Posted in Uncategorized

5 years ago…

(a post from May of 2008, in honor of Mother’s Day yesterday!  Wow….they definitely grow fast…we had a ballet recital for the older two just this past weekend)

Addison will be 2 in August. The “terrible two’s” as some refer to them, began a while ago, and will probably last well beyond the age of 2. But it’s not so terrible so far. In fact, even at her worst, she’s still pretty easy to love.

For a long time, her vocabulary was limited to pretty much the word “no”. Probably because she heard it so much, and eventually learned it’s meaning. It’s still there.

Over the past year, she’s learned more words. Words like “Amen”, “Thank you”, “Please”, “Hockey”, “Nemo” and the names of several TV characters, and her friends and family members.  She’s even begun to put sentences together: “Where mommy go?”, “Thank you daddy!”, etc.  Of course, most of these are said sounding like she has a mouth full of cereal…and doesn’t have the greatest oration, but we’ll get there.

One word we’ve noticed evolving over the past few months is the word “Yes”. It began just like mommy and daddy would say it, “yes”.  Over time, she learned the very similar “uh-huh” (accompanied at times by a nod).  Then about a month ago came the “okay”, and sometimes “yeah, okay”, or simply just “Kay!”. We laughed, and thought it was cute.

But now, as you can see here…”yes” has become “Oh”. Hoping we can guide her back to the “yes”, as a more concrete positive response. (watch to the end, it’s worth it.)

Posted in Uncategorized

unplug.

Recently I invited teenagers and parents to come together for a time of discussing the importance of “Unplugging”.  In the SONY DSCweeks preparing for the lesson, I was reminded over and over again that this is something I struggle with as well.  As a young parent with 3 daughters aged 6 and under, our life is increasingly busy.  So far we’ve kept them all in the same extracurricular activity (ballet), but someday even that might change.

So how do we continue to thrive and grow in a world that moves at such a frantic pace, while still retaining our ability to “Sabbath” and spend time quieting ourselves in the presence of God?

Today I’m continuing this post over at the “World Methodist Council Young Adults” site!   Go check it out, I promise it’ll be worth your while, or you’ll get free candy….or….something….:)

Posted in Different Thoughts, Uncategorized

an elephant story.

Once upon a time, God had created a large, beautiful field.  Flowers grew, animals played and raised their young, and beneath the surface lay untold mineral value.  Kingdoms all around this field would admire its’ beauty from a distance.  But each was secretly worried that others would come and take its’ beauty for their very own.  Slowly and quietly, the citizens of the surrounding Kingdoms began to find their way onto this field.  They would take away the beautiful flowers.   They would poach the rare and unique animals.  They would claim private access to mining locations all over it’s surface.  The only thing left was it’s rich, tall, grass.  But even this grass was slowly withering, having it’s life choked out one blade at a time.

One day, an elephant appeared on the field….violently claiming ownership.  Offering it’s protection, but trampling down the field from every angle.  No one agreed this elephant was just, as the field had always been the one to take care of it’s incredible grasses.  And so, it was decided by the surrounding Kingdoms, a second elephant would be sent into the field to combat the first.  They nodded their heads in agreement, this was a great idea.  elephants
As the elephants began their dramatic battle over the future of the field – sacrifices had to be made.  At first it began as a small patch of grass.  Eventually, it would grow back and so it was decided this bit of beautiful grass was worth losing, temporarily.

But as the conflict continued, the surrounding Kingdoms began to realize their error.  As blades of grass were being stamped out  left and right, there was hardly time to mourn such loss – let alone know what to do next.  The elephants could not be contained or reigned in once the fight had begun.

Meanwhile, tucked away in a quiet corner of this field, a conversation was happening.  What kind of fertilizer was right for this field?  What would keep the grass growing green, and how much of it needed to be “brought in”?  These were also important conversations and prayers – yet in the midst of them happening – the elephants continued to duel.

As God watched what was happening to the field He’d created, tears rolled down His cheeks…

I don’t believe God is causing us to wait on purpose, forcing us to endure a trial of patience in our journey to bring home our daughter.  But I do believe God is redeeming these moments, by allowing a deepened connection to the people and land of the DRC.  We pray – not only for Phoebe; but for international adoptions, for her country, her extended family, and the suffering down-trodden and voiceless many who continue to dodge the feet of the elephants fighting over them…

(inspired/stolen from a quote from this article)