Above Rubies

I have found quite the website!!! www.aboverubies.org
My friend Cheryl told me about it after we started talking about adoption. She said that it was a really good resource in general, but also specific to adoption. There is also a lot of good/encouraging homeschool information. Practical and from an excellent perspective.

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On a different note, I had a wonderful time with my friends yesterday. We ate, laughed, sang, played, and talked. It was amazing - and I hope to do it many more times!

I also had a great day at work today - because I got to hang with my friend all day!

Happy Monday! (and yes - I'm even happy for more snow!!!)

Thank you

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Watchmaker

I ran across a great little film called "The Watchmaker". It is part of a bigger children's website that has some great films as well as resources for children.
I liked some of the resources because it gave me a few idea's for the website I'm working on for KIT for Kids. I think it's great to have a good list of safe, biblically sound, and entertaining websites for children.

Happy Thursday!

First Steps

Ok, so I'm thinking this will be a great place to keep the progress (or lack thereof!) for what I’m going to call my missio Dei (Mission of God). How do we know what God wants us to do? How does God speak in our lives? How do we know if what we hear is God’s voice or our own will? What is the mission of God in our life?

These are some of the big questions that most of us struggle with, well at least those that WANT to hear God’s will…

So here is a short story… When I turned 15, I felt a call of God on my life, to minister in some way to children – and not just any children – but children in need. So I made a promise to God and myself, that if when I turned 30 I was not married, I would adopt children. Well I’m a bit older now, and just in the past 2 years did I remember this promise to God and myself, but I didn’t think much of it till last month, when I realized that I was now 29… oh my – that’s pretty close to 30! And guess what? I still haven’t found the ONE God has to be my mate.

So here is the part where I am hoping to hear the voice of God clearly, what would God have me do? Am I to pursue adoption – as a single parent? Am I to go to Africa and try to do some good there? What about the orphanage that Sister Beiry runs? What is God’s mission in my life? What does it look like? Am I prepared for whatever it is?

At this point – I do not feel to leave this place where I’m planted, that may come, but for now I have a mission field right here is Iowa. God has blessed me with a home and a family, some that live with me and some just over the hill, and I know that this is where I’m supposed to be right now, but what about the call for ministering to children? At this point I have begun to look at options for adoption.

After having a short discussion with one of my friends about hearing the voice of God – or knowing His will for my life, I have come to realize that I really operate in certain way when it comes to figuring out God’s will in my life. I start with prayer, and that prayer consists of – Lord, Your will – not mine! Then I ask for His guidance – Lord, open the doors you want opened and close those I’m not supposed to go through. I really feel that by really only wanting His will, it is kinda His responsibility to show me that will. Also knowing that adoption is something that is very close to God's heart is a good place to start, God is very specific about the fact that His people are supposed to be taking care of the widows and orphans! So I go through doors that look open – and keep praying for His will. So that is the process that I’m in the middle of right now. Adoption? Which doors will open? What would God have me do – even to begin?

But what does a girl like me know about the wide world of adoption. And remember – at all times, I only want God’s will. So I did an internet search on adoption in Iowa, and I was a bit more specific – Christian Adoption Agencies in Iowa. One that I checked into was called Bethany. Mom and I went to an informational meeting and gathered quite a bit of information, but the big thing I learned was that they do not do domestic (adoption of children within the US vs. international – adoption of children outside of the US) adoption with single parents, only international. So for right now, I feel to try a different venue – I’m currently gathering information for state adoption. Pray – and let me know if you hear anything! And I will keep you posted. J

Big Deal

So I have been struggling with wanting to upgrade my computer and camera this year. It seems to be constantly on my mind. My computer is almost 8 years old and my camera isn't far behind. My struggle on the computer end has been wanting a MAC - but not being able to justify the added cost... And the problem with upgrading my camera was similar - I couldn't justify the cost of a new camera even though it would work more consistently as well as work better under certain situations. But last week while we were dealing with my father being in the hospital, I dropped my camera on the ground and it broke the lens. It is completely useless!!! So, long story short - insurance is going to help me pay for a new lens. I will be ordering my new D300 camera within the next few days - the drop did quite a bit of damage to that as well... As for the computer it will have to wait a bit yet - but I think things are looking up for it! ;)

On another note - I ran across a new book that I want to read "Scratch Beginnings" by Adam Shepard. It looks very interesting and compelling, I looked up Big Brothers Big Sisters as soon as I finished watching the interview.

I thinks the reason it looked interesting to me is because I'm actually praying about adopting a child (or 2!). I really feel like it's something the Lord is calling me to. It's a bit scary, in that I am single and already taking care of my Grandma. But I really feel that God doesn't give us more than we can handle. So I just keep praying for his will.

I went to a Christian Private Adoption Agency last week and found out that they do not do domestic adoptions to single parents. So we will see where the Lord leads from here!

Hospital stays are happy and sad

So in the past couple weeks, I've seen quite a enough of hospitals. Though, it wasn't all for trying reasons! The frist 2 times where for births - which are always fun. My cousin and his wife had their first baby, and we were all their to support them! It was amazing!

But after all that excitement was over (at least for me!) my dad got an infection in his foot - so back up to the hospital we went. This time we had a better view from the room, but after a week and a 1/2 of all of us being in that room with him - we are very happy to see him come home - fully intact! Here are a few pictures from his room!