The Big G-O-D

August Blog Challenge – Day 5

August 5, 2011

If you would like to participate in the August Blog Challenge, go visit Belinda for the daily prompts.

Day 5: What way has God spoken directly to you?

I can say, without a doubt, that we were meant to adopt. When Mark & I met, we both agreed that we were not going to have any more children. Then along came Courtney, who has changed our lives forever. I used to say that she was the piece that completed our family puzzle, but I know there is always room for more in our family. Always more love to share with another child.

So for almost 6 years, we’ve thought about adopting. Different situations, converastions, everything– have crossed our path these past six years, pointing us in the direction of adoption. Some call them signs — I even called them signs– but in the end, God was speaking to us. He was telling us what the next step is in our lives.

It’s been over 4 years since I first even started mentioning on my blog the subject of adoption or having another child , and it’s amazing how God has helped us prepare our lives for this. We have steady jobs, we have our finances in order, we are secure in our marriage… it’s TIME.

Our path to today:

2/8/07 – Where the path leads… Part 1

2/15/07 Where the path leads… Part 2

2/19/07 It’s a thought, a nudge, a sign…

1/8/10 What do you when you’re done having kids…

1/11/10 What are the chances?

1/21/10 The day we went to jail

2/2/10 The Meeting

2/3/10 Moms Like me are not capable…

4/12/11 Full Circle

4/21/11 Clearing The Air

4/25/11 What’s Wrong with being colorblind?

7/7/11 How can you grieve the loss of someone you don’t even know?

7/9/11 Wait, Wait, and um… Wait

Filed Under: Blog World, Mission: Adoption, The Big G-O-D

If Obama and our government would just listen to Third Day, we’d have the country’s problems solved…

July 18, 2011

“Come Together” by Third Day

You can all call me crazy
For the things that I might say
You can laugh all you want to
I know there will come a day

When we all will come together
And learn to set aside our hate
If we could learn to love our neighbors
Just like we would love ourselves

We’ve got to come together
‘Cause in the end we can make it – alright
We’ve got to brave the weather
Through all of the storms

We’ve got to come together
‘Cause in the end we can make it – alright
We’ve got to learn to love

You can call me a dreamer
But these dreams will come true
Yes, I am a firm believer
In the things that we can do

If we would all just come together
And let the Lord lead our way
There is nothing that we can’t do
There is nothing we can’t face

We’ve got to come together
‘Cause in the end we can make it – alright
We’ve got to brave the weather
Through all of the storms

We’ve got to come together
‘Cause in the end we can make it – alright
We’ve got to learn to love

I know that there will come a day
When the Lord will call His own away
To a place that He has made for all of us

But until the day of His return
There’s a lesson that we’ve got to learn
We are brothers and we’re sisters
We are one

We’ve got to come together
‘Cause in the end we can make it – alright
We’ve got to brave the weather
Through all of the storms

We’ve got to come together
‘Cause in the end we can make it – alright
We’ve got to learn to love

Filed Under: Politics Schmolitics, The Big G-O-D

90 Days

June 30, 2011

So I was reading through some of my favorite blogs this morning, and stumbled onto this challenge that Stacie is going to participate in.

Starting July 11th, I am going to try my best to read the Bible in 90 days. It might be tough, because it will require about 60-90 minutes reading time for 88 days (they give you 2 “grace days”).

As many of you know, I am notorious for not sticking with any project I start. When I first saw this challenge, I figured I wouldn’t make it past the first week.

But this challenge is different. Participants get put into groups and are matched with a mentor. There is someone to be accountable to. There are people that will be discussing the readings with you.

It CAN be done.

Care to join me?

Filed Under: Bible in 90 Days, The Big G-O-D

Go hug your family. Right Now.

May 27, 2011

I complain a lot. I know that. It’s who I am. I am the type of person that likes things a certain and when they aren’t, I try to change them. Most of the posts I write about on this blog are made up of me voicing my opinion on things I disagree with. It really wouldn’t take you long to go back through my archives and dig up a handful of posts where I am complaining about something— probably something trivial, in the grand scheme of things.

Which is why today I am going to tell you about Nathan & Elisa Bond. I have been reading about this couple and their daughter Sadie (who will turn 2 this September) for a couple months now. Nathan and Elisa are just a few years younger than me, but have so much more reason than I do to complain that the world has given them a raw deal.

On February 14th of this year Nathan was diagnosed with colo-rectal cancer. I know, Happy Valentine’s Day, right?

Nine days later, on February 23rd, Elisa was diagnosed with breast cancer. NINE DAYS LATER. Upon further testing over the next several days, she was diagnosed as Stage 4 breast cancer, and it was discovered the cancer had spread to her liver, many lymph nodes, part of her pelvic bones and parts of her spine.

To say this family has been through the wringer and has been dealt a really bad hand in life is a given. It’s not fair, no one should have to go through this, no child should have to suffer the potential loss of both parents this way. IT’S NOT FAIR.

Reading the way this family is handling these last few months with grace, love and compassion is admirable. Don’t get me wrong, they have their days of being pissed off at the world, and they should. They’re human, they have a right to go through grief and every other emotion. Cancer is a shitty disease, and for your family to receive a double blow like this– well, words cannot describe the emotions they must be going through.

It helps me to realize how truly blessed we should be to wake up every day and be able to spend one more day with our spouses and our children.

Go back and read Nathan & Elisa’s blog, Family “BOND”ing Time, learn more about them– pray for them.

Most importantly, read their most recent post “Break Out the Kleenex” and watch the video at the end. (Just like Elisa instructs, don’t forget the Kleenex.)

Once you’ve finished reading, and watched the video… Go hug your family. Right now.

Filed Under: Blog World, The Big G-O-D

High Fives all around

May 18, 2011

We made it to church twice in the last three weeks. We couldn’t go on Mother’s Day because of a softball tournament (oh yes– the girls play softball on holiday weekends!). But still, we’ve been to church TWO TIMES.