I’m back. Sorry for the long periods between posts. No excuses or reasons, other than a busy life and feeling like I had nothing worthwhile to say!
Anyway, I’m nearing the end of another read thru of the Mitford series by Jan Karon. A friend of mine introduced me to the books a few years ago and ever since I’ve been an avid fan. Many times, as I’ve stayed up way too late reading, I’ve asked myself what could be possibly be so riveting about a 60+ priest living alone in a little town that I would have difficulty putting my book down and getting some much needed sleep. But it continues to draw me in and close friends of mine are familiar already with my references to Father Tim and my disclaimer right after that I do indeed know that he is not real. Really. I do know that.
One of the things I appreciate about Karon’s writing is that she so beautifully weaves in the Truth and teaches and inspires the reader without being “preachy”. I have learned a lot from her gentle teaching. This last week I have been encouraged again to be thankful in a new way, after reading a message Father Tim preached in the book “In This Mountain”:
…..in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thes. 5:18
“Our obedience to this (1 Thes. 5:18) will say “Father, I don’t know why You’re causing or allowing, this hard thing to happen, but I’m going to give thanks in it because You ask me to. I’m going to trust You to have a purpose for it that I can’t know and may never know. Bottom line-You’re God– and that’s good enough for me.”
In everything. So I’ve been trying it. I keep a journal now in which I record the things I am thankful for each day, including the things I am having trouble understanding and appreciating. Even the things that keep me awake at night, struggling with worry. Anyone reading my journal might scratch their head at some of my entries, but I know why they're there.
There is a submission in the writing and an acknowledgment that I may not understand, but He is faithful and He is worthy of my trust. I may understand some day, or I may not, but as Father Tim said, “You’re God, and that’s good enough for me.”
Father Tim may not be real, but the Truth is.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Trust
I just had to share this with you. Emilie emailed her Daddy this morning as she dealt with the news that school and therefore a much awaited field trip were cancelled due to a snow storm. I think she expressed the thoughts and feelings we all experience when something goes wrong in our life. I'm following that with her daddy's reply and advice to her and then her sweet, trusting response. What a beautiful reminder of how submitting to God and trusting His work in our lives brings peace in the midst of pain. I am humbled and encouraged by her example today.
daddy today isn't any school and that really sucks because are field trip was today and another tomorrow i feel like pulling my hair out argggggggggghhhhhhhhhhh !!!!!!!!!! i am so mad i am going to cry why why why did it have to snow today why not yesterday or or or saturday cause these next three days of the week were supposed to be perfect cause on friday we were having a party arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrggggggggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh if its no school tomorrow i wont have any hair left and my eyes will be swollen from crrryyyyyyyyyying
I knew you would not be happy. I am so sorry honey. If I could I would come home and play with you just because I knew you would be sad. But I cant come home early either. I am sorry honey. I am praying for you to have a good day anyway.
Love you baby.
Dad
thanks daddy its just hard to know i am missing a field trip but if i keep praising god and thanking him that tomorrow is the big field trip he might make it work tomorrow and on friday. i am going to make the easter crafts mom got for me but then i will play zelda . like mom said, make out what's best of it. i just wish it didn't snow today but i will have to be brave and face what might be ahead of me and trust god to do the best because maybe school was canceled today because someone could have got hurt at the srss for our electricity field trip . ok bye
daddy today isn't any school and that really sucks because are field trip was today and another tomorrow i feel like pulling my hair out argggggggggghhhhhhhhhhh !!!!!!!!!! i am so mad i am going to cry why why why did it have to snow today why not yesterday or or or saturday cause these next three days of the week were supposed to be perfect cause on friday we were having a party arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrggggggggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh if its no school tomorrow i wont have any hair left and my eyes will be swollen from crrryyyyyyyyyying
I knew you would not be happy. I am so sorry honey. If I could I would come home and play with you just because I knew you would be sad. But I cant come home early either. I am sorry honey. I am praying for you to have a good day anyway.
Love you baby.
Dad
thanks daddy its just hard to know i am missing a field trip but if i keep praising god and thanking him that tomorrow is the big field trip he might make it work tomorrow and on friday. i am going to make the easter crafts mom got for me but then i will play zelda . like mom said, make out what's best of it. i just wish it didn't snow today but i will have to be brave and face what might be ahead of me and trust god to do the best because maybe school was canceled today because someone could have got hurt at the srss for our electricity field trip . ok bye
Friday, March 20, 2009
All I Need
Contrary to the look on Ivan's face, my children really did enjoy blessing me yesterday on my birthday. It was great resting in my room and hearing the sounds of Bob and the kids working together to prepare a very nice dinner. Of course, there were varying levels of participation, but it was great to just stay home together and enjoy a special occasion.
Their ultimate gift to me was this picture, though, since my kids HATE posing for pictures (especially Ivan). They did cooperate, though, and I have this treasure to remember the day by.
It’s really that simple, isn’t it? No gift would have outweighed the blessing of having my children nearby and happy. I’m so thankful I was able to have that yesterday.
Their ultimate gift to me was this picture, though, since my kids HATE posing for pictures (especially Ivan). They did cooperate, though, and I have this treasure to remember the day by.
It’s really that simple, isn’t it? No gift would have outweighed the blessing of having my children nearby and happy. I’m so thankful I was able to have that yesterday.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Birthday Blessings
It's my birthday! I love birthdays and this one is no exception.
So, I am celebrating by:
1) eating chocolate for breakfast (some received as a gift from a friend)
2) having lunch at a cute little tea house with a dear friend
3) enjoying a special dinner planned and prepared by my 3 kids (and their Dad)
4) counting my blessings
5) wondering who cut my bangs when I was 4
So, I am celebrating by:
1) eating chocolate for breakfast (some received as a gift from a friend)
2) having lunch at a cute little tea house with a dear friend
3) enjoying a special dinner planned and prepared by my 3 kids (and their Dad)
4) counting my blessings
5) wondering who cut my bangs when I was 4
Friday, March 13, 2009
The Music Moves Me
So, Bob and I had our first dance lesson yesterday. And we survived. And so did the teachers and the onlookers.
Boy, was it intimidating. We walked in while the intermediate class was finishing their lesson. Most of them wait around and talk while we beginners have our lesson, because after that there is a time of just plain dancing and practice time. They turn down the lights and everything. This Menno girl has come a looooong way!
Anyway, knowing the intermediate class is watching is scary, especially since the teachers just launch right into the lesson and in the first lesson we learned how to dance the rumba complete with a TURN! Have mercy. Do they have any idea who they are working with? I was hoping for baby steps, but we got launched into the world of dance from a cannon. OK, not quite that bad, but it was scary. And so much fun. If it wasn't for my feet hurting from too pointy shoes, I would have danced longer. Gotta get me some better shoes. Still need to practice the turn though. I keep getting it wrong.
When we got home Bob and I showed Emilie what we had learned and she clapped and everything. We must be good.
Boy, was it intimidating. We walked in while the intermediate class was finishing their lesson. Most of them wait around and talk while we beginners have our lesson, because after that there is a time of just plain dancing and practice time. They turn down the lights and everything. This Menno girl has come a looooong way!
Anyway, knowing the intermediate class is watching is scary, especially since the teachers just launch right into the lesson and in the first lesson we learned how to dance the rumba complete with a TURN! Have mercy. Do they have any idea who they are working with? I was hoping for baby steps, but we got launched into the world of dance from a cannon. OK, not quite that bad, but it was scary. And so much fun. If it wasn't for my feet hurting from too pointy shoes, I would have danced longer. Gotta get me some better shoes. Still need to practice the turn though. I keep getting it wrong.
When we got home Bob and I showed Emilie what we had learned and she clapped and everything. We must be good.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Finding Home Part 6
Bob left and his sister arrived, and we entered what we thought was the final stretch of our stay. At this point we had been in Romania for 7 weeks. Two weeks later S arrived one evening to tell me more “bad news”. By now we had proceeded far enough with the adoption that we had entered the waiting period- a part of every adoption. It is a buffer of time in which the birth parent has the right to change their mind. A difficult time, but necessary. I had a chart marked with the days of the waiting period and cheerfully marked the days off each night as I went to bed (whatever works to keep you going!). S’s news that day was that he had discovered my lawyer had neglected to file the papers until just then, and therefore the waiting period was only starting now. I’ll never forget that moment. All my hope for going home soon collapsed, and I was devastated. How many more delays could there be?
But, after a difficult night, we determined to go on, and made the necessary arrangements to lengthen our stay. By this time many Canadians had come and gone with their new children, leaving us behind. We were now proficient at changing our departure dates on our airline tickets and extending our visas. Because Bob’s sister needed to go home before I would be able to go, we asked our sister in law if she was interested in coming to be with me for the last short stretch. She was thrilled to come and made the arrangements. By this time it was May and we had been in Romania for 9 weeks. We had arrived in winter and were now experiencing spring.
Katy continued to grow and to claim my heart. She was the bright spot in all of the waiting and I treasure the time I had with her to spend only caring for her and getting to know her-something I may not have had in the regular busyness of life at home. I also treasure the time I had to become more than a tourist in her home country. Once you are living alongside the local people for that length of time, shopping with them in their markets, using their transportation (by this time taxis were a luxury seldom possible with our stretched farther than we could ever imagine budget), you gain a new perspective and I am thankful.
S became incredibly dear to me and took care of me in that time as a father cares for his daughter. These blessings would not have been possible if we had been able to leave Bucharest as quickly as we had wanted to, so I am thankful. I have much more perspective to offer Katy regarding her country because of the length of our stay.
Anyway, the waiting period finally ended and we were able to have our final court date and gain Katy’s passport and visa and any other paperwork we needed to bring her out of the country. We were cautiously confident we were actually nearing the end and marking off the days on my chart every evening became more and more exciting.
Preparing to leave actually became heart wrenching. Leaving S and M behind was difficult. Enduring something as painful and joyful as we had, bonds you with someone, and the thought of possibly not seeing them again was very difficult. I struggled to convey to them how thankful we were for them and how sure we were they were God’s direct and purposeful gift to us. (We have met them again since, and I am so thankful).
But we did leave. My SIL had been in Bucharest for 3 1/2 weeks by now-2 1/2 weeks longer than we had expected, but we were going home!
The entire length of our stay in Romania was 12 1/2 weeks-a full 1/2 week longer than the “record holders” up to that point. A distinction I would rather not have, but we have it nonetheless.
The day before we left, S came to our house to settle last minute things. I remember him coming to me, holding my hands, and telling me that he could now confess that he had had his fears regarding our adoption. Apparently the media had been full of stories that foreign adoption was being shut down in Romania, and he was very fearful this would happen before our adoption was final. His fears were valid– Katy and I left Romania on May 29. Adoptions in Romania were ended May 30.
Is there any doubt Katy was intended for our family? Is there any doubt God was working? Is there any doubt God had a plan? None. I am humbled and amazed at His faithfulness and can hardly wait to ask Him in heaven to show me all of the unseen protection and intervention on our behalf during the whole process.
In all of this writing I have only scratched the surface of the story. Much had been left unsaid and I am sure you have questions about aspects I have left out. Feel free to leave a question in the comments and I will gladly answer.
I fully acknowledge that this has not been written perfectly. These posts always been written in snatches of time stolen at work or at home, so I have been unable to edit like I might normally. But at the same time I know God has been a part of the writing and I trust that He will work through my humble attempt's at telling this story and to glorify Him. I still dream that at some point I will be able to write the whole story, perhaps in a book.
Katy is 18 today. Eighteen years have passed since she was born and almost that many since we landed in Winnipeg airport and were greeted by her Daddy, family, and friends. God’s faithfulness has continued, and praise the Lord, will continue. I praise Him for what He did in our life and for what He will do in the future.
He has a plan. He will be working.
But, after a difficult night, we determined to go on, and made the necessary arrangements to lengthen our stay. By this time many Canadians had come and gone with their new children, leaving us behind. We were now proficient at changing our departure dates on our airline tickets and extending our visas. Because Bob’s sister needed to go home before I would be able to go, we asked our sister in law if she was interested in coming to be with me for the last short stretch. She was thrilled to come and made the arrangements. By this time it was May and we had been in Romania for 9 weeks. We had arrived in winter and were now experiencing spring.
Katy continued to grow and to claim my heart. She was the bright spot in all of the waiting and I treasure the time I had with her to spend only caring for her and getting to know her-something I may not have had in the regular busyness of life at home. I also treasure the time I had to become more than a tourist in her home country. Once you are living alongside the local people for that length of time, shopping with them in their markets, using their transportation (by this time taxis were a luxury seldom possible with our stretched farther than we could ever imagine budget), you gain a new perspective and I am thankful.
S became incredibly dear to me and took care of me in that time as a father cares for his daughter. These blessings would not have been possible if we had been able to leave Bucharest as quickly as we had wanted to, so I am thankful. I have much more perspective to offer Katy regarding her country because of the length of our stay.
Anyway, the waiting period finally ended and we were able to have our final court date and gain Katy’s passport and visa and any other paperwork we needed to bring her out of the country. We were cautiously confident we were actually nearing the end and marking off the days on my chart every evening became more and more exciting.
Preparing to leave actually became heart wrenching. Leaving S and M behind was difficult. Enduring something as painful and joyful as we had, bonds you with someone, and the thought of possibly not seeing them again was very difficult. I struggled to convey to them how thankful we were for them and how sure we were they were God’s direct and purposeful gift to us. (We have met them again since, and I am so thankful).
But we did leave. My SIL had been in Bucharest for 3 1/2 weeks by now-2 1/2 weeks longer than we had expected, but we were going home!
The entire length of our stay in Romania was 12 1/2 weeks-a full 1/2 week longer than the “record holders” up to that point. A distinction I would rather not have, but we have it nonetheless.
The day before we left, S came to our house to settle last minute things. I remember him coming to me, holding my hands, and telling me that he could now confess that he had had his fears regarding our adoption. Apparently the media had been full of stories that foreign adoption was being shut down in Romania, and he was very fearful this would happen before our adoption was final. His fears were valid– Katy and I left Romania on May 29. Adoptions in Romania were ended May 30.
Is there any doubt Katy was intended for our family? Is there any doubt God was working? Is there any doubt God had a plan? None. I am humbled and amazed at His faithfulness and can hardly wait to ask Him in heaven to show me all of the unseen protection and intervention on our behalf during the whole process.
In all of this writing I have only scratched the surface of the story. Much had been left unsaid and I am sure you have questions about aspects I have left out. Feel free to leave a question in the comments and I will gladly answer.
I fully acknowledge that this has not been written perfectly. These posts always been written in snatches of time stolen at work or at home, so I have been unable to edit like I might normally. But at the same time I know God has been a part of the writing and I trust that He will work through my humble attempt's at telling this story and to glorify Him. I still dream that at some point I will be able to write the whole story, perhaps in a book.
Katy is 18 today. Eighteen years have passed since she was born and almost that many since we landed in Winnipeg airport and were greeted by her Daddy, family, and friends. God’s faithfulness has continued, and praise the Lord, will continue. I praise Him for what He did in our life and for what He will do in the future.
He has a plan. He will be working.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
