the toughest thing that I (and Karen) have gone through has been our two plus-year adoption journey.  A plus-year year combination of international then domestic, on then off, known then unknown status, and now back on track.  A series of ups and down – all the while knowing that our amazing Heavenly Father was in control…even when we didn’t know where He was leading next!  BTW, Karen is great.  At one point, she described a disappointing situation this way, “First I was sad.  Then I was mad.  Then I was glad!”

As you can imagine – plus-year years of a mix of emotions.  At times, we’ve wondered “why God?”  At times, we’ve asked “why not God?”  We’ve even (in all honesty) said, “come on God!”  We’ve cried, been confused, been excited, been hurt, been mad, been hopeful, been discouraged.  The cool part is that through it all…THROUGH IT ALL, we’ve known that God was in control and had a plan…we’ve just gotten to see it revealed in segments and in His perfect timing!

Tuesday, I was listening to a Andy Stanley’s Defining Moments podcast (#4) and John 9:1-3 hit me.  I’ve read this so many times, heard sermons, read commentaries…  This time, it just hit me anew.  It reads:

1As he [Jesus] went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”  3“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.

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In Adoption, Christianity, Family, Kids, Life, Marriage , , , , , ,
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Going Home!

May 14, 2009 — Leave a comment

So I have been on travel all week in Key Largo, Florida for a work conference.  Location is nice, but I haven’t really enjoyed it all that much – I have had TERRIBLE allergies and have pretty much been completely clogged up for the past two days. I know, I can hear the violins playing all over!

OK, I did venture out today after the meeting and took the 2.5-hour drive to Key West, ate a late lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe, and walked around.  Shot the requisite pictures of the Southernmost Point marker and the Interstate 1 “Mile 0” sign.  Then made the long drive home.  Dinner was the finer cuisine of Waffle House, as there really wasn’t anything closer to the resort and I didn’t want to pay $40 for a hamburger!

kw pics

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In Family, Life, Love, Marriage , , ,
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Thinking About Mom.

April 6, 2009 — 1 Comment

mom_heart_tattoo

One year ago today was the last time I saw my mom this side of heaven.  I had traveled to see her and my family in Montana since she had been sick and was back in the hospital.  As had been the case many times, her room was the gathering point for the family.  It was a great visit – all we really did was just spend time together – with each other…with Mom.  We laughed, cried, ate, talked, prayed – it was nice.  In my heart, I knew her time was close and I will always be glad I went.

If someone in your life has passed away, I’m sure you’ll agree that there are things that bring thoughts of them to you as you go through any given day – leading to tears, laughter, smiles, etc. As I was driving to work recently, doing my morning multi-task drive/prayer/worship, the Charlie Hall song below came on and just reminded me of my mom and the later stages of her life here on earth.

My mom’s body was weak and tired and I know at times she simply wanted Jesus to call her home (she would often tell us that)…but it was in His time, not hers (or ours). I get chills just thinking of my mom and the lines: Finally the voice I have followed for life / has a glorious face that is lit up with light / And you’ll come for me, no more pain, peace, / No more fear, release / just lost and consumed with my glorious King.

Mom is no longer tired or in pain, just worshiping her glorious Savior in His presence!

I can only imagine the day when I will say: Finally the voice I have followed for life / has a glorious face that is lit up with light.

Maranatha!

x
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In Family, Life, Music , , ,
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