Happy Thanksgiving!

"Oh give thanks to The Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!" -1 Chronicles 16:8

Over the month of November, we've been talking about thankfulness with our kids. At breakfast, we've each been sharing something we're thankful for...the ideas have been awesome. Our girl has been thankful for bees, the tree in our front yard, her pajamas, the pictures on the wall, among others. It is awesome each morning to ask her what she's thankful for and to hear her answer instantly. It is a beautiful reminder to be thankful for everything...even what often goes unnoticed.

Cliff has also been taking us through a variety of Scripture related to thankfulness. It has been really encouraging to talk about these with the kids and reflect on how my heart isn't inclined to thankfulness. It is so easy to complain, but when I stop and pray, the Holy Spirit is faithful to remind me of all the many blessings in my life.

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Fall

This is my favorite time of year.

The trees turn beautiful colors. The mornings are cool and crisp. Boots can be worn, cozy scarfs make their way out of the back of the closet, and pumpkins decorate doorsteps.

Even though the rain has started to fall, it doesn't change how I feel about this time of year. As the holidays approach, the leaves fall, Thanksgiving turkeys are sold, and Christmas decorations go up, I want to enjoy each day...not rushing from one holiday to the next, but to savor each day.

Preschool

Our sweet girl started preschool in September. We're very thankful she gets to go to a local public school that hosts an integrated preschool. Which means that in her class, half of the students have some type of disability and the other half are considered typically developing peers. As one of the students who is typically developing, it provides Z with lots of opportunities to lead and model for other students.

Also, her teacher is not only fantastic, but she's also a friend. Her teacher goes to our church and has been such a huge blessing through this transition...from first suggesting the school to us to providing suggestions for at home skill development. She is a huge blessing to our family.

Our girl LOVES school. She asks if it is time to go the instant her clothes are on for the day. She is always excited to put on her owl backpack and head out the door with daddy. It is perfect timing, as she's there four mornings a week, giving our little boy and I some sweet time together.

It is a wonderful situation, and one I'm abundantly thankful for.

Supporting Adoption

As many of you know, we're in the process of adopting our two kids through the foster care system. That's how we feel burdened to respond to God's call to care for the orphan, but there are many ways each of us can do that. For some, it means helping and serving those who adopt. For others, it is adopting a child.

Some friends of ours are pursuing adoption in Latvia. It is amazing to hear their story and how much God is teaching both of us through this waiting process, despite the vast differences between an international adoption and a local foster/adopt situation. One of the huge differences between the two paths is the cost.

Through a link on Facebook, I recently discovered an awesome website. The website is called Give 1, Save 1. There is a site for Africa, Asia, domestic adoptions, and Europe (coming soon). The premise is that each week they post a profile of one family pursuing adoption. They ask each visitor to the site to give $1 (or more) to the family of the week. There is a profile, sometimes a video, and you learn about the way that family is trying to bring the child into their home.

I was struck by this idea...so simple, yet incredibly powerful. One dollar. That really isn't much money over the course of the week. I can easily walk into the dollar aisle at Target and spend $1 on something my kids will play with for five minutes. How about investing that dollar in a child, in a family?

So, my plan is to give $1 every Monday to the highlighted family on the Give 1, Save 1 website. It is a very small way, on a weekly basis, to be reminded of the unbelievable way God has provided for us as we've walked the road of adoption. It is also a tangible reminder to the person I'm giving to, that I support their adoption and their response to God's command to care for the fatherless.

Will you join me in the weekly Give 1, Save 1 donation?