What do Football and Orphans have in common?

If you are having a Super Bowl Party please consider taking time during half-time and participate in Tony's challenge.
Tony's Halftime Video Kit is available at:
www.adoptionjourney.org/dungyhalftime  

TV watch party organizers will find 3 things in the kit (free):

• Downloadable versions of the 3 minute video message from Tony & Lauren Dungy
• Instructions on how to burn the video to DVD or stream it to TV set boxes
• Conversation guide with suggestions on presenting the message with friends & family gathered that day

Great Faith or just a Really Careless Decision?

Sometimes I wonder if some of the decisions I make are based on “Great Faith” or do I just make careless decisions.  For example, if a person decided to take a mission trip overseas but knew they did not have the money.  They went ahead and registered, made their plane reservation, and started packing.  Is that “Great Faith” or just crazy? 

Let’s take adoption for example, since that is near and dear to my heart.  There is a family is in the process of adopting one child.  During the process they hear about a precious child with a medical condition that desperately needs a family.  They don’t have the extra money needed for the adoption and they really don’t have a lot of extra space at home.  You have medical bills, therapy, and medical equipment.  Despite all of that they decide to go through with the adoption, knowing the resources will be there when they need them.  Great Faith?  Or just a crazy careless decision that may turn out good or maybe not?

Is there a fine line between having “Great Faith” and just making decisions without considering the consequences?  We are making some big decisions for our family right now and I keep wondering, are we having “Great Faith” or are we just making careless decisions?

I would love to hear your thoughts, any scriptures, stories or sermons you could share with me. 

(Picture taken by Nina Mullins Photography)

I love this child so much, sometimes I honestly feel like my heart will burst.  You will rarely see me without him.  If we are in public and he can’t find me, you will find a panicked look on his face and the screaming soon begins.  None of my other children have had significant “attachment” issues when they are dropped off for Sunday School or taken to a friends for a play date.   Any time I tried to leave Jacob with someone he screamed most of the time I was gone.   He is better about staying with his daddy and my parents.  WOOHOO!!   Many friends and family have said, “you really need to have time alone”.  Therapists have said, “you really need to get Jacob involved in some programs so he can become more independent”. 

It really got me thinking about Jacob’s dependence on me.  Jacob is a smart little boy.  He understands most of what you say.  He is very aware of his surroundings.  Sadly, Jacob is unable to verbalize his needs.  Imagine this.  You are a 4 year old child.  You are unable to do anything for yourself.  You are stuck in a chair and cannot move anything except your head and you have some movement in your arms.  You understand EVERYTHING that is going on around you.  You can not feed yourself.  You can’t even tell anyone when you are hungry.  You can not yell when you are choking.  You can not tell anyone when your diaper needs changed.  You can’t tell anyone when something scares you.  You can’t ask anyone to play with you. 

HOWEVER, there is ONE person in the whole world who understands your language.  This person can tell when you are hungry.  This person can tell when you are about to choke and need assistance.  This person knows when something is around that will scare you.  Remember you are four years old, you are stuck in a chair, and you cannot speak.  How would you feel if you needed something and that ONE person was not around?  SCARED?  FRUSTRATED?  PANICKED? 

So until my son has a voice I am very content to be by his side when he needs me.  I am his mom and that’s what a mom does. 

We are very excited that Jacob received an ipad and we are currently working on setting up a communication program for him.  We have tried other communication devices but they were too complicated and too big to carry around when we leave the house.  I can’t wait to see my son independent and confident.  It will probably be one of the highlights of my life. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR

I have so many things running around in my head that I want to share with you.  Plus lots of things happening around here to share.

BUT!!!

for some reason every time I sit down to write nothing comes out.  Maybe God is asking me to wait?  Maybe I am just so scatterbrained right now I can't put my thoughts together?  Whatever the case I guess I am taking a short break to sort it all out.

Hope to be back soon!!!

Do you have room?

During a recent conversation with my husband about adopting more children the phrase, "we have no room" came up several times.   You will not hear those words from our mouths EVER again!!!

Sometimes God gives one of his children a clear message to share with others.  God gave Megan @ Millions of Miles words to share and they have changed me profoundly.  Go read her post titled "Do you have room?"  Not only has God given this message to Megan but to several other people recently. Catch what Amy just posted last week.  

After you read her post watch this video.



and this video.


That Whoever Believes in Him from Southland Christian Church on Vimeo.

MAYBE GOD IS TRYING TO TELL US SOMETHING????

Disney Wish Trip 2011 - Part 3

SPOILER ALERT!!!!  If you don't want to know secrets behind the Disney Christmas Parade do not read this post.





We happened to be at Disney the weekend they were filming the annual Disney Christmas Parade.  Yes, you heard me right the Christmas Parade does not actually happen on Christmas Day.  It is taped during the month of November to allow for proper editing.  Taping is an ALL day affair.  It is a tedious process and they film the same section several times.  The taped version on Christmas morning is definitely more magical! Christmas morning see if you can catch a glimpse of us on the parade route.  There were so many cameras there is no way to know if we were actually taped. 

Disney Wish Trip - Part 2

We spend six days wondering around the Disney Theme parks.  The kids had a blast and Sera's face was priceless when she met the Princesses.  She also fell in love with Mickey & Minnie Mouse.  We were able to attend two special Christmas event while we were there; the Mickey Very Merry Christmas Party and the Candlelight Processional which was narrated by Michael W. Smith.