Christianity has always insisted that the cross we bear preceeds the crown we wear. To be a Christian one must take up his cross with all its difficulties and agonizing and tension-packed content, and carry it until that very cross leaves its mark upon us and redeems us to that more excellent way which comes through suffering.
-Martin Luther King Jr.
If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross and follow me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the good news you will find true life. And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul in the process? Is anything worth more than your soul?
Mark 8: 34-37
I carry this verse in my wallet to remind me of my true purpose, so that when I become blinded by my selfish ambition, I can be reminded that all things I do are from my soul and the Lover of my soul.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Beginning Again
Last Friday Ben, Oliver, and I finally moved into our new house!
We are mostly unpacked and moved in but definitely still have some work to do. This is a time that I am thankful we live simply. We were beyond blessed to have so many friends help s move, we had all of our stuff in the house before 1:30.
House stats:
*about 1,500 sq feet
*2 bedrooms and a bonus room
*3 stories (1st story is a garage)
*townhome
*west-end of Colorado Springs
*little backyard for the pup!
We feel amazingly blessed and are trying to figure out how God wants us to use this house to bless other people. I will post pictures when we are all unpacked and the empty boxes are not littering the living room!
In other news:
>summer is finally here!
>Ben is doing his internship (which means he will graduate soon!)
>going to Texas at the end of the summer
>hoping to blog about "From Ashes to Africa," because I didn't over spring break
>missing my students a little (only a little)
We are mostly unpacked and moved in but definitely still have some work to do. This is a time that I am thankful we live simply. We were beyond blessed to have so many friends help s move, we had all of our stuff in the house before 1:30.
House stats:
*about 1,500 sq feet
*2 bedrooms and a bonus room
*3 stories (1st story is a garage)
*townhome
*west-end of Colorado Springs
*little backyard for the pup!
We feel amazingly blessed and are trying to figure out how God wants us to use this house to bless other people. I will post pictures when we are all unpacked and the empty boxes are not littering the living room!
In other news:
>summer is finally here!
>Ben is doing his internship (which means he will graduate soon!)
>going to Texas at the end of the summer
>hoping to blog about "From Ashes to Africa," because I didn't over spring break
>missing my students a little (only a little)
Friday, May 22, 2009
Life Givers
Today, I was privileged to witness the birth of a friends daughter, she was amazing to fight through 12 hours of active labor, at home, without drugs! She was a rockstar!
Witnessing this amazing experience gives new meaning to the words "life giver" and the recognition of God's presence on this earth. I have not, in my life, been a part of something as amazing as the birth of a person. I was thankful to be part of the birthing team and am thankful that God blessed me with a passion for and understanding of medical things and home birth.
Barbi, You were amazing! I am so proud of you and I knew you could do it! Thank you for blessing me with this experience and for allowing me to be part of your life and the life of your little girl.
Witnessing this amazing experience gives new meaning to the words "life giver" and the recognition of God's presence on this earth. I have not, in my life, been a part of something as amazing as the birth of a person. I was thankful to be part of the birthing team and am thankful that God blessed me with a passion for and understanding of medical things and home birth.
Barbi, You were amazing! I am so proud of you and I knew you could do it! Thank you for blessing me with this experience and for allowing me to be part of your life and the life of your little girl.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Unneccessary Families
I wish that adoption was not necessary, I wish that the plight of the fatherless did not weigh so heavily on my heart. What would the world be if no foster or adoptive families were needed? What if parents could care for and love their children despite their circumstances? What if none of my students were living without parents and struggling with their pasts? What if families came along side other struggling families in all countries to allow them to love and raise their children?
I suppose a world like this, would be a world before the fall of man. I suppose that part of the reality is that men are unable (unwilling) to be fathers and women struggle as mothers, the temptations of this world are greater than the temptation to raise and love and grow our children. If the reality is that there are children who do not have parents, if the reality is that mothers and fathers die of aids and genocide and drugs, than we will adopt. We will take the fatherless and provide the most love we can, all the while knowing that love cannot erase the past. I weep for the children whose parents do not love them, whose communities have abandoned them and who hold little hope in themselves or their future.
I know that I talk about adoption and orphans a lot, but that is because I believe, with the every depth of my being, that it is our call as Christ Followers to take up these children and love them and raise them as children of Christ and changers in this world. I will never stop loving, I will never stop grieving, and I will never forget the plight of the fatherless.
I suppose a world like this, would be a world before the fall of man. I suppose that part of the reality is that men are unable (unwilling) to be fathers and women struggle as mothers, the temptations of this world are greater than the temptation to raise and love and grow our children. If the reality is that there are children who do not have parents, if the reality is that mothers and fathers die of aids and genocide and drugs, than we will adopt. We will take the fatherless and provide the most love we can, all the while knowing that love cannot erase the past. I weep for the children whose parents do not love them, whose communities have abandoned them and who hold little hope in themselves or their future.
I know that I talk about adoption and orphans a lot, but that is because I believe, with the every depth of my being, that it is our call as Christ Followers to take up these children and love them and raise them as children of Christ and changers in this world. I will never stop loving, I will never stop grieving, and I will never forget the plight of the fatherless.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Keeps me thinking
"I believe in adoption. And I believe in adoption because family is powerful.
It’s the way God made us. And every child deserves one." - Jody R. Landers
I love when fellow bloggers continue to challenge and inspire me, urging me forward to what my heart knows is good and right and true. Thanks Jody for your words and sharing the adventures of your family.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Beginnings
I heard a babies heartbeat for the first time Friday night. What an amazing experience? How beautiful to hear the sound of a heartbeat before it becomes corrupted by the world, before sin and reality steps in. This beauty and reality was given by God, he gave me that beautiful gift. Nathan and Barbi, you will be wonderful parents! Congratulations and thanks for letting me be a part of this journey.
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