Because I believe so strongly that ALL children need a place to call home, and someone to love them...I'm giving you this link. This is a link to a post of a wonderful woman from my church who (along with her husband) have recently become foster parents. Single people especially, can feel left out of the foster care/adoption world...I think the resources listed in this extremely informative post, can help those of us that want to get involved, but may not know how.
Professionally, I've worked with children from foster/adoptive homes (currently I'm starting an application with Child Protective Services), and I can certainly tell you they need love just like any other child out there. Personally, I long for the day when I can adopt children. I'm not sure why there's this misconception that those kids are like cacti, and thus they don't really need any sort of sustained, nurturing or care. If anything, they are like the most delicate of violets or orchids...they MUST be nurtured/sheltered/cared for. Imagine being 18 years old and never having had someone say "I love you", never having had someone there to kiss your owwies, wipe your tears, or hold you during a thunderstorm. So again, I direct your attention to this post. Get involved!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Join with all nature in manifold witness...
As I was cleaning my apartment, I found this poem I'd written under a pile of papers. It was written on May 9th of this year. I make no promises about the grammatical correctness of this poem.
Come
From the darkness came the voice of my Beloved. he wooes me gently with soft words and loving-kindness.
Strong and steady as a mountain is His love for me
Nothing and no one will tear me from my Beloved's arms
I am my Beloved's, and He is mine.
He adorns me in righteousness, because of Him, I am beautiful.
Sheltered by His never ending grace, I know no fear and no want.
Minions of the evil one cannot harm me
I am my Beloved's, and He is mine
Patient, kind and unselfish is His love, I am the apple of His eye.
Though I flit and run into the arms of others, my Beloved remains;
great is His faithfulness.
Each day He awakens me, that I may know His mercy in a new way
Battered & bruised, broken & scorned, I came to Him. He has made me new.
I am my Beloved's, and He is mine.
jl
Come
From the darkness came the voice of my Beloved. he wooes me gently with soft words and loving-kindness.
Strong and steady as a mountain is His love for me
Nothing and no one will tear me from my Beloved's arms
I am my Beloved's, and He is mine.
He adorns me in righteousness, because of Him, I am beautiful.
Sheltered by His never ending grace, I know no fear and no want.
Minions of the evil one cannot harm me
I am my Beloved's, and He is mine
Patient, kind and unselfish is His love, I am the apple of His eye.
Though I flit and run into the arms of others, my Beloved remains;
great is His faithfulness.
Each day He awakens me, that I may know His mercy in a new way
Battered & bruised, broken & scorned, I came to Him. He has made me new.
I am my Beloved's, and He is mine.
jl
Friday, May 23, 2008
it's hard to pray for someone you're not so sure exists...
Today was my first time to help with setting up for a wedding reception. It was stressful, and extremely hard work. There were tons of people around, including the stressed out bride and her party. They were busily trying to set up the centerpieces and other decorations in the reception hall. I didn't realize this for the longest time, but the ceremony was to take place in the yard of the old house were we were. There was such a heaviness in the air, the heaviness that this young woman and her beloved's lives were about to change forever. The bride didn't seem as excited as one would have hoped, then again, I guess that's understandable if you're having to literally do everything on your wedding day.
I began setting the tables, for some reason that's becoming one of my favorite things to do. Anywho, as I was folding the napkins, I turned and saw the bride just as she stepped out of her dressing room. She looked beautiful, as all brides do (in their own way). The wedding party milled about for a bit (occasionally stopping to tell me, the tables looked "awesome" might I add...:-) ) before they went outside to take pictures. The bridesmaids lifted the sheer overlay on the bride's dress and her train as she headed out. The sun caught the sequins/beadwork and I wanted to kick the photographers for missing such a "Kodak moment"! The sparkling overlay looked like some kind of sugary confection.
I had to head back to the shop to pass the van on to the cook who was taking the food to the reception hall, so I didn't get to stay for the actual reception. One thing that's been running through my mind is that I don't want to leave a legacy of regrets and selfishness. I'm that person that wishes they could hug the entire world. I wonder how much difference would it make if everyone hugged at least one stranger each day.
I began setting the tables, for some reason that's becoming one of my favorite things to do. Anywho, as I was folding the napkins, I turned and saw the bride just as she stepped out of her dressing room. She looked beautiful, as all brides do (in their own way). The wedding party milled about for a bit (occasionally stopping to tell me, the tables looked "awesome" might I add...:-) ) before they went outside to take pictures. The bridesmaids lifted the sheer overlay on the bride's dress and her train as she headed out. The sun caught the sequins/beadwork and I wanted to kick the photographers for missing such a "Kodak moment"! The sparkling overlay looked like some kind of sugary confection.
I had to head back to the shop to pass the van on to the cook who was taking the food to the reception hall, so I didn't get to stay for the actual reception. One thing that's been running through my mind is that I don't want to leave a legacy of regrets and selfishness. I'm that person that wishes they could hug the entire world. I wonder how much difference would it make if everyone hugged at least one stranger each day.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
We are family!
One thing that I've been more aware of is the family culture. It's one thing to be friends with married couples and families as a single person, but something is...missing in that friendship. Families have a culture that is both unique to each family, yet also serves as a common ground between families. It doesn't matter if you're a couple just starting out as man and wife, or if you've been married for decades and are now at the point where you're spoiling grandchildren, you share something with other families that single people just can't take a part in. We're all very aware of it, but it becomes more evident each time you're with other families and there happens to be single people present. We like to think of people in units...either a family, or a couple, so single people are a bit more complicated and usually end up getting lumped with other singles.
My point in writing about this is simply to process this feeling. Today, I was with tons of foster families and hopeful foster families, and the family culture was just overwhelming. My singleness was equally overwhelming. This culture (at least from an outsider's point of view) says, "we're going through the same things; having a family is hard, trying, funny, heart-breaking, absolutely CRAZY....and SO worth it! Thank goodness we're not single, huh?" There are couples/families, I LOVE being around, and then there are couples/families that seem to completely focus their energies on making singles aware (and shameful of) their singleness...they seem to say...we found someone...why couldn't you? Thankfully, I wasn't around any of the later type of couples/families.
My point in writing about this is simply to process this feeling. Today, I was with tons of foster families and hopeful foster families, and the family culture was just overwhelming. My singleness was equally overwhelming. This culture (at least from an outsider's point of view) says, "we're going through the same things; having a family is hard, trying, funny, heart-breaking, absolutely CRAZY....and SO worth it! Thank goodness we're not single, huh?" There are couples/families, I LOVE being around, and then there are couples/families that seem to completely focus their energies on making singles aware (and shameful of) their singleness...they seem to say...we found someone...why couldn't you? Thankfully, I wasn't around any of the later type of couples/families.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
1 Peter 3:1-9
" (1) In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives,
(2) as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.
(3) Your adornment must not be merely external--braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses;
(4) but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.
(5) For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands;
(6) just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear.
(7) You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
(8) To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit;
(9) not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.
This passage is what's on my heart at the moment. The first part of this passage reminds me of the saying, "Actions speak louder than words". Think back to all those sitcoms/wifey jokes you've heard. Usually there' s always something about a nagging wife, and how a husband learns to tune her out. She feels that she has to nag, or she won't get what she wants; and he feels that if she didn't nag all the time, he might be more inclinded to listen. Now of course, things are a bit more serious in actuality, but is there ever room for exhortation in a marriage?
Naturally, we (men, women, children) don't like to be told when we're doing something wrong....we hate having our faces shoved in our "mess". There are, however; times when we think our sin is still a secret...that because no one else seems to have noticed it, it must not be a problem. Sometimes it takes that one person...who, in love, gently says, "We need to talk about...". I'm not arguing with the Scripture, God knows what He's talking about; just thought I'd think out loud a bit.
I'm intrigued by the end of v.7 "...so that your prayers will not be hindered". Is this saying that a lack of harmony in your home will lead to such spiritual unrest that you will be unable to pray effectively? I'll do more reading on this.
(2) as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.
(3) Your adornment must not be merely external--braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses;
(4) but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.
(5) For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands;
(6) just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear.
(7) You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
(8) To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit;
(9) not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.
This passage is what's on my heart at the moment. The first part of this passage reminds me of the saying, "Actions speak louder than words". Think back to all those sitcoms/wifey jokes you've heard. Usually there' s always something about a nagging wife, and how a husband learns to tune her out. She feels that she has to nag, or she won't get what she wants; and he feels that if she didn't nag all the time, he might be more inclinded to listen. Now of course, things are a bit more serious in actuality, but is there ever room for exhortation in a marriage?
Naturally, we (men, women, children) don't like to be told when we're doing something wrong....we hate having our faces shoved in our "mess". There are, however; times when we think our sin is still a secret...that because no one else seems to have noticed it, it must not be a problem. Sometimes it takes that one person...who, in love, gently says, "We need to talk about...". I'm not arguing with the Scripture, God knows what He's talking about; just thought I'd think out loud a bit.
I'm intrigued by the end of v.7 "...so that your prayers will not be hindered". Is this saying that a lack of harmony in your home will lead to such spiritual unrest that you will be unable to pray effectively? I'll do more reading on this.
Monday, May 12, 2008
bumpy start
Ok, I've gotten some posting started, but the older posts are first...so for right now, for the most recent posts, you'll need to scroll down...
I wanna fly away
Written 4/3/08
Some days I can't wait to get "old". I can't wait to be able to look back on a (hopefully) long lifetime of God's continual, relentless faithfulness. Even at 24 years old, I've got plenty examples of that. I've had a fairly rough year since graduating. Many of you know about my struggles, and frustrations. If not....scroll down. This past week, I had yet another wall erected in my path, but thanks to past lessons learned, I've already regrouped and am prepping to hopefully charge full steam ahead down the next path. Praise God for teaching me adaptability!
In other news...I had my taxes done today. It was an interesting experience. I went the cheap (free) route, and had my taxes done at a local school's free tax preparation clinic thing. As I was sitting in the school library taking my surroundings, I was stuck at how much it reminded me of something like a free clinic. There were babies crying, (potential) baby mama's talking loudly into cell phones while wearing outfits 20x too small, young men... (potential) baby daddies wearing shirts and pants/shorts 20x too big on their stick thin frames. Gossip was flying about, and the whole time, some old...slightly sleazy guy...probably 45 or so, was trying desperately to have a conversation with me. Forgive me, but...I was not trying to hear anything he had to say. I know, I know...not very Christlike, but you didn't see the way he was eyeing me.
Last night I was up late watching old PBS episodes of Julia Child's Master Chef's show. Learned how to make pasta. Quickly tried that recipe today for lunch. SO much fun! All the shaping of the pasta and rolling out the dough. I made broad noodles, fettutini, and bowtie pasta...all pink, thanks to the beet juice. I cooked some of it in chicken broth, then reduced the amount of broth and added a bit of butter to make more of a creamy sauce on the noodles w/o them swimming in sauce. Very tasty!
Anywho, love to you and yours!
Some days I can't wait to get "old". I can't wait to be able to look back on a (hopefully) long lifetime of God's continual, relentless faithfulness. Even at 24 years old, I've got plenty examples of that. I've had a fairly rough year since graduating. Many of you know about my struggles, and frustrations. If not....scroll down. This past week, I had yet another wall erected in my path, but thanks to past lessons learned, I've already regrouped and am prepping to hopefully charge full steam ahead down the next path. Praise God for teaching me adaptability!
In other news...I had my taxes done today. It was an interesting experience. I went the cheap (free) route, and had my taxes done at a local school's free tax preparation clinic thing. As I was sitting in the school library taking my surroundings, I was stuck at how much it reminded me of something like a free clinic. There were babies crying, (potential) baby mama's talking loudly into cell phones while wearing outfits 20x too small, young men... (potential) baby daddies wearing shirts and pants/shorts 20x too big on their stick thin frames. Gossip was flying about, and the whole time, some old...slightly sleazy guy...probably 45 or so, was trying desperately to have a conversation with me. Forgive me, but...I was not trying to hear anything he had to say. I know, I know...not very Christlike, but you didn't see the way he was eyeing me.
Last night I was up late watching old PBS episodes of Julia Child's Master Chef's show. Learned how to make pasta. Quickly tried that recipe today for lunch. SO much fun! All the shaping of the pasta and rolling out the dough. I made broad noodles, fettutini, and bowtie pasta...all pink, thanks to the beet juice. I cooked some of it in chicken broth, then reduced the amount of broth and added a bit of butter to make more of a creamy sauce on the noodles w/o them swimming in sauce. Very tasty!
Anywho, love to you and yours!
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