I am thankful for..family

I took some photos of my great nieces yesterday-- aren't they beautiful?! What I loved more than anything yesterday was the innocent sense of wonder and delight these children possess. In a world that seems so jaded where kids are pushed to grow up, it was so refreshing to see little ones laugh and giggle with such joy.
It would be hard to believe that these were taken outside on November 21 in sweet fairy dresses and bare feet! They were a little cold but they were all troopers (I think there Moms were wondering what we were doing..) I think we all agreed that we ended up with some treasures..I better show you only this one because their Grandma (my Sister) is sending the pics out for her Christmas cards...I don't want to take away the fun of sharing her precious girls with everyone!

My ABC's of Thankfulness..

This picture is totally unrelated to this post but it is a picture of Tyler's first day of 1st grade. Just ran across it and wanted to share it. If only he was going to classes in college with this much enthusiasm!

I have always wanted to make a scrapbook of all the little things that I am thankful for...so this list is the start of my desire to share the simple, precious things of life that I love...

I am thankful for...
A..Amazing friends..time with my girlfriends is so much cheaper than therapy!
B..Big, adoptive families.. Seeing a big family with kids who have been adopted brings me joy..
C..Colors. I love color and am amazed that there can be 100's of different shades of blue!
D..Disabilities. Within our weaknesses, we find our source of strength.
E..Enthusiasm I love to speak with someone who shares my enthusiasm for the things in life I am passionate about.
F..Flowers...how amazing are they?!
G..God's grace...can't imagine life without it.
H...Hopekids..an organization in the twin cities that allows our family to share lots of special, fun times together! www.hopekids.org
I...Individuality..so good to know that we are all different and designed for our own unique purpose.
J...the Journey I am on...I am thankful for the journey God has laid before me..
K...the Knowledge I hold dear.."Be still and know that I am God.."
L...Laughter...I am thankful for my funny kids and all the funny things they say...like Kaden who loves to play "Cops and Robins."
M...Mercy...new every day. Now, that is what I call a gift.
N...Nests..there is hardly anything more precious than watching a momma bird with her babies..
O...Opportunities.. Each day brings with it opportunities to serve our Lord..we don't have to search to find them...they are laid right before us..
P...Photography...I love to capture the emotion in an every day moment.
Q...Questions...I am thankful for an inquisitive mind. I never want to stop learning..
R...Raging bonfires...or at least big ones..not ones that are out of control or anything....just nice, relaxing bonfires..
S..Sunshine...it doesn't matter how cold or hot it is, the sunshine energizes my soul.
T..Trials...they make the good times so much sweeter and my faith deepens in directions I didn't even know existed.
U..Unfathomable love of God...We can't even conceive of the depths of His love..amazing..
V..Variety.. I love the change of seasons, the differences of cultures, and the unity that is created when Jesus Christ is in the midst of the variety He has created.
W..Winnie the Pooh and friends. Most of my favorite quotes are from Winnie the Pooh. I love the simple, yet profound truths in Pooh's words...such as

"It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn't use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like "What about lunch?"

X.. Extraordinary Blessings...look around..they are everywhere!
Y..yearning for Heaven..when I was young, I didn't understand that concept...but the older I get the more I yearn...
Z..zest for life..I don't want to waste my life. I want to live each day...with no regrets and no excuses...

McKenna's Play--"Ebeneeezer"

McKenna's performances will be:
Dec 5 and 6th, 12th and 13th
Saturdays 2 pm and 7 pm
Sundays 2 pm and 5 pm

Adults: $11
Students and Seniors: $9

Call 763-232-1746 for tickets
They will also be available at the door

PACT Charter School
7250 E Ramsey Parkway
Ramsey, MN

Day 4--I am thankful for the kindness of strangers..

...who quickly have become friends.

McKenna has a role in the play, Ebeneezer, performed by the new Ramsey Community Theatre. She loves it. She has had lots of practices which means a lot of down time for her and many opportunities to meet new friends. Phil Bologna is the director of the play and advertised in the local paper that he was encouraging actors of "all ages and abilities" to auditon. I took that quite literally and decided that McKenna clearly fell into that category.
She was excited to audition and Phil, in his graciousness, gently and professionally guided her through an audition. She was cast as "McKenna," a girl who plays a shepherd in the local Christmas production. She has one, beautiful, precious line.

What nearly brings me to tears every time I bring her to a rehearsal is watching the cast include her in such a natural way. All of them didn't start that way. Some of the cast, like most of us, were uncomfortable at first--not sure what to expect from some one with a cognitive disability, not sure what to say, and not sure they would understand what she was saying to them. But, quickly, McKenna worked her way into their hearts.

They don't treat her like she is "special" or different. They treat her like a cast member. They are kind and understanding...taking her hand when she walks on stage. McKenna knows her cues and she could remind the other actors of their lines if they forget. She cries when things are sad and laughs when they are funny. Every time. Each time the other actors reassure her that this is just a play and the actors are not really mad or sad....

What a picture of love...what a gift to McKenna and I am sure many would agree that she is a gift to them. McKenna's line in the play is so beautiful...a request that is fulfilled with each experience at the Ramsey Community Theatre....

She says, "I just want to see Jesus."

Day 3--I am thankful for the "blog world"

I have to admit that I didn't even know the blog world was out there just a year ago..I knew some people had blogs and I couldn't figure out what these people could possibly have to say that would still be interesting after awhile...
I started this blog for my kids about a year ago...an electronic journal if you will, so that I could share some of "me" with them. I remember as a kid not really listening to the stories my Mom told because what she was sharing just wasn't that important at the time. I so wish that I had listened more. So, I decided to share my heart with them for the future...
and I didn't anticipate the blessings that I have received through blogging...

• First, the friendships I have made around the world are an incredible blessing..the connections I have made with a few others who are living the same life as we are, sharing the same passions...the kind of people that you feel like you have known your whole life. What a gift...

• Second, I have been able to gain a more personal view of worldwide ministries that I love to support. If I hadn't started getting connected with the blogging world, I may have not found ministries such as Covenant Homes in India and Sarah who serves Jesus through the disabled orphans she cares for.

• Third, I can connect with people in my own Church community that I am not able to speak with in person while at Church. I may be in the building, but usually my mind is some many other places. And to quote McKenna's line in the play she will be in this season, when I go to Church, "I just want to see Jesus."

• Fourth, I discovered that I enjoy writing. It is so therapeutic for me to sort out my feelings in writing and to share what it is that energizes me or drains the life out of me at times. I can share my faith, my family, and maybe provide a glimpse into a world that is so foreign to many people...and far too familiar to others.

• Fifth, I have learned so much from other bloggers who share their journey of faith through their writings. I have seen facets of faith that I had never considered before. I have grown in my understanding of my own children and myself through those who were willing to share a piece of their life with the world. I am thankful for my fellow bloggers.
  

I am thankful for my Church as they take the next steps in Orphan Care

Part of how we were drawn to Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis was their passion for the orphan. With ministries like the MICAH fund and the LYDIA fund that help to financially support couples who are adopting, we were fully aware of the commitment and passion that the Church exemplified.
In fact, the first sermon we ever heard by Dr. John Piper, given on Father's Day 2004, dealt the topic of adoption. This sermon, Predestined for Adoption to the Praise of His Glory was life changing and one of the best sermons I had ever heard up until that point. Now that we have had the privilege of sitting under Piper's teaching and preaching for the last several years, it seems like the sermons just keep getting better and better. The Lord is using this man in such a powerful way in our lives.
The past week was Orphan Sunday at Church. We have a passion for children who need homes temporarily or permanently. On the day of Maisy's adoption and because of an obscure law on the books, we had to close our foster care license after 15 years of providing care for children in need. I thought that was going to be a difficult transition for us...but we prayed that God would use this to open new doors in our ministry. The first booth I came across just two days after closing our license was a new ministry that is beginning through Bethelehem. The Lord did not take long to open a new door! The ministry is an organization of volunteers that will provide short term care for families in need. Whether a mother is in a drug treatment program or facing homelessless, she will have a place for her children to go while she is facing a crisis.
I could barely sit through Church, I was SO excited. I am thankful that Bethelehem is taking another step in caring for our community and for children. I am so excited to be a part of this ministry. God is so good and I am so thankful...

Thankfulness Day 1--I am thankful for my speeding ticket

I am filled with gratitude for a lot of little things in life. Each day this month, I want to share with you some of the little known things I am thankful for:
And for today, I am thankful for my speeding ticket. Coming home from the doctor a few weeks ago with Maisy, her nurse, and McKenna in the car, I was pulled over by a police officer. Because I drive a van with a wheelchair lift and the conversion of the van was made by a company called "Vision," I was a red flag to the local police. The name of our bus company in Elk River is "Vision Transportation." The police officer was sure I worked for the bus company....and by looking at the occupants...he didn't buy my story that these were my children (i.e. we don't look like a homogenous group.) I was going 52 mph in a 45 mile an hour zone and had no excuse for my actions. We were talking and I wasn't paying close attention.
For a second, I debated about trying to explain all the reasons why he should let me off with a warning. I had a few legitimate ones that I had thought of. But, then decided that I was speeding and no excuse would change that. It bothered me that he didn't believe me that these were not my own children, but I let that go and accepted my ticket.
The last ticket I received was 30 years ago when I first started driving. I was going 52 in a 45 mph zone back then also. I was initially upset and embarassed. I worried about our insurance rates and all of the things that can happen with a ticket on my record.

But, each time since that day, when I get in the car, I remind myself that I am thankful for that ticket. I am slowing down more and paying so much more attention while I drive. Perhaps, the Lord was protecting my family from a potential accident that could have occured because I was driving without paying enough attention to the little details. I have become aware of how I am rushing from place to place....and not slowing down to really be in the moment...and no amount of pushing the speed is going to get me some where any faster...
The ticket reminded me of what a sinner I am. Did I deserve the ticket? You bet! I have deserved tickets countless times for pushing the speed limit or breaking "minor" rules...this reminds me so much of the punishment we deserve for our sin..and how God, has, in His infinite wisdom, wiped away my sin. What an incredible, undeserved gift..now that is something to be thankful for.
But for today am thankful for my speeding ticket.......