Attitude Check

If a commission by an earthly king is considered a honor, how can a commission by a Heavenly King be considered a sacrifice?
-David Livingstone

If I had a quarter for every time someone said, "Your daughter is so lucky!" or "That's so great that you would do that..."

Before each of our adoptions, there was a moment when I struggled with my desire to HAVE. To HAVE the perfect house (that we OWN). To HAVE a car that I liked to drive (instead of ones that we can afford). Or to have ANY car really that wasn't purple (I mean purple?! Who drives a purple car?!) To leave my home someday for a job where raises and praises acknowledge my hard work. (Or to leave my house at all on some days)

But each time those thoughts of what I want came into my head, the Holy Spirit would instantly show me the shallowness of their substance.

How could I even compare helping a child to OWNING something? And how could I choose loving myself over embracing one who has no one at all?

And so I walked down the path towards the adoptions. And a funny thing happened. The thoughts of self disappeared as I realized what an absolute HONOR it is to have the privilege of loving one of His daughters! I have a commission from the King...and it's a gift!

What is God whispering in YOUR heart? When you lay down at night, what keeps you awake? What part of our world is God calling you to change?

Will you save the world? Nope. But then, I can't remember a king's commission to do something so large. After all, that's the King of King's job. But I'm so thankful He chooses to use us...despite our flaws and failures...what an amazing thing!

O Happy Day

Yesterday was my birthday. I am So Thankful

for 4 raspberries, perfectly ripe, hand delivered by gardener G,

for the giant hug from giggling Kailey as she wished me Happy Birthday,

and for the Happy 21st Birthday wishes from her dad, Steve. I knew I liked that guy!


for the perfect weather as we worked on our CSA farm,

the FB messages from friends,

and the surprise chocolate ganache cake from my hubby.


for the treasures Miss M gave from her own closet, wrapped extra carefully in pink paper,

for the pictures of himself J gave me as a joke,

and for the kiss from my teenager.


And last but not least...my new french press coffee maker. Ahhhhhhhh.

So Sweet

Two super sweet things to share with you guys.

First, Miss M was hospitalized again last week. While that was NOT sweet, big brother G showed his tender heart.

"Mom? I really miss M."

"That's a wonderful way to feel about your sister, G."

"Yeah, only it doesn't feel so wonderful in my stomach."

Go ahead and melt. I know I did.


The other something sweet? M's ferritin numbers were LOWER again! Yee-Haw! That means that she can "just" go for a one day transfusion in July and not be admitted! In August, she'll have another full-body MRI on a special machine that can detect where iron is pooling in her body. If it's around her organs, we'll have to consider admitting every few weeks again. If not, we can stay on her daily oral medicine for awhile instead.

Now that is Suuuuu-Weeeet!