I have told you before about several of our friends that are adopting. In fact, since my last post, every other family in our small group are currently in the process of adoption with the exception of us. Anyone else of the opinion that God is trying to tell us something?
One of the families that I previously told you about are the DeGries, who are getting a precious little girl from Africa. At the end of last year it became clear that Royce was not going to be able to travel with Eve when the time came for her to go for their court date. So, they asked me if I would like to go with her.
For those of you that know me well, you know that I may or may not be a bit of a homebody. I like to go. I like to have fun. I like to travel. But I LOVE home. There is safety and comfort in these four walls. I am a fan of safety and comfort.
I knew saying yes to this would be a gigantic step, forget step, how about leap out of my comfort zone. And honestly, part of me wanted to say no. A large part of me. But God had been working in my heart about this for weeks before I was even asked to go. He and I had been having a lot of these conversations... Are you really a person a faith or do you just talk about it? Do your children see you live in obedience or do they just see you talk about it? How can you live a life of faith if you are busy trying to create a life that doesn't need faith?
I was convicted. I wanted more than that for myself and for my children. I want Peyton and Mason to think it is normal to risk everything in obedience. I want them to have memories of thinking that our family was crazy for how much we sacrificed, how much we gave up, how much we trusted, and how powerfully God showed up.
So this Monday afternoon, Eve and I will board a plane and begin a 20+ hour trip to Africa. Another step in the process of bringing their sweet girl home and one less orphan in this world.
Am I nervous? You bet. Is this exactly where God wants me to be? No doubt.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Snowpocalypse?
In an unusual turn of events for those of us living in the South... snow, snow, and more snow. A couple of weeks ago we woke up to about 6" of the white stuff. Wow! It was as much snow as I have seen on the ground since the blizzard of '93. Which Ryan totally makes fun of when I say, but I'm telling you, it happened.
Needless to say there was no school, and lucky for me, no work for Daddy, so, we took the opportunity to play. And, I got to introduce them to one of the pleasures of snow, also known as snow cream. Big fans!
This snow was the perfect kind of snow for playing; not wet, just good, powdery snow. And we took full advantage!
About now is when I was thanking my lucky stars I had told Gran Gran to order a couple of kids some snow boots this Christmas.
Day 2 of the snowpocalypse began a labor of love...Frosty.
Bless them, as evidenced by the pictures, they worked day and night to bring him to life.
Loved the time with my fam and the memories we got to make! That having been said, bye bye snow, we will see you again some time next year.
Needless to say there was no school, and lucky for me, no work for Daddy, so, we took the opportunity to play. And, I got to introduce them to one of the pleasures of snow, also known as snow cream. Big fans!
This snow was the perfect kind of snow for playing; not wet, just good, powdery snow. And we took full advantage!
About now is when I was thanking my lucky stars I had told Gran Gran to order a couple of kids some snow boots this Christmas.
Day 2 of the snowpocalypse began a labor of love...Frosty.
Bless them, as evidenced by the pictures, they worked day and night to bring him to life.
Loved the time with my fam and the memories we got to make! That having been said, bye bye snow, we will see you again some time next year.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Nativity
There are lots of nativities out in the world and blog land these days. I love me a nativity set. I love that it is something tangible that represents the birth of a Savior. I know a lot of people that have multiple nativities. But I am the owner of only one. Not a fancy shmancy nativity, but one that is just precious to me and holds a special place in my heart. It was given to me by my dear friend, LaRue Skaggs, Christmas 2003, when we left the first church where Ryan was on staff in Texas.
It is a teeny, tiny little set with an angel, baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, four wisemen, and three animals. I just love it! It has been through several moves as well as a four year old boy, so it has seen better days. But look on the bright side for these particular stable animals, since they no longer have their ears, they don't have to hear baby Jesus crying...
Mary, specifically, was on my heart a lot through the Christmas holiday. I spent a lot of time thinking about the birth of Jesus from her point of view and where her heart must have been through all of the unknowns. I guess because it was on my mind a lot, it got transfered on to the kids. We talked as the days of Christmas got closer about Mary and what she would be doing right now. We had a lot of these conversations, "it's getting close", "they are traveling now to Bethlehem", "the baby Jesus is almost here".
I want my kids to know that these aren't just stories but real people that lived before us. A real Savior that was born in a stable to a virgin named Mary and an earthly father named Joseph... But you just never know if the things you're saying stick with them or go in one ear and out the other.
Well, I think my boy got it. The day before Christmas Eve, he was playing with the baby Jesus in the nativity set, and he looks up at me and says, "Mommy, the baby Jesus is almost to Bethland." That's right buddy! He is almost there. It won't be long now.
It is a teeny, tiny little set with an angel, baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, four wisemen, and three animals. I just love it! It has been through several moves as well as a four year old boy, so it has seen better days. But look on the bright side for these particular stable animals, since they no longer have their ears, they don't have to hear baby Jesus crying...
Mary, specifically, was on my heart a lot through the Christmas holiday. I spent a lot of time thinking about the birth of Jesus from her point of view and where her heart must have been through all of the unknowns. I guess because it was on my mind a lot, it got transfered on to the kids. We talked as the days of Christmas got closer about Mary and what she would be doing right now. We had a lot of these conversations, "it's getting close", "they are traveling now to Bethlehem", "the baby Jesus is almost here".
I want my kids to know that these aren't just stories but real people that lived before us. A real Savior that was born in a stable to a virgin named Mary and an earthly father named Joseph... But you just never know if the things you're saying stick with them or go in one ear and out the other.
Well, I think my boy got it. The day before Christmas Eve, he was playing with the baby Jesus in the nativity set, and he looks up at me and says, "Mommy, the baby Jesus is almost to Bethland." That's right buddy! He is almost there. It won't be long now.
Granddaddy
The Monday after Christmas, we headed to West TN with my parents to see my granddaddy. I have written before about my Granddaddy and MamaKate. This past October marks a year since MamaKate left us. It is still hard for me to wrap my mind around. Needless to say, this past year has been beyond hard for Granddaddy. He lost his partner and best friend, and after 70 years of marriage, you don't get over that. He is the last one left of 8 siblings, and the days are long and lonely for him. I have heard him say more than a few times that he is ready for "the good Lord to take him home." And as much as it hurts my heart to think of him not being with us, I understand, and pray God's timing for him too.
Ryan and I went together to see them not long after we first got married, but Ryan has not been back since. And I have taken the kids a few times as well. I wanted the chance to take the kids again after Christmas and bring the photog along to capture some moments with him.
As far as I'm concerned my Granddaddy is the sweetest man on the face of the earth. A man of honesty and integrity that would literally give you the shirt off of his back; and a killer sense of humor to boot.
We got to spend a couple of days with him eating, talking, laughing, playing, eating, laughing, and then eating some more. Oh, how he loves to eat. He finishes one meal and starts asking what else there is to eat. Oh to have that metabolism! It was a wonderful time, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
They built the house that he lives in the year I was born. He built it with one of his brothers and paid cash for it as he went. So, that is where I grew up going every summer and Christmas. I have sweet memories of that house and that farm. When we pulled out of the driveway to leave, I couldn't stop the tears. Going there brings up so much nostalgia and memories for me. It is both comforting and heartbreaking all at the same time. Comforting because, besides MamaKate not being there, it is as it's always been. Heartbreaking because I know as timeless as they and that house have seemed, it will not always be the same.
I love my Grandaddy and the impact he has had on my life. I love that my children have gotten to spend time with him and create memories of him that they will take with them their whole lives, just as I do. I am grateful that he knows Jesus and when "the good Lord does take him home", I know I will see him again. But for now, we love on him every chance we get and are thankful for each visit we get to have with him.
Ryan and I went together to see them not long after we first got married, but Ryan has not been back since. And I have taken the kids a few times as well. I wanted the chance to take the kids again after Christmas and bring the photog along to capture some moments with him.
As far as I'm concerned my Granddaddy is the sweetest man on the face of the earth. A man of honesty and integrity that would literally give you the shirt off of his back; and a killer sense of humor to boot.
We got to spend a couple of days with him eating, talking, laughing, playing, eating, laughing, and then eating some more. Oh, how he loves to eat. He finishes one meal and starts asking what else there is to eat. Oh to have that metabolism! It was a wonderful time, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
They built the house that he lives in the year I was born. He built it with one of his brothers and paid cash for it as he went. So, that is where I grew up going every summer and Christmas. I have sweet memories of that house and that farm. When we pulled out of the driveway to leave, I couldn't stop the tears. Going there brings up so much nostalgia and memories for me. It is both comforting and heartbreaking all at the same time. Comforting because, besides MamaKate not being there, it is as it's always been. Heartbreaking because I know as timeless as they and that house have seemed, it will not always be the same.
I love my Grandaddy and the impact he has had on my life. I love that my children have gotten to spend time with him and create memories of him that they will take with them their whole lives, just as I do. I am grateful that he knows Jesus and when "the good Lord does take him home", I know I will see him again. But for now, we love on him every chance we get and are thankful for each visit we get to have with him.
Christmas with the Grandparents
Since Ryan's parents are out of state, they sent there gifts to the kids before Christmas. All of them were wrapped, put under the tree and were opened on Christmas morning. We got to skype with them on Christmas day, so they could see their purchases, and their grandchildren, in action.
And we even got in a game of Scattegories with them over skype. And guess who kicked some Scattegorie booty?! Considering having all competitions over skype from here on out.
My parents braved the winter wonderland and drove over from East TN the day after Christmas for dinner and the opening festivities. We ate and then got to the matter at hand.
Here is Papa with the calendar that we gave them.
And if we could just have a moment of silence for the following two "gifts". Lord, help us!
And we even got in a game of Scattegories with them over skype. And guess who kicked some Scattegorie booty?! Considering having all competitions over skype from here on out.
My parents braved the winter wonderland and drove over from East TN the day after Christmas for dinner and the opening festivities. We ate and then got to the matter at hand.
Here is Papa with the calendar that we gave them.
And if we could just have a moment of silence for the following two "gifts". Lord, help us!
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Tradition #6
Christmas Morning.
Growing up we always read the Christmas story before we opened gifts as a family. Ryan and I started doing this together our very first Christmas that we were married, and have continued to do it every year. I remember as a kid thinking that Luke 2 had to be the longest chapter of the Bible and my Dad the slowest reader of all mankind. Could we not just get to the presents already. And, watching my kids as their Dad reads, I can't help but wonder if they are having those same thoughts. But as an adult, I love it and never tire of hearing those verses.
This year for the first time in my life that I can remember, we woke up to an actual, real deal, white stuff on the ground, White Christmas! What a treat! I sat there with my kids, in a warm house with a our tree and gifts, snow on the ground, breakfast in the oven, and Ryan reading Luke 2. My my heart was so full. Overflowing with gratitude. A moment I wanted to stand still. God has been so good to us. We are truly blessed.
Growing up we always read the Christmas story before we opened gifts as a family. Ryan and I started doing this together our very first Christmas that we were married, and have continued to do it every year. I remember as a kid thinking that Luke 2 had to be the longest chapter of the Bible and my Dad the slowest reader of all mankind. Could we not just get to the presents already. And, watching my kids as their Dad reads, I can't help but wonder if they are having those same thoughts. But as an adult, I love it and never tire of hearing those verses.
This year for the first time in my life that I can remember, we woke up to an actual, real deal, white stuff on the ground, White Christmas! What a treat! I sat there with my kids, in a warm house with a our tree and gifts, snow on the ground, breakfast in the oven, and Ryan reading Luke 2. My my heart was so full. Overflowing with gratitude. A moment I wanted to stand still. God has been so good to us. We are truly blessed.
Tradition #5
Lets just be honest, we live in an excessive society where bigger is better and more is never enough. Contentment is a foreign concept. I am not sure when Christmas became so much about the getting and buying and spending and over spending some more, but it hurts my heart. I want better for myself. I want better for my children.
Now, don't misunderstand. My children still get gifts from their grandparents and aunt and uncles, and all in all, get way more than any two children need. That being said, we started a new policy for ourselves a couple of years ago in regard to the buying and the gifts. Each child now gets from us 'something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read'.
Contentment. God is at work big-time in my mind and heart about this very subject. So as far as this tradition goes, I don't know what future Christmas' will hold for this family, but I hope it is more and more about the heart of Jesus and less and less about the wants of the Alexanders.
Now, don't misunderstand. My children still get gifts from their grandparents and aunt and uncles, and all in all, get way more than any two children need. That being said, we started a new policy for ourselves a couple of years ago in regard to the buying and the gifts. Each child now gets from us 'something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read'.
Contentment. God is at work big-time in my mind and heart about this very subject. So as far as this tradition goes, I don't know what future Christmas' will hold for this family, but I hope it is more and more about the heart of Jesus and less and less about the wants of the Alexanders.
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