Challenge in Change

Re:  Change is not a threat (or surprise).  It's a fact.

"Change is a reality, and we're living right in the middle of it.  The good news is that God can be found right in the middle of it as well.  God does not change, but He uses change--to change us.  He sends us on journeys that bring us to the end of ourselves.  We often feel out of control, yet if we embrace His leading, we may find ourselves on the ride of our lives."

Interrupted by Jen Hatmaker (quote from Foreward by Brandon Hatmaker)

I borrowed this book through Inter Library Loan, it came from halfway across the country!  I only made it through the Foreward last night, but already it applied.  Our family has grown by one these last couple months and it has been a challenge.  Medically it has exhausting:  creams, antibiotics, doctor's appointments, pharmacy mix-ups, multiple clinic phone tag...  Change, this change has been wonderful (smiles, laughs, snuggles), but beyond us (medical needs).  (I'm afraid that our story may not motivate others to follow in our footsteps.)  Beyond us, but God has provided!  Jehovah Jireh (God the provider).  He has provided meals, prescription clarification, on-call doctors, nurses and pharmacists in the family, affirmation that we are doing the right thing, encouragement to persevere, pleasant weather so that our healthy half can play with the neighbors without infecting others!  ...etc.

We are also praying that Jehovah Rapha (God the healer) will wipe out these medical needs!  Pray with us?! 

Change.  Keep it coming.  Keep us focused. 

Simple Gifts

'Tis a gift to be simple,
'Tis a gift to be free,
'Tis a gift to come down where we ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
It will be in the valley of love and delight.

Our family is really trying to simplify our stuff this year and part of that is not adding more.  Initially that made us think that we should not add anything.  Just experiences...  Aunt C pointed out a simple idea that she had seen on Pinterest.

• something they WANT
• something they NEED
• something to WEAR
• something to READ

And possibly:

• something to WATCH
• something for DRESS UP
• something to LISTEN TO
• something to EAT
• something to CREATE 

So, since half the family still wasn't sure about the no gift idea, we decided to try it.  We assigned (they chose) a single category for each relative and they will find a single gift for each of our three kids in that category.

Lessons From Foster Care

• Take any new child in for a thorough physical to see if there is anything, ANYTHING that needs to be treated.
• If you have clues, about a previous illness, that have come with them, ask about them.  Push and prod until you know for sure that the illness is gone gone.
• Try to do this before coming into contact with all your family and friends.
• Persevere, all the love and work you are putting into this child will make a difference no matter the size. 
• Despite possibility of some illness, don't be afraid of loving them completely - and let your little girls love on them too.  
• Accept help from others.  
• Ask for help from others.  
• Get the sleep you need, even if all the linens, clothes, and cloth anything need to be washed and dried in high heat.  There is time for that tomorrow.
• If your child is fussy...lay them down and sing/play:  
• "Clap your feet  - clap feet to the rhythm
• All you people
• Shout to God with a voice of triumph
• Clap your feet
• All you people
• Shout to God with a voice of praise
• Hosanna  - alternate legs up and down
• Praise Him
• Shout to God with a voice of praise"  - clapping again
• My husband can take 2 seconds on my post and take the dots off the "list" that I just wanted to be song lyrics.
• Baths and splashing can be a reprieve (for parents) and a delight (for kids).
• Oatmeal baths are cheap and easy ("recipe")
• God is good, all the time.  All the time God is good.
• Pray!  Pray for perseverence, pray for the kids, pray for the parents, pray for change, pray for miracles, pray for courage.
• Make connections.  As we are now taking care of our first foster child we were given a foster parent mentor that we can call and email.  What a great idea.

I did it! I did it!

I sewed two naptimes in a row!  Wow.  It hasn't been much, but every little bit is exciting.  I even got a little snooze in today.  Kj and L go down for their nap/rest about 1, then B is up for a while longer.  Today, I was so tired that I brought my pillow into the living room and set him in front of me with a bunch of his toys and ... I think I fell asleep for an hour.  Is that possible?  I'm not sure it was an hour, but he just played and played and then Kj came to entertain him while I got out a bottle.  His eyes rolled back as he drank it up.  I was told to make sure I made eye contact with him during his feedings, but that's not always possible.  So, I laid him down after that and headed straight for the sewing room, to work on a project I had cut out yesterday.  Yippee, hooray.  After I finish with this, I'd like to make L some more t-shirt skirts, as daily she wears one under her dress, over her pants.  Hehe, she's a layer girl.  I guess all the girls in this family are.  How could she not be?  Ok, now I am just rambling, bye for now.  :)

Wow! Blessed!

Wow!  God is good.  Look at this pile.  We haven't been "doing" foster care for more than 2 weeks and some friends and their church small group, because of "orphan Sunday", decide to adopt us for a night.  They made reservations at a fancy restaurant, came to babysit our 3 sweethearts, sent us off and we came back to a pile of groceries besides (and a quiet house).  

Ephesians 3:14-21


For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.  I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.  But I have to tell you about more:  

• The sweet lady that takes care of the girls during my Bible study brought us lunch when we couldn't make it out because of illness.
• Nana came to take care of overnight meds, so we could sleep, and let me run errands. 
• Aunt A brought her baby food maker one afternoon and made us carrots and squash.
• A friend brought us a meat and potatoes meal (with leftovers) one night.
• Another friend took from the excess of her son's clothes for our new little man to have a couple more items.  
• Oh, there's more, don't feel left out if I missed your story...I am thankful for all of you!!  

And I sort of felt like we were in this alone.  We don't know anyone close "doing" foster care.  We know many families that have adopted.  In the body of Christ we are not alone!!  

Makes me think of ways to pass it on... Step up, Anna, what can you do?

Thankfulness - in no particular order

From Anna:

• Kevin - wonderful, practical, thoughtful, caring, God-fearing, diligent, frugal, energy efficient husband (to name a few of his attributes)
• my girls - they add so much joy to our lives.  I love watching them grow and learn and care for others (especially little B)
• little B - I am thankful for his transition into our lives and that for a time I can be his mama.  I pray for his mama and family that they will be found fit to care for him soon!  May the Lord bless you and keep you, little B.
• our extended family - and all the ways they support us in our family life
• the van - despite having to crawl in from front and back today (sliders were frozen) it fit us all in and got us where we needed to go.  It also allows us to invite friends on our adventures, and foster kids into our family.
• our friends - bringing us meals, calling us, babysitting, sharing, holding, confiding, visiting
• our house - just right for our current family situation - 2 1/2 bedrooms for us, girls, and baby
• generosity of  people - a meal, a vehicle, a carseat, some clothes
• Kevin - learning to get up early for him (to study) and for our kids (because they were up) and for me (so I could sleep)
• little B's laugh
• my front, really big window that lets lots of light in!!  It was worth it!
• God's faithfulness
• Jehovah Roi - God who sees
• Jehovah Rapha - God who heals 
• L: "B has black hair, just like me."  :)  
• fall colors
• tree branches' profile against the evening sky
• drawings by Kj and L
• a gas stove
• canning
• sewing
• library
• ...

From Kevin:

• "for you"
• Kj, L
• good health
• good job
• good town to live in
• The Truth
• thermal pants for biking
• children laughing in our home
• Bible teaching church
• parents close by
• no one else got pneumonia
• gadgets (my word for it)
• ...

Girls vs. Boys

Just wanted to share an example of girls vs. boys.   L is playing the piano and B is shaking and eating the piano (pictures above and below).  That's all.