I have realized that all our adoption related activities and keeping up with that blog will be taking up a good portion of time the next few months...
So if you would like to follow our adoption journey, please post your email in the comments or email me privately and I will send you the info...
I will still be posting here as well, but only on Sundays...
I do not want to neglect my walk with God, but "there is a season unto everything under the son"...this blog was INSTRUMENTAL in helping me pray through God's call, and I am already so grateful to have a record look back on to see more clearly how God was/is working in my life and in my family....
Like this entry...
Today I went alone to Church with my 17 year old son...
We sang the Kyrie in Latin and for a moment I could only hear my son, singing low and strong....
And I saw him all grown up holding the Host while singing the Kyrie....
wow.
I was in tears the rest of the way through communion.
He is a junior in high school and is busy working to take the ACT and investigating careers and colleges....
But maybe, just maybe, he is being called to the priesthood.
wow.
I promised the Lord I would specifically pray and sacrifice for his vocation in the coming years.
And maybe he will be an engineer or architect or designer...
Which would be great!
Maybe he andvhis wife will give me 10 grandchildren...
Awesome as well!
But maybe, just maybe, God is calling him, and my prayers and sacrifices will help give him the grace and strength to listen to that quiet call...and I will be able to show him this post someday....
St. John Vianney, pray for him!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Friday, March 18, 2011
The Unbearable Joy of Everyday Life
We had a lovely, music-filled evening tonight at the spaghetti dinner at my oldest son's high school...
He is a member of a co-Ed acapella singing group that is just awesome! We got to listen to them sing "somebody to love" by Queen while eating spaghetti (with meatballs for the little ones and without for the 14 and overs)... Then the jazz combo and larger group played, sounding much more like professionals than high school students...
We got home and the children scattered to the four winds, as they are want to do on Friday nights, and hubby settled into watching the Bulls game...
And I just walked around in awe of it all...
Praising God in my soul for so much more than many have or that I deserve...
A loving husband.
Children to love.
A home.
A Redeemer who died to save ME and those I love and who wants all of us to be joyful with Him forever!
I want to wrap myself in the joy of this moment.
I want to bring Henry here and wrap him in this joy AND my arms.
Jesus I thank you! Jesus I trust in you!
He is a member of a co-Ed acapella singing group that is just awesome! We got to listen to them sing "somebody to love" by Queen while eating spaghetti (with meatballs for the little ones and without for the 14 and overs)... Then the jazz combo and larger group played, sounding much more like professionals than high school students...
We got home and the children scattered to the four winds, as they are want to do on Friday nights, and hubby settled into watching the Bulls game...
And I just walked around in awe of it all...
Praising God in my soul for so much more than many have or that I deserve...
A loving husband.
Children to love.
A home.
A Redeemer who died to save ME and those I love and who wants all of us to be joyful with Him forever!
I want to wrap myself in the joy of this moment.
I want to bring Henry here and wrap him in this joy AND my arms.
Jesus I thank you! Jesus I trust in you!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Adoption Blog Announcement!
I am working on getting our adoption blog up and running...
I plan on relating in detail the process to get out little one home from Eastern Europe and would love to have you all follow along!
This blog will also stay active and focused on the spiritual aspects of my journey...I never would have imagined that God had this great blessing in store when I gave Him my life to do His will in the coming year!
Please send me an email at Livingforthelord2011@hotmail.com if you would like and I will let you know the location of the adoption blog...I do want to keep this blog more private and not have any family/friends here, but you ladies are welcome... I trust all of you ;-)
I plan on relating in detail the process to get out little one home from Eastern Europe and would love to have you all follow along!
This blog will also stay active and focused on the spiritual aspects of my journey...I never would have imagined that God had this great blessing in store when I gave Him my life to do His will in the coming year!
Please send me an email at Livingforthelord2011@hotmail.com if you would like and I will let you know the location of the adoption blog...I do want to keep this blog more private and not have any family/friends here, but you ladies are welcome... I trust all of you ;-)
Monday, March 14, 2011
WHO will we believe?
Hubby and I went alone to Sunday evening Mass at our parish last night. This is an exceptionally rare occurrence occasioned by the fact that too many children were throwing up on Sunday morning for us to get out. My oldest (who is 18 and has not yet succumbed to the "creeping crud") had gone to Mass earlier, so we were able to leave the sickies home with him as the vomiting had subsided by that evening.
It was so wonderful to sit by my sweetie and listen to the Gospel (as oppossed to stopping the 2 yo from running to the choir to greet siblings) and hold hands during the Homily!
It is amazing what spiritual insights can come when one is not picking up Cheerios while Father explains the readings!
The point he made was that the evil one knows where to tempt us for maximum effect...
I am well aware of that fact as previous posts have attested to...
But what struck me yesterday was the willingness of Eve to listen to and believe the serpent DESPITE her close loving relationship with God.
Think about it, the serpent told her that God LIED! And she believed that ugly reptile INSTEAD of the awesome Creator who gave her and Adam a whole beautiful life and garden and (almost) everything in it! She and Adam walked with and talked with God on a regular basis and she STILL believed the devil over her divine Father!!
What's up with that?!
The power of temptation.
Father reminded us yesterday that temptation itself is NOT a sin.
Thank goodness!
But temptation is SO powerful that Jesus himself taught us that we NEED to pray "Lead us not into temptation" because it is so very powerful...and we can be very weak...
Few of us are really confused about the "right" things to do, but still we don't do them (St. Paul included)!
Why?
Laziness, fear, the intense desire for immediate gratification and pleasure, pride, selfishness...
The list goes on.
But so does the grace that can be poured on us in moments of temptation through our cooperation with the infinite merits earned by Jesus' suffering and death.
Eve did not have that in her defensive arsenal, but we do!
While we strengthen up our "spiritual muscles" this Lent, let's remember that we cannot do it alone (which JPII notes was Adam's sin, leaving Eve to deal with the serpent alone)...
Let us call on Christ without ceasing, and remember that the glitter of temptation is but a momentary and counterfeit dross...
The real gold is found at the foot of the cross.
It was so wonderful to sit by my sweetie and listen to the Gospel (as oppossed to stopping the 2 yo from running to the choir to greet siblings) and hold hands during the Homily!
It is amazing what spiritual insights can come when one is not picking up Cheerios while Father explains the readings!
The point he made was that the evil one knows where to tempt us for maximum effect...
I am well aware of that fact as previous posts have attested to...
But what struck me yesterday was the willingness of Eve to listen to and believe the serpent DESPITE her close loving relationship with God.
Think about it, the serpent told her that God LIED! And she believed that ugly reptile INSTEAD of the awesome Creator who gave her and Adam a whole beautiful life and garden and (almost) everything in it! She and Adam walked with and talked with God on a regular basis and she STILL believed the devil over her divine Father!!
What's up with that?!
The power of temptation.
Father reminded us yesterday that temptation itself is NOT a sin.
Thank goodness!
But temptation is SO powerful that Jesus himself taught us that we NEED to pray "Lead us not into temptation" because it is so very powerful...and we can be very weak...
Few of us are really confused about the "right" things to do, but still we don't do them (St. Paul included)!
Why?
Laziness, fear, the intense desire for immediate gratification and pleasure, pride, selfishness...
The list goes on.
But so does the grace that can be poured on us in moments of temptation through our cooperation with the infinite merits earned by Jesus' suffering and death.
Eve did not have that in her defensive arsenal, but we do!
While we strengthen up our "spiritual muscles" this Lent, let's remember that we cannot do it alone (which JPII notes was Adam's sin, leaving Eve to deal with the serpent alone)...
Let us call on Christ without ceasing, and remember that the glitter of temptation is but a momentary and counterfeit dross...
The real gold is found at the foot of the cross.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Living Prayer
A fancy post on prayer will not happen today (and obviously did not happen yesterday)...
Spent Friday from 1 to 5 am in the Emergency Room with 4 yo who could not stop vomiting...he has strep throat and a double ear infection and needed serious meds to stop the nausea and keep the antibiotic down...
About 2 hours ago today (saturday) 6 yo started vomiting and complaining of sore throat so DH is back at ER (I told him he at least got daytime duty)...
Oh, and it is my ds#2 17th birthday today! He wanted gyros for dinner and a cookie cake for dessert and his older brother and younger sister each got him a shamrock shake from McD so he could drink 2 (because whenever he is done with one he says, "boy, That was so good I wish I had another!")
So, how does prayer fit in to all this craziness?
Not in a long theological discourse for sure!
It fits in while sitting in an ER praying for the drug to work and stop my little one from vomiting every 15 minutes...
It fits in while watching the first news reports coming out of Japan in the ER and praying for all affected...
It fits into being thankful that DH is home to take 6 yo to the ER during the daytime hours...
It fits into being thankful we have health insurance to pay for sick children and their medicine...
It fits into spending a moment with the daily readings from today's Mass on an iPad while nursing a clingy 2 year old...
It fits into desperately entreating the Lord not to let the 2 year old get sick next...
It fits into spending a moment of thanksgiving for my birthday boy and asking the Lord to bless and protect him this coming year and to help him make the decisions and do the work needed for his future....
One can never say they do not have time to pray.
Prayer can be the fabric that the threads of our lives are woven throughout.
Lord, help me to pray without ceasing, no matter what each moment brings!
Spent Friday from 1 to 5 am in the Emergency Room with 4 yo who could not stop vomiting...he has strep throat and a double ear infection and needed serious meds to stop the nausea and keep the antibiotic down...
About 2 hours ago today (saturday) 6 yo started vomiting and complaining of sore throat so DH is back at ER (I told him he at least got daytime duty)...
Oh, and it is my ds#2 17th birthday today! He wanted gyros for dinner and a cookie cake for dessert and his older brother and younger sister each got him a shamrock shake from McD so he could drink 2 (because whenever he is done with one he says, "boy, That was so good I wish I had another!")
So, how does prayer fit in to all this craziness?
Not in a long theological discourse for sure!
It fits in while sitting in an ER praying for the drug to work and stop my little one from vomiting every 15 minutes...
It fits in while watching the first news reports coming out of Japan in the ER and praying for all affected...
It fits into being thankful that DH is home to take 6 yo to the ER during the daytime hours...
It fits into being thankful we have health insurance to pay for sick children and their medicine...
It fits into spending a moment with the daily readings from today's Mass on an iPad while nursing a clingy 2 year old...
It fits into desperately entreating the Lord not to let the 2 year old get sick next...
It fits into spending a moment of thanksgiving for my birthday boy and asking the Lord to bless and protect him this coming year and to help him make the decisions and do the work needed for his future....
One can never say they do not have time to pray.
Prayer can be the fabric that the threads of our lives are woven throughout.
Lord, help me to pray without ceasing, no matter what each moment brings!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
The fruit of Lenten Fasting
During Lent our Mother Church wisely suggests we focus on three areas - Fasting, Prayer and Almsgiving...
I guess I talked about Almsgiving yesterday when I posted about Lera's fundraiser ;-)
Today let's talk about Fasting, as I did on the phone with my sister this morning...
she is giving up "sweets" and was surprised how many times yesterday she reached for or thought about getting a "little something" from the cupboard...but she admits she is still not very keen on the whole "fasting" idea and is not sure how it can help her grow spiritually.
I am giving up caffeine and alcohol... since I am "expecting" to adopt I am going to live like I am physically pregnant on the great suggestionsof my awesome friend J who is doing the same on her journey to adopt a child with Downs Syndrome....
As the caffeine withdrawal headache set in around 3pm yesterday, I will admit the discomfort did not immediately make me think of the sufferings of Christ...
but today, as I was bringing up the laundry baskets to put away the clean clothes (and feeling much better) I realized what a blessing it is to feel physically well and to be capable of doing the physical work of caring for my family (as opposed to only being capable of lying on the couch with an icepack on my head and moaning).
So at that point, about 18 hours later I sent up praise and thanksgiving with a grateful heart for the blessing of health, asked for God's healing for those I know who are sick, and realized just a bit that living under the shackles of ANY material attachment (including caffeine!) will eventually cause us pain and that God (and His Church) are seeking to FREE us this Lent, not to enslave us.
So watch several hours (or days) down the road to see the true fruits of your Lenten practice. Ask the Lord in prayer to reveal it to you....
and we will talk about prayer tomorrow...
I guess I talked about Almsgiving yesterday when I posted about Lera's fundraiser ;-)
Today let's talk about Fasting, as I did on the phone with my sister this morning...
she is giving up "sweets" and was surprised how many times yesterday she reached for or thought about getting a "little something" from the cupboard...but she admits she is still not very keen on the whole "fasting" idea and is not sure how it can help her grow spiritually.
I am giving up caffeine and alcohol... since I am "expecting" to adopt I am going to live like I am physically pregnant on the great suggestionsof my awesome friend J who is doing the same on her journey to adopt a child with Downs Syndrome....
As the caffeine withdrawal headache set in around 3pm yesterday, I will admit the discomfort did not immediately make me think of the sufferings of Christ...
but today, as I was bringing up the laundry baskets to put away the clean clothes (and feeling much better) I realized what a blessing it is to feel physically well and to be capable of doing the physical work of caring for my family (as opposed to only being capable of lying on the couch with an icepack on my head and moaning).
So at that point, about 18 hours later I sent up praise and thanksgiving with a grateful heart for the blessing of health, asked for God's healing for those I know who are sick, and realized just a bit that living under the shackles of ANY material attachment (including caffeine!) will eventually cause us pain and that God (and His Church) are seeking to FREE us this Lent, not to enslave us.
So watch several hours (or days) down the road to see the true fruits of your Lenten practice. Ask the Lord in prayer to reveal it to you....
and we will talk about prayer tomorrow...
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Fat Tuesday
We are moving as quickly as possible to get our documents and Home Study ready to submit for approval to bring our little guy home...
but until then there are so many families who have stepped out on faith to bring home children with Down's Syndrome and other physical and mental challenges from places like Russia and Eastern Europe.
One that has touched my heart is here. This family needs to go get their daughter Lera NOW! She has been transferred to a mental institution (where most unadopted children, whether physically or mentally challenged) end up.
Today is "Fat Tuesday." For Catholics that means a day of feasting before the fasting and penances of Lent.
Can you start your fasting one day earlier and give the money saved to Lera??
I was planning on a little "feast" with my 4 yo and 2 yo today for lunch....but I think I will pack some food and make a big "fat" donation to Lera's fundraiser instead.
Please prayerfully consider if you can join me!!!
but until then there are so many families who have stepped out on faith to bring home children with Down's Syndrome and other physical and mental challenges from places like Russia and Eastern Europe.
One that has touched my heart is here. This family needs to go get their daughter Lera NOW! She has been transferred to a mental institution (where most unadopted children, whether physically or mentally challenged) end up.
Today is "Fat Tuesday." For Catholics that means a day of feasting before the fasting and penances of Lent.
Can you start your fasting one day earlier and give the money saved to Lera??
I was planning on a little "feast" with my 4 yo and 2 yo today for lunch....but I think I will pack some food and make a big "fat" donation to Lera's fundraiser instead.
Please prayerfully consider if you can join me!!!
Monday, March 7, 2011
What a Difference a Week Makes
On Sunday Feb. 27, I was in tears at Mass because I had given up to the Lord my desire to adopt since I was SURE my husband would never agree...
On Sunday March 6, I was in tears at Mass because my dear husband had said YES and was pushing even faster than me to get our little guy home!!
Miracles happen. Every day.
We need to PRAY with all our strength and OPEN our eyes and hearts in love and trust.
On Sunday March 6, I was in tears at Mass because my dear husband had said YES and was pushing even faster than me to get our little guy home!!
Miracles happen. Every day.
We need to PRAY with all our strength and OPEN our eyes and hearts in love and trust.
Friday, March 4, 2011
How it Happened
I was going to write a several installment story giving all the details of the brutal 72 hours between our Friday night dinner and the moment on Sunday night where DH agreed to the adoption....
I was going to give all the gory details including my tears, his emotional shutdown, and our hour-long knock-down-drag-out argument....
I was going to share my sinfulness and stupidity, which almost (but for the grace of God) cost me my heart's dearest desire....
I was going to talk about how less than 12 hours before DH said "yes" I fell on my kness before Jesus and offered it all to Him - admitting I was trying to do this all myself and realizing I could do NOTHING on my own - I gave it all up if it was His Will and relinquished my desires to control my DH and to get what I wanted when I wanted it (even if it was objectively good)...
but instead I will just say that we are now of one heart and mind to do whatever it takes bring our little guy home as soon as possible!
I was also going to say "Thank You" to my Jesus again....
and that I will do.
Thank you Lord.
I was going to give all the gory details including my tears, his emotional shutdown, and our hour-long knock-down-drag-out argument....
I was going to share my sinfulness and stupidity, which almost (but for the grace of God) cost me my heart's dearest desire....
I was going to talk about how less than 12 hours before DH said "yes" I fell on my kness before Jesus and offered it all to Him - admitting I was trying to do this all myself and realizing I could do NOTHING on my own - I gave it all up if it was His Will and relinquished my desires to control my DH and to get what I wanted when I wanted it (even if it was objectively good)...
but instead I will just say that we are now of one heart and mind to do whatever it takes bring our little guy home as soon as possible!
I was also going to say "Thank You" to my Jesus again....
and that I will do.
Thank you Lord.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
YES LORD YES!!!!
As if there was any doubt that our God can move mountains and carse so deeply about each and every one of us at every moment and that miracles can happen when you admit your powerlessness and give everything up to God....
HE SAID YES!!
After a traumatic weekend where we were both tested in fire and brought to our knees by our weakness, the Grace of God and the love of our Holy Mother showered down on our family and we are beginning the adoption process to bring a child with a disability home from Eastern Europe!!!!
It will take several posts for me to fill you in on the days leading up to this miracle of love and faith....
I am looking forward to it....
but for now I must work on getting passports and transferring money and.....
oh my goodness, he said YES to the deepest desire of my heart....
I get to be a mommy for the 7th time and a little guy will get a forever mommy and daddy and family....
thank you Jesus. For everything.
HE SAID YES!!
After a traumatic weekend where we were both tested in fire and brought to our knees by our weakness, the Grace of God and the love of our Holy Mother showered down on our family and we are beginning the adoption process to bring a child with a disability home from Eastern Europe!!!!
It will take several posts for me to fill you in on the days leading up to this miracle of love and faith....
I am looking forward to it....
but for now I must work on getting passports and transferring money and.....
oh my goodness, he said YES to the deepest desire of my heart....
I get to be a mommy for the 7th time and a little guy will get a forever mommy and daddy and family....
thank you Jesus. For everything.
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