When I post it on my blog, it suddenly becomes official

It all started with Jon's parents asking us to take a trip with them to Florida. Not that we haven't been thinking about it on our own, but somehow all of this trip talking made us sit down, talk and come to some conclusions.

Jon said something like, "If we say we are going to Florida in November, we are either starting the adoption process now so that we have a child by November, or we are saying that we are waiting until November." Wow. Really? Those are our only options?

Well, not really.

But we really did need to sit down and talk. Truth is, there are still orphans in the world. Lots of them. And it breaks God heart. Because it breaks God's heart, it is breaking our hearts as well. Who are we to put a timeline on giving a child a home? Is this really our calling? If it is, then we need to jump into our calling full force and become a father to the father-less.

It's true. We are working on adoption number 2. By "working," I mean that we will have our paper work into the state by the end of February.

This time things will be a little different. We are going to go through the state and become foster parents. We have chosen not to go through a private agency for several reasons, and have thought long and hard about how we would pursue adoption.

Ladies and Gentlemen, you heard it here. We are going to send in our application by the end of February in order to pursue adoption number 2.

Are we ready for the ride? Probably not.

Are we ready for the emotional rollercoaster? Yah, I can safely say that I am not excited about that.

But, this is our calling.

Come, Lord Jesus. Bring Your Kingdom!

Am I there yet?

The tune is all too familiar for those of you who are seasoned parents, "Are we there yet?" 


This seems to be the mantra of my life right now....."Are we there yet God?" 


I have been struggling with not being where I was, but definitely not being where I want to be.

Until I get there, I am moving forward, sometimes a few steps back, but mostly forward.

You could be next.....

What if.....

-10 people gave $100/mo

-20 people gave $50/mo

-40 people gave $25/mo

What if....

-people prayed every day for what is happening on campus

-people prayed for students to be transformed, the campus to be renewed and world changer developed

What if....

-people gave

What if....

-people prayed

What if....

-you gave

What if...

you prayed?

Have you thought about joining my support team? You could be a part of what God is doing on campus through the ministry of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. I need you on my team!

I believe God would change the world. That's why I do what I do. Join me, will you?

Did you know?

That born-again Christians spend 7 more hours a week in front of the television or computer screen more than they do in Bible reading or prayer?

Wow.

No wonder we don't look like the Jesus we claim to follow. We will never look like Him if we don't know Him and we can never know Him if we don't spend time in His word and communing in prayer.

It is time for me to turn off this screen and enter into the presence of the Lord.

Peace out.

System Breakdown

News on the adoption front: Jon and I are considering pursuing infant foster care, to adopt. We are still learning, and still praying, but this will be our next step.

In one day of phone calls....I have found out....the system in broken. I am so glad that I serve a God that brings restoration to the broken.

I am not WAITING---I am giving up!

Why didn't someone tell me that I gave up? All this time, I had you---and myself completely convinced that I was waiting patiently and hoping. But I'm not, and I wasn't. I was so quick to give up that I did not even recognize it.

I am finally ready to hurry up and wait. Really. I am ready to start actively pursuing adoption. I am ready for the waiting.

It would be easy to give up. I am really an impatient person and getting this process started just so I can wait again is not my idea of fun.

And not to mention the emotional toll again. I am not so sure that I am excited about getting my heart broken and thrown into rough seasons of depression. I am not sure that I am ready to be THAT vulnerable again.

But...we are not giving up.

Why?
-We have been called to pursue adoption
-The statistics that I read about orphans break my heart every time I cannot NOT do something about it.

It occurred to me today, while I was spending sometime with God (which the more likely case is that God spoke to me) that there is nothing I am DOING to pursue adoption.

There are some people that I need to call, I could be applying for scholarships and grants and researching other methods of adoption (different agencies, lawyers, state, foster care, etc) or simply spend more time in prayer. Instead I have unconsciously convinced myself that I am waiting for a baby to be delivered to our doorstep.

God does want us to adopt (at least until He changes our heart) but this process will be used to refine us and transform us--and I am ready to take that journey--again.

Adoption is worth it. The kingdom is worth is. I am not giving up. I am going to hurry and DO something --that something??? WAIT.

Weekly Check in #1

As an effort to encourage you to make 2010 a year of change, and as a means of accountability for myself, I will be doing a weekly check in on Mondays (hopefully) letting you know how I am doing at keeping my 2010 goals. Now, I know that my decisions in keeping these goals may not be life changing for you, but hopefully we can be an encouragement to each other as we press on to pursue the kingdom.

Goals for 2010
PHYSICAL- Lose 57lbs, run a 5k
So far this has been a great goal, and seeing results already. I have a dear friend who has graciously taken the challenge of training me. Following her work out plan, doing some of my own workouts (with exercise videos, walking, etc) and the South Beach Diet, I am 4.4lbs lighter this week!

SCRIPTURE READING- Read through the Bible in a year, memorize the Psalms of Ascent (Psalm 120-135)
I AM LOVING my time in scripture. I am really devouring it, and my love for scripture is growing. I have read all 4 days of January and have memorized one verse a day for my memorization work. I am always amazed at what happens when I commit to memorizing God's word. I find myself thinking about His ways, desiring Him more...

READING- Read 12 books of spiritual development, ministry helps, etc.
It does not hurt that I started the year with 2 partially read books. I am hoping to have them done in the next week. Reading: Encountering God in the City, and Together in Prayer. Both books have been a great source of training for me, and I am excited to implement several of the ideas! Stay tuned to see how they are implemented!

SPIRITUAL- 1 retreat day a month, devotions 5 days a week, 20 minutes of prayer a day
When I make a commitment to spend daily time with the Lord in scripture and prayer, I am amazed at how I keep craving more and more of Him. It seems like the "structured time" I have is a time that just wets my appetite and I want more!!! I have been reminded this week that I do have a gift of intercession, and how little I use it to further the kingdom. How can I pray for you this week?

FAMILY- Be the best wife that I can be
Will this always be a struggle for me? I know it is a vague goal and not easy to measure....but at least it is always at the forefront of my mind.

FINANCIAL- follow set budget, pay off school loans, save for adoption
On New Years Day, Jon and I sat down and made our January 2010 budget. We are following the Dave Ramsey, envelope plan (using cash for everything). I LOVE making a budget. I like to tell my money where to go, and having control over our finances. We want to be great stewards, after all, we are just managing the money that God has given us....He is the owner.

MINISTRY- Volunteer in Albion, start neighborhood groups, learn about modern day slavery
January 19th, there will be a women's small group meeting in my home with the hope to see women transformed by the word as well as being a part of transforming others. We will be studying Hosea, praying together and serving together. Do you want to be a part of it?

Pursuing the Kingdom in 2010

Hey Friends! It is the time of the year where we are all making resolutions and vowing that this is the year where things will be different...the year where change will happen.

I am all for making New Year's Resolutions, actually I thrive on making lists of goals and making plans on how to accomplish them. I get excited for those things.....I am that much of a nerd. I think it is a great practice to reflect on the year past, and plan for the next year.

I have several resolutions, and am excited to keep them all (right?) You will probably fall victim to reading several of those posts later on for the month....but for now.....

How will you be pursuing the kingdom of God in 2010? What will you be doing that will be intentional in making His kingdom known in your areas of influence?

• How will you step out of your comfort zone to make the love of Jesus known this year?
  
• How will grow in your love and knowledge of God this year?
  
• How will you spend your money/time in order to pursue the kingdom and to bring it forth?
• Who will you invest in this year, to share the love of Jesus and to further them along in their faith?
  
• When will you get started?
  
• Who will keep you accountable?